Module:

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 1 5

REFERENCE:

MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, AND CONSTRUCTION-5TH ED. J. WUJEK & F. DAGOSTINO
 Hi there, future Engineers!

In this module we will discuss the basic BUILDING ELECTRICAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After working on this module, the reader will be able to know and understand the
following:
▪ Electrical Codes, Licenses, and Permits
▪ Electrical Construction Drawings
▪ Building System Voltages
▪ System and Circuit Grounding
▪ The Building Electrical System
BUILDING ELECTRICAL DESIGN
PRINCIPLES
The Electrical Code
Design of an electrical system involves applying the
standards written into the building code.

An electrical code specifies the minimum provisions

necessary for protecting people and property from
the improper use of electricity and electrical
equipment.

It applies to both the

manufacture and
installation of electrical
equipment.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) is a set of specifications and standards in the form of a model code that
can be adopted into local law by the local governmental entity.

• The first documented case of a Code as a requirement of rules was published on 16th Nov. 1881 entitled
“ The Dangers of Electric Lighting”.
• The first NEC was developed in 1897, after the invention of incandescent light bulb by Thomas A.
Edison.

Regularly revised
(every three years) to
reflect the evolution of
products, materials,
and installation
techniques..
 COMPLIANCE TO THE PEC
WILL ENSURE SAFETY AND
Philippine Electrical Code
• It is a modified version of the National Electrical Code. PREVENT ELECTRICAL
• Regularly revised (every three years) to reflect the evolution of FIRES.
products, materials, and installation techniques.

PURPOSE
• The primary objective of the code is to establish basic materials
quality and electrical works standards for the safe use of electricity
for light, heat, power, communications, signaling and for other
purposes.
• “ Practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards
arising from the use of electricity ”.
Manufacturing Standards
All electrical equipment, appliances, and devices should meet specific safety
standards based on regular product testing. An approved product meets
minimum safety standards as determined by extensive testing by an
independent testing company or organization.
Licensing
Most states have ordinances (local laws) that require that any person who wishes to engage in the
business of installing electrical systems must be licensed (usually by the state or province). This means
that the person must have a minimum number of years of experience working with a licensed electrician
and must pass a written test that deals with the electrical code being used and with methods of
installation.

By requiring a license, it is assured that the electrician knows, at a minimum, the code
requirements and the installation procedures. There are areas where no laws require that
only licensed electricians may install electrical systems and, in effect, there is no protection
for the consumer against an unskilled electrician. It is good practice to insist on licensed
electricians for all installations.
Permits
Most states require that a permit be issued before any electrical installations may be made on a project.

In general, most areas that require electrical permits also require licensed electricians.

For example, conduit encased in concrete may have to be inspected before the
concrete is poured, and conduit to be built into masonry walls will have to be
inspected before the walls are begun.
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION
DRAWINGS
Electrical construction drawings show the layout and design of an electrical installation. A complete set of
construction drawings and specifications of the building electrical system is needed to convey design
information to the contractor.
The following construction drawings and details are generally required:

1. Complete plans and specifications of all electrical work

2. Labeling criteria of all electrical equipment
3. Lighting floor plan(s) including electrical circuits indicating conduit and wiring sizes
4. Power floor plans including electrical circuits indicating conduit and wiring sizes, equipment, and
disconnect switches
5. Exit sign/means of egress lighting location and power supply
6. Panelboard schedule
7. Lighting fixture schedule
8. Symbol schedule and diagrams
Specifications and drawings should include requirements for:
1. Raceway and conduit with fittings 11. Switchboards
2. Wire and cable 12. Grounding
3. Electrical boxes, fittings, and installation 13. Transformers
4. Electrical connections 14. Panelboards
5. Electrical wiring devices 15. Motor control centers
6. Circuit and motor disconnects 16. Lighting fixtures
7. Hangers and supporting devices
8. Electrical identification
9. Service entrance and details
10. Overcurrent protection
BUILDING SYSTEM VOLTAGES
Supply Voltages
Power is delivered by the utility company to the user at supply voltages.

Supply voltage is expressed as a nominal voltage because it varies slightly.

Variations from nominal voltages are caused by a number of reasons, including
load variation and changes in conditions at the utility power system.
Circuit Wiring
A minimum of two types of conductors is required to deliver alternating current in a building electrical
system: the ungrounded conductor and the neutral conductor. A third conductor, called a grounding
conductor, is added to most circuits.
The ungrounded conductor is the initial current-carrying
conductor in an AC system.

The ungrounded conductor is frequently known as the hot or live conductor

because it feeds current to the circuit.
A grounded (neutral) conductor is a grounded conductor that
serves more than one circuit

It carries the unbalanced load between two ungrounded (hot) conductors. Both
conductors complete the circuit(s) by connecting it to ground and, as a result,
are treated as current carrying conductors.
A grounding conductor is not normally a current-carrying
conductor.

It is energized only on a temporary, emergency basis when there is a fault

between an ungrounded (hot) conductor and any metal associated to the
electrical equipment.
Common Building System Voltages
The 120 V AC, 1Ø-2W system is the most basic
system voltage used. It was used in the first
electrical services to buildings; however, nearly
Today, this system is used to serve outbuildings
all have since been upgraded.
and farm buildings because its use is limited to
buildings with loads up to 6000 VA (50 A).
The 120/240 V AC, 1Ø-3W is the most common
residential electrical service in use today.

It is also used on a limited basis in

light commercial buildings such as
small office buildings, churches, and
retail shops and stores.
The 208 Y/120 V AC, 3Ø-4W is an older electrical
service found in small commercial buildings
(e.g., office buildings and schools) and high-rise
buildings where three-phase motors (motors
above about 1⁄2 horsepower) and equipment
such as large air conditioners are used.

It is not used very often in industry

because a 480 V system is more
economical for large motor loads.
The 480Y/277 V AC, 3Ø-4W is a common
electrical service in most modern medium to
large commercial buildings.

The 480 V three-phase power is used

to power specially designed heavy
machinery (e.g., at machine shops
and manufacturing plants).
The 600Y/346 V AC, 3Ø-4W is a less common
electrical service in large commercial and
industrial buildings that is used to power
specially designed heavy machinery.

This system is designed like the 480

Y/277 V AC, 3-4W described earlier,
except that 600 V and 346 V are
available in the circuit or feeder
configurations.
The 240 /120 AC, 3Ø-4W is another fairly
common electrical service found in commercial
and industrial buildings.

Three-phase motors (motors above

about 1⁄2 horsepower) and
equipment such as large air
conditioners are used.
System, Utilization, and Maximum
Voltages
A building system voltage may be specified as 120/240 V but is sometimes referred to as 110/220 V,
115/230 V or 125/250 V. The difference in the cited voltages has to do with variations in how the voltage
is being defined. There are three ways that a voltage is defined: system voltage, utilization voltage and
maximum voltage.
The System voltage is the target voltage entering the service panel. System voltage will vary slightly for
different buildings because of variations of voltage available at the transformer and voltage drop in the
service conductors.

The Utilization voltage accounts for anticipated voltage drops on branch circuit conductors. Measured
voltage at an outlet or connection is called the line voltage.

The Maximum voltage is highest voltage to which a wiring device can be exposed.
SYSTEM AND CIRCUIT GROUNDING
Grounding
• In an electrical system, grounding is required to protect building occupants and electrical
equipment.

• Grounding an electrical system begins with a ground, an electrode in direct contact with
the earth itself. The grounding conductor is a continuous conductor that connects the
ground to the neutral bus bar and the grounding conductor bus bar in the service
equipment/main panelboard.

• The grounding conductor does not normally carry current. Instead, it links ground to the
metal frames or housings of appliances and motors and the metal boxes containing
outlets and switches.

• The grounding conductor can safely carry current to ground in the event of a lightning
strike or in cases of damage or defect in the circuiting, appliances, devices, or equipment.
Grounding Requirements
In building electrical systems, there are two types of grounding:

• System grounding is that part of a building electrical system that provides protection against electrical
shock, lightning, and fires.

• Equipment grounding refers to a grounding conductor or grounding path that connects the
noncurrent-carrying metal components of equipment.

*Double insulation of an appliance or power tool protects the user from electric shock by creating a
nonconducting barrier between the user and the electric components inside the appliance or tool.
THE BUILDING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Residential Systems/Multifamily Dwellings

Normally, a 120/240 V, three-wire, single-phase service entrance serves a residence. In some cases where
it is the only service available. Power from a ground- or pole-mounted utility transformer located outside
the building is brought to the building service equipment through underground or overhead service
entrance lines.

In multifamily dwelling units (e.g., apartments, condominiums), power is brought from

a utility transformer to the building service equipment. It is then divided at a main
distribution panel, passes through individual meters, and is distributed to the
individual dwelling units through feeders. Each dwelling unit is served by a separate
panelboard located in the dwelling unit.
Commercial/Industrial Systems

Large commercial and industrial facilities have large and varied power requirements that necessitate
different types of systems for different building occupancies.

In a typical large building, electrical power is provided to a transformer located outside the building or it
enters a transformer vault located at the service level in the building.

The switchboard is located in a separate room, near the transformer or adjacent to the transformer vault.

Primary feeders are separated into high-power and lowpower bus risers, busways, or sets of conductors
that supply different system voltages to the many levels or areas of the building.
End of the module..