3.

0 ELECTRICAL SUPPLY SYSTEM

3.1 Introduction

Electricity is being supply by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in Malaysia. The main function of TNB is
to generate, transmit, distribute and sell energy to consumer throughout the whole Peninsular
Malaysia.

3.1.1 Electrical generation system

Definition – Electrical supply system is the conveyance of electrical power from a power station to
consumer premises

Three principal components of Power system

i. The generation station : electrical power is produced

Generating station produce by 3-phase alternators operatimg in parallel. The usual
generation voltage sre 11kV. Foe economy in the transmission of electrical power, the
generation voltage is stepped up to 132 kV or 230kV(or more) at the generating station

ii. The transmission lines : transmitted over large distances to load centers

Elements of a transmission line : conductors, step up and step-down transformers, line

insulators, support, protective devices and voltage regulating devices.

iii. The distribution system : distributed to a large number of small and big consumers

 Primary transmission : The electric power at 132 kV/230kV is transmitted by 3-

phase, 3- wire overhead system
 Secondary transmission : The primary transmission line terminates at the receiving
station(RS). At the receiving station , the voltage is reduced to 33kV by 3-phase, 3
wire overhead system to various sub-stations(SS) located at the stration point in the
city.
 A broad classification of electrical supply system

1. direct circuit or alternating current circuit

2. overhead or underground system

3.1.2 Differentiate between single phase supply and three phase supply

There are two types of electrical supply systems that are commonly used in Malaysia, single phase
and three phase systems.

i. Single Phase System is electrical power is supplied in the form of alternating current (AC).
A single phase electrical system consists of 3 wires, Live, Neutral and Earth or Grounding.
Live wires are coded as red, yellow and blue colour, Neutral is black colour and Earth or
Ground is green in colour. Single phase system is suitable for buildings that do not
required high electricity usage. Delivers a voltage level of almost 240 Volt.

ii. Three Phase System There are a total of 5 wires in a three phase system which is 3 Live
wires, 1 Neutral wire and 1 Earthling or Grounding wire. Three phase electrical system is
able to cope with higher electricity usage. A three phase system with three Live wires, if
there’s a blown fuse in one live source, there will still be electricity available in certain
parts of a building. Delivers a voltage level of almost 415 Volt.
 Table 3.1 Different between single phase supply and three phase supply
Feature Single Phase Three Phase Diagram
Definition Single phase power supply 3 phase power supply operates
operates using a single using three conductors
conductor
Wave Cycle It has only one distinct wave It has three distinct wave cycles
cycle

Connection of Need just a single wire to This power phase requires three
Circuit connect with the circuit wires for connection with the
circuit

Output Delivers a voltage level of almost Delivers voltage level of almost

Voltage 230V 415V
Levels
Phase Name The phase name of the single There is no specific name for this
phase is split phase phase
The ability of It has minimum capacity for the This phase holds the maximum
Power power transmission capacity for transmission of power
Transfer
Circuit 1 phase power supply can be The construction of this is
Complexity constructed simply complicated
The There will be a frequent failure No power failure happens
occurrence of of power
Power Failure
Loss The loss in single phase is The loss in the 3 phase is
maximum minimum
Efficiency It has minimal efficiency It has maximum efficiency
Cost It is not expensive than 3 phase It is a bit costly than single phase
power supply
Applications Used for home applications Three phase power supply is used
in huge industries to run heavy
loads.

Table 3.2 Advantages and disadvantages of single phase and three phase supply
Single Phase Three Phase
Advantages  Less expensive to manufacture  Smooth and continuous flow of power
 Require little maintenance  Allow for longer cord lengths/ cable to run
 Easy to replace part  Require less place to install
 Design is much simpler  Have higher power factor
 Quick installation

Disadvantage  Parts needs to be constant begin monitors
 Experience more interruption in electrical flow
 Motors have shoter lifespan
 Cannot handle overload
 Units are more efficient to run, but more expencive
to purchase
 Increase cost and inconvenience repairs
 Services is more expensive than single phase
 Motors may experience rotation issue if installed
improperly
3.1.3 Types and function of transformer

What is a transformer?

1) A transformer is a device that changes potential difference (voltage) from one value to
another value making it smaller or greater using the principle of electromagnetic induction. 2)
A transformer is an electrical device that transfers electrical energy between two or more
circuits through electromagnetic induction. A transformer may increase or decrease voltage
depending on the number of turns of coils that you include.

What does it consist of?

A transformer consists of two coils wound on a soft iron core. One of the coils is connected to
a mains power supply (gets supplied alternating current) is known as primary coil while the
other is connected to any load (component Eg. Lamp) is known as secondary coil. These coils
must be separated from each other.

Working Process of a Transformer: The changing alternating current in primary coil produces
a changing (alternating) magnetic field which link through the soft iron core from primary to
secondary coil.

There are two main types of transformers: Step up Transformer Step down transformer
 i. Step up transformer: A step up transformer is a type of transformer that increases
voltage from primary to secondary (more secondary winding turns than primary
winding turns) is called a step up transformer.

ii. Step-down transformer: A step down transformer is a type of transformer that

decreases voltage from primary to secondary (less secondary winding turns than
primary winding turns) is called a step up transformer.

The Following Is The Symbol For A Transformer

3.1.4 Electrical distribution system

What is The National Grid? The national grid consists of transformers and high voltage
cables. The national grid connects the power stations to the homes. Energy is always lost in
the power cables, the bigger the distance between the power stations and the homes, the
greater the energy loss. We can use electricity to transform energy from the power cables to
the homes with less energy loss. First the electricity passes through step up transformers
which increase the voltage, therefore the current will be less, less heat will be produced, and
the energy loss will decrease. However, the voltage will be so high and that cant pass in our
homes, so we use step down transformers which decrease the voltage.
3.2 Electrical wiring system in a building

Electrical wiring is generally refers to insulated conductor used to carry current and
associated device.

• Domestic electric appliances like lights, fans, washing machines, water pumps etc are
connected to the supply through insulated wires which are controlled by switches.

• The wiring diagram gives the connections of different appliances to the supply within a
house or building.

3.2.1 Main installation

3.2.3 Lighting installation

Recessed Down Lights

Recessed down lights are highly practical, multi-functional and aesthetically pleasing lighting solution
that blends in well with most interior designs. It is the most common form of architectural lighting
used in the present day. Recessed down lights are able to achieve wide range of lighting effects
appropriate for the use of indoor and outdoor environments. Recessed down lights fixtures includes
the use of incandescent, low voltage incandescent, LED and fluorescent lamps.

Function Recessed down light which installed on top of ceiling is able to increase the amount of
brightness in a room. It can also provide bright light to highlight artworks or other features and also
open up spaces so that the spaces look and feel bigger. Recessed down light can also provide task,
ambient and wall washing light effects. It is suitable to use for high ceiling lighting fixtures as recessed
down lights can provide sufficient amount of brightness to high and larger spaces.

Parts & Installation Methods

1. Firstly the recessed light fixtures parts are being assemble properly.

2. Then wires and new unit of a recessed down light are being installed to existing electrical box.

3. Recessed down light are installed by mounting it into the ceiling joists (pieces of wood or steel
inside the ceiling).

4. The recessed down lights are being laid horizontally in between the ceiling joists.

3.2.4 Purpose and important of circuit breaker

EARTH LEAKAGE CIRCUIT BREAKER are Breakers that used to detect leakage currents that are
produced due to circuit connection faults. This will cause danger to humans as it will cause severe
shocks and fatal.

There are two types of Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker

i. Earth Leakage Current Circuit Breakers - The function of an Earth Leakage Current Circuit
Breakers is to operate on voltages and trip over for breaking the circuit when very high
current pass through.

ii. Earth Leakage Voltage Circuit Breakers - If the wiring of a circuit is disturbed or some
errors occurs in any components of the circuit, some of the voltage will leaks to the earth.
This will creates a voltage difference between the components and the earth. When the
leaked voltage creates a very large voltage difference, a very high amount of current will
be produced which is very dangerous for anyone who come in contact with. Therefore, a
relay is installed to this circuit breaker circuitry which instantly trip over more than 60
Volts. This will prevent electric shock from the leakage voltage produced.

Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers are able to detect earth leakage current and disable the
power supply by opening the associated circuit breaker.
3.2.5 Describe lightning protection system

Lightning is a sudden electrostatic discharge that occurs during a thunderstorm. Lightning protection
system provides a means of which electric discharge may enter or leave earth without passing
through and damaging non-conducting parts of a structure.

EFECTS of lightning

• Physical damage - Fire, explosion, mechanical destruction

• Injuries/death to living being

Lightning protection system provides a means for controlling and preventing damage by providing a
low resistance path for the discharge of lightning energy. A lightning protection system includes a
network of air terminals, bonding conductors, and ground electrodes designed to provide a low
impedance path to ground for potential strikes. There are four main parts of a properly installed
lightning protection system: copper air terminals, copper cable, copper clad ground rods, surge
suppressors. The air terminals and cable are typically copper, but sometimes they can (or must) be
aluminium

1. Rods or 'Air Terminals' - The small, vertical protrusions designed to act as the 'terminal' for a
lightning discharge. Rods can be found in different shapes, sizes and designs. Most are topped with a
tall, pointed needle or a smooth, polished sphere.

2. Conductor cables – heavy cables that carry lighting current from the rods to the ground. The
cables run along the tops and around the edges of roofs, then down one or more corners of a
building to the ground rods

3. Ground rods – long thick heavy rods buried deep into the earth around a protected structure. The
conductor cables are connected to these rods to complete a safe path for a lightning discharge
around a structure.
3.2.6 Determine earthing system

Earthing means connecting the electrical equipment to the general mass of the earth such that there
is always an immediate discharge of energy taking place without any danger of electric shock. In
other words, to connect the metallic parts of electric machinery and devices to the earth plate or
earth electrode (which is buried in the moisture earth) through a thick conductor wire (which has
very low resistance) for safety purpose is known as Earthing or Grounding. Earthing can be said as
the connection of the neutral point of a power supply system to the earth so as to avoid or minimize
danger during discharge of electrical energy.

Purpose of earthing

• A) to avoid electric shock to human body

• B) To avoid risk of fire due to earth leakage current through unwanted path

• C) to ensure that no current carrying conductor rises potential with respect to earth than its
designed insulation

Earthing is necessary for

• For discharging the accumulated charges to ground to prevent hazard to man & machine.

• Stabilizing system voltage with respect to ground.

• Fast & efficient operation of protective gear in case of an earth fault.

• Efficient return of fault / leakage current to it’s source with out causing any disturbance to the
running system.

Symbol of earthing

Earthing cable

Earthing cables mostly comes in two colors