BASIC ELECTRICAL THEORY

Introduction:

Electricity is a form of energy called electrical energy. It is sometimes called an “unseen” force
because the energy itself cannot be seen, heard, touched, or smelled.

However the effects of electricity can be seen “a lamp that gives off light”; “a motor turns”; “a
cigarette lighter gets red hot”; “a buzzer makes noise”.

Because of the effects of electricity we can hear, feel, and smell electricity.

BASIC ELECTRICITY TERMS

Specific to the electric industry:
Alternating current
Electric current that reverses directions at regular intervals.
(AC)
Amps Measurement of current flow through a conductor.
The smallest unit of matter. Everything in the world is made of different
Atom
combinations of atoms.
A single or group of connected electric cells that produces a direct electric current
Battery
(DC).
Blackout Total loss of electric power from the power distributor.
Brownout A temporary reduction of voltage supplied by the electric power distributor.
Capacitance The ability of a component to store an electrical charge.
Charge Electricity produced by a surplus or a shortage of electrons in an object.
Circuit The path followed by a flow of electric current.
A substance or material that allows electrons, or electrical current, to flow through
Conductor
it.
Current The movement or flow of electricity through a conductor.
Direct Current (DC) Electric current flowing in only one direction
Overhead or underground power lines that carry electricity through cities and
Distribution Lines
neighborhoods to your home or business.
Electricity The flow of electrons.
A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom. The flow of
Electron
electrons produces electricity.
Energy The ability to do work. Energy = Power x Time
Energy
A system designed to ensure safety, security, and reliability to an electrical
Management
network.
System
Fission The splitting apart of an atom’s nucleus, releasing heat energy.
An electrical safety device consisting of a wire or strip of fusible metal that melts
Fuse
and interrupts the circuit when the current exceeds a preset amperage.
Generator A machine which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Geothermal Energy Heat energy that is stored below the earth’s surface.
Ground An electrical connection to the earth.
Grid A power system's layout of its substations and power lines.
Hydroelectricity Electricity generated by flowing water making a turbine spin.
Insulator Any material that will not allow electricity to easily flow through.
Kilowatt (kW) A unit for measuring electrical energy. (demand)
Kilowatt Hour (kWh) One kilowatt of electrical energy produced or used in one hour. (energy)
A flash of light caused by an atmospheric electrical discharge between two
Lightning
clouds, or between a cloud and the earth.
Lightning Arrestor A device used to protect an electrical component from over-voltage.
Load An electrical device or devices that use(s) electric power.
An object surrounded by a magnetic field that has the ability to attract iron or
Magnet
steel.
Magnetic Field An identified force that exists around a magnet or electrical field.
Megawatt One million watts.
An instrument that records the amount of something passing through it, such as
Meter
electricity.
Motor A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Neutron A basic particle in an atom’s nucleus that has a neutral electrical charge.
Nuclear Power Energy produced by splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor.
Nucleus The center of an atom that contains both protons and neutrons.
Ohms The unit of measurement of the electrical resistance of a material.
Power Energy used to do work measured in watts.
Power Factor The inefficient use of electrical power; the ratio of watts to volt-amperes.
Proton A basic particle in an atom’s nucleus that has a positive charge.
An electrical device that is capable of sending or receiving messages by means
Radio
of electromagnetic waves through the air.
Resistance The resistance to flow of electricity through a material.
Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. A Computer system used to remotely
SCADA Systems
monitor and control substation equipment.
Socket An opening into which something fits, such as a light socket.
Solar Energy Energy produced by the sun’s light or heat.
Spike A short duration of increased voltage lasting only one-half of a cycle.
Static Electricity An electrical charge built up due to friction between two dissimilar materials.
An electrical facility where transformers lower high transmission voltages to be
Substation
distributed to customers.
Surge A short duration of increased voltage.
An electrical component used for connecting, breaking, or changing the
Switch
connections in an electrical circuit.
 Thermal Of, using, producing, or caused by heat.
A technique used for detecting and measuring the heat emitted by various
Thermography objects, such as an electrical distribution panel. This technique can be recorded
photographically.
Transformer An electrical device that will raise or lower electricity’s voltage and current.
A large fan(s) that is coupled to a generator field. This turbine (fan) is put into
Turbine-generator
motion by the force of water, steam, or hot exhaust gases that rotate the turbine.
Volt The unit of measurement of force used to produce an electric current.
Watt A unit for measuring electric power.
A machine that uses energy from the wind and transfers the motion to an electric
Wind turbine
generator.

Electrical power & Energy

Voltage and current are not measurements of electric power and work. Power, in watts, is a
measure of electrical energy … power (P) equals current in amps (I) times voltage in volts (E), P = I
x E. Work, in wattseconds or watt-hours, is a measure of the energy used in period of time … work
equals power in watts (W)
Times time (t) in seconds (s) or hours (h), W = P X t. Electrical energy performs work when it is
changed into thermal (heat) energy , radiant (light) energy, audio (sound) energy, mechanical
(motive) energy, and chemical energy. It can be measured with a watt-hour meter.

Electric power is the rate, per unit time, at which electrical energy is transferred by
an electric circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt, one joule per second.
Symbol: P, Unit: Watts (W) or Joules/second (J/s)
One watt of power is obtained when a current of one ampere passes through a potential
difference of one volt.

Formula Derivation:
Power Triangle :

Power ( P )
P=VxI

where P = power (W)

V = voltage (V)
I = Current (A)

If only the voltage and resistance of the circuits are known, power can be calculated by squaring
the voltage (that is, V x V) and dividing by resistance.

P=VxI , I =V / R

P = V x (V/R)

P = V2/R

where R equals resistance in ohms

 If only the current and the resistance are known, power can be calculated by multiplying the
square of the current (that is, I x I) by the resistance.

P=VxI , V=IR

P = (I x R) X I

P = I2 x R

If voltage, current, and resistance are known, then any one of the formulas can be used. The
answers will be exactly the same.

If the amount of power used by a piece of equipment is multiplied by the time the equipment is
used, the amount of electric energy used can be found. Most utilities base their rates on
kilowatthour of electricity.

If power is given in watts, it can be converted to kilowatts merely by dividing watts by 1000.

Kilowatts = watts/1000
To find the cost of energy, multiply kilowatthours by the cost per kilowatthour.

Example

Calculate the power consumed by each resistor and the total power as shown in Figure
Sol’n. First get the RT and IT
RT = 20Ჲ + 30 Ჲ = 50 Ჲ
It = VT/ RT = 100 V / 50 Ჲ = 2 Amperes
P1 = I R20Ჲ = (2A) (20Ჲ)= 80 W
2 2

P2 = I2R30Ჲ = (2A)2 (30Ჲ)= 120 W

So, The power consumed in R20Ჲ & R30Ჲ are 80watts

and 120 watts respectively

Example:
Calculate the power consumed by each resistor and the
total power as shown in figure.
Given:
R1= 40Ჲ , R2= 60Ჲ , V= 60volts
Sol’n :
RT =R1 x R2 / R1 + R2
RT = 40Ჲ x 60Ჲ /40Ჲ + 60Ჲ
RT = 24 Ჲ

Since; R1 & R2 are in parallel, VT = V1 = V2 & IT =I1 + I2

To solve for I1 & I2 ;
I1 = V1 / R1 = 60v / 40Ჲ = 1.5 Amp.
I2 = V2 / R2 = 60v / 60Ჲ = 1.0 Amp.
To solve for power consumed in R1 & R2 ;
P= I2R
P1 =(I1)2 + R1 = (1.5)2 40Ჲ = 90 watts
P2 =(I2)2 + R2 = (1.0)2 60Ჲ = 60 watt
Another solution ; P= I V
P1 = I1 X V1 = 1.5A X 60v = 90 watts
P2 = I2 X V2 = 1.0A X 60v = 60 watts
Thus; The power consumed in R1 & R2 are 90 watts & 60 watts respectively

Energy
Energy is the capacity for doing work. Energy may exist in several forms and may be changed from
one form to another.
A lead-acid cell changes chemical energy to electrical energy on discharge and vice-versa on charge.
A generator changes mechanical energy to electrical energy, an electric radiator converts electrical
energy to heat energy, and etc.
Work cannot be done without energy being used, and the amount of work done is a measure of the
energy used.
The electrical energy taken from a source depends on the electrical power of the appliance and the
length of time used.
Symbol: W
Unit: Joules (J) or Watt-second (Ws)
Energy = Power (P) x Time (t)

CONVERSION OF ELECTRICAL UNIT

Large amount of energy, is often convenient to express in kilowatt-hours rather than in
joules.
1kWh = 1000 Watt-hours
= 1000 x 3600 watt-second (or Joules)
= 3,600,000 Joules
= 3.6 mega-joules (MJ)

COST OF ENERGY
The cost of electrical energy is calculated by the product of energy consumed in kWh and the charge
per unit.
1 unit = 1 kWh

COST OF ENERGY
The cost of electrical energy is calculated by the product of energy consumed in kWh and the
charge per unit.
1 unit = 1 kWh

EXAMPLES

A resistor of 20  is connected across a 12 V supply. If the current is remained constant for 20

minutes, calculate the energy dissipated in the resistor in Joules?
Given: R = 20  , V = 12 volts , t = 20 minutes, Req.= Energy ?
Sol’n: (E) energy = (P) power x (t) Time , where P = I V , and I = V / R
I = V / R = 12v / 20  = 0.6 Amp.
P = I V = 0.6 A x 12v = 7.2watts
E = P t = 7.2w x 20min. X 60 sec./ min.
E = 8,640 watts-sec.
E = 8,640 Joules ans. or
E = 8.64 KJ ans.
Sample Problem:

What is the monthly cost of operating a 20 Ω heater, drawing 6 A from a 120 V line, if the
heater is used 8 hours (h) a day, 20 days a month, and utility charges 10 cents per kilowatthour.

Solution

Any one of the power formulas can be used to find the power consumed by the heater.
P = V x I = 120 x 6 = 720 W

P = V2/R = (120 x 120)/20 = 720 W

P = I2R = 6 x 6 x 20 = 720 W

To change to kilowatts

Kilowatts = watts/1000 = 720/1000 = 0.72 kW

The heater is used 8 h a day for 20 days or 8 x 20 = 160 h a month.

Kilowatthours = 0.72 kW x 160 h = 115.2 kW-hr

Since each kilowathour costs 10 cents, the total charge for 115.2 kWh is

Cost = kilowatthours x cost per kilowatthour = 115.2KW-hr x Php 0.10/KW-hr

 Cost = Php 11.52

Thus it will cost P 11.52 a month to operate the heater in this problem.

SELF CHECK

1. Calculate the power consumed by each of the following devices:

(a) one 60 V, 10 A lamp.
(b) one 100  resistor carrying 0.5 A.
(Ans: 600 W, 25 W)

2. Calculate the current taken by a 100 W lamp connected across a 230 V supply. Also, find
the corresponding resistance of the filament.
(Ans: 0.4348 A, 529 )

3. A resistor of 25  is connected across the terminals of a battery having an emf of 6 volts

and a negligible internal resistance. Calculate:
(a) the current,
(b) the power,
(c) the energy in joules, if the current remains constant for 20 minutes.
(Ans: 0.24 A, 1.44 W, 1728 J)

4. What is the input power to an electrical heater draws 5 A from a 230 V supply?
(Ans: 1.15 kW)

5. The winding of a motor has a resistance of 250 . Calculate the power when it is connected
across a 230 V supply.
(Ans: 211.6 W)

Conductor splices
It is the method to jointing and two of cable or conductor with a good quality and safe for electrical
application.In electrical work, the connection cable is quite important and should be taken seriously, if
it is the wrong way, this will lead to an accident or damage to the circuit.

In industry,it have several types electrical conductor splicestechnique.It use for different
application.We must selected the write splices type depend on application.If not it can cause the
serious damage for conductor,people and equipment.

This time i want share about types of conductor splices it common used in electrical field for wiring
and installation works.

TYPES OF CONDUCTOR SPLICES

This time I will explain the techniques usual to splices conductor in electrical works.

1) Western Union Splice

The Western Union splice joins small, solid conductors.

 Prepare the wires for splicing. Enough insulation is removed to make the splice. The conductor is
cleaned.
 Bring the wires to a crossed position and make a long twist or bend in each wire
 Wrap one end of the wire and then the other end four or five times around the straight portion of
each wire
 Press the ends of the wires down as close as possible to the straight portion of the wire. This
prevents the sharp ends from puncturing the tape covering that is wrapped over the splice.
2) Staggering Splices
Joining small multiconductor cables often presents a problem. Each conductor must be spliced and
taped. If the splices are directly opposite each other, the overall size of the joint becomes large and
bulky. A smoother and less bulky joint can be made by staggering the splices.

Care should be taken to ensure that a short wire from one side of the cable is spliced to a long wire,
from the other side of the cable. The sharp ends are then clamped firmly down on the conductor.

3) Rattail Joint
A splice that is used in a junction box and for connecting branch circuits is the rattail joint.Wiring that
is installed in buildings is usually placed inside long lengths of steel or aluminum pipe called a
conduit.

Whenever branch or multiple circuits are needed, junction boxes are used to join the conduit. To
create a rattail joint, first strip the insulation off the ends of the conductors to be joined. You then twist
the wires to form the rattail effect. This type of splice will not stand much stress.
4) Fixture Joint
The fixture joint is used to connect a small-diameter wire, such as in a lighting fixture, to a larger
diameter wire used in a branch circuit. Like the rattail joint, the fixture joint will not stand much strain.

 The first step is to remove the insulation andclean the wires to be joined.
 After the wires are prepared, the fixture wire is wrapped a few times around the branch wire.
 The end of the branch wire is then bent over the completed turns.
 The remainder of the bare fixture wire is then wrapped over the bent branch wire.
 Soldering and taping completes the job.

5) Knotted Tap Joint

All the splices discussed up to this point are known as butted splices. Each was made by joining the
free ends of the conductors together. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to join a branch conductor
to a continuous wire called the main wire. Such a junction is called a tap joint.

The main wire, to which the branch wire is to be tapped, has about 1 inch of insulation removed. The
branch wire is stripped of about 3 inches of insulation.

Step :

 The branch wire is laid behind the main wire. About three-fourths of the bare portion of the
branch wire extends above the main wire.
 The branch wire is brought under the main wire, around itself.
 Then over the main wire to form a knot. The branch wire is then wrapped around the main
conductor in short.
 Tight turns; and the end is trimmed off.
The knotted tap is used where the splice is subject to strain or slippage. When there is no strain, the
knot may be eliminated.

6) Wire nut and split bolt splices

The wire nut is a device commonly used to replace the rattail joint splice. The wire nut is housed in
plastic insulating material. To use the wire nut, place the two stripped conductors into the wire nut and
twist the nut.
In so doing, this will form a splice like the rattail joint and insulate itself by drawing the wire insulation
into the wire nut insulation.

The split bolt splice (view B picture) is used extensively to join large conductors. In the illustration, it is
shown replacing the knotted tap joint. The split bolt splice can also be used to replace the “butted”
splices mentioned previously when using large conductors.

For more detail information about wiring technique,please refer to ELECTRICAL WIRING
HANDBOOK :

http://www.electricneutron.com/wiring-techniques/conductor-splices/
 OHM’S Law
A simple relationship exists between voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits.
Understanding this relationship is important for fast, accurate electrical problem diagnosis and
repair.

Ohm’s Law says: The current in a circuit is directly proportional to the applied voltage and inversely
proportional to the amount of resistance.

This means that if the voltage goes up, the current flow will go up, and vice versa. Also, as the
resistance goes up, the current goes down, and vice versa.

Ohm’s Law can be put to good use in electrical troubleshooting. But, calculating precise values
for voltage, current, and resistance is not always practical … nor, really needed. A more
practical, less time-consuming use of Ohm’s Law would be to simply apply the concepts
involved:

Source Voltage is not affected by either current or resistance. It is either too low, normal, or too
high. If it is too low, current will be low. If it is normal, current will be high if resistance is low or
current will be low if resistance is high. If voltage is too high, current will be high.

Current is affected by either voltage or resistance. If the voltage is high or the resistance is low,
current will be high. If the voltage is low or the resistance is high, current will be low.

Resistance is not affected by either voltage or current. It is either too low , normal, or too high. If
resistance is too low, current will be high at any voltage. If resistance is too high, current will be
low if voltage is normal.

Example :

I = E/R I=100volts / 20 Ჲ
I = 5A

I= 200V /20 Ჲ = 10A

I = 100V / 40Ჲ = 2.5A

I= 200V / 40Ჲ = 5A

Simplified Formula for Ohm’s Law

 Sample Problems:

a. How many amperes will flow through the heating resistor, neglecting the resistance of the
line wires.

Solution

By use of Ohm’s Law

I = V/R
Given:

where V = voltage (volts)

I = Current (amperes)
R = resistance (ohms)

In this case V = 100 V and R = 20 Ω

Sol’n:

I = 100 V/20 Ω
I =5A

b. A meter placed in the heating resistor circuit shows that 5 A is flowing through the resistor
is 20 Ω, what is the voltage across it?

Solution

The voltage across a circuit, or any part of a circuit, can be found by Ohm’s Law

V=IxR

In this problem I = 5 A and R = 20 Ω

V = 5 A x 20 Ω
V = 100 V

The voltage across the resistor is 100V.

c. The voltage across a heating resistor is measured at 100 V at the same time that 5 A is
flowing through the resistor. What is the resistance of the heating resistor?

Solution

By Ohm’s Law
R = V/I

In this problem V = 100 V and I = 5 A

R = 100 V/5 A
R = 20 Ω

The resistance of the heating resistor is 20 Ω

Self Check

1. A lamp has resistance of 90 ohms, how much current flows through the lamp when it is
connected to a 120 V supply?
(Ans: 1.33 A)

2. A circuit has an applied voltage of 100 V and a resistance of 1000 ohms. What is the current
flowing in the circuit?
(Ans: 0.1 A)
3. The manufacturer specifies a certain lamp will allow 0.8 A of current when 120 V is applied to
it. What is the resistance of the lamp?
(Ans: 150 )

4. An electric device has a resistance of 50 ohms. How much voltage must be applied to the device
to cause a current of 1.6 A to flow?
(Ans: 80 V)

5. A circuit which contains 10,000 ohms of resistance has a current flow of 100 mA. What is the
applied voltage ?
(Ans: 1000 V)

6. An applied voltage of 50 V causes a current of 12 A to flow. What is the circuit resistance ?

(Ans: 4.17)

7. What applied voltage will cause 500 mA of current to flow through 500 ohms of resistance ?

(Ans: 250 V)

8. An electric appliance has a resistance of 22 ohms. How much current will it draw when
connected to a 220 V supply?
(Ans: 10A)

9. The cold resistance of a certain gas filled tungsten lamp is 18.2 ohms and its hot resistance at
the operating voltage of 110 V is 202 ohms.
Find the current:
(a) At the instant of switching on.
(b) The normal working current.
(Ans: 6.04 A, 0.545 A )

10. A constant voltage supply of 12 V causes a current of 100 mA to flow through a resistor. When
the supply voltage is reduced to 10 V, calculate the circuit current.
(Ans: 0.083 A)
 The Electron Theory
Electron theory helps to explain electricity. The basic building block for matter, anything that has
mass and occupies space, is atom. All matter – solid, liquid, or gas – is made up of molecules or
atoms joined together. These atoms are the smallest particles into which an element or
substance can be divided without losing its properties. There are only about 100 different atoms
that make up everything in our world. The features that make one atom different from another
also determine its electrical properties.

Atomic Structure

An atom is like a tiny solar system. The center is called the nucleus, made up of tiny particles
called protons and neutrons. The nucleus is summoned by clouds of other tiny particles called
electrons. The electrons rotate about the nucleus in fixed paths called shells or rings.
Hydrogen has the simplest atom with one proton in
the nucleus and one electron rotating around it.
Copper is more complex with 29 electrons in four
different rings rotating around a nucleus that has 29
protons and 29 neutrons. Other elements have
different atomic structures.

Atoms and Electrical charges

Each atomic particle has an electrical

charge. Electrons have a negative (-)
charge. Protons have a positive (+)
charge. Neutrons have no charge; they
are neutral.

In a balanced atom, the number of

electrons equals the number of protons.

The balance of the opposing negative

and positive charges holds the atom
together. Like charges repel, unlike
charges attract. The positive protons hold the electrons in orbit. Centrifugal force prevents the
electrons from moving inward. And, the neutrons cancel; the repelling force between protons to
hold the atom’s core together.

Positive and Negative Ions

If an atom gains electrons, it becomes a

negative ion. If an atom loses electrons,
it becomes a positive ion. Positive ions
attract electrons from neighboring atoms
to become balanced. This causes
electron flow.

ELECTRON FLOW

Only the FREE ELECTRONS in the outermost shell

(Valance Ring) are free to move from atom to atom.
This movement is called ELECTRON FLOW.

These FREE ELECTRONS are loosely held and can

easily be moved to another atom or ion.

Because of their distance from the nucleus, free

electrons have a weak magnetic attraction. Since this
attraction is not as strong to the nucleus as the bound
electrons on the inner orbits, the electrons move easily
from atom to atom. A stream of free electrons forms an
electrical current.
SELF-CHECK

I. Enumeration:
1. Name two parts of an atom?
2. If an atom has some of its electrons displaced, is it positively or negatively charged.
3. What is the movement of charge particles or flow of electrons are called?

II. Multiple Choice:

1. It is where electrons revolve (axis)

a. Protons b. shell c. neutrons d. electrons

2. It is the center of an atom

a. Proton b. neutron c. nucleus d. electron

3. Part of nucleus that is positively charge.

a. nucleus b. proton c. atom d. electron

4. Part of an atom that is neutrally charged

a. proton b. electron c. neutron d. shell

5. Smallest particle of an element; means invisible

a. matter b. atom c. molecules

Ref.
http://www.autoshop101.com/trainmodules/electricity/elec114.html

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/what-is-electricity/going-atomic
 ELECTRICAL TOOLS AND MATERIALS
Electrical Tools and Equipment

Pliers are available with both insulated and uninsulated handles, which is for working
on or near hot wires. The handle insulation should not be considered sufficient protection
alone. Other safety precautions must be observed. Examples of common types of pliers:

Slip joint Diagonal cutting Side cutting

Retainer ring Long nose Wire Stripper

Screw drivers come in various sizes and shapes. It is used by the electrician to drive
and pull out screws. It is made of insulated handle with a sharp and square tips, the width
of the screw driver should match the width of the screw slot.

Standard type Phillips Offset

Drilling Equipment is needed to make holes in building structure for passage of wires
and conduit in both new and old installation, indoor or outdoor wiring.

Electric drill Auger brace Hand drill

Gimlet Drill bits

 Soldering tools. Splices and taps connections made to wire should be properly
soldered to avoid loose contacts unless you have soldered less contacts.

Soldering iron Soldering gun Blow torch

Hammers are used by the electrician or carpenter to drive and pull out nail. It is made
of hard steel or plastic.

Claw hammer Ball pin hammer Mallet (Plastic or rubber

hammer)

Measuring tools and instrument. The electrician uses the following measuring tools to
measure value of voltage, current and resistance, wire length, opening sizes of wire, conduit
and other items:

Metric rule Wire gauge Veneer caliper

Multitester Voltmeter Ammeter

Galvanometer Micrometer caliper Clamp meter

Sawing and cutting tool. Two of the commonly used saw by the electrician:

Hack saw Keyhole saw

ELECTRICAL MATERIALS
A. Wires and Cables

 Wires are those electrical conductors 8 mm (AWG no.8) and smaller.

 Cables are those larger than the wires. They are either solid or stranded.
Types of Wire and Cable Insulation
Insulations Letter Type
Weather Proof WP
Slow Burning SB
Slow Burning Weather proof SBW
Rubber – Code Compound R
Heat Resistant RH
Moisture Resistant RW
Moisture and Heat Resistant RH – RW
Latex (Regular) RU
Latex (Moisture Resistant) RU
Mineral (Metal – Sheated) MI
Thermoplastic Compound
Thermoplastic T
Moisture – Resistant Thermoplastic TW
Moisture and Heat Resistant Thermoplastic THW
Thermoplastic and Fibrous Outer Braid TBS
Thermoplastic and Asbestos T
Varnish Cambric
Standard Black
Heat Resisting V
Paper
Solid Type
Oil – Filled
Oilastati
Untreated
Treated
Asbestos
Non – impregnated A and AA
Impregnated AI and AIA
Asbestos – Varnished – Cambric
Outer Asbestos Braid AVA
Lead Covered
Cotton Braid Covered AVB
Silicon Asbestos SA

Electrical Materials

Boxes are made of nonmetallic (plastic) boxes and available in four principal shapes:
square, octagon, rectangular and circular.

Utility box Octagonal box Square box

 PVC Flexible Conduits PVC rigid conduit

Electric tape PVC flexible conduit PVC clamp

connector

Circuit breaker box Panel box Safety switch box

Fuses and circuit breakers

It is an electrical protective device which is used to protect the circuit from over or
short. It is available in different sizes and shapes. The common types are:

Circuit breaker
Cartridge fuse Knife blade fuse Plug fuse
(Three-phase type)

Switch
It is an electrical device which is used to turn ON and OFF the circuit.

Flush type Tumbler type

 INFORMATION TYPES OF ELECTRICAL MEASURING
SHEET 1 INSTRUMENTS

There are types of measuring tool which are commonly used to perform electrical work.
There are two ways on how tools can be utilized. Tools like vernier caliper, metric rule, steel
rules are tools which are used to perform layout and installation of a particular wiring
materials. The tools like multi meter, clamp meter, electric meter are common example of
tool used for measuring electrical magnitude like the voltage current resistance or even the
power consumption of a particular electrical appliances.

Multimeters are very useful test instruments. By operating a multi-position switch on

the meter they can be quickly and easily set to be a voltmeter, an ammeter or an
ohmmeter. They have several settings (called “ranges”) for each type of meter and the choice
of AC or DC. Some multimeters have additional features such as transistor testing and
ranges for measuring capacity and frequency.

Choosing a multi-meter

The photographs below show modestly priced multi-meters which are suitable for
general electronics use. A digital multimeter is the best choice for your first multimeter,
even the cheapest will be suitable for testing simple projects.

If you are buying an analog multimeter make sure it has a high sensitivity of 20k /V or
greater on DC voltage ranges. Anything less is not suitable for electronics. The sensitivity is
normally marked in a corner of the scale, ignore the lower AC value (sensitivity on AC
ranges is less important), the higher DC value is the critical one. Beware of cheap analogue
multimeters sold for electrical work on cars because their sensitivity is likely to be too low.

Analog Digital

Clamp meter is another type of measuring instrument which is specialized to measure

the value of electric current indirectly in an electrical circuit. This can also be a voltmeter,
and an ohmmeter. They have several settings (called 'ranges') for each type of meter and the
choice of AC or DC. It is also available either in digital type or analog type. (See picture on
next page)

Digital multi meter

Electric meter is an electrical device used to record the amount of electrical energy
consumed by an appliance or electrical system in a particular period of time
 Insulation tester (megger) is an electrical measuring instrument intended to measure
the insulation resistance of electrical conductor. It is particularly used to detect the
condition of the coil of an electric motor. Below are pictures of a digital and analogue type
insulation tester.

The steel rule is considered to be the most convenient size to carry around. Many steel
rules have a "hook" feature that provides an accurate "stop" at the end of the rule. This can
be used to set calipers, dividers, etc. and for taking measurements where it is not possible
to be sure that the end of the rule is even with the edge of the work. Some workers refer to
steel rules as "machinists scales."

Metric rule is a tool used measure short and long distances. It is very important when
performing a layout and installation of electrical wiring fixture.

Caliper rule The caliper rule can be either vernier or micro meter. These tools are
commonly used to measure the diameter of a wires, or thickness of steel plates . It can also
be used to measure the inner distance of a hole.

Vernier caliper Micrometer caliper