Chapter 1

Electrical installations Standards and Regulations

1
Outline
1. Introduction
2. Main Standards
3. Wiring regulations in several countries
4. Overview about some electrical Codes and Organizations
5. Safety rules for working on electrical systems
6. Building Specifications
7. Working Drawings
8. Conclusion

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1. Introduction
• A standard is a set of the detailed rules, processes, procedures and
guidelines developed tested and determined as good practices for the
delivery of a particular product or service.
• In an electrical installation the primary purposes of the standards are:
o To ensure the protection and safety of property against hazards (overloads,
short circuits, voltage drops).
o To ensure the protection and safety of persons (risk of electric shocks).
o To ensure the continued life of the installation and facilitate its use.

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2. Main Standards

• International
o International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
o International Standards Organization (ISO)

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2. Main Standards
• Europe
o European Standards (EN)
o European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC)
o Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – UK
o British Standards Institution (BSI) – UK
o French Standards (NF)
o Portuguese Standards (NP)
o German Standards (DIN and VDE)
o Italian Standards (UNI)
o Spanish Standards (AENOR)
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2. Main Standards
• United States of America
o American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
o International Electrical Testing Association (NETA)
o Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
o American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
o National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
o National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
o Underwriters Laboratory (UL)
o Factory Mutual (FM)
o Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
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2. Main Standards
• Canada
o Canadian Standards (CEA)
• Brazil
o Brazilian Standards (NRB/ABNT)
• Australia and New Zeland
o Australian and New Zeland Standards (AS/NZS)
• China
o Chinese Standards (GB)

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2. Main Standards

Figure 1‑1: Electrical standards

around the world
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3. Wiring regulations in several
countries
• Europe
o France: French Standards NF C 15-100 (Low Voltage) and NF C13-200 (High
Voltage)
o Germany: German Standards
o United Kingdom: BS Standard 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations)
o Other countries: IEC Standard 60364
o Standard AS/NZS 3000:2007-Wiring Rules

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3. Wiring regulations in several
countries
• United States of America
o National Electrical Code (NEC) – NFPA Standard 70
• Canada
o Canadian Electrical Code (CSA C22), Part I to VI, and SPE-1000: Model Code
for the Field Evaluation of Electrical Equipment
• Australia/New Zealand
o Standard AS/NZS 3000:2007-Wiring Rules
• Hong Kong
o Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations

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3. Wiring regulations in several
countries
• Middle East/Gulf Countries
o Apart from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, these wiring regulations are mainly based on British
Standard BS 7671.
o Dubai: Regulations for Electrical Installations by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA)
o Abu Dhabi: Electricity Wiring Regulations
o Oman: Oman Electric Standards (OES)
o Qatar: Regulations for the Installation of Electrical Wiring, Electrical Equipment and Air Conditioning
Equipment
o Bahrain: Electricity Regulations and Guide for Electrical Contractors
o Kuwait: Regulation for electrical installations MEW/R-1 to MEW/R-8 and MEW/S-1
o Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Saudi Building Code (SBC) Requirements, Section 401 – Electrical (SBC 401)

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 4. Overview about some electrical Codes
and Organizations
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
It is the world’s leading organization for the preparation and publication of International Standards for all electrical,
electronic and related technologies.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
A nonprofit organization dedicated to the twin goals of promoting the science of fire protection and improving fire
protection methods.
• National Electrical Code (NEC)
Sponsorship of the Code was assumed by the NFPA in 1911. The National Electrical Code generally is the bible for
the electrician.
• National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
NEMA is a nonprofit organization supported by the manufacturers of electrical equipment and supplies. NEMA develops
standards that are designed to assist the purchaser in selecting and obtaining the correct product for specific applications.

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 4. Overview about some electrical
Codes and Organizations
•American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Various working groups in the organization study the numerous codes and standards. American National Standard
implies “a consensus of those concerned with its scope and provisions.”
•International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI)
One goal of the IAEI is to improve the understanding of the NEC. Representatives of this organization serve as
members of the various panels of the NEC Committee and share equally with other members in the task of
reviewing and revising the NEC.
•Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
The objective of this group is to communicate information about all facets of good lighting practice to its members
and to consumers. The IESNA produces numerous publications that are concerned with illumination. The IESNA
Lighting Handbooks are regarded as the standard for the illumination industry and contain essential information
about light, lighting, and luminaires.

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 4. Overview about some electrical
Codes and Organizations
•American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning (ASHRAE)
it is an international organization of some 51,000 persons and fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air
conditioning, and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing,
publishing, and continued education. They are also concerned about “Green” technology.
•National Electrical Installation Standards (NEIS)
To help the electrical industry understand what is required by NEC 110.12, the National Electrical Contractors
Association (NECA) has been developing installation standards. NEIS, an ongoing project of NECA, covers installation
standards for the electrical trade.
•Registered Professional Engineer (PE)
Following the successful completion of an examination, the engineer is authorized to practice engineering under the
laws of the state. A requirement is usually made that a registered professional engineer must supervise the design of
any building that is to be used by the public. The engineer must indicate approval of the design by affixing a seal to the
plans.

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 4. Overview about some electrical
Codes and Organizations
•Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL)
Responsible of testing, evaluation, and product certification.
•Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a nonprofit organization that produces a
large number of product safety standards. UL also operates laboratories to
investigate materials, devices, products, equipment, and construction
methods and systems to determine whether the product being tested
complies with the product safety standard.

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 4. Overview about some electrical
Codes and Organizations
•Intertek Testing Services (ITS)
Formerly known as Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL), the Intertek Testing Service is a nationally recognized testing
laboratory. Intertek Testing Services owns the copyright to several listing marks that indicate compliance with Canadian and
United States product standards.
•Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
The Canadian Electrical Code is significantly different from the National Electrical Code. Part 2 of the Canadian Electrical Code
consists of electrical product safety standards similar to the standards produced in the United States by Underwriters
Laboratories. Canadian product safety standards are produced by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
•Electrical Products Safety Standards
Recent harmonizing of standards has resulted in Underwriters Laboratories and several other testing laboratories now
evaluating equipment for a manufacturer under both a UL standard as well as a Canadian Standards Association standard.
This can save a manufacturer time and money because the manufacturer can have the testing and evaluation done in one
location, acceptable to both U.S. and Canadian authorities enforcing the Code.

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 4. Overview about some electrical
Codes and Organizations
•Who Writes the NEC Code
o The process for revising the NEC is done with involvement from the public,
o The NFPA solicits proposals to make a change in the current NEC from anyone interested in electrical safety.
o Anyone may submit a proposal to change the NEC, using the proposal form.
o Proposals received are then assigned to a specific Code-Making Panel (CMP) for action.
o The Code-Making Panel can take one of the following actions: accept, reject, accept in part, accept in principle, or accept in
principle in part.
o These actions are published in the Report on Proposals (ROP).
o The next phase in the process is the comment stage. Individuals may send in their comments on the proposal actions
o The CMP meets again to review and take action on the comments received.
o These actions are published in the Report on Comments (ROC).
o The next step in the process is the final action (voting) on proposals and comments taken at the NFPA Annual Meeting.
o After all of the final decisions are made, the National Electrical Code is published.

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 4. Overview about some electrical
Codes and Organizations
•NEC ARRANGEMENT
o The NEC is divided into the introduction and nine chapters.
o Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 apply generally. These chapters include the general requirements for all
installations, wiring, and protection in Chapter 2; wiring methods and materials in Chapter 3; and
equipment for general use in Chapter 4.
o Chapters 5, 6, and 7 apply to special occupancies, special equipment, or other special conditions.
o Chapter 8 covers Communications Systems
o Chapter 9 consists of tables that are very helpful and important in the proper application of the NEC.
o Annexes are included in the back of the NEC and provide valuable information but are not enforceable.
o Each code article is numbered based on the chapter it is in.

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 4. Overview about some electrical
Codes and Organizations

•Defined Terms by NEC

o APPROVED: Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
o AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION: The organization, office, or individual responsible for approving equipment,
materials, an installation, or a procedure.
o EQUIPMENT: A general term including material, fittings, devices, appliances, luminaires, apparatus, machinery, and the
like used as a part of, or in connection with, an electrical installation.
o IDENTIFIED: Recognizable as suitable for the specific purpose, functions, use, environment, application, and so forth,
where described in a particular Code requirement.
o LABELED: Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of an
organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
o LISTED: Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by an organization that is acceptable to the
authority having jurisdiction

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 5. Safety rules for working on
electrical systems
• Electricity can be dangerous!
• Working on energized equipment over 50 volts to represent a shock
hazard.
• The NEC defines a qualified person as One who has skills and
knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical
equipment and installations and has received safety training to
recognize and avoid the hazards involved.

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 5. Safety rules for working on
electrical systems
• For example Dropping a metal tool onto live parts of electrical equipment generally
results in an arc flash and arc blast, which can cause deadly burns and other physical
trauma.
• An arc flash can generate temperatures of 35,000°F (19,427°C
• An arc blast creates an air-pressure wave that can cause serious ear damage or
memory loss.. It might blow the victim away from the arc source,
• A series of tests were performed to determine the temperatures and pressures an arc
flash and blast event would produce.
• An Example is shown below, the voltage was 480 V, with approximately 22,600
amperes short-circuit current available.
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5. Safety rules for working on
electrical systems
• Sound: hearing protection is required for sound
levels above 85 db.
• T1: the temperature on exposed skin exceeded
437°F (225°C). No doubt third- or fourth degree
burns will occur almost instantly at that
temperature.
• T2: Same comment as for T1.
• T3: The temperature probe was on the skin under
the clothing. A significant reduction in
temperature resulted in no injury to the skin.
• P1: The pressure on the chest exceeded 2160 lbs
per square ft. At these pressures, damage to
internal organs is very likely.
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 5. Safety rules for working on
electrical systems
• People seem to feel out of harm’s way when working on small electrical
systems and seem to be more cautious when working on commercial and
industrial electrical systems!
• Do not allow yourself to get complacent.
• Nearly half of the electrocutions each year are from 120-volt systems.
• A very small current is all that is needed when flowing through our nervous
system to cause paralysis so the electrician is “hung up.”
• This occurs when the external voltage flowing through the electrician’s
nervous system prevents him or her from releasing contact with the energized
part.
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 5. Safety rules for working on
electrical systems
• Now consider the effects of 60-hertz (60-cycle) ac currents on humans
in the study by Charles F. Dalziel presented in Table below

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 5. Safety rules for working on
electrical systems
• To Stay safe the electrician must follow the standards requirements.
• Avoiding an electrical accident is usually worth much more than “an ounce of prevention” and
certainly much more than “a pound of cure.”
• An electrician must receive safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved.
• Working on energized equipment requires properly insulated tools, proper flame-resistant
clothing, rubber gloves, protective shields and goggles, and in some cases insulating blankets.
• Using Electrical Power Tools on the Job
On the job, you will be using portable electric power tools. NEC requires that ground fault circuit-interrupter
protection for personnel be provided
• Stand to One Side!
A good suggestion is that when turning a standard disconnect switch on, do not stand in front of the switch.
Instead, stand to one side.

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6. Building Specifications
• The specification is a book of rules governing all of the material to be used and
the work to be performed on a construction project. The specification is usually
divided into several sections.
o General Clauses and Conditions
 Notice to Bidders
 Schedule of Drawings
 Instructions to Bidders
 Proposal
 Agreement
 General Conditions
o Supplementary General Conditions
o Contractor Specification

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7. Working Drawings

• The construction plans for a building are often called blueprints or plans.
• The architectural floor plans give the wall and partition details for the building.
• The Site Plan shows the location of the building and gives needed elevations of the
building East, West North and South Elevations. Building Cross-Sections plans show the
inside sections of the building.
• It is recommended that the electrician refer frequently to the other plan sheets (Structure,
mechanical...) to ensure that the electrical installation does not conflict with the work of
the other construction trades.

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7. Working Drawings
• Submitting Plans
o In most communities, building plans and specifications must be submitted to a building department for
review prior to the issuance of a construction permit.
• Construction Terms
o On construction sites, electricians work with others. Knowing construction terms and symbols is a key
element to getting along with the other workers.

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8. Conclusion
• In this chapter we have presented a general overview about the electrical standards, codes
and organizations governing the electrical installation design and execution. An electrical
engineer must abide by the rules generated by these codes to ensure a safe and a correct
electrical installation.

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