CONDUCTORS facilitate the flow of electrons, with metals being the best due to their low

resistance. Common materials include copper and aluminum, with copper preferred due to
aluminum's poor conductivity caused by oxide layer formation.

Types of Conductors
1. Wires: Insulated conductors up to No. 8 AWG or B & S Gauge.
2. Cables: Insulated conductors larger than No. 6 AWG, which can be solid or stranded, and
include cords.
3. Bus Bars: Large non-circular conductors for main switchboards.

Conductor Sizes:
Sizes range from AWG No. 18 to No. 10, and beyond No. 4/0, sizes are expressed in MCM.
Circular mil (CM) is used as a unit, calculated from the cable diameter in mils (thousandths of an
inch).

Conductor Ampacity:
It refers to the maximum temperature insulation can withstand continuously due to generated
heat from current flow and conductor resistance. Ampacity is affected by whether conductors
are in free air or enclosed in conduit.

Types of Cables:
Various types include armored cable (Type AC), metal-clad cable (Type MC), mineral insulated
cable (Type MI), non-metallic sheathed cable (Type NM or NMC), shielded non-metallic
sheathed cable (Type SNM), underground feeder and branch circuit cable (Type UF), service
entrance cable (Type SE or USE), power and control tray cable (Type TC), flat cable
assemblies (Type FC), flat conductor cable (Type FCC), and medium voltage cable (MV). Each
serves specific purposes and environments, ranging from flexibility to voltage ratings.

INSULATORS are materials that prevent the flow of electrons and are essential for electric
conductors' safety. They are rated by voltage to prevent breakdowns and short circuits.

Conduits: Circular raceways used to enclose wires and cables, made of metal or plastic, serve
multiple purposes like protecting conductors, people from shock hazards, providing a system
ground path, and supporting conductors. Different types of steel conduits exist, with variations in
wall thicknesses.

Raceways: Channels or wiring accessories designed to hold wires, cables, and busbars, made
of metal, plastic, or insulating medium, categorized into floor and ceiling raceways.

Outlets and Receptacles: Outlets serve as points in the wiring system for current supply, while
receptacles are the devices into which equipment cords are plugged. Types include
convenience outlets, lighting outlets, and receptacle outlets.
SWITCHES are devices for making, breaking, or changing conditions in an selectrical circuit
under the conditions of load which they are rated. Switches are rated according to current and
voltage, duty, poles and throw, fusibility and enclosure.

1. Classification by Voltage and Intensity of Use: Switches are rated according to voltage (250V,
600V, or 5KV) and intensity of use, categorized as Normal Duty (ND), Heavy Duty (HD), or Light
Duty (LD) based on their intended usage.

2. Types of Switches by Service: Switches are further classified based on the type of service
they provide:
- Service Switches: Designed to disconnect all electric service in a building, except for
emergency equipment.
- Power Switches: Includes general-purpose switches, disconnecting or isolating switches for
circuits rated over 600 volts, and wiring switches for interior wiring installations.

3. Wiring Switches: These encompass various types such as general-purpose switches, three-
way switches, four-way switches, electrolier or multi-circuit switches, momentary contact
switches, and dimmer switches. Wiring switches may be flush type, surface type, or pendant
type, based on their installation method.

Type of Switches: Switches are classified based on their operation mechanism (rotary, push-
button, toggle), number of poles and throws, and special switches like time-controlled, remote
control, air, knife, float, mercury, key, and automatic transfer switches.

Wall Plates: These are coverings for switches and wall outlets, typically made of metal
compound or phenolic material, categorized by the number of gangs (single, double, or triple).

Over-Current Circuit Protective Devices: These devices protect insulation, wiring, switches, and
other apparatus from overheating or burning due to overloads, faults, or short circuits. The two
common devices are fuses and circuit breakers, which are part of panel boards or
switchboards/switchgears. Fuses consist of an alloy wire link with a low melting temperature,
which melts when excessive current passes through it, automatically cutting off the circuit to
prevent damage.

Types of Fuses: Includes plug fuses, cartridge fuses with ferrule contacts, knife blade contacts,
and bolted knife blade contacts, as well as open link fuses. Fuses may be classified as "one-
time use" or "renewable."

Standard Types of Fuses: Nonrenewable plug fuses, knife blade fuses, dual element time delay
ferrule cartridge fuses, high interrupting capacity current limiting fuses, and miniature fuses.

Circuit Breakers: These are over-current protective devices functioning as switches, capable of
manual tripping. They break circuits automatically without self-destruction and can be reset after
tripping. They typically have thermal and magnetic trips to detect excessive current or short
circuits.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs): These devices provide ground fault protection and
function as ordinary circuit breakers, offering added safety by quickly cutting off power in case of
ground faults or electrical leakage.

Guidelines for Overcurrent Devices:

- Overcurrent devices must be placed on the line side of the equipment being protected.
- They should be placed in all ungrounded conductors of the protected circuit.
- All equipment should be protected according to their current-carrying capacity.

Panelboards:
- They house protective devices such as fuses or circuit breakers and terminate circuits and
busbars.
- Classified as lighting panelboards, power or motor panelboards, and distribution
panelboards, with variations in format and layout.
- Location guidelines include height from the floor and spacing requirements.

Switchboards:
- Free-standing assemblies of switches, fuses, or circuit breakers providing switching and
feeder protection to multiple circuits.
- Classified as live front (current carrying parts exposed) or dead front (live parts installed
behind the panel).

Unit Substations: Also known as transfer load centers, these assemblies include primary switch-
fuse-breaker, step-down transformer, meters, controls, busbars, and secondary switchboard.
They supply power from a primary voltage line to large facilities.

Wiring methods used in electrical installations:

1. Knob and Tube Wiring: An obsolete system using single insulated conductors secured to
porcelain knobs and tubes, with wires running through fire-resistant tubing when passing
through walls.

2. Rigid Metal Conduit Wiring: Considered the best and most expensive method, offering
fireproof and moisture-proof properties, mechanical strength, and resistance to deformation. It
involves frequent use of metal boxes for accessing conduits.

3. Flexible Metal Conduit Wiring: Offers easier and quicker installation compared to rigid metal
conduits, available in longer lengths and requires fewer fittings. Liquid-tight flexible metal
conduit is also available.
4. Armored Cable Wiring (BX Wiring): Consists of rubber or thermoplastic-covered wires
protected by flexible steel armor, preventing damage to the wires.

5. Surface Metal Raceway Wiring: Wires are supported on thin sheet steel casing, mounted on
walls or ceilings, with continuous metal raceways from junction boxes.

6. Flat Cable Assemblies and Lighting Track: Factory-assembled channels with conductors for
light-duty branch circuits, offering ease of installation.

7. Cable Tray and Floor Raceways: Provide continuous support for approved cables, with
various types including underfloor ducts, cellular metal floor raceways, and precast cellular
concrete.

8. Ceiling Raceway Systems and Pre-wired Ceiling Distribution System*: Offer rapid changes in
layouts at low cost, with pre-wired options available for easy installation in ceilings.

Types of electrical instruments and their functions:

1. Ohm Meter: Measures electrical resistance, available in analog and digital types.

2. Ammeter: Measures electric current in amperes, connected in series with the circuit being
measured.

3. Volt Meter: Measures electric voltage, available in analog and digital types.

4. Oscilloscope: A versatile instrument that can measure voltage and current, displaying
waveforms graphically.

5. Wattmeter: Measures power, similar in construction to an ammeter.

6. Megger: Measures insulation resistance to determine the quality of insulation in electrical

conductors.

7. Kilowatt-hour Meter: Measures electrical energy consumption in kilowatt-hours.

8. Potentiometer: Measures unknown voltage by comparison with a known voltage source.

9. Tachometer: Measures engine rotation speed in vehicles.

10. Multimeter: Versatile instrument capable of measuring various electrical parameters such as
voltage, current, resistance, and continuity.