CASULLA, CRISTINE T.

BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

BUILDING UTILITIES 2
(AR. MARY JANE C. AMANTE, UAP)

MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICITY

CHAPTER 1
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRICITY IS A FORM OF ENERGY RESULTING FROM THE EXISTNENCE OF
CHARGED PARTICLES (SUCH AS ELECTRONS OR PROTONS), EITHER STATICALLY AS AN
ACCUMULATION OF CHARGE OR DYNAMICALLY AS A CURRENT.
ELECTRICITY IS A FORM OF ENERGY GENERATED BY FRICTION, INDUCTION OR
CHEMICAL CHANGE HAVING MAGNETIC, CHEMICAL AND RADIANT EFFECT. IN SHORT
ELECTRICITY IS ELECTRONS IN MOTION.

CONTRARY TO SOME BELIEF, ELECTRICITY IS NOT NEW. IT HAS BEEN HERE WITH
US EVER SINCE AND ITS EXISTENCE IS AS OLD AS THE UNIVERSE.
ELECTRICITY WAS ACCIDENTALLY DISCOVERED BY THE ANCIENT GREEKS
SOMETIME IN 600 BC. HOWEVER, THE TITLE “FATHER OF ELECTRICITY” WAS
ACCREDITED TO WILLIAM GILBERT, AN ENGLISH PHYSICIST, AFTER PUBLISHING HIS
STUDIES ON THE “ELECTRIC ATTRACTION AND THE ELECTRIC FORCE”

ELECTRICITY IS A PROPERTY OF THE BASIC PARTICLES OF MATTER WHICH LIKE

AN ATOM. ATOM ARE EXTREMELY SMALL PARTICLES AND CANNOT BE DIVIDED
FURTHER EXCEPT BY EXTRAORDINARY MEANS.
ATOMS CONSIST OF:
ELECTRON
PROTON
NEUTRON

THE ELECTRON IS THE NEGATIVELY CHARGED PARTICLE OF AN ATOM WHICH IS

SOMETIMES REFFERED TO AS THE NEGATIVE CHARGE OF ELECTRICITY.
THE PROTON IS THE POSITIVELY CHARGED PARTICLE OF AN ATOM WHICH IS
SOMETIMES REFFERED TO AS THE POSITIVE CHARGE OF ELECTRON.
THE NEUTRON IS THAT PARTICLE WHICH IS NOT ELECTRICALLY CHARGED AND
WEIGHS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THE PROTON. A NEUTRAL ATOM, THE NUMBER OF
PROTONS AND THE NUMBER OF ELECTRONS IS EQUAL.

THEORY:
THAT ALL MATTERS ARE MADE UP OF MOLECULES.
THAT THE MOLECULES ARE MADE UP OF ATOMS.
THAT THE ATOM CONTAINS NEUTRONS, ELECTRONS, AND PROTONS.
THAT THE NEUTRON IS NEUTRAL, HENCE, NEITHER POSITIVELY NOR
NEGATIVELY CHARGE
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

THAT THE ELECTRON OF AN ATOM OF ANY SUBSTANCE COULD BE

TRANSFORMED TO ANOTHER ATOM.
KINDS OF ELECTRICITY

DYNAMIC ELECTRICITY (ELECTRODYNAMICS)

ELECTRICITY THAT FLOWS THROUGH A SUBSTANCE OR OVER ITS SURFACE IN
THE FORM OF AN ELECTRIC CURRENT.

STATIC ELECTRICITY (ELECTROSTATICS)

THE FORM OF ELECTRICITY THAT APPEARS TO REMAIN ON THE SURFACE OF A
BODY AS A CHARGE.

MAGNET AND MAGNETISM

MAGNET
AN ORE WHICH HAD THE PROPERTY OF ATTRACTING PIECES OF IRON, STEEL OR
OTHER METALS.

MAGNETISM
THE ATTRACTIVE POWER OF A POWER

ARTIFICIAL MAGNETS
WHEN A BAR OF HARDENED STEEL IS RUBBED WITH A NATURAL MAGNET.

MAGNETIC POLES
THE POLE OF A MAGNET THAT WILL POINT TOWARD THE GEOMAGNETIC POLES
OF THE EARTH.

MAGNETIC ATTRACTION AND REPULSION

LIKE MAGNETIC POLES REPEL AND UNLIKE MAGNETIC POLES ATTRACT EACH
OTHER.

ELECTROMAGNETS
ESSENTIALLY A COIL OF WIRE IN WHICH MAGNETIC CIRCUIT IS PARTLY OR
ENTIRELY COMPLETED THROUGH A MAGNETIC MATERIAL SUCH AN IRON.

CLASSES OF MAGNETS
NATURAL MAGNES – IRON ORES CALLED MAGNETITE
PERMANENT MAGNETS – THESE ARE BARS OR HARDENED STEEL WHICH HAVE
BEEN PERMANENTY MAGNETIZED.
ELECTROMAGNETS – SOFT CORE WOUND WITH A COIL OR INSULATED WIRE.

SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY
1. MECHANICAL
A. ELECTROSTATIC (BY FRICTION)
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

WHEN CERTAIN MATERIALS ARE RUBBED TOGETHER, ELECTRONS ARE

TRANSFERRED BY FRICTION FROM ONE TO THE OTHER, HENCE IT
BECOMES ELECTRICALLY CHARGED.
B. ELECTROMAGNETISM
RELATIVE MOTION OF A CONDUCTOR WITH RESPECT TO A MAGNETIC
FIELD, A PROCESS KNOWN AS INDUCTION.
E.G. AC GENERATOR (ALTERNATOR) – KVA
DC GENERATOR – KW
DC -> AC – INVERTER

2. CHEMICAL
BY INSERTION OF TWO DISSIMILAR METALS SUCH AS ZINC AND COPPER IN
CONDUCTING SOLUTION CALLED ELECTROLYTE.
E.G. DRY CELLS
STORAGE BATTERY

3. PHOTOELECTRIC
BY LIGHT (SUNLIGHT OR ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATION) FALLING UPON A
PHOTOSYNTHETIC MATERIAL SUCH AS CESIUM OR SELENIUM. THE PROCESS IS
KNOWN AS PHOTOELECTRIC EMISSION.
E.G. PHOTOCELL, PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL

4. THERMOELECTRIC
BY HEATING THE JUNCTION OF TWO DISSIMILAR METALS SUCH AS AN IRON
WELDED TO A COPPER WIRE, SUCH JUNCTION IS CALLED A THERMOCOUPLE

BY MECHANICAL PRESSURE (COMPRESSION, STRETCHING, TWISTING) OF A

CERTAIN CRYSTALS SUCH AS QUARTZ AND ROCHELLE SALT.
E.G. MICROPHONE, RADIO TRANSMITTER, TELEPHONE RECEIVERS, AND
HEARING AIDS

CHAPTER 2
ELECTRIC CURRENT
BY DEFINITION, ELECTRIC CURRENT IS THE FLOW OR RATE OR FLOW OF
ELECTRIC FORCE IN A CONDUCTOR. A CURRENT WILL ONLY FLOW IF A CIRCUIT IS
FORMED COMPRISING ALL THE REQUIRED COMPONENTS SUCH AS:
SOURCE OF VOLTAGE
A CLOSED LOOP OF WIRING
AN ELECTRIC LOAD
A MEANS OF OPENING AND CLOSING THE CIRCUIT

ELECTRIC CURRENT IS CLASSIFIED AS:

DIRECT CURRENT (DC)
ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC)
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

DIRECT CURRENT
IN DC ELECTRICITY FLOW ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION. THE SLOW IS SAID TO BE
FORM NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE.
THE COMMON SOURCE OF A DIRECT CURRENT IS THE DRY CELL OR STORAGE
BATTERY

ALTERNATING CURRENT
IN AC ELECTRICITY CONSTANTLY REVERSES ITS DIRECTION OF FLOW. THIS TYPE
OF ELECTRICITY IS GENERATED BY MACHINES CALLED AC GENERATORS.
ALTERNATING CURRENT IS UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED DUE TO ITS UNLIMITED NUMBER
OF APPLICATIONS AND THE FOLLOWING ADVANTAGES:
IT IS EASILY PRODUCED
IT IS CHEAPER TO MAINTAIN
IT COULD BE TRANSFORMED INTO HIGHER VOLTAGE
IT COULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO FARTHER DISTANCE WITH LOW VOLTAGE DROP
IT IS MORE EFFICIENT COMPARED WITH THE DIRECT CURRENT

ONCE A BIG CONTROVERSY ENSUED BETWEEN THE PROPONENTS OF THE DC

ELECTRICITY LED BY THOMAS EDISON AND THE ADVOCATES OF AC ELECTRICITY LED
BY GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE. ACCORDING TO EDISON, “THE AC ELECTRICITY IS
DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT INVOLVES HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE”. THE AC
ADVOCATES ON THE OTHER HAND COUNTERED THAT “THE AC ALTERNATION IS JUST
LIKE A HANDSAW WHICH CUTS ON THE UPSTROKE AND THE DOWN STROKE. THE HIGH
VOLTAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION LINE COULD BE REDUCED TO THE DESIRED VOLTAGE
AS IT PASSES THE DISTRIBUTION LINE”

-----TO BE CONTINUED---- (wala akong copy ng ibang chap 2… sad:’<)

CHAPTER 3
THE OHMS LAW
IN 1826, GEORGE SIMON OHM, A GERMAN SCIENTIST, DISCOVERED THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CURRENT, VOLTAGE, AND RESISTANCE NOW REFFERED
TO AS OHMS LAW WHICH STATES THAT “THE HIGHER THE VOLTAGE, THE LARGER THE
CURRENT AND THE HIGHER THE RESISTANCE THE LOWER THE CURRENT” THEIR
RELATIONSHIP IS PRESENTED IN THE FOOLLOWING EQUATIONS KNOWN AS THE OHMS
LAW.

OHMS LAW

I=V/R

WHERE:
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

I = CURRENT FLOW (AMPERES)

V = ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE (VOLTS)
R = RESISTANCE (OHMS)

THUS, TO FIND:
VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL PRESSURE (VOLTS) V = IR
CURRENT (AMPERE) I = V / R

WHERE:
P = WATTAGE (WATTS)
V = VOLTAGE (VOLTS)
I = CURRENT (AMP)

OTHER OHMS LAW FORMULA USE THE LETTER “E” FOR VOLTS BUT “V” IS USED HERE
FOR CLARITY.

ELECTRICAL UNITS
OHM – UNIT FOR MEASURING ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE IN A CONDUCTOR
AMPHERE – UNIT FOR MEASURING CURRENT OR THE NUMBER OF ELECTRONS
FLOWING FAST A GIVEN POINT IN A CONDUCTOR IN A GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME
WATT – UNIT FOR MEASURING WATTAGE OR POWER
VOLT – UNIT FOR MEASURING VOLTAGE

CHAPTER 4
ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
AN ELECTRIC PATH COMPOSED OF A CONDUCTOR OR OF SEVERAL CONDUCTORS
AND CONDUCTING ELECTRIC DEVICES JOINED TOGETHER, THROUGH WHICH AN
ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOWS WHEN THE PATH IS COMPLETE AND AN EMF
(ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE) IS APPLIED.

CLOSED (COMPLETE) CIRCUIT

A CIRCUIT IS CLOSED OR COMPLETE WHEN ITS CONDUCTING ELEMENTS ARE SO
CONNECTED AS TO FORM A CONTINUOUS PATH FROM THE SOURCE OF THE CURRENT
BACK TOT THE SAME POINT.

OPEN (BROKEN OR INCOMPLETE) CIRCUIT

WHEN ITS CONDUCTING ELEMENTS ARE DISCONNECTED IN SUCH MANNER AS TO
PREVENT THE FLOW OF ELECTRICITY.

SHORT CIRCUIT
A PATH OF LOW RESISTANCE CONNECTION ACROSS A VOLTAGE. RESISTANCE IS
ZERO, TOO MUCH CURRENT.
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

BASIC ELEMENTS OF AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

1. SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY
2. CONDUCTING PATH
3. ELECTRIC LOAD

A CIRCUIT COMPONENTS CAN BE ARRANGED IN SEVERAL WAYS BUT WITH THREE

(3) FUNDAMENTAL TYPES OF CONNECTIONS, NAMELY:
1. SERIES CIRCUIT
2. PARALLEL CIRCUIT
3. SERIES – PARALLEL CIRCUIT

SERIES CIRCUIT
WHEN ALL PARTS OF THE CIRCUIT ARE ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED END TO END

PARALLEL CIRCUIT
WHEN TWO OR MORE ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE CONNECTED SO THAT EACH
ONE OFFERS A SEPARATE LOADS FOR THE FLOW OF CURRENT BETWEEN TWO POINTS.

SERIES PARALLEL CIRCUIT

AN ARRANGEMENT EHRE SEVERAL DEVICES ARE CONNECTED IN SERIES
GROUPS, AND ARE CONNECTED IN PARALLEL WITH EACH OTHER.
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

SERIES CIRCUIT
IN A SERIES CIRCUIT, A SINGLE PATH EXIST FOR CURRENT FLOW. THAT IS,
THE ELEMENTS ARE ARRANGED IN A SERIES OTHER WITH NO BRANCHES. BEING A
SINGLE PATH IN A SERIES ARRANGEMENT, VOLTAGE AND RESISTANCE SIMPLY ADDS,
THUS:

TOTAL VOLTAGE: Vt = V1 + V2 + V3 ….. + Vn

TOTAL RESISTANCE: Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 + ….. + Rn
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

UNDER THE SERIES ARRANGEMENT WHERE ONLY ONE PATH OF CURRENT

SUPPLYING THE LIGHTS, FAILURE IN ANY ONE OF THE UNIT WILL CAUSE A BREAK IN
THE CIRCUIT CUTTING OFF THE ENTIRE CIRCUITRY. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A SERIES
CONNECTION IS THE STRING OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, HAVING A SINGLE WIRE
SUPPLYING THE CURRENT IS CUT OFF CAUSING THE ENTIRE SERIES OF LIGHT GOES
DARK. THE NEXT PROBLEM IS THE LOCATION OF THE FAULT WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT
TO LOCATE. THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM OF SERIES CONNECTIONS HOWEVER WAS
REMEDIED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF THE PARALLEL CIRCUIT.

THE PARALLEL CIRCUIT

THE PARALLEL CIRCUIT IS SOMETIMES REFFERED TO AS THE MULTIPLE
CONNECTIONS WHERE THE LOADS ARE PLACED ACROSS THE SAME VOLTAGE
CONSTITUTING A SEPARATE CIRCUIT.
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

SERIES PARALLEL CIRCUIT

AN ARRANGEMENT WHERE SEVERAL DEVICES ARE CONNECTED IN SERIES
GROUPS AND THESE GROUPS ARE CONNECTED IN PARALLEL WITH EACH OTHER.
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

POWER AND ENERGY

POWER AND ENERGY IS TOO FREQUENTLY INTERCHANGEABLE USED. POWER
IS THE TECHNICAL TERM FOR THE COMMON TERM WORK.

ENERGY
IN PRACTICAL TERMS, ENERGY IS SYNONYMOUS WITH FUEL. IT IS
ASSOCIATED WITH WORK. THUS, ENERGY CAN BE EXPRESSED IN GALLONS, LITERS,
BARRELS OR TONS OF OIL, COAL, KILOWATT, HOURS OR CONSUMED ELECTRICITY AND
COST OF OPERATION. IN TECHNICAL TERMS, ENERGY IS EXPRESS IN UNITS OF BTU
(CALORIES) FOOT POUND (JOULES) AND KILOWATT HOURS.

POWER
IS THE RATE AT WHICH ENERGY IS USED OR ALTERNATIVELY, THE RATE AT
WHICH WORK IS DONE, SONCE ENERGY AND POWER IS SYNONYMOUS, POWER IMPLIES
CONTINUITY. THAT IS, THE USE OF ENERGY AT PARTICULAR RATE OVER A GIVEN SPAN
OF TIME. THE CONCEPT OF POWER INVOLVES TIME AT THE RATE AT WHICH WORK IS
DONE, THUS, MULTIPLYING POWER BY TIME GIVES ENERGY.

POWER IN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

THE MEASURING UNIT OF ELECTRIC POWER IS THE WATT. WHEN MULTIPLIED
BY 1,000 WE CALL IT KILOWATT. THUS 1,00 WATS IS ONE KILOWATT. THE POWER INPUT
(IN WATT) TO ANY ELECTRICAL DEVICE HAVING A RESISTANCE “R” WITH CURRENT “I”
IS EXPRESSED IN THE FOLLOWING EQUATION:
WATT = I2 X R

BY OHMS LAW:
V=IR
SINCE W = I2 R
W=VI

WHERE:
R = IN OHMS
I = IN AMPERES
V = VOLTS
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

IF THE AVERAGE COST OF ENERGY (NOT POWER) IS P3.50 PER KWH FOR 30 DAYS
CONSUMPTION, MULTIPLY:

30DAYS X 6.05 KWH = 181.50 KWH

X 3.50
TOTAL COST P 635.25

VOLTAGE DROP
WIRES CARRYING CURRENT ALWAYS HAVE INHERENT RESISTANCE, OR
IMPEDENCE, TO CURRENT FLOW. VOLTAGE DROP IS DEFINED AS THE AMOUNT OF
VOLTAGE LOSS THAT OCCURS THROUGH ALL OR PART OF A CIRCUIT DUE TO
IMPEDANCE.
A COMMON ANALOGY USED TO EXPLAINED VOLTAGE, CURRENT AND VOLTAGE
DROP IS A GARDEN HOSE. VOLTAGE IS ANALOGOUS TO THE WATER PRESSURE
SUPPLIED TO THE HOSE. CURRENT IS ANALOGOUS TO THE WATER FLOWING THROUGH
THE HOUSE. AND THE INHERENT RESISTANCE OF THE HOSE IS DETERMINED BY THE
TYPE AND SIZE OF THE HOSE – JUST LIKE THE TYPE AND SIZE OF AN ELECTRICAL WORE
DETERMINES ITS RESISTANCE.

EXCESSIVE VOLTAGE DROP

IN A CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE LIGHTS TO FLOCKER OR BUM DIMLY, HEATERS TOT
HEAT POORLY, AND MOTORS TO RUN HOTTER THAN NORMAL AND BURN OUT. THIS
CONDITION CAUSES THE LOAD TO WORK HARDER WITH LESS VOLTAGE PUSHING THE
CURRENT.
THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE RECOMMENDS LIMITING THE VOLTAGE DROP
FROM THE BREAKER BOX TO THE FARTHEST OUTLET FOR POWER, HEATING, OT
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

LIGHTING TO 3 PERCENT OF CIRCUIT VOLTAGE. THIS IS DONE BY SELECTING THE RIGHT

SIZE OF WIRE.

VOLTAGE DROP
IN A SEIRES CIRCUIT, CURRENT IS THE SAME THROUGHOUT AND VOLTAGE
DIFFER
IN PARALLEL CIRCUIT, THE VOLTAGE IS THE SAME AND THE CURRENT DIFFER.

TAKE NOTE THAT IN PARALLEL ARRANGEMENT, ALL THE CURRENT ADDS. FOR
INSTANCE, LIGHTS OR APPLIANCES LOAD CONNECTED TO A PARALLEL CIRCUIT HAS
THE SAME VOLTAGE IMPOSED. HOWEVER, EACH LOAD DRAWS A DIFFERENT CURRENT
ACCORDING TO ITS WATTAGE RATINGS.

CHAPTER 5
ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS ARE THE MATERIALS USED TO CARRY OR ALLOWS THE
FLOW OF ELECTRIC CURRENT.

INSULATORS
ARE THOSE MATERIALS THAT RESIST THE FLOW OF ELECTRIC CURRENT.

ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS

ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS
ARE SUBSTANCES THAT ALLOW THE FLOW OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

BARE CONDUCTOR
A CONDUCTOR HAVING NO COVERING INSULATION

COVERED CONDUCTOR
ENCASED WITHIN A MATERIAL OF COMPOSITION AND THICKNESS NOT
RECOGNIZED BY CODE

INSULATED CONDUCTOR
ENCASED WITHIN A MATERIAL OF COMPOSITION AND THICKNESS RECOGNIZED
BY THE CODE

GOOD CONDUCTOR MATERIALS

1. SILVER
2. COPPER
3. ZINC
4. ALUMINUM
5. NICKEL
6. BRASS
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

7. PLATINUM
8. IRON
9. TIN
10 . LEAD

COPPER
PROPERTIES OF COPPER:
-DUCTILE
-MALLEABLE
-EXCELLENT CONDUCTOR OF HEAT AND ELECTRICITY
-HARDER THAN ZINC AND SOFTER THAN IRON
-APPROXIMATELY 50% OT ITS TOTAL OUTPUT IS USED FOR
MANUFACTURING ELECTRICAL APPARATUS AND CONDUCTORS

ALUMINUM
PROPERTIES OF ALUMINUM
-PRODUCED BY THE FORMATION OF MANY METALS:
FELDSPAR
MICA
ALUM
CRYOLITE
CLAY BAUXITE
SEVERAL FORMS OF ALUMINUM OXIDE (ALUMINA)
-ALUMINUM IS TOUGH, FAIRLY HIGH STRENGTH AND LIGHTWEIGHT

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ALUMINUM AS AN ELECTRICAL

CONDUCTOR
- LIGHTER IN WEIGHT THAN COPPER CONDUCTORS
- COST LESS THAN COPPER CONDUCTORS
- ALUMINUM HAS APPROXIMATELY 80% OF THE CONDUCTIVITY OF COPPER
CONDUCTORS
- COPPER CONDUCTORS UP TO NO. 4 AWG REQUIRE SMALLER CONDUITS, HECE
THE COST OF IT, IS GENERALLY LOWER THAN ALUMINUM WITHIN A CONDUIT
- ALUMINUM CONDUCTOR CAN CREATE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IF INSTALLED
IMPROPERLY

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCES CONDUCTOR RESISTANCE

COMPOSITION OF A CONDUCTOR
THE MINERAL COMPOSITION OF A CONDUCTOR IS AN ESSENTIAL FACTOR
IN DETERMINING A GOOD CONDUCTOR.
LENGTH OF A CONDUCTOR
THE LONGER THE WIRE, THE BIGGER IS THE RESISTANCE
CROSS SECTIONAL AREA OF THE CONDUCTOR
THE BIGGER THE CROSS SECTIONAL AREA OF THE WIRE, THE LOWER IS
THE RESISTANCE
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

TEMPARATURE
METAL OFFERS HIGH RESISTANCE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE

CLASSES OF INSULATION
1. CLASS A INSULATION
CLASS A INSULATION CONSIST OF:
1. COTTON, SILK, PAPER AND MATERIALS OF PAPER COMPOSITION
IMPREGNATED OR IMMERSED IN AN INSULATING LIQUID
2. MOLDED OR LAMINATED MATERIALS CELLULOSE FILLER, PHENOLIC
RESIN, OR RESIN OR RESINS
3. FILMS OR SHEETS CELLULOSE ACETATE OR SIMILAR CELLULOSE
PRODUCTS
4. VARNISHES OR ENAMEL APPLIED TO CONDUCTORS
2. CLASS B INSULATION
CLASS B INSULATION CONSIST OF MICA, ASBESTOS, OR FIBERGLASS, ALL
WITH A BINDER
3. CLASS C INSULATION
CLASS C INSULATION CONSIST ENTIRELY OF MICA, PORCELAIN, GLASS,
QUARTZ, OR SIMILAR MATERIALS
4. CLASS O INSULATION
CLASS O INSULATION CONSIST OF COTTON, SILK, PAPER OR SIMILAR
MATERIALS THAT ARE NOT IMPREGNATED OR IMMERSED IN AN
INSULATING LIQUID

CONDUCTOR INSULATION
1. MOISTURE AND HEAT RESISTANCE RUBBER
2. HEAT RESISTANCE RUBBER
3. SILICON RUBBER
4. THERMOPLASTIC AND ASBESTOS
5. FLAME RESISTANCE MOISTURE AND HEAT RESISTANT THERMOPLASTIC
6. MOISTURE RESISTANT
7. PERFLUOROALKOXY

INSULATING MATERIALS
RUBBER
PORCELAIN
VARNISH
SLATE
GLASS
MICA
LATEX
WOOD
ASBESTOS
THERMOPLASTIC
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

OIL
WAX
DRY AIR
PAPER
SILK

WIRES AND CABLES

WIRE
WIRES ARE THOSE ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS WHICH ARE SMALLER, THEY ARE
EITHER SOLID OR STRANDED WHICH COMES IN THE FOLLOWING SIZES:
- NUMBER 14 AWG
- NUMBER 12 AWG
- NUMBER 10 AWG
- NUMBER 8 AWG

CABLES
CABLES ARE THOSE ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS LARGER THAN WIRES. TWO OR
MORE WIRES ASSEMBLED IN A SINGLE JACKET. NUMBER 6 AWG AND LARGER
STRANDED

ELECTRIC WIRE / CONDUCTOR

STRAND WIRE
A DEVICE THAT HOLD AND WHICH IS MADE OF MULTIPLE STRANDS JOINED
TOGETHER TO MAKE A SINGLE WIRE.

SOLID WIRE
IT IS MADE OF A SINGLE STRAND OF COPPER OR ALUMINUM WIRE. THESE ARE
USED IN WIRING INSTALLATION INSIDE THE BUILDINGS

SMALLER SIZE AWG WIRES ARE AVAILABLE IN (16, 18, 20, 22 AWG, ETC) BUT THEY
ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE USED IN ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS.

FOR AWG ZEROS THE FOLLOWING NOTATIONS MAY BE USED

0 AWG = 1/0 AWG
00 AWG = 2/0 AWG
000 AWG = 3/0 AWG
0000 AWG = 4/0 AWG

NOTE: AWG – AMERICAN WIRE GAUGE

AWG IS PRECEDED BY A NUMBER WHICH INDICATED THE SIZE OF THE WIRE

E.G. 14 AWG MEANS AMERICAN WIRE GAUGE NUMBER 14

AWG NUMBERS IS SED IN REVERS ORDER, THE BIGGER THE NUMBER THE
SMALLER THE WIRE IZE
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

16, 18, 20, 22 AWG ETC ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE USED IN ELECTRICAL
CIRCUITS.

TYPES OF WIRES AS TO ITS RESISTANCE

TW OT THW
WIRE STANDS FOR THERMOPLASTIC HIGH HEAT-RESISTANT AND WATER-
RESISTANT. TYPICAL USES OF TW/THW ELECTRICAL WIRE TRACER ARE IN CONTROL
PANELS, AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT, REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT, CONTROL
WIRING OF MACHINE TOOLS, AND AUTOMATIC WASHERS. THIS TRACER WIRE IS USED
IN INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS WHERE IT IS DRY AS
ITS RATED 60 DEGREE F.

THHN
WIRE STANDS FOR THERMOPLASTIC HIGH HEAT-RESISTANT NYLON WIRE IS A
FAVORITE BUILDING WIRE USED TO TRANSMIT ELECTRICITY THROUGH BUILDINGS. THE
WIRE ITSELF MAY BE ALUMINUM OR COPPER, BUT IT IS NOT TRACER WIRE. THHN
SATISFIES MOST RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICAL NEEDS AND HAS
APPROVAL FOR UP TO 6 VOLTS, AND 194 DEGREE F OR 90 DEGREE C. THHN IS LESS
EXPENSIVE THAN TRACER WIRE.

THWN
WIRE STANDS FOR THERMOPLASTIC HEAT AND WATER-RESISTANT NYLON-
COATED. INDICATING ITS RATED 75 DEGREE C FOR BOTH WET OR DRY LOCATIONS.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CABLES

1. ARMORED CABLE (AC) - IS FABRICATED ASSEMBLY OF INSULATED
CONDUCTORS ENCLOSED IN FLEXIBLE METAL SHEALTH. ARMORED CABLE IS
USED BOTH ON EXPOSED AND CONCEALED WORK.
IS INSTALLED IN LOCATIONS EXPOSED TO MECHANICAL DAMAGE, SUCH
AS ON THE OUTSIDES OF WALLS, AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONDUIT.
ARMOURED CABLE USUALLY HAS A SMALL METAL RIBBON TO ENSURE
ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY OF THE SAFETY GROUND.

UNARMOURED CABLE IS MAINLY USED FOR CONTROL SYSTEMS

2. METAL CLAD CABLE (MC) – IS A FACTORY ASSEMBLED CABLE OF ONE OR MORE
CONDUCTORS, EACH INDIVIDUALLY INSULATED AND ENCLOSED IN A METALLIC
SHEALTH OF INTERLOCKING TAPE OF A SMOOTH CORRUGATED TUBE. THIS TYPE
OF CABLES IS USED SPECIFICALLY FOR SERVICE FEEDERS, BRANCH CIRCUIT AND
FOR INDOOR OR OUTDOOR WORK.
3. MINERAL INSULATED CABLE (IM) – IS A FACTORY ASSEMBLY OF ONE OR MORE
CONDUCTORS INSULATED WITH A HIGHLY COMPRESSED PREFACTORY MINERAL
INSULATION ENCLOSED IN A LIQUID AND GAS TIGHT CONTINUOUS COPPER
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

SHEALTH. THIS TYPE OF CABLES IS USED IN DRY, WET OR CONTINUOUSLY MOIST

LOCATION AS SERVICE FEEDERS OR BRANCH CIRCUIT.
4. NON-METALLIC SHEALTH CABLE (NM) – IS A FACTORY ASSEMBLED TWO OR
MORE INSULATED CONDUCTORS HAVING A MOISTURE RESISTANT, FLAME
RETATDANT AND NON-METALLIC MATERIAL OUTER SHEALTH. THIS TYPE IS
USED SPECIFICALLY FOR ONE OR TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS NOT EXCEEDING 3
STOREY BUILDINGS.
5. SHIELDED NON-METALLIC SHEALTH CABLE (SNM) – THIS TYPE OF CABLE IS A
FACTORY ASSEMBLED TWO OR MORE INSULATED CONDUCTORS IN AN
EXTRUDED CORE OF MOISTURE RESISTANT AND FLAME RETARDANT MATERIAL
COVERED WITHIN AN OVERLAPPING SPIRAL METAL TAPE. THIS TAPE IS USED IN
HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS AND IN CABLE TRAYS OR IN RACEWAYS.
6. UNDERGROUND FEEDER AND BRANCH CIRCUIT CABLE (UF) – IS A MOISTURE
RESISTANT CABLE USED FR UNDERGROUND AS FEEDER OR BRANCH CIRCUIT.
7. SERVICE ENTRANCE CABLE - IS OF THE TYPES SE AND USE. A SINGLE OR
MULTI-CONDUCTOR ASSEMBLY PROVIDED WITH OR WITHOUT AN OVERALL
COVERING PRIMARILY USED FOR SERVICE WIRE.
8. POWER AND CONTROL TRAY CABLE (TC) – THIS IS A FACTORY ASSEMBLED
TWO OR MORE INSULATED CONDUCTORS WITH OR WITHOUT ASSOCIATED BARE
OR COVERED FROUNDING UNDER METALLIC SHEALTH. THIS IS SUPPORTED BY A
MESSENGER WIRE.
9. FLAT CABLE ASSEMBLIES (FC) – IS AN ASSEMBLY OF PARALLEL CONDUCTORES
FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH AN INSULATING MATERIAL WEB DEISGNED
SPECIFICALLY FOR FIELD INSTALLATION IN METAL SUFACES OR RACEAWAYS.
10. FLAT CONDUCTOR CABLE (FCC) – CONSISTS OF THREE OR MORE FLAT COPPER
CONDUCTOR PLACED EDGE SEPARATED AND ENCLOSED WITHIN AN INSULATING
ASSEMBLY. THIS TYPE OF CABLE IS USED FOR GENERAL PURPOSE SUCH AS:
APPLIANCE BRANCH CIRCUITS AND FOR INDIVIDUAL BRANCHE CIRCUITS
SPECIALLY IN HARD SMOOTH CONTINUOUS FLOOR SURFACES ETC.
11. MEDIUM VOLTAGE CABLE (MV CABLE) – IS A SINGLE OR MULTI CONDUCTOR
SOLID DIELECTRIC INSULATED CABLE RATED AT 2,000 OR HIGHER. THIS TYPE IS
USED FOR POWER SYSTEMS UP TO 35,000 VOLTS.

CHAPTER 6
OVERCURRENT DEVICES
OVERCURRENT
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

DUE TO MECHANICAL OVERLOAD OR INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL ELETRIC FAULTS

OVERVOLTAGE
DUE TO SHORT CIRCUITING BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY WIRING OR
DUE TO LIGHTNING STRIKE

RACEWAY
AN ENCLOSED CHANNEL DESIGNED EXPRESSLY FOR HOLDING WIRES, CABLES
OR BUSHBARS WITH ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS.

1. INTERMEDIATE METAL CONDUIT (IMC)

IS A METAL RACEWAY OF CIRCULAR CROSS SECTION WITH INTEGRAL OR
ASSOCIATED COUPLINGS, CONNECTORS AND FITTINGS APPROVED FOR
THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS.
2. RIGID METAL CONDUIT (RMC)
A RACEWAY SPECIALLY CONSTRUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PULLING IN
OR THE WITHDRAWING OF WIRES OR CABLES AFTER THE CONDUIT IS IN
PLACE AND MADE OF METAL PIPE OF STANDARD WEIGHT AND THICKNESS
PERMITTING THE CUTTING OF STANDARD THREADS.
3. RIGID NON-METALLIC CONDUIT
A TYPE OF CONDUIT AND FITTINGS OF SUITABLE NON-METALLIC
MATERIAL THAT IS RESISTANT TO MOISTURE AND CHEMICAL
ATMOSPHERE. FOR UNDERGROUND USE, IT SHALL ALSO BE FLAME
RETARDANT, RESISTANT TO IMPACT AND CRUSHING LIKELY TO BE
ENCOUNTERED IN SERVICE, AND RESISTANT TO LOW TEMPERATURE AND
SUNLIGHT EFFECTS
4. LIQUID TIGHT FLEXIBLE METAL CONDUIT
A RACEWAY OF CIRCULAR CROSS SECTION HAVING AN OUTER
LIQUIDTIGHT, NON METALLIC, SUNLIGHT RESISTANT JACKET OVER AN
INNER FLEXIVLE METAL CORE WITH ASSOCIATED COUPLINGS,
CONNECTORS, AND FITTINGS AND APPROVED FOR THE INSTALATION OF
ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS.
5. FLEXIBLE METTALIC TUBING (FMT)
NON-RIGID METAL CONDUIT INTO WHICH CONDUCTORS MAY BE DRAWN.
FLEXIBLE METALLIC TUBING MAY BE USED ON THE FOLLOWING
LOCATIONS:
-DRY LOCATIONS
-ACCESCIBLE LOCATIONS PROTECTED FROM PHYSICAL DAMAGE PR
CONCEALED ABOVE CEILING
-INTENDED FOR 1,000 VOLTS OR MORE
-LOCATED IN BRANCH CIRCUITS

6. ELECTRIC METTALIC TUBING (EMT)

CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

A METTALIC PIPE INTO WHICH ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS MAY BE

DRAWN AND IT HAS A THINNER WALL THICKNESS THAN A RIGID
METTALIC CONDUIT. THE USE OF ELECTRICAL METALLIC TUBING SHALL
BE PERMITTED BITH EXPOSED AND CONCEALED WORK. ELECTRICAL
METALLIC TUBING SHALL NOT BE USED WHERE DURING AND AFTER
INSTALLATION, IT WILL BE SUBJECT TO SEVERE PHYSICAL DAMAGE. IT
SHALL NOT BE USED IN HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS.
7. SURFACE METAL RACEWAY (SMR)
A RACEWAY CONSISTING OF AN ASSEMBLY OF METAL BACKING AND
CAPPING THE USE OF SURFACE METAL RACEWAY SHALL BE PERMITTED
IN DRY LOCATIONS. THEY SHALL NOT BE USED WHERE SUBJECT TO
SEVERE PHYSICAL DAMAGE UNLESS OTHERWISE APPROVED. THEY SHALL
NOT BE USED WHERE THE VOLTAGE IS 300 VOLTS OR MORE, AND SHALL
NOT BE USED WHRE ITS LOCATION IS SUBJECT TO CORROSIVE VAPORS
NOR CONCEALED.
8. SURFACE NON-METALLIC RACEWAY
A TYPE OF NON-METALLIC RACEWAY AND FITTING OF SUITABLE NON-
METALLIC MATERIAL THAT IS RESISTANT TO MOISTURE AND CHEMICAL
ATMOSPHERES. IT SHALL ALSO BE FLAME-RETARDANT RESISTANT ON
IMPACT AND CRUSHING.
9. UNDER FLOOR RACEWAY
A RACEWAY TYPE SUITABLE FOR USE UNDER FLOOR. THE INSTALLATION
OF UNDERFLOOR RACEWAYS SHALL BE PERMITTED BENEATH THE
SURFACE OF CONCRETE OR OTHER FLOORING MATERIAL OR IN OFFICE
OCCUPANCIES, WHERE LAID FLUSH WITH CONCRETE FLOOR AND
COVERED WITH FLOOR COVERING.
10. CELLULAR METAL FLOOR RACEWAY
THE HOLLOW SPACES OF CELLULAR METAL FLOORS TOGETHER WITH
SUITABLE FITTINGS WHICH MAY BE APPROVED ENCLOSURE FOR
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS. A CELL SHALL BE DEFINED AS A SINGLE,
ENCLOSED TUBULAR SPACE IN A CELLULAR FLOOR MEMBER.
11. MULTI-OUTLET ASSEMBLY
A TYPE OF SURFACE FLUSH RACEWAY DESIGNED TO RECEIVE
CONDUCTORS AND RECEPTACLES ASSEMBLED IN THE FIELD OR IN THE
FACTORY.
12. WIREWAY
STEEL OR METAL THROUGHING AND FITTING, SO FORMED AND
CONSTRUCTED THAT INSULATED CONDUCTORS MAY BE READILY DRAWN
IN AND WITHDRAWN OR LAID IN AND REMOVED WITH INJURY EITHER TO
CONDUCTOR OR COVERING.
13. BUSWAY
AN APPROVED, COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED METAL THROUGHING AND
FITTING, CONTAINING BARE CONDUCTORS INTENDED FOR USE AS
FEEDERS, THE CONDUCTORS BEING SUITABLY SUPPORTED ON
INSULATORS.
CASULLA, CRISTINE T.
BS IN ARCHITECTURE 3
UNIVERSITY OF LUZON

14. CABLE TRAY

A UNIT OR ASSEMBLY OF UNITS OR SECTIONS AND ASSOCIATED FITTINGS
FORMING A RIGID STRUCTURAL SYSTEM USED TO SUPPORT CABLES.
15. CABLE BUS
AN APPROVED ASSEMBLY OF INSULATED CONDUCTORS WITH FITTINGS
AND CONDUCTORS TERMINATING IN A COMPLETELY ENCLOSED
VENTILATED METAL HOUSING