BUILDING UTILITIES 2

ELECTRICAL POWER SOURCES

AND ALTERNATIVE POWER
SOURCES

AR. RICKY R. MOJICA, uap

Architecture Instructor
POWER DISTRIBUTION

NAPOCOR

o Wind
o Water
o Nuclear
o Fossil
Fuel
o Solar
230 Volts- can be readily (Photovoltaic)
be tapped to houses o Geothermal

ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION

POWER DISTRIBUTION
1. Electric power is generated from several sources of energy: wind, water,
nuclear, fossil fuel, solar (photovoltaic), geothermal, etc. All other sources are
harnessed to produce a rotary mechanical motion that drives electrical generators.
2. The generators convert movement into electricity.

3. Transformers are used to “step up” (increase) the electrical power to very high
voltages (hundreds of thousands of volts) for transmission by wires over long distances.

4. Whenever the transmission lines enter an industrial or residential community for local
power distribution, large transformers are used to “step down” the voltage to a few
thousand volts.
5. Smaller transformers set on poles or in underground vaults are used for final
distribution to small groups of houses or individual factories.
ELECTRICAL POWER LIGHTING
SUPPLY, DISTRIBUTION AND
FIXTURES
SERVICE ENTRANCE ( SE - AERIAL )
• Power is supplied to a building through a Service Entrance.
• Three heavy wires,
together called
Service Drop, extend
from a utility pole to
the structure.
• These wires are
twisted into a cable.
• At the building,
overhead wires are
fastened to the
structure and spliced
to service entrance
wires that enter the
conduit through a
service head.
 SERVICE ENTRANCE ( SE - AERIAL )

• In planning overhead service drop path, minimum height

requirements for connector lines must be carefully
followed.
• If these distances cannot be followed, rigid conduits,
electrical metallic tubing, or busways (channel, ducts)
must be used.
SERVICE ENTRANCE ( SE - AERIAL )
UNDERGROUND SERVICE ENTRANCE ( USE )
• Three wires are placed in a rigid conduit. An underground service conduit is brought to
the meter socket.
• An underground service entrance includes
a watt-hour meter, main breaker, and
lightning protection
• Automatic brownout equipment is also
required by many codes for new construction
• All electrical systems must be grounded
through the service entrance
UNDERGROUND SERVICE ENTRANCE ( USE )
SYSTEM COMPONENTS OF BUILDING

THREE (3) CATEGORIES

1. WIRINGS AND RACEWAYS

2. POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENTS

3. UTILIZATION EQUIPMENTS
Category 1: WIRINGS AND RACEWAYS
• Conductors - have the quality of conductivity. The conductor is the
object that allows charge to flow. Conductivity is a quality related to
the conductor. A material that is a good conductor gives very little
resistance to the flow of charge.
• Conductors – offers low resistance
Category 1: WIRINGS AND RACEWAYS

• An electrical insulator is a material whose internal electric charges do

not flow freely, and therefore make it nearly impossible to conduct
an electric current under the influence of an electric field.
• Insulator- prevents flow of electrical current.
Category 1: WIRINGS AND RACEWAYS

• Raceways - an enclosed channel of metal or nonmetallic materials

designed expressly for holding wires, cables or busbars.
Category 2: POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENTS

• Electrical equipment includes any machine powered by electricity. It

usually consists of an enclosure, a variety of electrical components,
and often a power switch.

Transformers
Category 2: POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENTS

Switchboard/Switchgear
Category 2: POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENTS

Panel Board
Category 2: POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENTS

Service Switch/Safety Switch

Category 2: POWER HANDLING EQUIPMENTS

Circuit Breaker/Fuse
SERVICE DISTRIBUTION

• Electrical current is delivered throughout a building through a

Distribution Panel or Service Panel

• The size of a distribution panel (in amperes) is determined by the

total load requirements (watts) of the entire building.

• Watts can be converted to amperes by dividing the total (and future)

watts needed by the amount of voltage delivered to the distribution
box.

Formula: watts W= metric symbol for watts

= amperes V= metric symbol for volts
volts
A= metric symbol for amperes

Example:
3500W
= 145 A
140V
SERVICE DISTRIBUTION

• Most residences require distribution panel with a capacity of 100 to

200 amps.

• The Philippine Electrical Code (PEC) minimum for new residential

constructions is 60 amps.

• To compute for the total load requirements, the watts needed for
each circuits must be first determined.
Category 3: UTILIZATION EQUIPMENTS

• Actual use

- Fixtures
- Switches
- Convenience outlets
- Branch circuits
BRANCH CIRCUIT

• Branch Circuit is the circuit

conductors between the
final over current protective
device and the outlets.
• It is only the wiring
installed between the
circuit over current
protective device (i.e.
fuse or circuit breaker),
and the outlets.
• A circuit is a circular path that the
electricity follows from the power supply
source to a light , appliance, or other
electrical device and back again to the
power supply source. If the electrical load
BRANCH CIRCUIT

for an entire building were placed on one circuit, overloading would occur.
Thus, branch circuit are used. Each circuit delivers
electricity to a limited number of outlets or devices.

• Each circuit is protected with a circuit

breaker. This protects the service-
entrance wires and equipment from
overheating and damage.

• Circuit breaker is a device that opens

(disconnects) a circuit when the current
exceeds a certain amount.
BRANCH CIRCUIT

When a breaker opens, or “trips”, the power to the branch circuit is

disconnected.

If the sum of the current drawn by the branch circuits exceeds rating of the
main circuit breaker, the main breaker will trip.

This protects the service-entrance

wires and equipment from
overheating and damage.

Circuit breaker that trip can be

reset.
BRANCH CIRCUIT

The branch circuit comprises of the following:

• the source of voltage

• the wiring
• the load

Electric Circuit refers to the complete circuit path traversed by an

electric current. In short, electric circuit is the entire house wiring
installation.
BRANCH CIRCUIT

Three (3) Types of Branch Circuits:

• Lighting Circuits

• Small Appliance Circuits

• Individual
Circuits
1. Lighting Circuits
• Lighting circuits supplies outlets for lighting convenience
receptacles. Different lights in each room are usually on different
circuits so that if one circuit breaker trips, the room will not be in
total dark.
• Lighting circuits are also used for small devices such as clocks
and radios. However, since all lights and other items on the circuit
are probably not going to be used at the same time, it is not
necessary to provide a service capable of supplying the full load.

In all dwellings other than hotels, the PEC requires a minimum

general lighting load of 3 watts per square foot of floor space.

However, the amount of wattage demanded at one time (demand

factor) is calculated at 100% only for the first 3000 watts; 35% is
used for the second 17,000 watts; and 25% is used for
commercial demands over 120,000 watts.
1. Lighting Circuits
• Lighting circuits supplies outlets for lighting convenience
receptacles. Different lights in each room are usually on different
circuits so that if one circuit breaker trips, the room will not be in
total dark.

In all dwellings other than hotels, the PEC requires a minimum

general lighting load of 3 watts per square foot of floor space.

However, the amount of wattage demanded at one time (demand

factor) is calculated at 100% only for the first 3000 watts; 35% is
used for the second 17,000 watts; and 25% is used for
commercial demands over 120,000 watts.
1. Lighting Circuits

Thus, the general lighting load planned for a 1500 sq.ft. house would
be 3525 watts, not the full 4500 watts. It is calculated as follows:

1500 ft. x 3 W = 4500 W (uncalculated amount)

Proper Calculation:

First 3000 W x 100% = 3000 W

Next 1500 W x 35% = 525 W

TOTAL 4500 W = 3525 W

• Lighting circuits are also used for small devices such as clocks and radios.
However, since all lights and other items on the circuit are probably not going
to be used at the same time, it is not necessary to provide a service capable of
supplying the full load.
2. Small Appliance Circuits

• These circuits provide power to outlets wherever small appliance

are likely to be connected.
Small appliances include items such as:
• toasters • electric skillets
• irons • electric shavers
• portable tools • computers

• Appliance circuits are not designed to also support lighting

needs. The PEC requires a minimum of two small appliance
circuits in a residence. Each circuit id usually computed as a 1500-
watt load.
3. Individual Circuits

• Individual dedicated circuits are designed to serve a single large

electrical appliance or device such as:

• electric ranges • automatic heating units (AHU)

• workshop outlets • built-in electric heaters

and large motor-driven appliances such as:

• washers • garbage disposals

• dishwashers

• Appliance circuits are designed to provide sufficient power for

staring loads. When motor starts, it needs an extra surge of power
to bring it to full speed--this is called starting load.
3. Individual Circuits
• A separate circuit (20 amps.) is required in a laundry area to
provide power for the washing machine and the dryer.
• Because of the danger of water leakage, a Ground-Fault Circuit
Interrupter (GFCI) receptacle is recommended.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
A GFCI receptacle must be located wherever there is a possibility for people to
ground themselves and be shocked by the electrical current flowing through
their body to the ground.
The purpose of a GFCI receptacle is
to cut off the current at the outlet.
When the GFCI receptacle senses
any changes of current, it
immediately trips a switch to interrupt
the current. It operates faster and is
safer than the circuit breaker switch
or fuse at the power entry panel.
 CATEGORY 1:
WIRES AND CABLES AND
RACEWAYS
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

1. Flexible Metal Clad (FMC)/ Metal Clad

(MC)/ Armored Cable (AC)
• “BX cable”
• Flexible metal conduit with a wire
bundle, consisting of individually
insulated conductors covered by a
flexible spiral-wound layer of metal.
• Most often used for feeder and service
power in commercial and multi-
storey residential applications.
• The steel or aluminum cable is more
resistant to damage from puncture or
abrasion than a non-metallic sheathed
cable.
• Pre-wired at the factory
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

1. Flexible Metal Clad

(FMC)/ Metal Clad (MC)/
Armored Cable (AC)
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

2. Non-metallic Sheated Cable (NMC/NM)

• “ROMEX”; “SHEATED”
• Used for both exposed and concealed
work in normally dry locations at
temperatures not to exceed 90 Celsius
degrees as specified in the Philippine
Electrical Code.
• Primarily used in residential wiring as
branch circuits for outlets, switches
and other loads.
• May be run in air voids of masonry block
or tile walls where such walls are not
wet or damp locations.

Voltage rating for NM-B cable is 600

volts
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

3. General Wiring: THERMOPLASTIC (PEC)

THHN 90/194 THERMOPLASTIC, HEAT DRY AND DAMP LOCATION
RESISTANT, NYLON 600V THHN INSULATED
JACKET OUTER SHEATH CABLES ARE PRIMARILY
USED IN CONDUIT AND
CABLE TRAYS FOR
SERVICES, FEEDERS AND
BRANCH CIRCUITS IN
COMMERCIAAL OR
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS.
IT MAY BE INSTALLED
WITHOUT THE NEED FOR
PULLING LUBRICANT.
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

3. General Wiring: THERMOPLASTIC (PEC)

THHW 75/167 THERMOPLASTIC, HEAT 75 DEGREES CELSIUS :

AND MOISTURE WET LOCATION
90/194 RESISTANT

90 DEGREES CELSIUS :
DRY LOCATIONS
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

3. General Wiring: THERMOPLASTIC (PEC)

THW/ 75/167 THERMOPLASTIC, HEAT  THW – 75̊C : WET

AND MOISTURE LOCATIONS
THW-2 90/194 RESISTANT
90̊C : SPECIAL
APPLICATIONS
(ELECTRIC DISCHARGE
LIGHTING)
 THW-2 – DRY AND WET
LOATION
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

3. General Wiring: THERMOPLASTIC (PEC)

THWN/ 75/167 THERMOPLASTIC, HEAT DRY AND

AND MOISTURE
THWN-2 90/194 WET LOCATIONS
RESISTANT, NYLON
JACKET OUTER SHEAT
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

3. General Wiring: THERMOPLASTIC (PEC)

TW 60/140 THERMOPLASTIC, DRY AND

MOISTURE RESISTANT
WET LOCATIONS
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

3. General Wiring: THERMOPLASTIC (PEC)

XHH 90/194 XLPE, HEAT RESISTANT DRY AND

WET LOCATIONS
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

3. General Wiring: THERMOPLASTIC (PEC)

XHHW / 75/167 XLPE, HEAT AND  XHHW – 75̊C: WET

MOISTURE RESISTANT LOCATIONS, 90̊ C: DRY
XHHW-2 90/194 AND DAMP LOCATIONS
 XHHW-2 – DRY AND WET
LOCATIONS
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

4. Mineral Insulated (MI)

• JACKETED
• TEMPERATURE STABLE. Does not
deteriorate at low temperatures and
assemblies are unaffected by
continuous, even extreme changes in
temperature; cable assemblies are solid
and completely moisture resistant.
• FIRE AND HEAT RESISTANT. It can
easily withstand high temperatures and
heavy current overloads. It emits no
smoke or toxic substances and allows
no flame propagation.
• WATER PROOF. Solid and constructed
with an extruded copper sheath makes it
impervious to liquids.
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

4. Mineral Insulated (MI)

MI 90/194 MINERAL INSULATED () 90̊C: dry and wet locations

250/482 250̊C: special application
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

5. Shielded Non Metallic Sheathed Cable (SNM)

• TELECOMMUNICATION/ SUBMARINE
CABLE

• ORIGINALLY DEVELOP USE IN

MINES

• WIDELY USED IN PRIMARY AND

SECONDARY INDUSTRIES,
CHEMICAL PLANTS, REFINERIES
AND GENERAL FACTORY
ENVIRONMENTS.

• ALSO USED IN MULTI-STOREY AND

COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

5. Shielded Non Metallic Sheathed Cable (SNM)

• MAYBE USED IN VERTICAL

INSTALLATIONS (mine shafts and
multi-storey buildings.)

• USED FOR CONDUCTORS

• A PVC OUTER JACKET WHICH MAY

BE COLOR-CODED DEPENDING ON
THE RATING OF THE CABLE IS
APPLIED
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

6. Service Entrance (SE/USE)

• Aerial / Underground

USE/ 75/167 Underground service dry and wet locations

USE-2 90/194 Entrance cable
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

7. Underground Feeder (UF)

• Direct burial to ground

UF 60/140 Underground feeder and dry and wet locations

75/167 Branch circuit
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

8. Power and Control Tray Cable (TC)

• Open wire way/ support/ tray

COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

9. Flat Cable Assemblies (FC)

• System furniture application

• Cable management
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

10. Flat Conductor Cable (FCC)

• General purpose
• Application for surface wiring, indoor
or outdoor
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

11. BUSBAR
• Flat; Busway; Busduct
• is a metallic strip or bar, typically
housed inside switchgear, panel
boards, and busway enclosures for
local high current power distribution.
• typically a thick strip, or a tube, of
copper or aluminium.
COMMON WIRES AND RACEWAYS

12. CABLE BUS

• Rounded;
• Cable Bus is an assembly of
insulated cable conductors
designed as a system to transmit
electrical current and to withstand
the effects of specified system
requirements, such as short-circuit
current, circuit loading, bonding,
with fittings and conductor
terminations in a completely
enclosed, ventilated protective
metal housing.
TYPES OF RACEWAYS

1. Floor Raceway
• Underfloor Raceway – conventional installation
• Cellular Metal Floor Raceway – rib decking/raised floor system
• Cellular Concrete Floor Raceways – T-joist/ precast concrete
slab with built in pipes

Underfloor Raceway Cellular Metal Floor Raceway; Cellular Concrete Floor Raceway
TYPES OF RACEWAYS

2. Ceiling Raceway
• Power and Control Tray Cable (TC)
• Busbar
• Cable Bus

Cable tray

Cable Bus Busbar

 CATEGORY 2:
POWER HANDLING
EQUIPMENTS
TRANSFORMERS – voltage to voltage

1. Outdoor Transformers
• H-Frame – 1000 kVA (kilo-volt-ampere)
• Clustered Mounted – 225 kVA
• Pad Mounted – 120V to 240V (We don’t have this here because we use 230V)

1 kVA= 1000 VA

H-Frame transformer bank

Clustered mounted on a single pole
TRANSFORMERS

Pad mounted transformers

TRANSFORMERS

2. Indoor Transformers
• Dry Type – pad mounted; switchboard
• Askarel Insulated – synthetic non-flammable liquid
• Oil Insulated – for transformer vault
Transformer Rating : stepped up/ stepped down

Transformer Vaults
SWITCHBOARD / SWITCHGEAR

- Free standing assemblies of switches, fuses/circuit breakers.

Unit Substation (Transformer Load Center) – large facility

Switchboard
Switchgear
SWITCHBOARD vs. SWITCHGEAR
The switchboard and switchgear are two important systems that control how
power is delivered to electrical circuits. The two terms are sometimes used
interchangeably. However, it is important to note that they perform different
functions and usually designed to work together in series so as to provide the
maximum coordination and protection.
Switchgear - refers to the collection of
the switching devices required for a low,
medium or high voltage electrical
circuit. It consists of switching and
protection devices such as fuses, circuit
breakers, isolators, disconnect
switches, relays and other devices that
control the flow of electricity.
- It is used to switch the electric power on
and off for transformers, motors, generators,
transmission lines, and power networks in
homes, commercial, industrial, transmission
and distribution systems.
SWITCHBOARD vs. SWITCHGEAR
The switchboard refers to a large single panel, assembly of panels, a structural
frame or assembly of structural frames, on which buses, switches, and protective
and other control devices may be mounted. The mounting may be done on the
face, the back side, or both..
The main role of the switchboard is to allow the incoming electric power to be
divided into smaller independent circuits according to their current requirements.
The circuit breakers as well as over current protection devices for each of the
sections are selected according to the load current.
Once the currents are divided,
they are then distributed
according to the load i.e.
lighting loads, sockets etc.
Some switchboards such as
those used in residential
apartments have an option of
metering to see the amount of
power used by individual
circuits.
PANEL BOARD
- final distribution point; Power Panel (PP) and Lighting Panel (LP)

Main Panel Board Typical Panel Board

Distribution Panel
Board
PANEL BOARD
SERVICE SWITCH / SAFETY SWITCH
- large switch
- disconnecting apparatus
- service disconnecting means
- applied on apartments; meter banks

Service switch / Safety switch

CIRCUIT PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- used in case of overload/short circuit

FUSE – alloy link or wire; fusible link; non renewable

3 of Types of Fuses:

1. Plug Fuse – dwelling (5-30 amps)

2. Cartridge Fuse – (5 -60 amps)

– being used in the Philippines
3. Knife Blade Fuse – (5 -60 amps);
Dual Element & Single Element

Fuse box
CIRCUIT PROTECTIVE DEVICES
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
CIRCUIT BREAKERS

- electromechanical device
Types of Circuit Breakers:

1. Thermal Pigtail (Copper) – senses heat

2. Magnetic Pigtail (Copper) – senses load

Circuit Breaker Pigtails

 CATEGORY 3:
UTILIZATION EQUIPMENTS
FIXTURES / LUMINAIRES

1. Incandescent Lamp/Bulb - filament

2. Fluorescent Lamp/Tube - cathode

Incandescent bulb Fluorescent Lamp

FIXTURES / LUMINAIRES

INCANDESCENT LAMP
1. Filament
2. Gas
3. Lead-in-wires
4. Stem Press
5. Exhaust Tube
6. Base
7. Fuse
8. Mica Disc
9. Button Rod
10. Button
11. Support Wires
12. Soft Glass
Hard Glass
Inside frosted – white silica
FIXTURES / LUMINAIRES

INCANDESCENT LAMP
FIXTURES / LUMINAIRES

FLUORESCENT LAMP
• Cylindrical Glass Tube – phosphor
• Cathode – argon and low pressure CFL
mercury vapor
• Ballast – limits current
• Starter - switch

Types of Fluorescent Lamp:

Slimline Instant Start
1. Pre- Heating – CFL Bi-Pin

2. Instant Start (Slimline) – w/o starter (i.e. photo copy machine)

3. Rapid Start – bi-pins

FIXTURES / LUMINAIRES

FLUORESCENT LAMP
FIXTURES / LUMINAIRES

FLUORESCENT LAMP
FIXTURES / LUMINAIRES

FLUORESCENT LAMP
Ballast – is a device placed in line with the load to limit the amount of
current in an electrical circuit.

The old magnetic ballast will be phasing out. The electronic ballast
has so many advantages that there is no reason not to use them.
FIXTURES / LUMINAIRES

FLUORESCENT LAMP
Starter – is used to allow voltage to pass the length of the fluorescent
tube in order for it to ignite and emit light. Once ignited, the starter is no
longer required for the tube’s continued operation.

Starter
FIXTURES / LUMINAIRES

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP

(CFL)
CONDUITS
- pipes, tubings (electrical raceway)
- Materials (Metallic or Non-metallic)
- Make
1. Rigid Metal (RSC, EMT)
2. Flexible Metal (BX)
3. Rigid Nonmetal (Plastic, etc.)
4. Flexible Nonmetal (Plastic, etc.)
STEEL CONDUITS
- used as a “raceway system” for electrical conductors;
- the wall thickness and strength of steel provide the most
mechanical protection to the enclosed conductors.
- used as an equipment grounding conductor.

THREE BASIC TYPES OF STEEL CONDUITS

1. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)

2. Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
3. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
BASIC TYPES OF STEEL CONDUITS
1. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
- ferrous metal.
- a listed threaded metal raceway of
circular cross section with a
coupling. Its standard finished
length is 10 feet.
- galvanized RMC is
noncombustible and can be used
indoors, outdoors, underground,
concealed or exposed.
- RMC with non-zinc based
coatings may have temperature
limitations that will be noted on the
manufacturer’s product label and
may not be listed for use in
environmental air spaces.
BASIC TYPES OF STEEL CONDUITS
2. Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
- ferrous metal.
- a listed threaded steel raceway of
circular cross section with a
coupling that can be either
standard straight-tapped conduit
coupling or the integral type. Its
standard finished length is 10 feet.
- the outside has a zinc-based
coating, and the inside has an
approved organic corrosion-
resistant coating.
- IMC is interchangeable with
galvanized RMC.
BASIC TYPES OF STEEL CONDUITS
3. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
- ferrous metal and commonly called “thin wall”
- a listed steel raceway of circular Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
cross section which is unthreaded
and normally 10 feet long.
- the outside has a zinc-based
coating, and the inside features an
approved organic corrosion-
resistant coating.
- EMT is installed by the use of
setscrew, indentation or
compression type couplings and
connectors
- has an integral coupling that comprises ab expanded “bell” shaped
tube on one end with setscrew.
CONDUIT FITTINGS

1. Straight and Angle couplings

2. Elbow Fittings
3. Tee and Cross connections

CONDUIT FITTINGS
CONDULETS
- a fitting resembling a pipe or box with a removable cover for access to
electric conduits.

CONDULETS/UNILETS
CONDULETS
TYPES OF CONDULETS/UNILETS (Conduit Fittings)
F – standard outlet box fittings
SE – Service Entrance
L – Elbow or turn fittings
C – Through fittings
LLR – 90º turns where
T – Through fittings w/ mounting is not suitable
90ºtake off for LB
E – end of run to types LB – when run of conduit
of motors, transformers, comes must run thru
equipment wall/ceiling
CLAMPS
CONNECTORS
ELECTRICAL BOXES

Electrical Boxes - a container for electrical connections, usually intended to

conceal them from sight and deter tampering; it is used mostly in ceilings, under
floors or concealed behind an access panel - particularly in domestic or
commercial buildings.
ELECTRICAL BOXES

• Outlet Box – cable ends

• Utility Box – outlets, switches
• Pull Box – facilitates pulling
• Junction Box – joining, splicing
• Cut-out Box – metal box
ELECTRICAL BOXES

TYPES OF ELECTRICAL
BOXES
ELECTRICAL BOXES

A rectangular shaped plastic

(PVC) or metallic material in
which flush type convenience
outlet and switch are attached.
ELECTRICAL BOXES

Utility Box – outlets; Switches.

ELECTRICAL BOXES
ELECTRICAL BOXES

Junction Box - A protective enclosure into which wires or cables

are led and connected to form joints. Also known as J box. Joining;
splicing.
ELECTRICAL BOXES

Outlet Box - A box at which lines in an electric wiring system

terminate, so that electric appliances or fixtures
may be connected.
ELECTRICAL BOXES

Pull Box In electric wiring, a box (with a removable cover) that is

inserted in one or more runs of raceway to facilitate the pulling of
conductors through the raceway.
ELECTRICAL BOXES

Cut-out box – metal box; A fireproof cabinet or box with one or more hinged doors
that contains fuses and switches for various leads in an
electrical wiring system. Also known as fuse box.
SWITCH
SWITCHES

- control the flow of electricity to outlets and to individual devices.

Types of Switches:
Single Pole Switches control one fixture, device or outlet.
Three-way Switching Circuit (three wires and two switches)
controls light from two different switches. It is often installed at the top
and bottom of stairways.
SWITCHES
SWITCHES
 SWITCHES
Guidelines in Planning Switch Locations
1. Include a switch for all structural fixtures and devices that need to be on or off.
2. Indicate the height of all switches (4 ft. (1.20m) above floor level).
3. Locate switches on the latch side of the door, no closer than 2 ½” from the
casing.

4. Exceptions to the standard should be dimensioned on the plan of elevation drawing.

5. Select the type of switch, switch mechanism, switch plate cover and type of finish for each switch.

6. Plan a switch to control at least one light in each room.

7. Use three-way switches to control lights at the end of the stairways, halls and
garages.
8. Locate garage door-closer switches at the house entry and within reach
inside the garage door.
9. Control bedroom lights with a three-way switch at the entry and at the bed.
 SWITCHES
Guideline in Planning Switch Locations
10. Use time switches for garage general lighting, bathroom exhaust fans, and heat lights.

11. Use three-way switches for all large rooms that have two exits. Use four-way switches for rooms with
more than two exits.
12. Use automatic switches on closet and storage area.
13. Specify timer switches for pool motors.
14. Locate safety alarm switches for a security system in the master control unit
and in the master bedroom.

15. Switches for outdoor security lighting (motion detector lights) should be installed on all levels.

16. Locate switches in all rooms to ensure that a person need not to enter or leave
a room in the dark.
 SWITCHES

Three-way Switch (a.k.a. Two-way Switch in the UK)

Three-way Switch (Two-way Light Switch

Diagram) & Staircase Wiring Diagram
SWITCHES

Single Gang Switch Two Gang Switch Three Gang Switch

Four Gang Switch

SWITCHES

Toggle/Tumbler Switches
 ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND RECEPTACLES

The terms outlet and receptacle are often used interchangeably. The PEC defines:
Outlet- a point in a circuit where other devices can be connected.
Receptacle- a device (at an outlet box) to which any plug-in extension line, appliance or device can be
connected.
Types of Outlets and Receptacles:
Convenience Outlets/Receptacles
- are used for small appliances and lamps. These are available in single, double or multiple units

Lighting Outlets
- are for the connection of lamp holders, surface-mounted fixtures, flush or recessed fixtures, and
all other types of lighting fixtures.
Special-purpose Outlets/Receptacles
- are the connection point of a circuit for only one electrical device.
Special-purpose Outlets and Convenience Outlets are connected to hot circuits, while Lighting Outlets
are controlled with a switching device.
 ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND RECEPTACLES

Guidelines in Locating Outlets

1. Outlets (except in the kitchen) should average one every 6 ft. (1.8 m) of wall space.
2. Kitchen appliance outlets should average one every 4 ft. of wall space, be located over countertops, and include at
least on countertop outlet between major appliances.
3. Hall outlets should be placed every 15 ft.
4. An outlet should be placed no further than 6 ft. from each room corner, unless a door or built-in feature occupies the
space.

5. Ground–Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) should be installed in all outlets and switches located near water sources.

6. One switched (not hot) outlet should be provided in each room.

7. Consider furniture placement and positioning of portable lamps when placing lighting outlets. Room-centered furniture
may need floor outlets.
8. An outlet should be placed on any wall between doors regardless of space.
9. The height of all outlets should be noted on the electrical plan. Exceptions to the standard dimensions should be noted
at each outlet or referenced on an interior wall elevation. Normal code height for wall outlets is 12” to 18 “ from the floor.
Countertop heights are normally 4 ft. above the floor line
 ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND RECEPTACLES

Guidelines in Locating Outlets

10. All individual outlets should be labelled with the appliance or device served.
11. At least one outlet should be placed above each bathroom countertop or vanity table. A minimum of two outlets should
be in each bathroom.
12. Provide an outlet for each fixture, device or appliance in the plan.

13. An outdoor weatherproof outlet should be provided on each side of a house. Position waterproof outlet for a patio,
pool, and a grill. Position outside outlets for decorative lighting and entry doors, garage and security lights.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND RECEPTACLES

Single Convenience Outlet (FM) Duplex Convenience Outlet (FM)

Legend:
FM- Flush Mounted
SM- Surface Mounted

Single Convenience Outlet (SM) Duplex Convenience Outlet (SM)

ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND RECEPTACLES

Duplex Convenience Outlet

(Weatherproof)
Single Convenience Outlet
(Weatherproof)
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND RECEPTACLES
- - - THE END - - -

THANK YOU!