BUILDING SERVICES II

EE 604

Safety and protection in electric system

Binod Bhandari
Associate Professor /Head of Department
Department of Electrical Engineering
Kathmandu Engineering College
 Overview of Todays Lecture

1. Fuse MCB MCCB

2. Earthing for electrical equipment

3. Electric shock hazards

4. Lighting arrestor
 Overview of Previous Lecture
1. Factory Lighting, Street Lighting and Flood Lighting
 Safety and protection in electric system

• Electrical safety systems and devices are employed to prevent thermal and
shock hazards.
• Safety Equipment Like fuse, mcb, mccb, lighting arrestors and earthing is
employed for the protection
 Safety and protection in electric system

Fuse
A fuse is an electric / electronic or mechanical device, which is used to protect
circuits from over current, overload and ensure the protection of the circuit.

Construction
A general Fuse consists of a low resistance metallic wire enclosed in a non-
combustible material. It is used to connect and install in series with a circuit and
device which needs to be protected from short circuit and over current, otherwise,
electrical appliance may be damaged in case of absence of the fuse and circuit
breaker as they are unable to handle the excessive current according to their
rating limits.
 Safety and protection in electric system

Operating Principle

The working principle of a fuse is based on the “Heating effect of Current” i.e.
Whenever a short circuit, over current or mismatched load connection occurs,
then the thin wire inside the fuse melts because of the heat generated by the
heavy current flowing through it. Therefore, it disconnects the power supply from
the connected system. In normal operation of the circuit, fuse wire is just a very
low resistance component and does not affect the normal operation of the system
connected to the power supply.
 Safety and protection in electric system

Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

An MCB or miniature circuit breaker is an electromagnetic device that embodies

a complete enclosure in a molded insulating material. The main function of an
MCB is to switch the circuit, i.e., to open the circuit (which has been connected
to it) automatically when the current passing through it (MCB) exceeds the value
for which it is set. It can be manually switched ON and OFF as similar to normal
switch if necessary.
MCBs are typically rated up to a current up to 125 A, do not have adjustable trip
characteristics, and can be thermal or thermal-magnetic in operation.
 Safety and protection in electric system

Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

An MCB or miniature circuit breaker is an electromagnetic device that embodies

a complete enclosure in a molded insulating material. The main function of an
MCB is to switch the circuit, i.e., to open the circuit (which has been connected
to it) automatically when the current passing through it (MCB) exceeds the value
for which it is set. It can be manually switched ON and OFF as similar to normal
switch if necessary.
MCBs are typically rated up to a current up to 125 A, do not have adjustable trip
characteristics, and can be thermal or thermal-magnetic in operation.
 Safety and protection in electric system

Functions of MCBs:
Miniature circuit breakers perform four important functions:
1. Switching
They can be switched ON and OFF manually. This functionality is highly useful,
especially during maintenance. An internal latch arrangement is made such that
it automatically holds the fixed contact as soon as the knob is pushed to the ON
position. When turned OFF, the pressure given by our finger over the knob
releases the latch and opens the contacts.

2. Overcurrent protection
When a piece of equipment is overloaded it draws more current from the
source. This current flows through the bimetallic strip and heats it up. A
bimetallic strip that deforms on heating will knock down the latch, thereby
opening the contact and isolation the equipment from the supply.
 Safety and protection in electric system

Functions of MCB

3. Short Circuit Protection

During short circuits, a sudden rise in current produces MMF powerful enough to
project plunder towards the latch and release it, thereby opening the contacts.

4. Arc Quenching
When the contacts are opened under load, an arc is formed between the fixed and
moving contacts. The contacts are designed such that the arc formed between
them moves outwards through arc runners and reaches the arc splitters or arc
chutes. Arc splitters or arc chutes are arrangements to increase the length of the
arc, splitting and quenching it.
 Safety and protection in electric system

Operation
There is two arrangement of operation of a miniature circuit breaker. One due to
the thermal effect of over current and other due to electromagnetic effect of
over current. The thermal operation of the miniature circuit breaker is achieved
with a bimetallic strip whenever continuous overcurrent flows through MCB, the
bimetallic strip is heated and deflects by bending.

This deflection of the bimetallic strip releases a mechanical latch. As this

mechanical latch is attached to the operating mechanism, it causes to open the
miniature circuit breaker contacts.

But during short circuit conditions, the sudden rising of current cause’s
electromechanical displacement of plunger associated with tripping coil or
solenoid of MCB. The plunger strikes the trip lever causing the immediate
release of the latch mechanism consequently open the circuit breaker contacts.
 Safety and protection in electric system
Construction
Every MCB consists of the following part:
1. External Casing:
External Casing holds all the internal components firm and protects them from
dust. It is made of insulating materials such as plastic or ceramics.
2. Contacts:
An MCB consists of a pair of contact per phase. One of them is a fixed contact
and the other is movable. The movable contact is attached to the external knob. It
enables the opening and closing of the breaker.
3. Knob:
External knobs are present to manually turn ON and OFF the device.
4. Mechanical Latch:
A latch arrangement is made inside MCBs to hold the contacts under spring
tension at the ON position.
 Safety and protection in electric system
Construction
5. Bimetallic strip:
The bimetallic strip offers delayed overload protection by sensing the prolonged
flow of current greater than its rated current.

6. Solenoid:
Solenoid offers instantaneous protection against short circuits by releasing the
mechanical latch. Solenoid gets activated when the current through the coil
exceeds a particular value, normally more than 3 times its rated current. This
solenoid is not activated by overloads.
7. Arc Chutes:
Arc chutes are used for splitting and quenching arcs. This enables arc extinction
during short circuits and on-load opening of the breaker.
 Safety and protection in electric system
Application
MCBs are used in the protection of lights, refrigerators, Air conditioners, etc. as
an alternative for fuses.

Advantages of MCBs over fuses

• They can act faster than fuses (2-3.5ms) during short circuits.
• They can offer better overload protection than fuses.
• They can be reset after the clearance of fault. But fuses need to be rewired or
replaced.
• Safer interruption of short-circuit current and arc quenching.
• The knob makes the operation of a miniature circuit breaker much easier than
a fuse.
• They can be turned off whenever we want. Therefore, Circuit isolation during
maintenance is much easier compared to fuses.
 Safety and protection in electric system

Earthing for Electrical Equipment and Appliances

Earthing means connecting the non current carrying metallic part of equipment or
neutral part of the supply system to the general mass of the earth in such a
manner that all time an immediate discharge of electrical energy takes place
without any danger.

Purpose of earthing
• Earthing is provided to ensure that no current carrying conductor to a potential
with respect to general mass of earth.
• Earthing is provided to avoid the electric shock to the human being.
• To avoid the risk of fire due to the earth leakage through unwanted path.
• To protect the electrical equipment incase of faults.
 Safety and protection in electric system
Earthing for Electrical Equipment and Appliances
According to IEE rules and regulation
• Earth pin of 4 pin lighting sockets and 3 or 5 pin power plug socket should be
permanently and efficiently earthed.
• The metallic covering of appliances must be earthed.
• The metal casing of portable apparatus such as heater, refrigerators, soldering
iron, electric drills should be connected to the earth.
• The frame of every generator motors and metallic parts of all transformer must
be earthed.
• The neutral conductor of 3 Phase 4 wire should be earthed by not less than two
separate and distinct connections with the erath at the generating station and at
the sub stations.
• In the case of system comprising electric supply lines having concentric
cables, the external of such cables should be earthed by two separate and
distinct connection.
 Safety and protection in electric system
Factors effecting the earth resistance

Soil Resistivity: It depends on physical composition of soil, moisture, and

dissolved salt, seasonal variation
Soil condition: Most of the soils are very poor conductors of electricity when
they are completely dry.
Moisture: The resistivity of soil can be determined by the quantity of water
contain, held by the soil and resistivity of water itself.

Dissolved salt: Small quantity of salts in water reduces soil resistivity by 80%
Common salt is most effective in improving conductivity of soil but it corrodes
metal and hence discouraged.

Climate condition: In dry weather resistivity will be very high and in monsoon
resistivy will be low.
 Safety and protection in electric system
Methods of earthing

Rod Earthing
A copper rod of 12.5 mm diameter or 16 mm diameter of galvanized steel or
hollow section 25 mm ( 1 inch) of GI pipe of length above 2.5 m are driven
vertically into the earth.
Pipe Earthing
This is the most common and best system of earthing as compared to other
systems suitable for the same earth and moisture conditions. In this method the
galvanized steel and perforated pipe of approved length and diameter in place
upright in a permanently wet soil, as shown below. The size of the pipe depends
upon the current to be carried and type of soil.
 Safety and protection in electric system
Methods of earthing

Plate Earthing

In plate earthing an earthing plate either of copper of dimension 60cm*60cm *3

mm of galvanized iron of dimensions 60cm*60cm*6mm is buried into the
ground with its face vertical at a depth of not less than 3 meters from ground
level.
The earth plate is inserted into auxiliary layers of coke and salt for a minimum
thickness of 15cm.The earth wire ( GI or copper wire) is tightly bolted to an earth
plate with the help of nut or bolt.
 Safety and protection in electric system
Electric Shock Hazards
Electrical hazard or Electric Shock may be defined as “Dangerous event or
condition due to direct or indirect electrical contact with energized conductor or
equipment and from which a person may sustain electrical injury from shock,
damage to workplace environment, damage to property or both.

The effects of electrical current through the human body vary according to:
• The voltage
• The time the current flows
• The value of the current
• The frequency of the network
• The pathway of the current
• The ability of the person to react
 Safety and protection in electric system
Electric Shock Hazards
Below is a given table which shows the different values of current and its effect
on human body. Keep in mind that it is the average value and not meant to be
same for everyone as it depends on different factors.
 Safety and protection in electric system
AC or DC, Which one is dangerous ?.
Keep in mind that both the AC and DC voltages and Currents are dangerous &
hazardous. But AC with 50 or 60Hz frequency is more dangerous than the same
voltage of level for DC.

The value of the current through the body depends of the resistance of the skin.
This resistance depends of several factors such as:
• Humid or wet skin
• Thickness of the skin at the contact point
• Psychological condition
• Weight
• Sex
• Age
 Safety and protection in electric system
When an electrical current flows through the physiological tissues there is an
interference with the electrical processes of the human body, namely with nerves,
muscles and the heart.

The hazardous of electrical shock are the following:

• Loose of motion control
• Respiratory arrest
• Pain
• Physical fatigue
• Ventricular fibrillation
• Cardiac arrest
• Burns
Some of these injuries can cause death, namely respiratory arrest, ventricular
fibrillation, cardiac arrest and burns.
Loose of motion control can cause pain and secondary injuries due to falls.
 Safety and protection in electric system
Lightening arrestor
• Lightning arrester rods, surge arresters, or lightning
conductors is a device used to protect buildings,
power lines, electrical equipment, & structures from
the voltage surges caused by lightning strikes.

• They are installed at the top of the structures to

create a passage for the surge voltage from
lightning, to flow into the earth.

• In high-rise buildings, it is a must to install the

arresters, as there is a high probability of lightning
strikes or damages caused by the surge voltage.
• Several types: rod type, rod gap, horn gap, multiple
gap arrestor, electrolytic arrestor etc.
 Safety and protection in electric system
The primary reason to install
lightning arresters on buildings is
to protect them from the hazardous
impacts of lightning. Lightning
arresters or rods intercept this
voltage and provide a safe path for
the lightning current into the
ground. While it does not decrease
the likelihood of a building being
struck by lightning, it gives a
direct trail to the ground,
preventing the structure from fire,
explosion, and electrical surges
resulting from lightning strikes.
Safety and protection in electric system