WEEK 2 Alternating Current (AC)

• Reverse in direction
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICAL AND OTHER
• A current that is periodically varying in time rate and in
POWER SYSTEMS
direction.
PRINCIPLES OF ELECTRICITY • The current rises from zero to maximum, falls to aero,
reverses its direction, and again returns to zero. A
complete set of these changes is called a Cycle.
Electricity- Principally made up of atoms – electron, proton,
• Frequency – cycles per second or Hertz.
neutron
• Frequency for lighting: 60 Hertz
Definition of Electricity

• A form of energy generated by friction, induction, or • Frequency for motors: 25 Hertz

chemical change having magnetic, chemical, and • Phasing: Single Phase or 3-phase
radiant effect.

• The motion of free electrons through a solid conductor.

• William Gilbert – English Physicist; considered

“Father of Electricity”.

• Instantaneous – electric current travels at the speed of

light.

• General classes of electricity:

• Dynamic Electricity (electro dynamic) – flows

through a substance in the form of an electric
current.

• Static Electricity (electrostatic)

An electrical circuit is a path in which electrons from
• Electric current – flow in an electric circuit. Two types: a voltage or current source flow.

• Direct current (DC) The point where those electrons enter an electrical circuit is
called the "source" of electrons. The point where the electrons
• Alternating current (AC) leave an electrical circuit is called the "return" or "earth ground".
The exit point is called the "return" because electrons always
• Electric circuit – path for electric current. end up at the source when they complete the path of an
electrical circuit.

The part of an electrical circuit that is between the electrons'

starting point and the point where they return to the source is
Direct Current (DC) called an electrical circuit's "load". A load of an electrical circuit
may be as simple as those that power home appliances
• A current that flows at a constant time rate and in the
same direction. Types of Circuit

• Flows in one direction (- to +). • Closed Circuit – complete, continuous path.

• Uniform in strength. • Open Circuit – broken, incomplete, disconnected.

• Best example – Battery / dry cell; batteries have *Note: in order for a circuit to work, it must be closed; thus open
positive (+) and negative (-) terminals. If you take a wire circuits are not functional.
and connect the positive and negative terminals on a
• Series Circuit – a circuit in which the same current
battery, the electrons in the wires will begin to flow to
flows through all components of the circuit; the current
produce a current.
has only one path to take.
• Two types: continuous and pulsating (fluctuating).
• Parallel Circuit – a circuit in which the components
• Direct current is used in any electronic device with a piece of circuit bypassed by the short circuit may cease
battery for a power source. It is also used to charge to function and a large amount of current may begin
batteries, so rechargeable devices like laptops and cell flowing. This cause arranged so that the current divides
phones come with an AC adapter that converts between them; each component is assured a charge.
alternating current to direct current. If a path breaks, the other paths will still work because
they are not reliant on each other.
 • Short Circuit – a condition resulting from bridging any • Transformers – a machine for converting one voltage
part of a circuit with a conductor of very low resistance. to another: from lower to higher (step-up transformer)
The es wires to heat up and can potentially cause fire. and from higher to lower (step-down transformer).

• Rotary Converters – a machine for changing

alternating current to direct current and vice versa.
Electrical circuit

A complete conducting path carrying current from a source of

electricity to and through some electrical device or load and back Terms and Units of Measurement in Electrical Systems
to the source.
Ohm’s Law- Relationship between Current, Voltage, and
• Closed Circuit – complete, continuous path. Resistance. The current which will flow in a DC circuit is directly
proportional to the voltage, and inversely proportional to the
• Open Circuit – broken, incomplete, disconnected. resistance of the circuit.
Short Circuit – a condition resulting from bridging any part of a Terms and Formula
circuit with a conductor of very low resistance.
• Terms:
ELECTRIC CIRCUIT – path for electric current w/ EMF applied
• I = Current (Amperes)
• Series Circuit – a circuit in which the same current
flows through all components of the circuit; the current • V = Voltage (Volts)
has only one path to take.
• R = Resistance (Ohms)
• Parallel Circuit – a circuit in which the components are
arranged so that the current divides between them; • W = Electric Power (Watts)
each component is assured a charge. If a path breaks,
• Formulas:
the other paths will still work because they are not
reliant on each other. • I = V/R

• V=IR
Sources of Electricity • R = V/I
1. Battery- combination of two or more electric cells capable of • Other equations associated with Ohm’s Law:
storing and supplying direct current by electrochemical means.
• W = I2R or VI
• Primary Batteries – delivers electricity as soon as its
parts are assembled, provided it is connected to a • Whr = I2R t
circuit; non-renewable.
• The higher the voltage, the larger the current.
• Secondary / Storage Batteries – electricity from
• The higher the resistance, the lower the current.
some external source must pass through before it can
deliver an electric current; main use is for emergency
lighting; rechargeable.
Unit of Quantity
2. Generator- A machine which converts mechanical energy to
electrical energy. • Coulomb – a coulomb of electricity compromises
approximately 6.25 x 1018 electrons.
• Alternating Current Generators or Alternators –
converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the • Ampere (I) – an ampere of current represents a rate of
form of alternating current. Most electrical energy flow of one coulomb or 6.25 x 1018 electrons per second
utilized is in the form of alternating current or AC. through a given cross section.

• Direct Current Generators – a rotating machine that • Ampacity – the current carrying capacity of a
supplies an electrical output with unidirectional voltage wire or cable expressed in Amperes.
and current. Used for elevators, escalators,
• Ampere is named after Andre M. Ampere.
telecommunications, signal systems, and clock
systems. • Volt is named after Alessandro Volta, an Italian
physicist who invented an electric battery.
3. Dynamo Electric Machines-An electrical generator that
creates direct current using a commutator. • Watt is named after James Watt, a Scottish inventor.
Types: • Ohm is named after Georg Simon Ohm, a German
physicist and mathematician.
• Motors – a machine that converts electrical energy to
mechanical energy
Unit of Electric Potential Insulating Materials

• Volt (V) – electrical unit of voltage or potential • Plastics

difference between two points in an electric field.
• Paper/Cardboard
Unit of Electric Power
• Mica
• Watt (W) – electric power; rate of doing electrical work.
• Clay (ceramic)(porcelain)
Unit of Energy
• Glass
• Watt-hours (Whr) – energy; capacity for doing work.
• Rubber
Unit of Resistance

• Ohm – resistance which allows one ampere of current

to flow when one volt is impressed upon it. A semiconductor is a substance, usually a solid chemical
element or compound, that can conduct electricity under some
• In DC circuit, ohm is called resistance (R). conditions but not others, making it a good medium for the
control of electrical current.
• In AC circuit, ohm is called impedance (Z).
A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that
implements electrical resistance as a circuit element.
Insulators and Conductors

Conductors

• Materials or substances which allow electricity to flow

through them.
`WEEK 3
• Have free electrons on its surface which allow current
to pass through easily. APPLIED ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN
• They allow the transmission of heat or light from one BUILDINGS
source to another.

• Copper, Brass, Steel, Gold, and Aluminum are good

conductors of electricity. We use them in electric SYSTEM COMPONENTS OF BUILDINGS
circuits and systems in the form of wires. 1. Wirings and Raceways

• Secondary Line, Service, Service Drop, Service

Insulators Entrance Cable, Service Entry (Gooseneck/Weather
Head Cap)
• Materials or substances which resist or don’t allow the
current to flow through them. • Feeder, Rigid Steel Conduit (RSC)

• Do not have any free electrons. • KW-H Meter

• They give protection against heat and sound. • Underground Feeder

• Wood, cloth, glass, mica, quartz, plastic, and rubber 2. Power Handling Equipment
are good examples of insulators. • Safety Switch

• Panelboard
• A conductor is an object or type of material that allows • Circuit Breaker
the flow of charge (electrical current) in one or more
directions. Materials made of metal are common 3. Utilization Equipment
electrical conductors.
• Branch Circuits (Lighting. Appliance, Independent
The best electrical conductor, under conditions of ordinary Circuits)
temperature and pressure, is Silver.
• EMC/EMT/PVC

• Grounding
• Insulators are materials that impede the free flow of
electrons from atom to atom and molecule to molecule.
If charge is transferred to an insulator at a given
location, the excess charge will remain at the initial
location of charging.
 Service Entrance (SE Aerial)

Service Entrance • Power supplied to a building through a service

entrance.
• portion of the supply conductors which extends from
the street main duct or transformer to the service • Three heavy wires (drop), extend from utility
switchboard of the building supply pole overhead wires are fastened to the structure and
spliced to service entrance wires that enter a rigid
Two Types conduit through a service head
• Overhead Service Parts of Overhead Service Entrance
• Underground Service • Service Drop Wires

• Service Point
BASIC COMPONENTS OF METERING FACILITY • Service Entrance Wires
SERVICE DROP- overhead electrical line from a utility pole, to • KW-H Meter
a customer's building/premises point where electric utilities
provide power to their customers • Service Equipment

Service Lateral – customer connection to an underground • Feeder Wires

distribution system
• Panel Board (Primary and Secondary)
Conductors of a service drop, or lateral are owned and
maintained by the utility company; some industrial drops are • Grounding Electrode and Wire
installed/owned by customer
• Branch Circuit Wires
At the customer's premises, the wires enter the building through
a weather head to protect from entry of rain and drop down
UNDERGROUND SERVICE ENTRANCE
through conduit to an electric meter (measures and records
the power used for billing purposes) and enters the main Consists of raceways (Conduit) extending from the main
service panel building to the property line where it is tapped in the main
The utility's portion of the system ends, and the customer's UNDERGROUND SERVICE ENTRANCE (USE)
wiring begins, at the output socket of the electric meter
• Three wires are placed in a rigid conduit
The service panel contain a "main" fuse or circuit breaker,
which controls all the electric current entering the building at • An underground iservice conduit s brought to the meter
once socket

Number of smaller fuses/breakers, protect individual branch • Includes a watt-hour meter, main breaker, lightning
circuits protection

Main Circuit Breaker – Provision for all power to be cut off by Parts of Underground Service Entrance
operating either a single switch or small number of switches
• Serving Utility
when circuit breakers are used
• Service Lateral
KWH METERS – To measure energy, the factor of time is
introduced, such that; energy = power x time. A-C electric • Underground Service Entrance Cables
meters are basically small motors, whose speed is proportional
to the power being used; the number of rotations is counted on • KW-H Meter
the dials which are calibrated directly in kilowatt-hours
• Service Equipment

• Service Entrance Conductors

OVERHEAD SERVICE ENTRANCE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS by DESIGN
• Common type of service wire installed by electric
power supply companies for industrial, commercial, SINGLE PHASE ELECTRICITY (AC
and residential houses
• Single phase electrical system – 2-wire or 3-wire and
• Service Drop is connected from the nearest utility composes two hot legs and a neutral wire
pole to the building Service Entrance point to enter
• Two-Wire Single Phase DC or AC
the building through the weather head, down to the
electric power meter • Three-Wire Single Phase DC (EDISON SYSTEM)
 • Three-Wire Single Phase AC • Faraday’s Law of Induction: discovered in 1831,
describes the induced voltage effect in any coil due to
• Single Phase Electricity (AC) usually used: a changing magnetic flux encircled by the coil
• For homes and small commercial buildings TRANSFORMER – voltage to voltage
• HOTLEGS - HOT & LEGS • Outdoor Transformers
• Hot - any conductor (wire or otherwise) connected with H-frame – 1000 kva
an electrical system that has electric potential relative
to electrical ground or neutral Cluster mounted – 225 kva

• Leg- as in “hot leg” refers to one of multiple hot Pad mounted – 120V to 240V
conductors in an electrical system. The most common
residential and small commercial service in the • Indoor Transformers
Philippines, single phase, 230 V, features a ground and
two hot legs

THREE PHASE ELECTRICITY (AC)

• Three Phase AC electricity (3P/Triple Circuit)

• Lighting and outlet loads are connected between any

phase leg and a neutral line; machineries, bigger
loads are connected to the phase leg only

• Three phase electrical system – 3-wire or 4-wire and

composes three hot legs and a neutral wire Dry Type – pad mounted; switchboard

• Three-Wire Three Phase AC Askarel – synthetic non-flammable liquid

• Four-Wire Three Phase AC Oil-insulated – for transformer vault

Three Phase Electricity (AC) used: Transformer Rating: stepped up/stepped down

Industries and large commercial buildings

• GROUND WIRE
• Wire with electrical connection to the earth, either
directly or through another grounded conductor UNINTERUPTED POWER SUPPLY
PROTECTIVE DEVICES IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS

BASIC COMPONENTS OF METERING FACILITY Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS)

GROUNDING

Ground – common point of return for an electrical flow

• Grounding system: backup pathway that has an

alternate route for an electrical current to flow to
ground due to any risk in the electrical system before
it gets a fire or shock
✓ Emergency Systems – provide electric power and
illumination for life safety and protection of property
during emergency (electricity for exit lighting, elevators,
fire alarm systems, fire pumps)
VOLTAGE REGULATION: TRANSFORMERS

• Passive electrical device that transfers electrical

energy from one electrical circuit to another, or
multiple circuits

• Commonly used for increasing low AC voltages at

high current (a step-up transformer) or decreasing
high AC voltages at low current (a step-down
transformer) in electric power applications
 ✓ Standby Systems – provide power to selected loads Cartridge Fuse – (5-60 amps)
not directly involved with life safety (water and sewage
treatment plants and industrial machines for Knife Blade Fuse – (61-600 amps); DE/SE
manufacturing processes)

BASIC COMPONENTS OF METERING FACILITY

Protective Devices in Electrical Systems

✓ Battery Equipment – Central storage batteries
mounted in individual racks and provided with ✓ CIRCUIT BREAKERS – over-current protective device
automatic charging equipment function as switch, or manually tripped and act as
circuit switch; breaks a circuit with an automatic
tripping device without injury to itself

CIRCUIT BREAKERS – electromechanical device

Thermal Pigtail (Copper) – senses heat

Magnetic Pigtail (Copper) – senses load

✓ Engine-Generator Sets – machines to produce

electricity and composed of three components: the
machine and its housing, fuel storage tank and the
exhaust facilities
✓ GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS (GFCI
or GFI) – over current protective device that will
provide ground fault protection; function as an ordinary
circuit breaker

Distribution of Electrical Circuits

Protective Devices in Electrical Systems PANELBOARDS – “panel” or “electrical panel”, the box
protective devices are housed from which circuits and bus bars
OVER-CURRENT CIRCUIT PROTECTIVE DEVICES – devices terminate
that protect insulation, wiring, switches and other apparatus
from overheating or burning, due to overloads, faults, short PANELBOARD – final distribution point; PP/LP
circuits, by automatically cutting off the circuit
• Main Panelboard
✓ FUSE – is a device consisting of an alloy link of wire • Distribution Panelboard
with a low melting temperature which is inserted in the
circuit, in such a way, that all current which passes
through the circuit, must also pass through this metal

Distribution of Electrical Circuits

SWITCHBOARDS – free standing assemblies of switches,

CIRCUIT PROTECTIVE DEVICES – overload/short circuit fuses, and/or circuit breakers whose function normally is to
✓ FUSE – alloy link or wire; fusible link; nonrenewable provide switching and feeder protection to several circuits
connected to a main source
Plug Fuse – dwelling (5-30 amps)
SWITCHBOARD/SWITCHGEAR – THHN and THWN wires are single conductors, each
with its color-coded insulation.
Unit Substations (Transformer Load Center) – large
facility The letters indicate specific properties of the wire insulation:

UNIT SUBSTATIONS – (Transfer Load Centers) • T: Thermoplastic

assembly of primary switch-fuse-breaker, step-down
transformer, meters, controls, bus bars and secondary • H: Heat-resistant; HH means highly heat-
resistant

• W: Rated for wet locations

• N: Nylon-coated, for added protection

TYPE/TRADE NAME FOR WIRES

switchboard used to supply power from a primary NM CABLE
voltage line to any large facility
• Interior wiring is done with non-metallic, or NM,
cable—brand name "Romex.“; cable made of three or
more wires wrapped inside a flexible plastic jacket, or
sheathing
WEEK 4A • Used for outlets, switches, light fixtures, and
appliances; cables have a flattened tubular shape and
BUIDILNG SYSTEM COMPONENTS run invisibly through the walls and floor cavities

1. Wires and Cables

2. Raceways/Conduits

What is a Wire?
Most common sizes and amperage (amp) ratings are:
• Single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of
metal; used to bear mechanical loads or electricity and • 14-gauge (15-amp circuits)
telecommunications signals
• 12-gauge (20-amp circuits)
• Comes in solid core, stranded, or braided forms
• 10-gauge (30-amp circuits)
• Color coding is used on the outer sheathing of bundled
electrical cables and on individual conduction wires • 8-gauge (40-amp circuits)
within cables or inside conduit
• 6-gauge (55-amp circuits)

• Amperage – strength of an electric current in amperes

• The coloring on individual conducting wires usually Technically "Amperes” is the measure of current
does not indicate a size or rating but rather the (basically the movement of charge per second)
standard or preferred use of the wire (example, black
and red for current-carrying or "hot" connections; white
wires are grounded "neutral" conductors; green- UNDERGROUND FEEDER (UF CABLE)
insulated wires and bare copper wires are for
grounding wires Underground Feeder (UF) – nonmetallic cable designed for wet
locations; direct burial in the ground; used for supplying outdoor
• Wire gauge – measurement of wire diameter fixtures (lamp posts)
• Determines the amount of electric current a wire can
safely carry, as well as its electrical resistance and
weight

• The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire

• THHN and THWN are codes for the two most common
types of insulated wire used inside the conduit. Unlike
NM cable, in which two or more individual insulated
conductors are bundled inside a plastic sheathing,
UF contains insulated hot and neutral wires, plus a bare ground COAXIAL CABLE
wire. But while sheathing on NM cable is a separate plastic
wrap, UF cable sheathing is solid plastic that surrounds each • Round jacketed cable with inner conductor surrounded
wire. UF cable is normally solid with gray outer sheathing by a tubular insulating layer, surrounded by a tubular
conducting shield made of braided wire

STEEL WIRED ARMOUR CABLE

• Abbreviated as SWA, hard-wearing power

cable designed for the supply of mains electricity

BX CABLE (METALLIC SHEATHED CABLE)

• Metallic sheathed cable, type AC, MC, Greenfield, or

Armored Cable

• BX cable is a collection of plastic-coated insulated

LOW VOLTAGE WIRE

• Used for circuits requiring 50 volts or less; common

types – landscape lighting wire, sprinkler system
connections, bell wire (for doorbells), speaker system
wires, thermostat wires

• Wire sizes range: 22 gauge to 12 gauge wires (14- or 12-gauge), bundled together and
protected by a ribbon-like metal sheathing
• Typically insulated and may be contained in cable
sheathing or combined in twisted pairs, like lamp cord • BX is contrasted with a newer cable, NM, which stands
wire. for "non-metallic"
• Must be used only for low-voltage applications • A chief distinction between BX and NM is that BX can
(typically very small wires that are much different from achieve grounding through the outer metal casing
standard circuit wiring)

MC CABLE (METAL CLAD CABLE)

Corrosion-resistant metal cable containing insulated copper or

PHONE AND DATA WIRE aluminum connectors (two circuit conductors and a green
equipment grounding conductor)
• Telephone and data wiring – low-voltage wires for
“landline” telephones and internet hookups National Electric Code’s (NEC) technical definition – “a factory
• Telephone cable contain four or eight wires assembly of one or more insulated circuits enclosed in an armor
• Category 5 (Cat 5) cable, common type of household of interlocking metal tape, or smooth or corrugated metallic
data wiring, contains eight wires wrapped together in sheath.”
four pairs; used for both phone and data transmission
Standard ones contain three connectors made of copper or
and offers greater capacity and quality than
aluminum
standard phone wire.
 FLAT CABLE ASSEMBLIES

CABLE (ARMORED CABLE) • Assembly is installed in an approved U-channel

surface metal raceway with one side open, then tap
• Factory assembly of insulated conductors protected in devices can be inserted anywhere along the run
an overall flexible interlocked metallic armor (sheath)

BUSBAR

• In electric power distribution, busbar is a metallic strip LIGHTING TRACKS

or bar, typically housed inside switchgear, panel
boards, and busway enclosures for local high current Track lighting – method of lighting where light fixtures are
power distribution attached anywhere on a continuous track device which
contains electrical conductors; this contrasts with directly routing
electrical wiring to individual light positions

Track light systems have two main parts

(1) Track, wired to power and holds the conductors for the
heads
BUS DUCT (2) Heads, the lamp-holding fixtures; each has a piece
with two metal tabs that connect it to the power inside
• In electric power distribution, a bus duct (busway), is a
the track.
sheet metal duct containing either copper or aluminum
busbars for the purpose of conducting a substantial
current of electricity

CABLE TRAYS

CABLE BUS • Cable tray system used to support insulated electrical

cables used for power distribution, control, and
• Electrical system that transmits electrical energy communication
through an assembly of insulated conductors that are
mounted on a metal housing with cable support blocks
installed on it

RACEWAY

Enclosed conduit that forms a physical pathway for electrical

ASSEMBLIES wiring
Raceways protect wires and cables from heat, humidity, RMCRSC/
corrosion, water intrusion and general physical threats
Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) – heavy-duty galvanized steel tubing
installed with threaded fittings used outdoors to provide
protection from damage and provide structural support for
electrical cables, panels, and other equipment

IMC

Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC) – thinner, lighter-weight

version of rigid metal conduit; approved for use in all the same
CLOSED RACEWAY (SURFACE RACEWAY) applications as RMC
Raceway can also refer to s surface mounted wire molding EMT

• Electrical Metal Tubing made of galvanized

steel/aluminum

• "thin-wall" conduit – thin and lightweight, especially

compared to RMC

• EMT is rigid but can be bent with a simple tool (conduit

bender)

ENT
CLOSED RACEWAYS (UNDERFLOOR DUCTS)
• Electrical Non-metallic Tubing (ENT) is a flexible
• Floor channels that provide placement of telephone corrugated plastic tubing that is moisture-resistant
and electrical lines; allows for flexibility in use and flame-retardant
for commercial and office buildings
• Provide a flexible system by which the location of • Not ideal in exposed locations and is commonly
outlets may be changed easily to accommodate the used in inside walls
rearrangement of furniture and partitions
• Underfloor raceway system consists of ducts laid
below the surface of the floor and interconnected by
FMC
means of special cast-iron floor junction boxes
• Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC)

• "Greenfield," after the name of its inventor

• Has a spiral construction that makes it flexible so it can

snake through walls and other structures

CLOSED RACEWAYS (CONDUIT PIPES) LFMC

Electrical conduit – tube used to protect and route electrical • Liquid-tight Flexible Metal Conduit (LFMC) – special
wiring in a building or structure type of flexible metal conduit that has a plastic coating
and is used with sealed fittings to make it watertight

• Used with outdoor equipment (air conditioner units)

Rigid PVC

• Rigid PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) – plastic plumbing

pipe and is installed with plastic fittings that are glued
in place
• Can be bent after being heated in a portable heater box
• Because the conduit tubing and fittings are glued
together, the conduit assemblies can be watertight,
making PVC suitable for direct burial in the ground for
many applications
• Allowed in corrosive environments
 WEEK 4C Cylindrical Glass Tube – phosphor

UTILIZATION EQUIPMENT Cathode – argon and low pressure

mercury vapor
FIXTURES/LUMINAIRES
Ballast – limits current
1. Incandescent Lamp/Bulb – filament
Starter - switch
2. Fluorescent Lamp/Tube – cathode
TYPES:
CONDUITS/FITTINGS/CONDULETS
• Pre-Heat Starting - CFL
ELECTRICAL BOXES
• Instant Start (Slimline) – w/o a starter
PLATES
• Rapid Start – bi-pins
Lighting Outlets

Receptacle/Convenience Outlets
CONDUITS
pipes, tubing electrical raceway)

Materials (Metallic or Nonmetallic)

Make

1. Rigid Metal (RSC, EMT)

2. Flexible Metal (BX)

3. Rigid Nonmetal (Plastic, etc.)

4. Flexible Nonmetal (Plastic, etc.)

1.Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC);

Rigid Steel Conduit (RSC)

2. Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC); IMT

3. Electric Metallic Conduit (EMC); EMT • Pull Box – facilitates pulling

CONDULETS (Conduit Fittings)

• Straight and angle couplings

• Elbow Fittings

• Tee and Cross connections

JUNCTION BOX

Metal or plastic enclosures used as housings for wiring

connections

The connections within are called branch circuits and usually

• F – standard outlet box fittings represent the end of a conduit run

• SE – Service Entrance

• L – Elbow or Turn Fittings

• C – Through Fittings

• T – Through Fittings w/ 90° take off

• E – end of run to types of motors, transformers,

equipment

• LL/LR – 90° turns where mounting is not suitable for LB

• LB – when run of conduit comes must run thru

wall/ceiling PULL BOX

A metal box with a blank cover that is installed in an accessible

place in a run of conduit to facilitate the pulling in of wires or
ELECTRICAL BOXES cables

• Outlet Box – cable ends UTILITY BOX

• Used for convenience outlets, switch boxes or small

junction boxes
• Outlet Box – cable ends

• Utility Box – outlets, switches

• Junction Box – joining, splicing

 • Popular for exposed work applications (surface • Light fixtures, wall switches, and receptacle outlets are
mounted wiring) the most visible parts of an electrical system

• Switches and receptacle outlets should be located for

convenient access and coordinated with visible surface
patterns

• "Gang" describes the number of switches on the plate

• (rockers, throws or dimmers) depending on how they

operate; refer to the number of light switches on the
plate; possible to get more, but it is very uncommon to
have more that three in a domestic setting
• CUT-OUT BOX – metal box
• Multiway Switching - the interconnection of two or
more electrical switches to control an electrical load
(often, but not always, lighting) from more than one
location

• Three-way switches – used to control lamps from two

different points, as in a stairwell

• Four-way switches – used in conjunction with two 3-

wire switches where it is desired to control lamps from
three or more desired points

Convenience Outlets
WEEK4D
OUTLETS
REGULATING ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS ON
A point in the wiring system at which current is taken to supply
BUILDINGS utilization equipment; refers only to the box

RECEPTACLES
Terminating Electrical Circuits The wiring device in which the utilization equipment (appliance)
cord is plugged into
• Whether you are turning on a wall switch, plugging an
appliance to a receptacle or using a dimmer to dim the Convenience Outlet or Attachment Cap – the complete set-
lights you are using a wiring device installed in an outlet up which establishes connection between the conductor of the
box flexible cord and the conductors connected permanently to the
receptacle
• Attachment plug caps and wall plates are considered
wiring devices 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 – outlet where one or more receptacles are

installed

WALL PLATES OR FACEPLATES • Receptacle – a single contact device

Coverings for switches and wall outlets usually made of metal or • Duplex convenience receptacle – normal wall
of phenolic compound (Bakelite) convenience outlet takes 2 attachment plugs

• 15A and 20A receptacles should be grounded

Switches • Receptacles normally mounted 0.30m to 0.45m from

FFL; for kitchens around 1.07m from FFL
• Devices for making, breaking, or changing conditions
in an electrical circuit under the conditions of load • The number of poles/prongs and wires and whether
which they are rated they have separate grounding or not identifies the
types of receptacles
• The number, type, and location of switches depends on
the fixtures and devices. • Receptacles in wet locations (bathrooms) should be
protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter; this will
• Switches control the flow of electricity to outlets and to trip or break the circuit instantaneously when any
individual devices leakage of current occurs
2-Prong Outlets WEEK 5A
• Common in older homes; 15A 1250V, 2-wired outlet is ELECTRICITY IN THE PHILIPPINES AND LEGAL
used for ungrounded circuits only
PROVISIONS FOR
3 Prong, 15A 120 V Outlets
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS DESIGN
• Easily recognized and common outlets found in
homes, this outlet features two long, upper slots, with
a bottom, upside-down u-shaped slot for grounding,
helping to prevent electrical shock should any wiring 1894: La Electricista – first power company to operate in
Manila City; Central power station plant built on Calle San
comes loose
Sebastian (Hidalgo St.) in Quiapo Streetlights were turned on
Switch/Outlet Combos in 1895 for the first time, with the company serving electricity to
3,000 light customers
• This winning combination outlet provides two features
in a single device; can also allow to transform a 1903: American entrepreneur Charles M. Swift won the
receptacle, adding an additional switch or outlet to an bidding conducted by the Philippine Second Commission in
existing box - without any added wiring accepting bids to operate Manila's first electric tramway and by
extension, providing electricity to the city and suburbs. The
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS (GFCI or GFI) Manila Electric Company was born
• is an over current protective device that will provide 1919: The Manila Electric Company was merged with the
ground fault protection as well as function as an railway company of Charles M. Swift the Manila Suburban
ordinary circuit break Railway to form the Manila Electric Railroad and Light
Company or MERALCO

1925: MERALCO was acquired by an American utility

Types of Plugs and Usage
company Associated Gas and Electric Company (AGECO),
Plug providing financial backing as it began acquiring several
existing utility companies in the Philippines, enabling MERALCO
Male fitting for making an electrical connection to a circuit by to expand beyond Manila
insertion in a receptacle
1948: The World War II had destroyed most of the railroad
Grounding Plug facilities of MERALCO, with the Japanese forces forcibly
transferring all MERALCO’s assets and holding to the
A plug having a blade for ground connection Japanese-controlled Taiwan Power Company. Meralco focused
on providing electricity service to help efforts in post- war
Type A Plug. Ungrounded plug with two flat parallel prongs;
known as NEMA 1-15; invented in 1904 by Harvey Hubbell II. rehabilitation of the country.
Type A plugs are generally polarized and can only be inserted 1961: MERALCO was acquired by a group of Filipino
one way because the two blades do not have the same width businessmen led by entrepreneur Eugenio Lopez Sr. The new
management built electric-generating and distributing
Type B Plug. Class I plug is designated as NEMA 5-15; has two
facilities to meet the growing needs of its franchise area, seeing
flat 1.5 mm thick blades, spaced 12.7 mm apart, measuring 15.9
the company grow its capacity by five times and becoming the
– 18.3 mm in length and 6.3 mm in width; has a 4.8 mm diameter
round or U-shaped earth pin, which is 3.2 mm longer than the first one-billion-peso company in the country by 1969.
two flat blades, so the device is grounded before the power is
connected

Type C Plug. Widely used plug internationally. This two-wire

plug is ungrounded, unpolarized and has two round prongs

A plug consists case or cover, three pins, a fuse and a cable

grip. The case of a plug is plastic or rubber parts that surround
it. Plastic or rubber materials are good electrical insulators. The
pins inside the plug are made from brass (good conductor of
electricity)
 its generating plants to NPC and focused its business
on power distribution and selling service

• PD No. 269 (1973): By virtue of PD No. 269, the law

converted NEA into a public corporation. NEA was then
given regulatory function with regards to rate fixing and
granting & revoking franchises to electric cooperatives
(EC's) and distribution companies as the latter was
formerly vested in the old Congress.

• EO No. 131 (1987): The new government under Pres.

Corazon C. Aquino after the 1986 EDSA revolution
abolished the Ministry of Energy thru Executive Order
No. 131, with NEA shifting its thrust from rural
electrification to line expansion, rehabilitation, and
institutional development. By 1988, the mandate of
NEA was drastically changed from "total electrification
on an area coverage basis" to "lending for the
promotion of electrification through viable electric
cooperatives (EC's) that provide reliable service
towards countryside development." This, however, still
calls for the monitoring of the performance of the
electric cooperatives (EC's) by NEA

• RA 7638 (1992): The Philippines succumbed into

power crisis. Because of such, RA 7638 or known as
the Department of Energy Act of 1992." was passed
into law, which created the Department of Energy for
the purpose of directing all the activities of the
Philippine government relating to energy exploration,
development, utilization, distribution, and conservation

• RA 7648 (1993): Following the passage of RA 7638,

RA 7648 or the Electric Power Crisis Act of 1993" was
Laws Concerning Electric Power Industry signed into law. This gave then Pres. Fidel V. Ramos
to enter into contracts with independent power
• CA No.120 (1936): The National Power Corporation producers (IPP's) for the construction, repair,
(NPC or NAPOCOR) was created under rehabilitation, improvement, or maintenance of power
Commonwealth Act No. 120 as a non-stock plants, projects & facilities
government corporation. Function: to generate and
transmit electricity nationwide transmission grid (the • RA 9136 (2001): RA 9136 or the "Electric Power
Grid) in the country Industry Reform Act of 2001" or better known as
the EPIRA Law was passed. This created major
• RA 2717 (1960): The Electrification Administration reforms in structure and operations of government
(EA) was created by the Philippine Congress under RA agencies involved in the energy sector, particularly the
2717 or the "Electrification Administration Act of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the
Philippines" Objective: total electrification as a national National Power Corporation (NPC)
policy for the entire country

• RA 6038 (1969): The National Electrification

Administration (NEA) was created by virtue of RA 6038
to replace EA, with NEA having a 3.50 USD million loan
from US to finance two (2) electrification projects
(Misamis Oriental Rural Electric Service or MORESCO
and Victorias-Manapla-Cadiz Rural Electric Service or
VRESCO) both under the Philippine Rural
Electrification Program as power supply then was
limited to urban cities and dominated by the private
sectors

• PD No. 40 (1972): Pres. Ferdinand. Marcos issued

Presidential Decree or PD No.40, which nationalized or
made it mandatory for the government to own all major
electric generating and transmission facilities.
MERALCO, the country's largest power company, sold
The EPIRA law has led to the organization of the
electricity industry into four (4) sectors, namely: generation,
transmission, distribution, and supply. Under this setup, A. PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE
generation of electricity is performed mainly by NPC and its
contracted IPP's. TRANSCO, on the other hand, has the Article 1.1: Definitions
responsibility to transmit electricity and to provide open and non-
1. Demand Factor. The ratio of the maximum demand of
discriminatory access to its system to all electricity users. The
a system, or part of a system, to the total connected
distribution of electricity is now a regulated carrier business, with
load of a system or the part of the system under
ERC having authority to grant or revoke franchises to
consideration
distribution companies in the form of private companies, electric
cooperatives, LGU-operated utilities, and other authorized 2. Live Parts. Conductor or conductive part intended to
entities. be energized in normal use
Electricity sellers or known as electric service provider 3. Voltage, Nominal. A nominal value assigned to a
(ESP), public electricity supplier (PES), or retail electricity circuit or system for the purpose of conveniently
provider (REP) sells electricity to its users with minimum monthly designating its voltage class (e.g.,120/240 volts,
average consumption of 750 kW over the preceding 12 months. 480Y/277 volts, 600 volts). The actual voltage at which
This means other than the usual distribution service of electricity, a circuit operates can vary from the nominal within a
retail sellers can now buy and sell electricity in bulk, usually for range that permits satisfactory operation of equipment
those with large consumption. This is done in the Wholesale
Electricity Spot Market (WESM), as currently managed by DOE. 4. Voltage to Ground. For grounded circuits, the voltage
Bulk electricity selling, however, is yet to be introduced to small between the given conductor and that point or
consumers. conductor of the circuit that is grounded; for
ungrounded circuits, the greatest voltage between the
given conductor and any other conductor of the circuit

Article 1.10: Requirements for Electrical Installation

1.10.2.1: Spaces About Electrical Equipment (For installation

of 600 Volts, Nominal, or Less)

Sufficient access and working space shall be provided and

maintained about all electric equipment to permit ready and safe
operation and maintenance of such equipment

Enclosures housing electrical apparatus that are controlled by a

lock(s) shall be considered accessible to licensed electrical
practitioner or non-licensed electrical practitioner under the
supervision of a licensed electrical practitioner

Working space for equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or

less to ground and likely to require examination, adjustment,
servicing, or maintenance while energized shall comply with the
The association RESAPH or Retail Electricity Suppliers
dimensions in Table 01
Association of the Philippines include members such as Aboitiz
Power Solutions, Inc., AC Energy, Inc., Citicore Energy Depth of Working Space. Distances for the depth of working
Solutions, Inc., Vivant Core Energy, FDC Retail Electricity Sales space shall be measured from the exposed live parts or from the
Corporation, among many others enclosure or opening if the live parts are enclosed

1.10.2.1: Spaces About Electrical Equipment

Condition 1 — Exposed live parts on one side of the working

space and no live or grounded parts on the other side of the
working space, or exposed live parts on both sides of the
working space that are effectively guarded by insulating
materials.

Condition 2 — Exposed live parts on one side of the working

space and grounded parts on the other side of the working
space. Concrete, brick, or tile walls shall be considered as
grounded.
Legal Provisions for Electrical Systems Design
Condition 3 — Exposed live parts on both sides of the working • Dwelling Units. All 125-volt and/or 250 volts, single-
space phase, 15 and 20-ampere receptacles installed in the
locations specified below shall have ground-fault
circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

a. Bathrooms

b. Garage

c. Outdoors

d. Crawl Spaces

e. Unfinished Basement
Figure 01: Electrical Room Plan
f. Kitchen
Width of Working Space. The width of the working space in front
of the electric equipment shall be the width of the equipment or g. Laundry, Utility, Wet bar Sinks
750 mm, whichever is greater. In all cases, the workspace shall
permit at least a 90-degree opening of equipment doors or h. Boathouses
hinged panels
2.10.3: Required Outlets
Height of Working Space. The workspace shall be clear and
• General Provisions. In every kitchen, family room,
extend from the grade, floor, or platform to the height required
dining room, living room, parlor, library, den, sunroom,
by Table 01. Within this requirement, other equipment that is
bedroom, recreation room, or similar room or area of
associated with the electrical installation and is located above or
dwelling units, receptacle outlets shall be installed in
below the electrical equipment shall be permitted to extend not
accordance with the general provisions specified:
more than 150 mm beyond the front of the electrical equipment
a. Spacing. Receptacles shall be installed so that no
1.10.2.1: Spaces About Electrical Equipment
point measured horizontally along the floor line in any
• Normal Use of Equipment Workspace. Working wall space is more than 1800 mm from a receptacle
space used for electrical equipment shall not be used outlet.
for storage. When normally enclosed live parts are
b. Kitchen Appliances. Receptacles installed in a
exposed for inspection or servicing, the working space,
kitchen to serve countertop surfaces shall be supplied
if in a passageway or general open space, shall be
by not fewer than two (2) small-appliance branch
suitably guarded.
circuits.
• Minimum Entrance Required. At least one entrance
c. Small Appliance. Additional small-appliance branch
of sufficient area shall be provided to give access to
circuits shall be permitted to supply receptacle outlets
working space about electrical equipment.
in the kitchen and other rooms. No small appliance
• Large Equipment. For equipment rated 1200 amperes branch circuit shall serve more than one (1) kitchen.
or more that contains overcurrent devices, switching
Article 2.10: Branch Circuits
devices, or control devices, there shall be one entrance
to the required working space not less than 600 mm 2.10.3: Required Outlets
wide and 2 000 mm high at each end of the working
space. Where the entrance has a personnel door(s), Countertops. In kitchens and dining rooms of dwelling units, a
the door(s) shall open in the direction of egress and be receptacle outlet shall be installed at each wall counter space
equipped with panic bars, pressure plates, or other that is 300 mm or wider. Receptacle outlets shall be installed so
devices that are normally latched but open under that no point along the wall line is more than 600 mm measured
simple pressure. horizontally from a receptacle outlet in that space.

• Illumination. Illumination shall be provided for all d. Receptacle Outlet Location. Receptacle outlets shall
working spaces about service equipment, be located above, but not more than 500 mm above,
switchboards, panel boards, or motor control centers the countertop. Receptacle outlets rendered not readily
installed indoors. accessible by appliances fastened in place, appliance
garages, sinks, or range tops shall not be considered
• Headroom. The minimum headroom of working as these required outlets.
spaces about service equipment, switchboards, panel
boards, or motor control centers shall be 2000 mm. e. Bathrooms. In dwelling units, at least one receptacle
Where the electrical equipment exceeds 2000 mm in outlet shall be installed in bathrooms within 900 mm of
height, the minimum headroom shall not be less than the outside edge of each basin. The receptacle outlet
the height of the equipment. shall be located on a wall or partition that is adjacent to
the basin or basin countertop.
Article 2.10: Branch Circuits
g. Outdoor Outlets. For a one-family dwelling and each
2.10.1.8: Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for unit of a two-family dwelling that is at grade level, at
Personnel.
 least one receptacle outlet accessible at grade level Where building/s exceed 15.00 meters in height, overhead lines
and not more than 2000 mm above grade shall be shall be arranged where practicable so that clear space or zone
installed at the front and back of the dwelling. For each at least 1.80 meters
dwelling unit of a multi-family dwelling where the
dwelling unit is located at grade level and provided with (horizontal) will be left
individual exterior entrance/ egress, at least one
adjacent to the building or beginning not over 2.45 meters
receptacle outlet accessible from grade level and not
(horizontal) from the building, to facilitate the raising of ladders
more than 2000 mm above grade shall be installed.
where necessary for firefighting.
h. Laundry Areas. In dwelling units, at least one (1)
Clearance of Service Drops
receptacle outlet shall be installed for the laundry.
Conductors shall have a horizontal clearance of not less than
Article 2.10: Branch Circuits
1.00 meter from windows, doors, porches, fire escapes, or
2.10.3: Required Outlets similar locations and shall be run less

Basements and Garages. For a one-family dwelling, at least one than 1.00meter above the top level of a window or opening.
(1) receptacle outlet, in addition to any provided for laundry
equipment, shall be installed in each basement and in each
attached garage, and in each detached garage with electric
power.

Hallways. In dwelling units, hallways of 3000 mm or more in

length shall have at least one (1) receptacle outlet. As used in WEEK 5B
this subsection, the hall length shall be considered the length
along the centerline of the hall without passing through a General Notes, Symbols, and Components of
doorway. Electrical Working Drawings
Article 2.30: Services • General Notes: provide, in one section of the plans,
the various supplemental data required by the
2.30.2: Overhead Service Drop Conductor
specifications.
Vertical Clearance from Ground. Service-drop conductors,
• A pictogram used to represent various electrical and
where not in excess of 600 volts, nominal, shall have the
electronic devices or functions (wires, batteries,
following minimum clearance from final grade:
resistors, switches and convenience outlets) in a
3000 mm — at the electric service entrance to buildings, also schematic diagram of an electrical or electronic circuit
at the lowest point of the drip loop of the building electric
• Electrical Drawing: Technical drawing that shows
entrance, and above areas or sidewalks accessible only to
information about power, lighting, and communication
pedestrians, measured from final grade or other accessible
for an engineering or architectural project
surface only for service-drop cables supported on and cabled
together with a grounded bare messenger where the voltage • Electrical drafting is the transmission and use of
does not exceed 150 volts to ground electrical power.
Article 2.30: Services • LIGHTING
2.30.2: Overhead Service Drop Conductor Planning for sufficient lighting involves the light, eye
and the object whether planning lighting for a residence
3600 mm — over residential property and driveways, and those
or for a large commercial building, the same design
commercial areas not subject to truck traffic where the voltage
factors must be considered
does not exceed 300 volts to ground
One must consider how much light is needed, what
4500 mm — for those areas listed in the 3600 mm classification
type has the best quality and how should the light be
where the voltage exceeds 300 volts to ground
distributed
5500 mm — over public streets, alleys, roads, parking areas
• ELECTRICAL FIXTURES
subject to truck traffic, driveways on other than residential
property, and other land such as cultivated, grazing, forest, and There are three groups of lighting fixtures namely,
orchard ceiling fixtures, wall fixtures and portable plug-ins
NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (PD • Single-Line Diagram (SLD): one-line diagram;
1096) simplified notation for representing a single and three-
phase power system
SECTION 1301. Electrical Regulations

Attachments on and Clearances from Buildings • Schedule of loads are just a summary of data to easily
identify and facilitate the necessary values and
equipment rating to be used in any electrical
installation
• The Megger test – method of testing making use of an WEEK 7A
insulation tester resistance meter that will help to verify
the condition of electrical insulation FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM IN BUILDINGS
• Insulation resistance quality of an electrical system
degrades with time, environment condition i.e.,
temperature, humidity, moisture and dust particles What is the objective of fire protection in a building?
• A Megger or Megohmmeter or insulation resistance • Maintain life safety
tester is a special type of ohmmeter used to measure
the electrical resistance of insulators • Protection of property

• Acceptable insulator resistance values are typically 1 • Minimize business interruption

to 10 megohms, depending on the standards
referenced.

• High Voltage Test (Dielectric Voltage-withstand What are the elements of fire protection?
Test) 1. Early Detection & Alarm System
This test is carried out by applying a significantly higher 2. Means of Egress
than operating voltage to the device under test. In this
test, the insulation of a product, stressed to a greater 3. Compartmentation
extent than under normal operating conditions, should
not be breached for the product to pass. In most cases, 4. Smoke Control
the device is stressed to twice its normal operating
5. Fire Suppression System
voltage.
6. Emergency Power
• Insulation Resistance Test
This test is to measure the total resistance of a
product’s insulation by applying a voltage of 500 V –
1000 V for low voltage systems. The acceptable value What are the elements in a Fire Hazards Triangle?
of resistance for a product to pass an insulation
resistance test is relative. They can be quite different 1. Smoke
for one motor or machine tested three days in a row, 2. Heat
yet not mean bad insulation.
3. Time
• Earth Continuity Test
This test is performed by measuring the resistance
between the third pin (ground) and outside metal body
A. DETECTORS
of the product under test.
Signal initiator in a fire detection & alarm system
• Leakage Current Test (Line Leakage Test)
This test is to measure the undesirable leakage current 1. Heat: least expensive and widely used; the simplest
that flows through or across the surface of the and most reliable, but takes time to
insulation or the dielectric of a capacitor. detect fire.

• Electrical Installation Condition Report 2. Smoke: photoelectric in operation and detects smoke
The competent person will then issue an Electrical in the smoldering stage; best suited where fire is
Installation Condition Report (EICR), also known as anticipated to produce large volumes of smoke
Periodic Inspection and Testing Report (PIR), detailing before temperature increases
any observed damage, deterioration, defects, 3. Ionization: very sensitive as it detects fire during the
dangerous conditions and any non-compliances with incipient (fast-burning open combustion) stage;
the current safety standard which might give rise to expensive compared to other types and
danger. susceptible in false alarms; effective in
detecting fires from electrical overload and
open-flame fires

4. Flame: suitable to fire accidents where smoke is not

generated first like gasoline; responds to
infrared or ultraviolet radiation

5. Water flow: used for buildings with partial or complete

fire sprinkler system
 6. Manual Pull Station: contains a glass rod that is broken D. PUBLIC EMERGENCY REPORTING SYSTEM
to move or actuate the switch restrained by a (PERS)
spring
When handset is lifted, operator is in direct
communication with other PERS stations

A. EXITS: MEANS OF EGRESS

B. ALARMS
1. Elevators: Smoke shafts (elevator shaft) carry
Means of alerting occupants in an emergency
smoke upward by stack effect and out of the
evacuation
vent opening; elevator codes requiring
1. Fire Alarm: actuates fire extinguishing or automatic fire recall system, which
protection makes elevator return to a
functions (operates dampers, fans, etc.) predetermined lower floor and park with
doors open
2. Alarm Indicator: sends coded signals like sirens,
bells, or flashing lights 2. Exit Signs: To indicate reliably the proper path

3. Annunciation: delineate exact location of alarm-

initiating device; has indicator light
A. COMPARTMENTATION
for each zone covered
by panel Means dividing a building or large space into two or more
separate enclosures, each totally enclosed within fire-barrier
4. Electric Supervision: automatically sounds when
envelope consisting of floor / ceiling assemblies and walls;
electricity supply is cut off
purpose is to protect building occupants and property by:
5. Emergency Power: Alarm system switches on
• Confining the fire, heat, smoke, and toxic gases to the
the use of 24V DC battery
area of origin until fire is extinguished or has completely
supply
burned itself out

• Provide areas of refuge for the occupants and protect

fire fighters

1. Confinement: walls / partitions with fire-resistance

ratings

2. Area of Refuge: areas free from smoke, gas, heat,

fire, and structurally
capable of sustaining essential
services, with direct access to stairs, fire
doors, and intercom system

C. COMBINING FUNCTIONS
SMOKE CONTROL
Integrates the control function of HVAC, intercom &
security, and other building functions GENERAL
D. VOICE FIRE ALARMS • In actual, smoke accounts for more than 80% of all
casualties in fire accidents than the fire itself, 20%
For high-rise building, for public address system
resulting from heat exposure.
D. FIRE-FIGHTERS’ COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
• Smoke from plastics compounded by the increase of
Composed of simple intercom system for use between toxicity, volumes of smoke, and fire gases generated
fire fighters' stations by polymers are considered very fatal.
• The following should be considered when judging the
relative hazards of service materials in buildings:

1. Ease of ignition

2. Rate of flame spread

4. Rate of heat release

5. Rate of carbon monoxide production

6. Toxicity of combustion products

Rate of toxic gas released during combustion or not

a. Flammability of gas released

b. Physiological effects

c. Damage to other materials

6. Ability to be extinguished

7. Basic integrity of product

FIRE SUPPRESION
8. Number of burning
A. GENERAL

• Three (3) essential elements in sustaining a fire are:

B. METHODS OF SMOKE CONTROL fuel, heat, & oxygen. An absence of one of these
elements will stop a fire.
1. Smoke Management – passive method either by
using fire barriers or compartmentation, smoke vents, • High rise buildings, as defined in fire codes, should
and smoke shafts satisfy these three (3) conditions:

2. Smoke Control System – the use of mechanical fans 1. Building is too high for fire departments to reach all
and pressure differences to control movement of floors from the ground.
smoke
2. Building requires an inordinate length of time to
a. Use of pressure difference to create airflow which in evacuate all its occupants.
turn, controls smoke
3. Building is capable of creating a stack effect internally.
b. Pressurization of stairwells

c. Compartmentation of stairwells

d. Zone smoke control (ex. Area of refuge)

e. Fire dampers

f. Fire & smoke detectors

g. Smoke removal

B. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

1. Sprinkler System

This is a fire protection system, usually automatic, which when

actuated, sprays fire suppressing substances over a large area
in a systematic pattern.

It usually consists of a network of specially sized or hydraulically

design piping, installed generally overhead (ceiling), and
supplied commonly with water, gas, or chemicals which are
discharged and dispersed thru the actuation of automatic
sprinkler heads. These heads are fitted with fusible links or glass f. Liquid Foam: provides a smothering action and
/ quartzoid bulbs, which break at temperature 68 - 180°C. Fire minimum use of water
sprinkler systems using water is supplied with such either from
house tank or public water mains.
C. SPECIAL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
2. Types of Sprinkler Heads
1. Automatic Gas System
a. Upright: Installed above the supply pipe with the orifice
facing upward and deflector situated a. Carbon Dioxide: Suitable in areas with dangerous
on top concentrations of flammable vapors
b. Pendant: Head hangs down from the pipe with b. Halogenated Hydrocarbon:
the orifice or opening facing
downward and deflector located below. Extinguishes fire by interfering with the
chemistry of combustion rather than
c. Side Walls: Installed on top of walls in side excluding oxygen
position
c. High-Expansion Foam: Uses only small quantity of
water and suitable for use in
confined areas
3. Occupancy Hazard Classification
2. Dry Chemicals
a. Light: Density of water discharge is at max. of
18m2 protection area allotted per This method introduces dry chemical with sodium
sprinkler head, with allowed horizontal bicarbonate base into the plenum chamber and ducts in
distance of 4.60m between lines and sufficient concentration to extinguish the fire in seconds.
between sprinkler heads. Staggered When the system discharges, it automatically cuts off the
arrangement is not allowed. supply of heat to the stove or appliance, whether electrical
or gas.
b. Ordinary: 12m2 per head for protection area of non-
combustible ceiling and 11m2 for combustible ceilings;
allowed horizontal distance of 4.60m between lines
and between sprinkler heads. Staggered arrangement D. MANUAL FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM
is allowed.
This includes fire extinguishers and Fire Hose Cabinets
c. Extra: 8.40m2 per head for protection area for non- (FHC), and hose standpipe (SP) systems to distribute water
combustible ceiling & 7.40m2 for combustible to hose stations. Outdoor siamese connections separate
ceilings; allowed horizontal distance from those serving automatic sprinkler systems can supply
of 3.70m between lines and between auxiliary water to standpipe systems.
sprinkler heads. Staggered arrangement is
allowed.

4. Piping System

a. Wet: Individual sprinklers over the fire or damaged

areas are opened by increased
temperature

b. Dry: Pipes are filled with air under pressure. When

heads open, air escapes and water
is admitted before flowing out of the
heads. Fire Suppression Systems

c. Pre-Action: Water is held back by a deluge valve until • Intended to extinguish or control a fire
it is actuated by an alarm, which opens
the valve for water to enter the piping • Include automatic water sprinkler systems and
system. Water only comes out when systems that use a gas agent or foam to eliminate
heads open. oxygen and suffocate the fire.

d. Deluge: Delivers the most water in least time; wets • Smoke control systems limit the spread of smoke to
down an entire area by admitting water to maintain passable occupant egress routes for a given
sprinklers that open all at the same time. period and aid firefighters in fighting the fire.

e. Water Fog: Used for highly flammable solids or • Automatic fire protection system provides warning to
liquids like petroleum oils, gas, and occupants of the building, notifies emergency
fast burning explosive powders personnel responding to the alarm, activates fire
 suppression systems to reduce growth rate of a fire or WEEK 7B
the movement of smoke.
CONVEYING AND TRANSPORTATION
• Smoke detectors sense the presence of fire in the
building. The fire control panel sounds an alarm, shuts SYSTEMS
down air-handling equipment, disconnects power from
the protected equipment, and then releases agent into
the protected area. Elevator

• Automatic sprinkler system consists of the sprinkler • A hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a
heads and a network of pipes placed in a horizontal car or platform
pattern near the ceiling and is designed to
automatically dispense water on a fire. • Moves in guides in a vertical or diagonal direction

• Approved automatic sprinkler system is installed in • Serves two or more floors of a building
accordance with fire or building codes. It uses the
• Passenger Elevator: used to transport people.
proper automatic sprinkler heads for the structure’s
occupancy and construction, has an adequate and • Service or Freight Elevator: used to carry materials and
reliable supply of water, has been tested and shown to cargo
be in working order, and has been found acceptable
• Elisha Otis introduced the safety elevator in 1852 to
prevent the fall of elevator cab if the cable breaks
Fire Detection Systems Types of Elevators in General Use
Fire alarm systems detect products of combustion (smoke - Electric Elevator
aerosol particulate), heat, and light; provide early occupant
notification to allow safe egress of the occupants. Systems use • Consisting of a car mounted on guard rails,
methods to detect products of combustion and various heat and suspended by tension cables, and operated
smoke detection techniques; use audible and visual alarms to by electric hoisting machinery
alert building occupants of fire. In residence, fire alarm system
may be few stand-alone units. Fire alarm systems in large • Referred as Traction Elevator
buildings include individual components (smoke or heat
• Used exclusively in high-rise buildings
detectors, control panels, fire command centers, communication
centers, alarm horns or speakers) • Operated by direct current (DC) motors
Smoke Alarm: fire-safety device that detects the products of • Typically, with a Machine Room (overhead
combustion; gives off an audible and/or visual warning to equipment)
building occupants; a smoke detector and alarm in one
Hydraulic Elevator
Smoke detector: sensing device that identifies products of
combustion in air • Movement of car is dependent on the
pressure applied through a system of
Heat detectors: sensing device recognizing high temperature retractable tubes where oil is pumped into it
or a rapid increase in temperature from the reservoir
Fixed-temperature heat detectors: alarm after the • Used for low to mid-rise buildings
temperature at detector reaches a set value
• Does not require a Machine Room
Rate-of-rise heat detectors alarm when the temperature at
detector increases at a rate exceeding a preset value

Flame detectors optically sense high levels of infrared (IR) Types of Elevator Traction Machines
radiation or ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Geared Traction Machine
Ionization smoke detectors with a sensing chamber that has
• Worm and Gear; have a gearbox attached to
a radioactive element
the electric motor and turns the hoist sheave
Photoelectric smoke detectors use a light scattering or light and moves the rope
obscuration principle
• Maximum speed – 500 fpm (ft. per minute)
Air-sampling smoke detectors use a similar approach to light
• Maximum distance – 75 meters; around 20
obscuration detectors, however, a laser or xenon tube is
storeys
typically used as a light source
• Typically used in buildings of 8-20 storeys and
where speed is not a concern
Gearless Traction Machine • Operation and reliability on par with gear-less
traction elevators
• Worm and Spun; have the wheel directly
attached to the electric motor

• Maximum speed – 2,000 fpm (ft. per minute)

• Maximum distance – 600 meters; around 150

storeys

• Best and most reliable option for high-rise

buildings

Machine Room-less (MRL) Elevator

• Traction elevators that do not have a dedicated

machine room above the elevator shaft

• The traction hoisting machine is located on

the top side wall of the hoistway or on the
bottom of the hoistway

• The permanent magnet synchronous

gearless drive unit is installed inside of the
shaft

• Maximum speed – 500 fpm (ft. per minute)

• Maximum distance – 75 meters; around 20 storeys

• Comparable to geared traction elevators in terms of

initial and maintenance costs

• Popular choice for mid-rise buildings

• Energy efficient • Car/Cab – load carrying unit

• Require less space • Cable – rope; 4 to 6 in number

• Drive Machine – power unit

• Counterweights – balances the weight; 40% of

capacity load

• Guide Rail - bracket

• Shaft/Hoistway – hatchway/hatch

• Penthouse – machine room above hoistway

• Elevator Pit –from sill level of the lowest landing

• Control Equipment – electrical panel

• Control Panel – electrical panel; controller

• Motor Generators (Motor Control); Generator Field

Control – governs acceleration, speed, retardation,
stopping of elevator

• Guide Shoes

• Compensating Chain – welded-link chain for hoist rope

weight compensation

• Buffer – stops descending car or counterweights

beyond normal limit of travel

• Governor – mechanical speed control mechanism

• Secondary Sheave – pulley on a gearless machine

 • Safety – large clamp; anchors the car to the building • Average time spent by a passenger between
arriving in the elevator lobby and getting
• Limit Switches inside an elevator car
• Operating Device Average Trip Time or Travel Time (AVTRP)

• Average time spent by a passenger between

getting inside an elevator car and leaving the
elevator car at an upper floor

Elevator Landing

• Portion of a floor, balcony, or platform for

loading and unloading passengers or freight
to and from the elevator

Holding Capacity

• Maximum number of passengers that can be

carried in a time

Interval (I) or Lobby Dispatch Time

• Average time between departure of cars from

the lobby

Round Trip Time (RT)

• Average time required for an elevator car to

make a round trip.

Zone or Zoning

• A group of floors served by an elevator or a

group of elevators.

• Car/Cab

• Plunger – inside movable part of a hydraulic jack Dumbwaiter

• Guide Rails – guide car along rails • A hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a
car or platform used exclusively for carrying materials
• Guide Shoes
• Typically intended to carry food
• Spring Buffer – elevator with speed less than 200 fpm
Inclined Lift
• Shaft/Hoistway
• Chair or platform installed on a steel guide rail and
• Elevator Machine Room – located at the lower floor driven by a motor for raising or lowering a person

• Elevator Pit • Also known as Stair Lift

• Control System Paternoster

• Floor Stop and Limit Switches • Device consisting of a series of open fronted, two-
person car, suspended by hoisting chains
• Levelling Cam Switch
• Moves slowly in a loop up and down without stopping
• Car Gate Switch
• Passengers can step on or off at any floor they like.
• Gate Valve

• Controller
Escalator Systems
• Motor and Pump with tank
• Power driven, inclined, continuous stairway for raising
or lowering passengers
Average Lobby Time or Average Lobby Waiting Time • Referred as a moving stairway or electric stairway
Parts of Elevator Conveyor

• Truss – welded steel frame. • A mechanical handling equipment that moves

materials from one location to another
• Sprocket Assemblies – top and bottom sprocket wheel
where the endless belt of steps pass around. • Especially useful in transporting of heavy or bulky
materials
• Driving Machines – provides the motive power of the
unit.

• Balustrade Assembly – designed for safety of persons; Mechanical Regulations

includes all enclosure materials: deck boards, concave
inside of panel skirt guards, handrails, and comb Rule XIII Section 1302 Presidential Decree 1096 (PD 1096)
plates. also known as the National Building Code (NBC) of the
Philippines.
• Balustrade – side of an escalator; includes the
handrails, skirt panel, and interior panels.

• Tracks

• Endless Belt – continuous belt attached to the handrail WEEK 8

and steps (indirectly).
HEATING, VENTILATION, & AIR CONDITIONING
• Step Assembly (HVAC)
• Emergency Brake
SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS
• Controller

• Emergency Stop Button

1. Heat - a form of energy that is transformed by
• Key Operated Control Switches temperature difference between two bodies, the
transfer being from the warmer to cooler body
• Comb plate – toothed portion of the threshold plate at
both ends of the escalator; designed to mesh with the 2. Ventilation - the process of supplying or removing air
grooved surface of the steps by natural method or mechanical means to or from any
space

3. Air Conditioning (AC) - the simultaneous control of air

temperature, humidity, motion, purity, and distribution
of air within an interior or confined space such as a
Horizontal Transport System
room or building
Moving Walkway
4. Enthalpy - quantity of heat in BTU / min. in a fluid or
• Popular known as Walkalator gas

• A slow-moving conveyor mechanism that transports 5. Humidity - water vapor with a confined space or
people across a horizontal or inclined plane environment

• Also known as: 6. Relative Humidity - ratio of the weight of water vapor
in humid air to the maximum possible weight of water
• Autowalk vapor that the air could contain at the same
temperature
• Moving sidewalk
7. Humidistat / Hydrostat - a regulatory device actuated
• Moving pavement by changes in humidity
• People-mover 8. Humidity Ratio - weight of water vapor in a mixture
per pound of dry air
• Travolator
9. Condenser - a heat-exchange device in a refrigeration
• Travelator
system; consists of a vessel or arrangement of pipes
• Can be flat or inclined or tubing in which refrigerant vapor is liquefied by the
removal of heat
• Often installed in pairs, one for each direction
10. Compressor - a machine for drawing refrigerant from
• Can be used by standing or walking on them the evaporator at a relatively low pressure,
compresses it and then discharges it to the condenser
• Usually seen in transportation facilities such as airports
 11. Evaporator - part of the refrigeration system in which b. Air Circulation
refrigerant is vaporized; thereby taking up external heat
and producing cooling c. Temperature Control

12. Refrigerant - a substance which produces d. Humidity Control

refrigerating effect by absorbing heat while expanding
e. Air Filtration
or evaporating
f. Air Distribution
13. Freon - a synthetic chemical refrigerant

Type of AC System by Medium

Principles of Heat
1. All-Air System
A. Heat Energy
• The air treatment and refrigeration plants may be
• Heat refers to the average kinetic energy of the
located some distance from the conditioned space in a
particles in a sample of matter
central mechanical room
• Heat can be measured and expressed in terms of units
• The central treating station not only cleans the air, but
or degrees designated on a standard scale
also heats or cools, humidifies, or dehumidifies
Scientifically, there is no "hot" or "cold", but the
• Only the final cooling-heating medium (air) is brought
presence or absence of heat. (theory of relativity)
into the conditioned space through ducts and
• The transfer of heat energy is from a hotter object to a distributed through outlets or mixing terminals
cooler object (heating)
2. All Water System

• Those with fan coil unit types of room terminals to

B. Heat Transmission which may be connected one or more water circuits

• Conduction - transfer of heat from one place of higher • Cooling medium (water) may be supplied from a
temperature to a place of lower temperature of the remote source and circulated through the coils in the
same body to another which it is in contact with fan coil terminals which is in the conditioned space

• Convection - transfer of heat by motion of the particles • These circuits may be either two-pipe or four pipe
of the heated substance distribution

• Radiation - the process of transmitting rays of heat • Ventilation is obtained through an opening in the wall
through the air or from bleed-off from the interior zone system or by
infiltration.
C. Measurement of Heat
• Another variation uses a unit ventilator
• Temperature
3. Air-Water System
• Measure of the warmth or coldness of an object or
substance with reference to same standard value • The air apparatus and refrigeration plants are separate
from the conditioned space; however, the cooling and
• Measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a heating of the conditioned space is affected in only a
system small part by air brought from the central apparatus.

• Measure of the ability of a substance or any physical • The major part of room thermal load is balanced by
system to transfer heat energy from one to another warm or cooled water circulated wither through a coil
in an induction unit or through a radiant panel
• Fahrenheit (°F) = (9/5 x C) + 32
A. Small Rooms / Spaces
• Thermal Equilibrium
1. Unit /Room Air Conditioner
• This is the state wherein two (2) systems are in equal
temperature level, thus resulting in the absence of heat • A type of system used for small installation (residence
flow and small offices)

• The main function of HVAC: provide acceptable indoor • Self-contained unit which houses the air conditioning
air quality on a room or space with reasonable components (compressor, condenser, and evaporator)
installation, operation, and maintenance cost in the same cabinet

• Function of HVAC is achieved mainly thru six (6) 2. Split Type Air Conditioner
points:
• Composed of two separate sections, one installed
a. Fresh Air Supply inside (AHU: Air Handling Unit and/or FCU: Fan Coil
 Unit) the room while the other is mounted outside (Air 6. Long-lasting
Cooled Condensing Unit or ACCU) the building
B. Variable Air Volume (VAV)
• Outside unit composed of condenser coil and
compressor unit while the inside unit composed of This central station system supplies a single stream of either hot
evaporator coil and furnace or air handler or cold at normal velocity. Capacity is adjusted to load by
automatic volume control. Systems for exterior rooms would be
3. Packaged / Cabinet Type zoned by exposure.

• Air conditioning units are similar to packaged window

type AC where all parts are enclosed in one single
cabinet or box but are larger and are mounted on floors 1. Fan Coil Unit (FCU) - can be placed on a horizontal or
instead of installed on windows. vertical position; indoor portion of a split-type AC

B. Medium & Large Buildings 2. Expansion Coil - an evaporator constructed with a

pipe or tubing
1. Centralized Air Conditioning System
3. Air Cooled Condensing Unit (ACCU) - designed to
• Direct Expansion (DX) condense the hot refrigerant to a liquid by passing air
over the condensing coil; outside portion of a split-type
A form of AC system using all-air system for small buildings AC
2. Chilled Water 4. Air Handling Unit (AHU) - an assembly of air
conditioning components (such as fans, filters, cooling
• A form of all-water AC system used for large
coils, humidifiers, and dampers) integrated into a self-
commercial buildings having several floor levels
contained package and often installed as a single unit,
• First chills the water medium, which in turn is used to which is connected to system of metal ductwork that
chill the air used for cooling the rooms or spaces distributes the conditioned air

5. Cooling Tower - a structure, usually on the roof of a

building, over which water is circulated so as to cool it
Type of Centralized AC System by Capacity evaporatively in contact with air
A. Constant Air Volume (CAV) 6. Damper - a device used to vary the volume of air
passing through an air outlet, inlet, or duct
• Type of HVAC wherein the supply rate of airflow is
constant, with the air temperature is varying to meet 7. Grille - a louvered or perforated covering for an air
the thermal loads of space passage opening, which can be located in the wall,
ceiling, or floor
• Often used in small buildings due to simplicity, low cost,
and reliability 8. Register - a grille having a damper for regulating the
quantity of air passing through it
• Has On/ Off control rather than supply air temperature
modulation, varying heating & cooling capacities 9. Diffuser (air diffuser) - an air distribution outlet, usually
located in the ceiling and consisting of deflecting vanes
• Has two (2) types:
discharging supply air in various directions and planes,
1. Terminal Re-Heat System - supplies a constant volume and arranged to promote mixing of the air which is
of air, at a constant temperature through a single run of supplied to the room with the air already in the room
duct
10. Terminal Unit (Air Terminal Unit) - a unit at the end
2. Mixed Air System - has two air streams, typically for the of a branch duct through which air is transferred or
coolest and hottest needed air temperature in a space delivered to the conditioned space
zone wherein the two streams are strategically
11. Variable Air Valve / VAV Box - a control unit consisting
combines to offset the space's load; not proficient in
of a metal box containing damper-position control
controlling humidity, yet does well in controlling
equipment, a controller, and a sensor, the box of which
temperature
is supplied with primary air from the main distribution
• Has the following advantages: system and then delivered to diffusers located in the
spaces being served
1. Conserves energy
12. Plenum - the space between the suspended ceiling
2. Air quality improvement and the main structure above

3. Easy to operate 13. Thermostat - an instrument which responds to

changes in temperature, and directly or indirectly
4. Does not take up any inside space controls temperature
5. Less noise
Components of DX Air Conditioning System WEEK 9
1. Plant Room (Cooling or Heating) FAN, EXHAUST AND PRESSURIZATION
• Composed of refrigeration system, compressor, and SYSTEMS
condenser.

• Condenser is a shell / enclosure and tube type cooled

by water. The water in turn is cooled in the cooling Ventilation- is the system in which air flows through the building,
tower kept at the top of the plant room uses fans to exchange outdoor with indoor air and aims
to improve air quality.
2. Air Handling Unit
• The intentional introduction of outdoor air is usually
• Large box type of unit comprising of evaporator or categorized as either mechanical ventilation, natural
cooling coil, air filter, and large blower (for DX type) ventilation, or mixed-mode ventilation (hybrid
ventilation).
• Installed in various parts of the building, as contained
in AHU rooms (for large chilled-water type and large • Building ventilation has three basic elements:
installations)
Ventilation rate- the amount of outdoor air that is provided into
3. Air Ducts / Room Space the space, and the quality of the outdoor air;

4. Cooling Tower Airflow direction- the overall airflow direction in a building,

which should be from clean zones to dirty zones; and
• Evaporative type, used to cool the water that absorbs
heat from the compressor and condenser by Air distribution or airflow pattern - the external air should be
atmospheric air (for DX type) delivered to each part of the space in an efficient manner and
the airborne pollutants generated in each part of the space
• Used also to cool the water medium in chilled-water should also be removed in an efficient manner.
type of AC system

Types of Ventilation System

Unit of Measures
• MECHANICAL VENTILATION is the intentional fan
1. Joule (J) - MKS unit of energy equal to the force of one driven flow of outdoor air into a building. Mechanical
(1) Newton (N) acting through one (1) meter distance ventilation systems may include supply fans (which
push outdoor air into a building), exhaust fans (which
2. Watt (W) / Kilowatt - unit of power equal to 1.00J per
draw air out of building and thereby cause equal
second (1.00J/s) or 1.00N-m/s
ventilation flow into a building), or a combination of
3. Kilowatt-hour (Kw-H) - energy of 1.00kW power both. Mechanical ventilation is often provided by
running / flowing for an hour, equal to 3.60 x 106 equipment that is also used to heat and cool a space.
Joules, 3.6 million Joules, or 3600 kilo-Joules
• NATURAL VENTILATION is the intentional passive
4. Horsepower (HP) - power (English unit) equal to flow of outdoor air into a building through planned
33,000 ft-lb/min.; power necessary to lift a total mass openings (such as louvers, doors, and windows).
of 33,000 lbs. per one (1) foot in one (1) minute Natural ventilation does not require mechanical
systems to move outdoor air. Instead, it relies entirely
5. British Thermal Unit (BTU) - amount of heat energy on passive physical phenomena, such as wind
needed to raise the temperature of one (1) pint / exactly pressure, or the stack effect. Natural ventilation
16 ounces / 1.00lb of water by 1°F; 1.00kW-h equal to openings may be fixed, or adjustable. Adjustable
3,412 BTU; 1.0 BTU equal to 1,055.06 Joules (J) openings may be controlled automatically (automated),
controlled by occupants (operable), or a combination of
6. Tons of Refrigeration (TR) - the amount of heat both.
energy removal required to turn one (1) short ton
(approx. 1000kg) of water to ice at 0°C (32°F) in 24 • MIXED-MODE VENTILATION SYSTEMS use both
hours or one day, equal to 12,000 BTU / hr or 3.517 mechanical and natural processes. The mechanical
kJ/s or 3.517kW and natural components may be used at the same
time, or at different times of day, or in different seasons
7. Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) - ratio of of the year. Since natural ventilation flow depends on
annual fuel output energy to annual input energy environmental conditions, it may not always provide an
8. Coefficient of Performance (COP) - the ratio of the appropriate amount of ventilation. In this case,
rate of heat removal (J) to the rate of energy input (J); mechanical systems may be used to supplement or
COP is EER x 0.293 regulate the naturally driven flow.

9. Energy Efficient Ratio (EER) - the ratio of net

equipment cooling capacity in BTU/hr to the total rate What is NATURAL VENTILATION?
of electric input in Watts-hr; EER is COP x 3.41
 • Natural forces (e.g. winds and thermal buoyancy force Smoke dampers are passive fire protection products used
due to indoor and outdoor air density differences) drive in air conditioning and ventilation ductwork or installed in
outdoor air through purpose-built, building envelope physical smoke barriers (e.g., walls).
openings. Purpose-built openings include windows,
doors, solar chimneys, wind towers and trickle STAIR PRESSURIZATION FAN
ventilators. This natural ventilation of buildings
• The pressurization is used to push back on smoke,
depends on climate, building design and human
keeping the smoke out of the escape route. In case of
behavior
fire in a high-rise building, a Stair Pressurization
• Natural ventilation harnesses naturally available Fan (SPF) uses clean outside air to pressurize the air
forces to supply and remove air in an enclosed space. in stairwells. The pressurized air helps people escape
There are three types of natural ventilation occurring in the fire and firefighters battle the fire
buildings: wind driven ventilation, pressure-driven
flows, and stack ventilation. The pressures generated
by 'the stack effect' rely upon the buoyancy of heated
or rising air. Wind driven ventilation relies upon the
force of the prevailing wind to pull and push air through WEEK 10
the enclosed space as well as through breaches in the
building's envelope AUXILIARY SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS

• The benefits of natural ventilation include:

• Improved Indoor air quality (IAQ) A PABX is a telephone exchange or switching system that
serves a private organization and permits sharing of central
• Energy savings office trunks between internally installed telephones and
provides intercommunication between those internal telephones
• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within the organization without the use of external lines.
• Occupant control Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) consisting of sensors,
• Reduction in occupant illness associated power switches and batteries
with Sick Building Syndrome • Virtual PBX systems or hosted PBX systems deliver
• Increased worker productivity PBX functionality as a service, available over the public
switched telephone network (PSTN) or the Internet
• Techniques and architectural features used to ventilate
buildings and structures naturally include, but are not • Hosted PBXs are typically provided by a telephone
limited to: company or service provider, using equipment located
in the premises of a telephone exchange or the
• Operable windows provider's data center

• Night purge ventilation An intercom system is a two-way communication

electronic device that contains circuitry for the purpose of
• Clerestory windows and vented skylights transmitting and receiving audio and/or video
transmissions. Also known as talkback or doorphone, it is
• Building orientation
a stand-alone voice communications system for use within
• Wind capture façades a building or small collection of buildings, functioning
independently of the public telephone network.

What is MECHANICAL VENTILATION?

• Wireless Intercoms: There are a broad spectrum of
• Mechanical fans drive mechanical ventilation. Fans two-way wireless communication devices that include
can either be installed directly in windows or walls, or such devices as handheld radios, outdoor wireless
installed in air ducts for supplying air into, or exhausting callboxes, as well as traditional desktop devices. The
air from, a room range these units will transmit varies widely based on
the wireless technology used
• The type of mechanical ventilation used depends on
climate. • Wired Intercom Systems: A wired system can give
you a little more privacy and eliminate possible
• Mechanical ventilation of buildings and structures can interference from neighboring systems
be achieved by use of the following techniques:
• Video Intercom: These typically have a unit that has a
• Whole-house ventilation camera, speaker, and a push button that goes at an
• Mixing ventilation entrance door, and an internal monitor unit that can
communicate with the entrance unit. Some systems
• Displacement ventilation can have multiple video monitors internally. Given the
difficulty of sending video over the airwaves at very
• Dedicated subaerial air supply
 much distance without interference, most available • Telephonic - Intercom systems that utilize a
units are wired transmitter (talk) and receiver (listen) to communicate,
like standard telephone systems
• Apartment Intercoms: This type of system has a door
unit at an entrance door and then each apartment or • Amplified - Intercom systems that utilize a single
flat has either one or multiple units that can speak to speaker to transmit and receive communications
the door and possibly see the visitor, or the door unit
rings a landline or cellular telephone number. A visitor • Amplifier - An intercom systems main or central
simply presses the correct button for the apartment component that is responsible for switching or
they want to speak to, and the tenant can speak back connecting communication paths between master and
and then press a button to unlock the door substations in addition to distributing or switching
power to auxiliary connected devices i.e., door strikes
• Two-Way Radios: While these are technically not to allow entry
intercoms, there are two-way radios that communicate
with base station intercoms. One can have the
flexibility of a mobile radio that communicates over long
Closed-circuit television (CCTV): video surveillance, video
distances mixed with the capability a fixed intercom
cameras transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of
gives you
monitors.

What is a LAN?
Components of a Basic Intercom System
• A local area network (LAN) is a computer
• Master Station or Base Station – units that can network that interconnects computers within a limited
control the system, i.e., initiate a call with any of the area (residence, school, laboratory, university campus
stations and make announcements over the whole or office building)
system
• Wide Area Network (WAN) not only covers a larger
• Sub-station - units that are capable of only initiating a geographic distance, but also generally
call with a Master Station but not capable of initiating involves leased telecommunication circuits
calls with any other stations (called slave units)
• Ethernet and Wi-Fi are the two most common
• Door Station - like sub-stations, these units are only technologies in use for local area networks
capable of initiating a call to a Master Station; typically,
• End User Devices and Servers - PCs, Smartphones,
weather-proof
Mac Computers, Servers and printers. These devices
• Intercom Station - full-featured remote unit that is connect to the LAN either via a cable (called “Network
capable of initiating and receiving party- cable”) or wirelessly via wireless access point (WAP).
line conversation, individual conversation and
• Network Cables and Wi-Fi Devices
signaling (may be rack-mounted, wall-mounted or
portable) • Routers, Switches and Wireless Access Points
• Wall Mount Station – fixed-position intercom station • IP Addresses and Default Gateways - Each device
with built-in loudspeaker; have flush-mounted connected to a LAN is assigned an IP address. To
microphone, hand-held push to talk microphone or make LAN management easy, devices are grouped
telephone-style handset into smaller groups called subnets. To connect a
subnet to another, you typically use a router.
• Belt Pack - portable intercom station worn on the belt
such as interruptible feedback (IFB) with • Another name for the network cable used to connect
an earpiece worn by talent devices is called ethernet cable.
• Handset - permanent or portable telephone-style • A switch transfers information from one network device
connection to an intercom station. Holds both an to another – it uses packet switching to receive and
earpiece and a push to talk microphone forward data packets to the destination device.
• Headset - portable intercom connection from a belt • Typically, a router also sends and receives data (data
pack to one or both ears via headphones with packets) between network devices. However, it is
integrated microphone on a boom arm. Connects to a usually used to connect one small network to another
belt pack – usually via the switches. The IP address of the router
is called a default gateway.
• Paging Signal - audible and/or visual alert at an
intercom station, indicating that someone at another Building Automation System (BAS) is an intelligent system
station wants to initiate a conversation of both hardware and software, connecting heating, venting
and air conditioning system (HVAC), lighting, security, and
• Power Supply - used to feed power to all units. Often
other systems to communicate on a single platform.
incorporated into the design of the base station