Building Electrical Design Principles

ELECTRICAL CODES,
LICENSES AND PERMITS
 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.
 ELECTRICAL CODES,
LICENSES AND PERMITS
 Philippine Electrical Code

The Philippine Electrical Code is used nationally as the basis for

safeguarding persons, buildings, and its contents from hazards that may arise
from the use of electricity. This Code contains provisions which is necessary for
safety and thus is used as basis for the legal enforcement in the installation of
electrical system design in the country.
ELECTRICAL CODES, LICENSES AND PERMITS
 Licensing

Most municipalities 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).

 Permits

Most municipalities require that a permit be issued before any electrical installations may
be made on a project.
 Electrical construction drawings

Show the lay-out and design of an electrical installation.

ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
 The following construction drawings and details are generally required:

a) Complete plans and specifications of all electrical work

b) Labeling criteria of all electrical equipment

c) Lighting floor plan(s) including electrical circuits indicating conduit and

wiring sizes.
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
 The following construction drawings and details are generally required:

d) Exit sign/means of egress lighting location and power supply

e) Panelboard schedule

f) Lighting fixture schedule

g) Symbol schedule and diagrams

REVIEW OF THE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
 Location Plan

The location plan will guide the electrical design engineers, inspectors from the
office of the local building official, inspectors from the local electric utility,
prospective bidders, and other persons who have interests in the project.
REVIEW OF THE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
 Electrical Layout

The electrical layout is similar to the architectural layout except that the electrical
layout contains the interconnection of the service drop/lateral, service entrance,
service equipment, feeder, subfeeder, load center, panelboards, branch circuit, and
nomenclature of occupancies
LOCATION MAP/VICINITY MAP
FLOOR PLAN
LIGHTING LAYOUT
POWER LAYOUT
 REVIEW OF DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
 Legend or Symbol

These help in understanding the electrical plan. The recommended symbols are
shown in Appendix A of the Philippine Electrical Code Part 1 2009. However, other
symbols can be used, especially the local symbols which are easily understood in the
area.
LEGEND AND SYMBOL
 REVIEW OF DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
 General Notes and/or Specifications

These are general requirements showing the following:

a. Nature of electrical service, including number of phases, number of wires, voltage
and frequency.
b. Type of wiring
c. Special equipment to be installed, including rating and classification of services or
duty cycle.
d. Methods of grounding
 REVIEW OF DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
 General Notes and/or Specifications

These are general requirements showing the following:

e. Type and rating of main disconnecting means, overcurrent protection, and branch
circuit wiring.
f. Clearance and mounting height of service equipment, electric meter, panel board
and devices.
GENERAL NOTES AND SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL NOTES AND SPECIFICATIONS
REVIEW OF THE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
 Schedule of Loads

This is a load tabulation which indicates the following:

a) Branch circuit for each load or combination of loads

b) Rating of each load and the corresponding computations

c) Source of electric power and rating of service equipment protective device and
disconnect

d) Number of phases, type and the size of wiring

e) Service entrance, feeder, subfeeder, etc.

REVIEW OF THE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
 Single Line or Riser Diagram

This shows a comprehensive interconnection, size, and rating of the service

drop/lateral, service entrance, service equipment, feeder, subfeeders, load centers,
and panelboard. This is necessary in the computation of short circuit current and
voltage drops.
SCHEDULE OF LOADS
RISER DIAGRAM
REVIEW OF THE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
 Title Block

This is a standard strip of 40mm height at the bottom of the sheet and contains the
following:

a) Name and location of installation or project

b) Name, signature and address of owner/manager/operator

c) Name, signature and seal of Professional Electrical Engineer together with his PRC

license number and validity, Professional Tax Receipt Number and Tax Identification
Number
REVIEW OF THE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
d) Sheet contents

e) Scale

f) Drawing and Sheet number

g) Others. The complete requirements are shown in Article 1.3 of PEC 1 2009
ELECTRICAL DESIGN OF A SINGLE STOREY, AND SINGLE OCCUPANCY RESIDENTIAL
BUILDING
 General

 Although the electrical design of a low-rise residential building is already a project

design subject in most colleges, it is discussed here because the design

processes, criteria, methods, requirements of the owners, architect, utility, and
others are almost similar to the electrical design of a high-rise condominium
building.
ELECTRICAL DESIGN OF A SINGLE STOREY, AND SINGLE OCCUPANCY RESIDENTIAL
BUILDING
 Design Processes

In most cases, the electrical design starts from an architectural layout and other
drawings, such as the drawing shown in Figure 1.
Lighting, Power and Service Equipment Layout
DETAILED DESIGN
 Preparations

With the architectural layout and their drawings, the development of the initial
electrical design starts. A preliminary arrangement of the electrical plan
requirements helps in the determination of the number of drawing sets to be
prepared to avoid overcrowding in the electrical plan. Considering the size of this
building, the entire electrical plan requirements can be accommodated in two (2)
sets of size 500 mm x 760 mm sheets, without overcrowding the electrical plan.
DESIGN EXAMPLE
 A single family dwelling unit has a floor area of 150 sq. m. exclusive of

unoccupied basement and open porches. It has three 20 A small appliance

branch circuits, one 20 A laundry circuit, a 10 kW electric range, a 5 kW
clothes dryer and two ¾ HP and one 1.5 HP air conditioning units.
BRANCH CIRCUITS
 Branch Circuit No. 1 : Lighting Loads

 Branch Circuit No. 2 : Small Appliance Loads

 Branch Circuit No. 3 : Small Appliance Loads

 Branch Circuit No. 4 : Small Appliance Loads

 Branch Circuit No. 5 : Laundry Loads

 Branch Circuit No. 6 : 10 kW Electric Range

 Branch Circuit No. 7 : 5 kW Clothes Dryer

 Branch Circuit No. 8 : ¾ HP Air-Conditioning Unit

 Branch Circuit No. 9 : ¾ HP Air-Conditioning Unit

 Branch Circuit No. 10 : 1.5 HP Air-Conditioning Unit

COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
A. General Lighting Load and Convenience Receptacle
(Branch Circuit No.1)
Typical Residential Unit at 150 sq. m.
Load = 150 sq. m x 24 VA/sq. m = 3, 600 volt-amperes
Load Current = 3, 600/230 = 15.65 Amperes
 Use 2 – 2.0 mm² copper TW, branch circuit conductors.

Refer to Table 3.10.1.16 for ampacities of insulated conductors.

Use 15 mm diameter rigid PVC conduit. Refer to Table C10 for sizes of conduit.

Provide one(1) 20 A branch circuit. Refer to section 2.40.1.6 for standard ampere trip ratings

of circuit breakers.
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

Note: circuit breaker value before 20 A is 15 A. Not 5 A is seen in illustration.

COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

B. Small Appliance Load (Branch Circuit Nos. 2 - 4)

Load = 20 A @ 1, 500 VA = 1, 500 volt-amperes
Where 1, 500 volt-amperes as per Section 2.20.3.13(a)
Load Current = 1, 500/230 = 6.52 Amperes
 Use 2 – 2.0 mm² copper TW, branch circuit conductors.

Refer to Table 3.10.1.16 for ampacity of the conductor.

Use 15 mm diameter rigid PVC conduit.

Provide three(3) 20 A small appliance branch circuit as per. Section 2.10.1.11(c)(1) or

Section 2.10.3.3(b)(1)
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

Note: circuit breaker value before 20 A is 15 A. Not 5 A is seen in illustration.

COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

C. Laundry Circuit (Branch Circuit No. 5)

Load = 20 A @ 1, 500 VA = 1, 500 volt-amperes
Where 1, 500 volt-amperes as per Section 2.20.3.13(b)
Load Current = 1, 500/230 = 6.52 Amperes
 Use 2 – 2.0 mm² copper TW, branch circuit conductors.
Use 15 mm diameter rigid PVC conduit.

Use one(1) 20 A branch circuit as per. Section 2.10.1.11(c)(2)

COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

Note: circuit breaker value before 20 A is 15 A. Not 5 A is seen in illustration.

COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

D. 10 kW Electric Range Load (Branch Circuit No. 6)

Maximum Demand is 8kW
Based on Table 2.30.3.16 (Column C)
Load Current = 8, 000/230 = 34.78 Amperes
 Use 2 – 8.0 mm² copper TW, branch circuit conductors.
Use 15 mm diameter rigid PVC conduit.

Use one(1) 35 A branch circuit. Refer to Section 2.40.1.6 for standard ampere

trip ratings of circuit breakers.

COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

Note: circuit breaker value before 20 A is 15 A. Not 5 A is seen in illustration.

COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

E. 5 kW Clothes Dryer Load (Branch Circuit No. 7)

Load = 5 kW @ 100% demand factor = 5, 000 volt-amperes
The 100% demand factor is per Section 2.20.3.15
Load Current = 5, 000/230 = 21.73 Amperes

Use 2 – 3.50 mm² copper TW, branch circuit conductors.

Use 15 mm diameter rigid PVC conduit.

Use one(1) 25 A branch circuit. Refer to Section 2.40.1.6 for standard ampere

trip ratings of circuit breakers.

COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

Note: circuit breaker value before 20 A is 15 A. Not 5 A is seen in illustration.

COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
F. 3/4 HP Air-Conditioning Unit (Branch Circuit Nos. 8-9)
Ampacity of wire = 125% x 6.9 A = 8.63 A
Where 125% is per Article 4.40.4.2
Where 6.9 A is the motor full-load current as per Table 4.30.14.2
Use 2 – 2.0 mm² copper TW, branch circuit conductors.

Use 15 mm diameter rigid PVC conduit.

Rating of branch circuit protective device = 250% x 6.9 A = 17.25 A

Table 4.30.4.2. The room ACU is at 100% demand factor . Refer to Section 2.20.4.3(c)(1).
Provide two(2) 20 A branch circuit for the room air-conditioner. Refer to Section 2.40.1.6 for

ampere trip ratings of circuit breakers.

 BRANCH CIRCUIT CONDUCTOR
Article 4.40.4.2. Single Motor-Compressor

• Branch Circuit conductors supplying a single motor-compressor shall have an

ampacity not less than 125 percent of either the motor-compressor rated load current
or the branch circuit selection current, which ever is greater.

• For a wye-start, delta connected motor compressor, the selection of branch circuit

conductors between the controller and the motor-compressor shall be permitted to

be based on 72 percent of either the motor-compressor rated load current or the
branch circuit selection current, which ever is greater.
MOTOR CIRCUITS, CONTROLLERS
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
BRANCH CKT, FEEDERS CALCULATIONS
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

Note: circuit breaker value before 20 A is 15 A. Not 5 A is seen in illustration.

COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
G. 1.5 HP Air-Conditioning Unit (Branch Circuit No. 10)
Ampacity of wire = 125% x 10 A = 12.50 A
Where: 125% is per Article 4.40.4.2
Where: 10 A is the motor full-load current as per Table 4.30.14.2
Use 2 – 2.0 mm² copper TW, branch circuit conductors.

Use 15 mm diameter rigid PVC conduit.

Rating of branch circuit protective device = 250% x 10 A = 25 A

Where 250% is the maximum inverse time rating of the breaker as per Table 4.30.4.2. The room
ACU is at 100% demand factor . Refer to Section 2.20.4.3(c)(1).
Provide one(1) 30 A branch circuit for the room air-conditioner. Refer to Section 2.40.1.6 for

ampere trip ratings of circuit breakers.

 BRANCH CIRCUIT CONDUCTOR
Article 4.40.4.2. Single Motor-Compressor

• Branch Circuit conductors supplying a single motor-compressor shall have an

ampacity not less than 125 percent of either the motor-compressor rated load current
or the branch circuit selection current, which ever is greater.

• For a wye-start, delta connected motor compressor, the selection of branch circuit

conductors between the controller and the motor-compressor shall be permitted to

be based on 72 percent of either the motor-compressor rated load current or the
branch circuit selection current, which ever is greater.
MOTOR CIRCUITS, CONTROLLERS
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT
BRANCH CKT, FEEDERS CALCULATIONS
COMPUTATION OF LOADS FOR A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL UNIT

Note: circuit breaker value before 20 A is 15 A. Not 5 A is seen in illustration.

RISER DIAGRAM
THE END