Overhead Service

Design Processes
 In most cases, the electrical design
starts from an architectural layout
and other drawings, such as the
drawing shown in Figure 3.1 A
 Review of the Design Requirements
 The design requirements are not just
whims/caprices of electrical designers, electrical
utilities, municipal/city electrical engineers or
electricians, and others. The following are some
requirements which may enlighten the user of this handout:

1. Location Plan
 The location plan will guide the electrical
design engineers, inspectors from the office of the local
building official, inspectors from the local electric utility,
prospective bidders, and other persons who have
interests in the project. Pls. refer to Figure 3.1A & Figure
3.2B.

2. Electrical Layout
 The electrical layout is similar to the architectural
layout except that the electrical layout contains the
interconnection of the service drop/lateral, service
entrance, service equipment, feeder, subfeeder, load
center, panelboards, branch circuit, and
nomenclature of occupancies. Pls. refer to Figure 3.2A
 4. General Notes and/or Specifications

These are general requirements and shall show the following:

 3. Legend or Symbol
These help in understanding A) Nature of electrical service, including number
the electrical plan. The of phases, number of wires, voltage and
recommended symbols are frequency
shown in Appendix A of the
B) Type of wiring
Philippine Electrical Code Part
1 2009. However, other
These include service entrance, feeders, subfeeders, and
symbols can be used,
branch circuit wires for lighting and power load.
especially the local symbols
which are easily understood in C) Special equipment to be installed, including rating and
the area. classification of services or duty cycle.
D) Methods of grounding
E) Type and rating of main disconnecting means,
overcurrent branch circuit wiring.
F) Clearanceand mounting height of service, electric
meter, equipment, panelboard and devices.
5. Design Analysis
 This is a computation or selection of the following:
A) Size/type/number of wires and size/type of conduits for branch
circuits, sub-feeders, and service entrance
B) Type,rating and trip setting of overload protective devices
C) Short circuit current and interrupting capacity of overcurrent
protection device.
D) Voltage Drop
6. Schedule of Loads
This is a load tabulation which indicates the following
a) Branch Circuit for each load or combination of loads.
b) Rating of each load and the corresponding computations.
c) Source of electric power and rating of service equipment protective device
and disconnect
d) Number of phases, type and the size of wiring
e) Service entrance, feeder, subfeeder, etc.
7. Single Line or Riser Diagram (Pls.
refer to Figure 3.2C

This shows a comprehensive

interconnection, size, and rating of the
service drop/lateral, service entrance,
service equipment, feeder, subfeeders,
load centers, and panelboard. This is
necessary in the computation of short
circuit current and voltage drops.
8. Title Block
 This is a standard strip of 40mm height at the bottom of the sheet and contains the
following:

A) Name and location of installation or project

B) Name, signature and address of owner/manager/operator
C) Name, signature and seal of Professional Electrical Engineer together with his
PRC license number and validity, Professional Tax Receipt Number
and Tax Identification Number.
D) Sheet contents
E) Scale
F) Drawing and sheet number.
Electrical Calculation (Residential Units)
1. General lighting load.
 A) Load = 72m² x 24 volt-amperes/m² = 1,728
volt-amperes (minimum lighting load)
 Where:
 72m² is the floor area as
shown in the architectural layout
Figure 3.1A and 24 volt-ampere is
the unit load for dwelling units as
per Table 2.20.2.3.

I (Load) = 1,728 = 7.51 amperes

230

B) Provide one (1) 20A branch circuit. Although a

15AT circuit breaker is adequate for the
computed load, a 20AT circuit breaker is used
to take care of expected high usage of
home appliances. Refer to section 2.40.1.6
for standard ampere trip ratings of circuit
breakers.
 …continuation (Lighting Load)

C) Use 2 # 3.5mm², copper TW, branch

circuit conductors. Pls. refer to
Table 3.10.1.16 for ampacity.

D) Use 15mm dia. rigid PVC conduit.

Refer to Table C10 for size of conduit
which can accommodate 2 #3.5 mm2
copper, TW.
 REVIEW!!!
BRANCH CIRCUIT REQUIREMENTS
Section 2.10.1.11 (pages 41-42)

(A) Number of Branch Circuit – The minimum number of branch circuits shall be determined
from the TOTAL CALCULATED LOAD and the SIZE or RATING of the circuits used.
(B) Load Evenly Proportioned Among Branch Circuits. Where the load is calculated based on
volt-amperes per square meter or per square foot, the wiring system up to and including
the branch circuit panelboard(s) shall be provided to serve not less than the calculate
load.
(C) Dwelling Units. In addition to the number of branch circuit required by other section, the
following shall be provided to supply:
1. Small Appliances – one or more 20A Branch Circuit shall be provided for all receptacle outlets.
2. Laundry Branch Circuit – at least one additional 20A branch circuit. No other outlets
3. Bathroom Branch Circuit - at least one additional 20A branch circuit. No other outlets
4. Garage Branch Circuit - at least one additional 20A branch circuit to be installed to supply
receptacle outlets. No other outlets
5. Single Branch Circuit – having a floor area of 50 sqm it shall be permitted to have single 20
ampere 2 wire branch circuit provided that the total load shall not exceed 3680 VA
2. Small appliance load

A) Load = 1,500 volt-amperes

Where 1,500 volt-amperes is as per Section 2.20.3.13(a).

I (Load) = 1,500 = 6.52 amperes.

230

B) Provide one(1) 20A small appliance branch circuit as per Section

2.10.1.11(c)(1) or Section 2.10.3.3(b)(1). Refer also to Section
2.40.1.6 for ampere trip ratings of circuit breakers.

C) Use 2 # 3.5mm² copper, TW branch circuit conductors. Refer to

Table 3.10.1.16 for ampacity of the conductor.

D) Use 15mm dia. Rigid PVC conduit. Refer to Table C10 for size of
conduit which can accommodate 2 #3.5 mm2 copper, TW.
3. Laundry load

A) Load = 20A at 1,500 volt-amperes = 1,500 volt-amperes

Where 1,500 volt-amperes is as per section 2.20.3.13(b).

I (Load) = 1,500 VA = 6.52 amperes.

230 V

B) Use one (1) 20A branch circuit as per section 2.10.1.11(c)(2).

C) Use 2 # 3.5mm² copper, TW, branch circuit conductors. Refer to

Table 3.10.1.16 for ampacity of the conductors.

D) Use 15mm dia. rigid PVC conduit. Refer to Table C10 for size of
conduit which can accommodate 2 #3.5mm2 copper, TW.

5
3
4. Sum of connected load for general lighting, small
appliance, and laundry.
Connected load = 1,728VA + 1,500VA
+ 1,500VA
= 4,728VA Table 2.20.3.3. Lighting Load Demand
Factors (Page 56)
5. Demand load for the three (3) loads above

Demand load = First 3000VA at 100% plus

remainder at 35%
= 3000VA x 100% + (4728-
3000)VA x 35%
= 3000VA + (1,728VA)35%
= 3000VA + 604.8VA
= 3,604.8VA
I (demand load) = 3,604.8VA = 15.7 A
230V
= 15.7A
Where the 100% & 35% demand factors are as
per Table 2.20.3.3.
 6. Other Loads
A.) One (1) 1.5 Hp room ACU, single phase 10A x 230V = 2,300 volt-
amperes
Where 10A is as per Table 4.30.14.2.
B) Rating of branch circuit protective device = 250% x 10A =
25A
Where 250% is the maximum inverse time
rating of the breaker as per Table 4.30.4.2.
Provide one(1) 20A branch circuit for the
room air-conditioner. Please note that 25AT circuit
breaker is not yet available, and hence, the 20AT
available circuit breaker, which is the next lower
rating, is used. Refer to Section 2.40.1.6 for ampere
trip ratings of circuit breakers.
C) Use 2 #3.5 mm2 copper, TW branch circuit
conductors. Refer to Table
3.10.1.16 for the ampacity of the conductor.
D) Use 15 mm dia. rigid PVC conduit. Refer to Table C10
for size of conduit which can accommodate 2
#3.5mm2 copper, TW.
E) The room ACU is at 100% demand factor. Refer to
Section 2.20.4.3(c)(1). 5
5
7. Total computed net continuous load
Load = 3,604.8 volt-amperes + 2,300 volt-amperes
= 5,904.8VA
I = 5,904.8VA = 25.7A
230V

The 5,904.8VA is considered continuous load because a demand factor is

already applied to all the loads.

8. Circuit Requirements
Provide four (4) - 2 wire branch circuits for:
A) General lighting, 20AT, IP
B) Small appliance, 20AT, IP
C) Laundry, 20AT, IP
D) Room aircon (ACU), 20AT, IP

5
9. Service Entrance Conductors

A.) I (Service entrance) = Continuous load x 125%

+ Non-Continuous load. Refer to Section 2.30.4.3(a)(1).
[page 75 ]
I (Continuous load) = 5,904.8VA = 25.7
230V
(Non-continuous load) = 0

I (Service Entrance) = 25.7A x 125% + 0

= 32.1A

B) Use two(2) # 8mm² copper THW wires. Refer to Table 3.10.1.16

for conductor ampacity. THW insulation is used because the chances of
the service entrance encountering more heat is greater than the branch
circuit inside each unit.

C) Use 20 mm. dia. PVC conduit except the supply side of service meter,
which shall be galvanized rigid steel conduit as per requirement of Meralco.
Refer to Table C10 for rigid PVC conduit and Table C8 for rigid steel conduit
size which can accommodate 2 #8mm2 copper, THW.

5
10. Service Equipment
A) Maximum current rating of protective device. Refer to Section 4.30.5.2, Section
4.30.5.3(1), and Section 4.30.5.3(3).

Non-Time Delay Fuse

I = [15.7A + 300%(10A)] = 45.7A

Inverse-Time Circuit Breaker

I = [15.7A + 250%(10A)] = 40.1A

Where 15.7A is the I (demand load) excluding the full load current of the 1.5 Hp ACU,
300% and 250% are as per Table 4.30.4.2 and 10A is the full load current of the 1.5 H.p,
230V, room air conditioner as per Table 4.30.14.2.

B) One(1) 40AT, 1-pole, 250V circuit breaker is already complying, but there is no need for
main circuit breaker for the service equipment, considering that there are four(4) branch
circuit breakers only. However, this panelboard shall be marked/approved as service
equipment.

C) Circuit Breaker at Private Pole

The distance of the utility secondary line to the building is 16m, (Refer to Figure
3.1A, B. Location Plan),and hence, a private pole with circuit breaker has to be
provided in accordance with Meralco standards.
Provide one(1) 40AT, 1-pole, and 250V molded case circuit breaker which shall
serve as a disconnecting means and protection for the wires from the private pole to the
service equipment, when required. 6
11. Total Connected Load

Total Connected Load = General lighting & co plus small appliance plus laundry + other loads
= 1,728 VA + 1500VA +1,500VA + 2,300VA = 7,028VA

6
12. Size of Grounding. The size of grounding in a building is covered
by the following Sections and Tables

1. Grounded Service Conductor

Section 2.20.3.22
– The grounded service entrance conductor is the same as the
phase service entrance conductor. And hence, the grounded service
conductor is #8mm² THW copper which is the same as the phase
conductor.

13. Grounding Electrode

Use grounding rod, steel, 16mm diameter x 2.4m long in
accordance with Section 2.50.3.3(a)(5)

14. Grounding Electrode Conductor

Section 2.50.3.17 and Table 2.50.3.17 – This is based on the size of
the service entrance conductors which is # 8mm² THW, and hence, from
Table 2.50.3.17, the size of the grounding electrode conductor is #8mm²
THW.

6
15. Service Equipment Bonding Jumper
Section 2.50.2.9(d), 2.50.5.13(c) and Table
2.50.3.17 – this is based on the size of the service
entrance conductors. The size of the service
entrance conductors is # 8mm² THW or TW and
hence, from Table 2.50.3.17, the size of service
equipment bonding jumper is 8mm² THW or TW.

16. Grounded branch circuit conductor

This is the same as the grounded conductor
because this grounded
conductor is the return path.

17. Equipment grounding conductor

Table 2.50.6.13 is based on the rating or
setting of automatic overcurrent device ahead
of equipment conduit, devices, etc.
For 20 AT branch circuit the equipment
grounding conductor is
3.5mm² copper, TW.

18. Main Bonding jumper

Section 2.50.2.9(d) and Table 2.50.3.17 6
3.2.3 Electrical Plans

3.2.3.1 Electrical Wiring layout.

This is similar to the Architectural Layout in Figure 3.1A,

except that the lighting, convenience outlets are already
electrically interconnected as shown in Figure 3.2A

6
 Service Supply 230V, 2-wire, grounded
Service Supply 230V,
from distribution
2-wire, grounded transformer
rated 100kVA, 19.9kV-230V, grounded
M
Service Entrance 2 #8mm²
copper, THW in 20mm
galvanized rigid steelo conduit.

Sab

SALA
a a a

Service Entrance 2 #8mm²

copper, THW in 20mm Figure 3.2A
PVC conduit
Electrical Wiring Layout
Sc
DINING
Scale – 1:100
9m
c

S
1

T&B
3
S
b
2 BEDROOM

Service Equipment
3-20AT, 1P, 250V
1-30AT, 1p, 250V 4

8m 28
3.2.3.4 General Notes/Specifications

Note: This can be included in Electrical Wiring Layout Sheet

A) All electrical works shall be done in accordance with the Philippine Electrical
Code Part 1, latest edition, the requirements of the municipality of Marilao
and the Manila Electric Company.

B) The electrical works shall be done by a Registered Master Electrician

(RME) or Registered Electrical Engineer (REE) or Professional Electrical
Engineer (PEE) or skilled electrical practitioner but under the supervision of
RME, REE, PEE.

C) Materials, devices and equipment shall be new and shall be in conformance

with the Philippine Standards or listed by an organization which is acceptable
to the authority having jurisdiction.

D) The electrical service shall be 230V, line to ground, single phase.

7
E) The the service equipment and all other equipment shall be provided
with adequate and proper grounding.

F) Conductors and conduits shall be as indicated in the computation load

schedule, or single line diagram.

G) All wiring shall be in PVC conduit and shall be embedded when

running thru concrete except when otherwise noted.

H) Service entrance conduit, from the service head to the electric meter,
shall be exposed galvanized rigid steel conduit.

I) All wiring devices shall be flush mounted and grounding type.

J) Mounting height of convenience outlets shall be 30cm from the floor

level.

K) Layout dimension are approximate and intended as installation

guides only.

L) All inconsistencies shall be brought to the attention of the PEE who

signed and sealed the drawings, computations, load schedule,
specifications, and other documents. 33
7
 Service Drop (Service Supply) Single Line Diagram
230V, 2-wire, grounded.

Service Entrance 2# 8mm²,

copper, THW in 20mm
Service galvanized rigid steel conduit
head

* * Meter and Circuit

M Meter breaker are intalled
at the private pole
*
Circuit breaker

Service Equipment Service Entrance 2# 8mm², copper,

3-20AT, 1p, 250V THW in 20mm PVC conduit
1-30AT, 1p, 250V

Farthest outlet

Grounding Electrode Branch conduit conductor 2#

Conductor, #8mm² THW 3.5mm², copper, TW, in
(THW is used because of 15mm dia. rigid PVC conduit.
availability in the project)

Grounding Electrode, 16mm²

diameter x 2.4m long Figure 3.2C
Single Line Diagram
7
7
3.2.3.8 Final Electrical Plan
Figure 3.2E
Location of Wiring and Other Requirements

To Marilao Municipal Hall Lias Road

Service Suppl y 230V,

2-wi re , grou n de d 16m

N
M
Service Entrance 2 # 8mm²
copper, T H W in 2 0 m m Residential
9m
W E

Rizal St.
Building
ga l v a n i z e d ri gi d s t e e l o condui t .
S
18m
Sab
4m 8m 4m

LOT
SALA
Note: This can be included in the
electrical wiring layout sheet.
a a a

Location Plan
Figure 3.2B
Service Entrance 2 # 8mm²
P V C conduit
copper, T H W in 2 0 mm

DINING
Sc
9m
c
S

1
Legend
T & B
3
b S
2 BEDROOM

Service Equipment
3-2 0 A T , 1P , 250V
1-3 0 A T , 1p, 250V 4

8m

Electrical Wiring Layout

General/Notes
A) All electrical works shall be done in accordance with the Philippine Electrical Code Part 1, latest edition, the requirements
of the municipality of Marilao and the Manila Electric Company.
B) The electrical works shall be done by a Registered Master Electrician (RME) or Registered Electrical Engineer (REE) or
Professional Electrical Engineer (PEE) or skilled electrical practitioner but under the supervision of RME, REE, PEE.
C) Materials, devices and equipment shall be new and shall be in conformance with the Philippine Standards or listed by an
organization which is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
D) The electrical service shall be 230V, line to ground, single phase.
E) The service equipment and all other equipment shall be provided with adequate and proper grounding.
F) Conductors and conduits shall be as indicated in the computation load schedule, or single line diagram.
G) All wiring shall be in PVC conduit and shall be embedded when running thru concrete except when otherwise noted.
H) Service entrance conduit, from the service head to the electric meter, shall be exposed galvanized rigid steel conduit.
I) All wiring devices shall be flush mounted and grounding type.
J) Mounting height of convenience outlets shall be 30cm from the floor level.
K) Layout dimension are approximate and intended as installation guides only.
L) All inconsistencies shall be brought to the attention of the PEE who signed and sealed the drawings, computations, load
schedule, specifications, and other documents.

Dwg# E-1
Professional EE: Revision # Project Title: Sheet Contents: Project Owner:
Sht# 1 of 2
Scale:

7
3.2.3.9 Final Electrical Plan (Cont)
Figure 3.2F
Location of Load Schedule and Other Requirements

Panelboard Load Schedule Panelboard Schematic diagram & Grounding

Single Line Diagram

Professional EE: Revision # Project Title: Sheet Contents: Project Owner: Dwg# E-1
Sht# 2 of 2
Scale:

7
19. Voltage Drop Calculations
1. Design Criteria
In the computation of the voltage drops, the following are the design
criteria in this handout:

A. Branch Circuit – Computations are based on 3% maximum voltage drop

from the distribution panel to the farthest outlet of the branch circuit Pls.
refer to section 2.10.2.1(a), FPN #4. Pls note that the service equipment is
the same as the distribution panel in this example.

B. Feeder Circuit – Computations are based on 3% maximum voltage drop

from the service equipment to the distribution panel. Pls. refer section
2.15.1.2(a)(3), FPN #2. Pls note that the service equipment is the same as
the distribution panel in this example.

C. Feeder and Branch Circuit – Computation are based on 5% maximum

voltage drop from the service equipment to the farthest branch circuit outlet.
And hence, if the voltage drop at the feeder is 3% then the maximum voltage
drop at the branch circuit is only 2% or vise versa.
However in this handout, there is no feeder circuit but only a branch
circuit. And hence, the maximum voltage drop from the service equipment to
the farthest outlet is only 3%. Pls refer to Figure 3.2G. 7
7
D. Service Equipment – Computations are based on 5% maximum
voltage drop from the nominal voltage which is approved by the
Energy Regulatory Commission (Formerly Energy Regulatory
board) Pls. refer to section 16(a)(1) of ERB Resolution # 95-21
known as Standard Rules and Regulations Governing the Operation
of Electrical Power Services. Refer to Figure 3.2G.

8
Computation
In figure 3.2J or 3.2A, the effective length of the 20A branch circuit, for
convenience outlets, is 24m. The branch circuit current, as computed, is
7.51A as indicated in the Load Schedule. Considering that there is no feeder
circuit as shown in the Single Line Diagram, figure 3.2G, the voltage drop to
be computed is only for the branch circuit. And hence,

Voltage Drop = IR
= 7.51A x 24m x 2ohms x 2
305m
= 7.5A x .16ohm x 2
= 2.4 Volts
where 2 ohms per 305m is the unit resistance of the conductor
(#3.5mm²) as shown in Table 9.1.1.9. To facilitate the computations, only the
resistance is considered. The factor 2 takes care of the return path.

The actual computed voltage is complying because the allowable

maximum voltage drop = 230V(100%-5%)x 3%
= 218.5 x 3%
= 6.6 volts
Pls. refer to figure 3.2H
8