CONDUCTORS– are materials which allow the free flow of electrons through

them.

✔Wires – are single insulated conductors No. 8 AWG (American Wire Gauge
or smaller; for the English System, it is the B & S Gauge or Browne and
Sharpe Gauge. The smallest size of wire permitted is No. 14.
✔Cables – are single insulated conductors No. 6 AWG or larger; or they may
be several conductors of any size assembled into a single unit.
✔Bus Bars – large conductors which are not circular in cross section and
usually found only to supply the main switch boards.

CONDUCTORS SIZES
All conductor sizes from No. 16 to No. 0000 (also designated 4/0) are
expressed in AWG. Beyond AWG No. 4/0, a different designation, MCM (or
thousand circular mil) is used. In this designation, the smallest MCM size is
250 MCM or ½” ∅ and the biggest is 500 MCM. A circular MIL is an artificial
area measurement, representing the square of the cable diameter (diam2)
when the diameter is expressed in mils (thousands of an inch). Thus a solid
conductor ½ inch in diameter is 500 mils in diameter, or 250,000 circular mils
in area, (500)2 or 250 MCM; thus; CM/1000 = diam2 = (500)2/1000 =
250,000/1000 = 250 MCM In the metric system, conductor sizes are given
simply as the diameter in millimeters (mm).

CONDUCTOR AMPACITY
Conductor current carrying capacity or ampacity is the maximum operating
temperature that its insulation can stand continuously. Heat is generated as a
result of the current flowing and the conductor resistance. When conductors
are placed in an enclosed conduit, the heat generated is not as easily
dissipated as it would be if the conductor were free in the air. Thus, the
current rating of a conductor in free air is much higher than that for the same
were it in a conduit.

TYPES OF CABLES
✔Armored Cable (Type AC) – a fabricated assembly of insulated conductors
enclosed in flexible metal sheath.
✔Metal Clad Cable (Type MC) – a factory assembled cable of one or more
conductors each individually insulated and enclosed in a metallic sheath of
interlocking tape of a smooth or corrugated tube.
✔Mineral Insulated Cable (Type MI) – a factory assembled conductor/s
insulated with a highly compressed refractory mineral insulation enclosed in a
liquid and gas tight continuous copper sheath.
✔Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (Type NM or NMC) – also known by the trade
name ROMEX, is a factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors
having a moisture resistant, flame retardant, and non-metallic material outer
sheath.
✔Shielded Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (Type SNM) – a factory assembly of
two or more insulated conductors in an extruded core of moisture resistant
and flame retardant material covered within an overlapping spiral metal tape.
✔Underground Feeder and Branch Circuit Cable (Type UF) – a moisture
resistant cable used for underground connections including direct burial in the
ground as feeder or branch circuit.
✔Service Entrance Cable (Type SE or USE) – a single or multi-conductor
assembly provided with or without an overall covering primarily used for
service wire.
✔Power and Control Tray Cable (Type TC) – a factory assembled two or more
insulated conductors with or without associated bare or covered grounding
under a metallic sheath and is used for installation in cable trays, raceways, or
where supported by wire.
✔Flat Cable Assemblies (Type FC) – an assembly of parallel conductors
formed integrally with an insulating material web designed specially for field
installation in square structural channels.
✔Flat Conductor Cable (Type FCC) – consists of three or more flat copper
conductors placed edge to edge separated and enclosed within a insulating
assembly. This type of cable is used for appliance or individual branch circuits
installed inside floor surfaces.
✔Medium Voltage Cable (MV) – a single or multi-conductor solid dielectric
insulated cable rated at 2,000 to 35,000 volts. Trade name is Medium Voltage
Solid Dielectric.

INSULATORS are materials which prevent the flow of electrons through

them.

CONDUITS are circular raceways used to enclose wires and cables and are
of metal or plastic (PVC).
✔To protect the enclosed conductors from mechanical injury and chemical
damage.
✔To protect people from shock hazards by providing a grounded enclosure.
✔To provide a system ground path.
✔To protect the surroundings against fire hazard as a result of overheating or
short circuiting of the enclosed conductors.
✔To support the conductors.

TYPES OF STEEL CONDUITS

✔Heavy-wall steel conduits called “Rigid Steel Conduits” or RSC with an
approximate thickness of 0.117 mm.
✔“Intermediate Metal Conduit” or IMC with thickness of 0.071 mm. ✔Thin-wall
steel conduits named “Electric Metal Tubing” or EMT. RSCs and IMCs use the
same fitting, called condulets, and are threaded alike at the joints. EMTs are
not threaded but use set screw and pressure fitting and are not recommended
for embedding in concrete nor permitted in hazardous areas. IMCs yield a
larger inside diameter (ID) for easier wire pulling and is lighter than the RSC.
Standard length of steel conduits is 3 M or 10 ft.
3.4 RACEWAYS – are channels or wiring accessories so designed for holding
wires, cables and bus bars that are either made of metal, plastic, or any
insulating medium.
3.5 OUTLETS and RECEPTACLES – An outlet is a point in the wiring system
at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment. It refers only to the
box. A receptacle is the wiring device in which the utilization equipment
(appliance) cord is plugged into.
•Convenience Outlet or Attachment Cap - the complete set-up which
establishes connection between the conductor of the flexible cord and the
conductors connected permanently to the receptacle.
•Lighting Outlet – is an outlet intended for direct connection to a lamp holder,
lighting fixture, or pendant cord terminating in a lamp holder.
•Receptacle Outlet – is an outlet where one or more receptacles are installed.

SWITCHES – are devices for making, breaking, or changing conditions in an

electrical circuit under the conditions of load which they are rated.

✔TYPE OF SWITCH – ACCORDING TO VOLTAGE

Switches are rated as 250V, 600V,or 5KV as required.
✔ TYPE OF SWITCH – ACCORDING TO INTENSITY OF USE
1. Normal Duty (ND) – intended for normal use in light and power circuits as
in general-purpose switches.
2. Heavy Duty (HD) – intended for frequent interrupting.
2. Light Duty (LD) –intended to connect the loads occasionally, such as
service switches.
✔ TYPE OF SWITCH - ACCORDING TO TYPE OF SERVICE
1. Service Switch – intended to disconnect all the electric service in the
building except emergency equipment. This may comprise one to six properly
rated switches that are assembled into a switchboard.
2. Power Switches –
a) General –purpose switches – are intended for use in general distribution
and branch circuits.
b) Disconnecting or isolating switches – are intended for disconnecting or
isolating circuits; used for circuits rated at more than 600 volts.
3. Wiring Switches – include all the relatively small switches that are
employed in interior wiring installations for the control of branch circuits,
individual lamps or appliances.
a) General–purpose switches – are single-pole or double-pole switches for the
general purpose use of connecting or cutting-off circuits for the control of
lamps or other loads from a single point.
b) Three-way switches – are used where it is desired to control lamps from
two different points, as in a stairwell.
c) Four-way switches – are used in conjunction with two 3-wire switches
where it is desired to control lamps from three or more desired points.
d) Electrolier or multi-circuit switches – are used for the control of lights in
multi-lamp fixtures so that one lamp or set of lamps may be turned on alone or
in combination with other lamps.
e) Momentary contact switches – are used where it is desired to connect or
cut-off a circuit for only a short duration. The switch is provided with a spring
so that it will return to its original position as soon as the handle or button is
released.
f) Dimmer switches – a rheostat[1] or similar device for regulating the
intensity of an electric light without appreciably affecting spatial distribution.
Also called a dimmer. Wiring switches may either be the flush type, surface
type or the pendant type.

SPECIAL SWITCHES
1. Time Controlled Switches – This device comprises a precision low speed
miniature drive motor (timer) to which some type of electric contact-making
device is connected.
2. Remote Control (RC) Switches – A contactor[1], or more specifically, a
relay[2], that latches after being operated wireless from a distance.
3. Air Switch – a switch in which the interruption of a circuit occurs in air.
4. Knife Switch – a form of air switch in which a hinged copper blade is
placed between two contact clips.
5. Float Switch – a switch controlled by a conductor floating in a liquid.
6. Mercury Switch – an especially quiet switch that opens and closes an
electric circuit by shifting a sealed glass tube of mercury so as to uncover or
cover the contacts.
7. Key Switch – a switch operated only by inserting a key or a card. Also
called a card switch.
8. Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) – This device, an essential part of an
emergency or standby service, is basically a double throw switch, generally
3-pole, so arranged that on failure of normal power, emergency service is
automatically supplied.

✔ FLOOR RACEWAYS – The NEC recognizes three types of floor

raceways: 1. Underfloor Ducts (UF) installed beneath or flush with
the floor. These underfloor ducts usually requires a triple duct
system for power, telephone and signal cabling. 2. Cellular Metal
Floor Raceway – Found usually in office landscaping, it is an
integrated structural/electrical system in a cellular metal floor. 3.
Precast Cellular Concrete – made of concrete cells fed from header
ducts, which are normally installed in concrete fill above the hollow
core structural slab or fed from the ceiling void below. The cells
can be used for air distribution and for piping. ✔CEILING RACEWAY
SYSTEMS – under-the-ceiling raceways composed of header ducts and
distribution ducts separate for power and telephone cabling. They
permit very rapid changes in layouts at low cost and are therefore
particularly desirable in stores where frequent display
transformations necessitate corresponding electrical facility
adjustments. ✔PRE-WIRED CEILING DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS – are ceiling
raceways that are pre-wired in the factory and plugged in where
required.
COMMUNICATIONS ANO SIGNAL SYSTEMS, HVAC, TRANSPORTANON SYSTEMS,
DISASTERPREVENTION AND PROTECNON, ACOUSTICS AND LIGHTING
COMMUNICATION AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS

1.1. GENERAL
'1.1.1. types OF COMMUNICATION AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS
1. Surveillance and Signal Equipment - Fire, smoke and intruder detection and alarm
systems
In general, all signal systems require a surveillance system lo process information including
transmitting it and a means of indicating the signal, either audibly, visually or permanently on
"hard copy".
2. Audio and visual Communication Equipment - telephone, intercom, public TV and
closed circuit
television (CCTV)
3. Time Equipment - clock and program equipment.

1.1.2. PARTS OF THE COMMUNICATION AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS

1. Detectors
2. Control Unit or Panel
3. Alarm Devices
4. Wiring or Circuitry

1.2. FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

2.1. TYPES OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

1. Automatic System - uses detectors to trigger the alarm system.
2. Manual System - uses visual detection and the alarm is triggered by hand.
a) Non-Coded Manual Stations - the station locations are not identifiable at the control panel
when it is manually triggered. An annunciation panel, however, can be added to the system,
to convert each station as a non-coded indicating zone. Beyond 10 stations, coding should be
considered.
b) Coded Manual Stations - Each manual station is coded and this code is received at the
control panel, processed and transmitted audibly on the system gongs. The code usually
comprises of 3 to 4 digits; the first number may identify the building number, the second the
building floor and the third the individual station.

1.2.2. DETECTORS - There are four types of detectors:

1. Temperature Detector - the most common is the Temperature Detector called the
"thermostat"
There are two types:
a) Fixed Temperature Unit - triggers a set of contacts when a present temperature is
reached. This unit is available in a one-time non-renewable design that uses a low
melting alloy fusible plug.
B.) Rate-of-Rise Unit - activate when the rate of ambient temperature differential exceeds a
predetermined amount. This unit may be combines with the fixed temperature unit in a
single housing such as in the case of an automatic resetting unit.
Detectors are rated by temperature and coverage. For example in ordinary rooms, detectors
rated at 135 deg F per 200 sq ft. For kitchens, attics and basements where ambient
temperature is higher, units are rated at 190 deg to 200 deg F.
2. Photoelectric Detector - These detectors react to the obscuration of a light beam by
smoke.
They are best applied where fires produce considerable quantities of smoke and gas, such as
those caused by slow burning plastics.
3. ionization Detector - These detectors operate by detecting ionized particles in the air.
They do not detect fires producing heavy smoke but few particles such as alcohol and plastic
fires.
Photoelectric and ionization Detectors are classed respectively as early warning smoke and
fire detection devices.
4.Flame Detectors - These detectors are of two types; the Infrared (lR) and Ultraviolet (UV)
Detectors. Applications are generally industrial and are highly sensitive.
Control unit or PANEL - the function of the control panel is to energize the audible
devices (bells, buzzers, gongs) upon receipt of a signal from the detector. other functions
include shut-off of oil and gas lines, shut off of attic fans to prevent fire spread, and turning off
of lights. Most units are serviced with an emergency standby Battery