INTERIOR SERVICES LECTURE NOTES JAN 07 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
DEFINITION
An electrical system is a network of components that generates, transmits, and
uses electrical power. It includes all the equipment and elements needed to
distribute power, such as poles, transformers, and overhead and underground
lines.
Some examples of electrical systems include:
• Electrical grid: A large-scale electrical system that supplies power to
homes and industries in a wide area
• Smartphones: A device that uses electrical systems to communicate with
others
• Televisions: A device that uses electrical systems to watch programs
• Electrical wires: Wires that run along the side of highways

Introduction
• An electrical system, within the context of a building, is
a network of conductors and equipment designed to carry, distribute and
convert electrical power safely from the point of delivery or generation to
the various loads around the building that consume the electrical energy.
• Electrical Wiring system: A network of wires connecting various accessories
for distribution of electrical energy from the supplier meter board to the
numerous electrical energy consuming devices such as lamps, fans and
other domestic appliances through controlling and safety devices is
known as a wiring system.
Systems of distribution of electrical energy:
Since as per recommendation of Indian Standards the maximum number
of points of lights, fans and 5A socket outlet that can be connected in
one circuit is 10 and the maximum load that can be connected in such a
circuit is 800 W, in case more load or points are required to be connected
to the supply, then it is to be done by having more than one circuit.
Distribution Board System:
In distribution board system, which is most adopted for distribution of
electrical in a building, the fuses of various circuits are grouped together

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 on a distribution board, sometimes simply known as fuse board.
Connections necessary for connecting two or more than two circuits,
each consisting of 10 or less number of lamps.
The two copper strips known as bus bars fixed in a distribution board of
hardwood or metal case are connected to the supply mains through a
double pole iron clad (D.P.I.C) switch so that the installation can be
switched off.
A fuse is inserted in the positive or phase pole of each circuit so that each
circuit is connected through its own fuse. The number of circuits and sub-
circuits is decided as per number of points to be wired and load to be
connected to the supply.

Tree system:
In this system smaller branches are taken from the main branch as shown
in fig.below and the wiring system resembles a tree. As each branch is
taken off, a fuse is inserted. This system used to be employed in early days.
Now a days it is no more adopted due to the following drawbacks.
(i) The voltage across all the lamps does not remain the same.
(ii) A number of joints are involved in every circuit.
(iii) Fuses are scattered.
(iv) In case of occurrence of faults all the joints have to be located.

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Methods of Wiring:
(i) Joint Box or Tee System: In joint box system the connections to the
lamps are made through joints made in joint box by means of suitable
connectors or joint cutouts. In this method though there is a saving in
the quantity of wire or cable required but the same is offset by the
extra cost of joint boxes. The other disadvantage is the number of ‘T’
connection made in wiring system results in weakness if not properly
made. Now a days the use of this system is limited to temporary
installations only as its cost is low.

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 (ii) Loop-in System: this system is universally used for connections of various
lamps or other appliances in parallel. In this system when a connection
is required at a light or switch, the feed conductor is looped in by
bringing it direct to the terminal and then carrying it forward again to
the next point to be fed as shown in fig.below. The switch and light
feeds are carried round the circuit in a series of loops from one point to
another until the last point on the circuit is reached. The phase or line
conductors are looped either in switch board or box and neutrals are
looped either in switch board or from light or fan. Line or phase should
never be looped from light or fan.

Selection or choice of wiring system:

• Safety
• Durability
• Appearance
• Mechanical protection
• Accessibility
• Low initial cost
• Low maintenance cost
Types of Wiring:
1. Cleat wiring
2. Batten wiring -CTS Wiring (Cab Tyre Sheathed)
TRS wiring(Through Rubber Sheathed)

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Lead sheathed wiring
Casing capping wire = wooden/PVC
3. Conduct pipe wiring
Surface conduit/open conduit wiring
Concealed conduit wiring.
Cleat Wiring:
• Very simple and cheapest method of wiring used for temporary wiring at
dry places. Single core P.V.C or V.I.R cables are used in this system of
supply voltage of 250v.
• It is used 1.5 m above from the ground.
• Cables are held by porcelain cleat. The cleats are made of porcelain.
• The Cleats are made in to two halves, 1) Base ii) Cap. Cap is put over it
and the whole is screwed.
• The Cleat is screwed over wooden gutties previously cemented into wall.
Cross Section of Gutties = 38mm x 38mm (Big end) = 25mm x 25mm (small
end) Length = 65mm The Cleats are different sizes and different types to
accommodate different number of cables.
• Types of Cleats (1) One groove to accommodate one cable (2) Two
grooves to accommodate two cables (3) Three grooves to
accommodate three cables.
• Distance between two cleats should be between 30 cm to 60 cm to
avoid sag on the cable. Used for temporary power connection for
marriage.
• Advantages: 1) Less cost 2) Easy to work 3) Fault can be easily located 4)
Fault location is easy 5) Installation on dismantling is easy
• Disadvantages: 1. It is not good looking. 2. It is purely temporary. 3. No
protection from mechanical injury, fire, gas, water. Precautions: 1. Two
wire should not be placed in one groove of porcelain cleat. 2. Cleat
should not be loose or over tightened. 3. This system of wiring is not used in
wet walls.
• Applications: 1. Suitable for temporary installation 2. Used in dry places
where appearance is not important and cheap is required.
Batten Wiring :-
• Suitable for low voltage installation.
• plain strip of teak wood (Batten) are used so it is called batten wiring.
• The wire used may be single core twin core, three core.
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 Advantages:
1. Easy to install and repair
2. Cheap as compared to other wiring Easy to inspect It can
withstand the action of most chemicals and salt Iife is longer
Disadvantages :
1. It can be used in places open to Sun and rain.
2. There is risk of fire Application: (CTS/TRS) Suitable for low voltage in
domestic, Commercial building
Casing Capping Wiring :-
• Wooden/PVC This system of wiring is most adopted for residential building.
The wire used may be P.V.C or V.I.R type.
• It consists of rectangular wooden block led casing which has two or more
grooves to carry the cable.
• The casing is covered by wood of some width called capping and is
screwed to it with the help of wood screw to wooden gutties which is fixed
previously to walls.
• The size of casing/capping depends on the number and size of the cables
to be accommodated.
• Now a days wooden casing and capping are replaced by PVC casing
and capping.
• This type of wiring is suitable for low voltage installation (Upto250V) where
there is no risk of fire hazard. Length, casing & capping = 2.5 m to 3 m
Advantage:
• 1. Long life
• 2. Easy to install & repair
• 3. Less costly (Cheap)
• 4. It can withstand the action of Acid & Chemical
Disadvantage:
1. Wood is very inflammable, there is risk to fire.
2. Wire replacement is difficult
3. Wood is not damp proof, so it is not used in damp and wet areas.
Lead Sheathed Wiring:
• In this type of wiring the conductor used is insulated with VIR and covered
with an outer sheath of lead aluminum alloy containing about 95% of
lead.
• The metal sheath gives protection to the cable from mechanical injury,
dampness and atmospheric corrosion.
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 • The cable is run on wooden batten and fixed by means of link clips as
CTS/TRS wiring.
• Advantages:
1. It provides protection against mechanical injury
2. It can be used in situation exposed to sun and rain provided no joint is
exposed.
• Disadvantage:
1. More costly than CTS/TRS wiring due to increase in cost of cable
2. Not suitable for places where chemical corrosion may occur.
3. Wiring is suitable for low voltage up to 250V
Conduit Wiring:
1. Surface conduct wiring
2. Concealed conduit wiring
Conduits are fixed to walls with the help of hooks or saddles. The cables are
drawn through the conduit pipe by means of steel wire known as fish wire. Size
of conduit to be selected for the wiring depends on the diameter of conduit
and number of cables to be corrected through the conduit. The conduit should
be electrically & mechanically continuous and connected to earth .
There are two types of conduits 1) Light gauge conduit 2) Heavy gauge conduit.
Light gauge are used upto 250V. It is not water tight, nor damp proof. Heavy
gauge conduit are used for all medium voltage 250V to 650V . Advantages: 1.
Long life 2. No maintenance 3. Costly 4. Whole system is water proof 5. It gives
protection against fire due to short ckt 6. Gives protection against mechanical
damage. 7. It is shock proof if earthing is properly done. Disadvantages: 1. Very
costly system 2. Its erection is not easy and requires time. 3. Highly skilled labour is
required for carrying out the working. Application : 1. Used in workshop building,
Industries Light gauge conduit is prepared from sheet of steel and these are thin.
So threading cannot be done. Sizes are 12 mm, 16mm, 19mm, 25mm, 38mm,
50mm. Heavy Gauge conduit pipes are prepared from mild steel, threading can
be done with help of die set.

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Points to be Considered Before Selection of Particular Wiring-
1. Type of building Life of Wiring Future extension
2. Type of cable used Nature of load i.e. power load / light load
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 3. Dampness
4. Cast
5. Appearance.
6. type of building
7. voltage to be employed.
Fuse Unit: A Fuse unit essentially consists of a metal fuse element, a set of
contact between which it is fixed and a body to support and isolate them.
Types of fuse unit most commonly available i) ii) iii) iv) Round type of fuse unit Kit
Kat type fuse unit Cartridge type fuse unit HRC (High rupturing capacity fuse
unit)
INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULES
Indian Electricity Rules are framed to –
i) Ensure safety of operator or user
ii) Satisfactory operation of equipment
iii) To avoid risk of fire.
Certain regulation and code of practice have been laid down in our country
which is known as Indian Electricity Rules. These rules made by central electricity
board in 1910 called Indian Electricity Rules in 1956 Indian Electricity Rules for
Wiring.
Voltage: Voltage means difference of electric potential measured in volt
between two conductors or between one conductor and earth.
Low Voltage: Voltage should not exceed 250v under normal condition. Medium
Voltage: Voltage does not exceed 650v under normal condition.
High Voltage :Voltage does not exceed 33 KV
Extra High Voltage : Voltage exceed 33 KV.
Colour of PVC insulated Cable:
• For 3 phase AC Supply –

R- Phase-Red colour
Y- Phase –Yellow colour
B- Phase –Blue colour
Neutral- Black Colour
• For Single Phase AC
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Supply Phase – Red colour
Neutral – Black colour Earth –
Green colour
• For D.C Supply

+ve = Red -ve = Black 1.

1. Weatherproof Cable should be selected for service connection to a
building.
2. Energy meter should be protected from rain, Sun and mechanical
damage.
3. The wire used for wiring connection to main switch and distribution
board should be of rating based on load requirements of the building.
4. PVC insulated wires used for conduit wiring
5. Every Sub-circuit should commence from distribution board and switch
board.
6. Every phase wire should be protected by a fuse or MCB
7. Height of the Main Switch, distribution board and switch board = 1.5m
from ground
8. Socket outlet should be installed in switch board. Socket outlet should
be controlled by individual switches.
9. Enough socket outlets is provided at different places in all rooms to
avoid long length of flexible wire.
10. Each sub circuit should not have more than 10 points. The load on
each sub circuit should be restricted to 800-watt (light, fan, tube light)
socket should be 5A, 230V.
11. In power sub circuit (AC, Geyser, Induction cooker, Oven, Electric iron)
total number of points limited to 2. The load on each Power sub circuit
should be within 3000 watt or 3 KW. Socket should be 15A, 230V .
12. Only 3 pin 5A socket outlet are used in light and fan sub circuit. Also 3
pin 15A, socket outlet are to be used in all power sub circuits.
13. The earth terminals are socket (Bigger hole) permanently connected to
earth wire.
14. SWG – G.I wire is used as continuous earth wire in wiring and 8 S.W.G
G.I or 10 S.W.G copper wire is used to connect earth electrode.
15. Fuse and switch are not provided in earth conductor or earth wire.
16. The metal part of electrical apparatus metal part of switch board, and
all metal covering should be properly earthed to avoid danger of
electric shock due to leakage or failure of insulation.

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 17. Height of the building 3.5 m Height of Switch board =1.5 m from the
ground Height of bulb point = 3 m from the ground Height of ceiling
from 2.75m from the ground. Height of Horizontal run= 3 m from the
ground.
Earthing:
1. All metal support and other metallic fittings should be properly earthed.
2. Earth wire on overhead lines should be earthed at four points in every 1.609
km or in one mile.
3. Neutral point should be earthed by not less than two separate earthing
having their own electrode at the (a) Generating Station (b) Sub-station.
Earthing: Earthing means connecting non-current carrying metal part used in
electrical distribution system to general mass of earth by wire of negligible
resistance.(Electrical appliances, metal covering of cable, earth terminal of
socket, frame of generator or motor)
1. To avoid electric shock to human body
2. To avoid risk of fire due to earth leakage Current through unwanted path
3. To protect the equipment and building from lightening
Types of Earthing. 1) Pipe earthing 2) Plate earthing 3) Strip earthing 4) Rod
earthing
Distance of earth from building – An earthing electrode shall not be situated
within a distance of 1.5m from the building where installation system is to be
earthed.

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