0ELECTRICAL WORK FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Electricity supply is a basic need of the modern world , since all appliances from
lights , fans … etc. work on electricity .

The licensed person , in charge of the electrical work, should be given right
instructions and layout plans for completing the electrical work satisfactory and
safely.

It is necessary to study how the various types of loads are connected to the
supply.

This helps in planning the requirement of materials , tools , equipments etc.

before starting any work

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ELECTRICAL WORK

• Screw driver set

• Wire cutting pliers set

• Hack – saw frame/ blade

• Drill machine with drill bits or bit punch holder

• Chisel

• Hammer

• Knife

• Tester / test lamp

• Plumb bob

• Level tube

• Spirit level

• Line dort

• Measuring tape

• Wire stripper
 • Set of files

• Hand drill machine

• Die/ vice set

PLANNING OF INTERNAL ELECTRICAL WORK

Planning is the most important factor before commencing any electrical work

Design and planning should take into consideration the prevailing conditions at
the site and the requirements of the consumer

Before starting the project , electrical drawings should be prepared along with all
the drawings

Planning at the initial stages will help to decide the locations of each point in
each room , specification of materials , required load for each flat and each
building

By planning in the initial stages and preparing the drawings accordingly , chances
of mistakes by an engineer are reduced considerably .

This results in economy of electrification work

(1) POSITION AND REQUIREMENTS OF ELECTRICAL POINTS

Position of the points depends on the requirements of individual flats .

Following points will act as guideline…

• Fan points should be diagonally in the centre of the room , excluding the
loft

• Width

• Switch boards should be nearest to the entrance , opposite the door

opening

• Switches for the bathroom should be outside the door

• Consider the probable furniture arrangement before deciding the switch

board and light points in the rooms

• Power point in the kitchen should be nearest to the kitchen platform

REQUIREMENTS OF ELECTRICAL POINTS

 SN LOCATIO LIGH FAN POWE PLUG PLUG BELL TV TEL
O N T POIN R ON POIN POIN POIN POIN
POIN T POINT BOAR T T T T
T D
1 Living 2 1 - 1 1 1 1 1
room
2 bedroom 2 1 - 1 - - - -

3 Kitchen 1 1 1 1 - - - -
room
4 Balcony 1 -- - - - - - -

5 Water 1 - - - - - - -
closet
6 Bathroom 1 - 1 - - - - -

7 Passage 1 - - - - - - -

(2) HEIGHTS OF ELECTRICAL POINTS

IF THE ELECTRICIANS FIX THE ELECTRCAL POINTS AND BOARDS ARBITARILY, IT

WILL PROVE INCONVINIENT TO THE USERS .

After practical studies of their requirements . some standards have been

recommended for fixing the heights of various electrical points

TANDARD HEIGHTS OF ELECTRICAL POINTS FROM FINISHED FLOOR LEVEL

SN NAME OF POINT RECOMMENDED POSITIONS

O
1 Angle holder (bracket point ) 2.25m (7’6”) from FFL

2 Fan point On celing , centrally ay diagnols

crossing of rooms
3 Switch board 1.35m (4’6”) from FFL

4 t. v / telephone and 5amp point 0.6m (2’0”) from FFL

5 Bell push 1.35m (4’6”) From FFL

6 DB (distribution box) Above the entrance door or in passage

2.4m (8’0”) from FFL
7 POWER POINT IN BATH 1.5m (5’5”) from FFL
(3) SIZES OF BOARDS

Wooden switch boards for sur face mounting are usually available in standard
sizes

SN TYPE OF BOARD SIZE IN MM SIZE IN INCH

O
1 Distribution board 350mm * 305mm 14” *12”

2 Switch board in living / 200mm * 250mm 8” * 10”

kitchen/bedroom
3 Switch board outside WC /bath 180mm * 100mm 7” * 4”

4 Switch board refrigerator in kitchen 155mm * 100mm 6” * 5”

5 Bell push 100mm * 100mm 4” *4”

6 Bracket light point and fan point 100mm diameter 4”

7 t.v / telephone socket 100mm * 100 mm 4” *4”

8 t.v electrical point 100mm * 100mm 4” * 4”

(4) GAUGES OF WIRE S

Electrical wires directly carry the electrical current.

So, it is essential to know the current carrying capacity of the wire for safe
working.

SNO TYPE AND SIZE OF WIRE SIZE OF WIRE IN WEIGHT OF WIRE

GAUGE OF WIRE AVAILABLE IN mm PER 100M
MARKET
1 1/18 1/036 1/0.914 1.4kg

2 1/18 1/038 1/0.965 1.5kg

3 1/18 1/042 1/1.067 1.7kg

4 1/18 special 1/044 1/1.120 2.0kg

TWISTED COPPER

5 3/22 3/029 3/0.737 2.2kg

6 3/20 3/032 3/0.813 2.4kg

7 3/20 3/034 3/0.864 2.7kg

8 3/20special 3/036 3/0.914 3.1kg

9 7/22 7/029 7/0.737 4.4kg

10 7/20 7/032 7/0.813 5.0kg

11 7/20 7/034 7/0.864 5.5kg

12 7/20 special 7/036 7/0.914 6.5kg

13 7/18 7/040 7/1.016 9.0kg

14 7/18 special 7/044 7/1.120 10.0kg

P.V.C TO P.V.C (FOR C.T.S WIRING)

15 1/18 1/036 1/0.914 2.2Kg

16 1/18 1/042 1/1.067 2.8kg

 17 3/20 3/034 3/0.864 3.8kg

(5) SIZES OF WIRES FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES

(6) COLOR CODES OF WIRES IN SINGLE PHASE 1.PHASEWIRE RED, 2. NEUTRAL

BLACK 3 EARTHING GREEN IN THREE PHASE 1.RED 2. YELLOW 3 BLUE 4.
NEUTRA BLACK 5. EARTHING GREEN.

RECOMMENDED RATING OF SWITCH SOCKETS AND CABLE SIZE ARE AS FOLLOWS

1. LIGHT ELECTRIC LOADS LESS THAN 250W SUCH AS LAMPS TUBES RADIO
SWITCH / SOCKETS OUTLETS CAPACITY IS 5 AMPS SUGGESTED CORE SIZE OF
COPPER CABLE IS 1.5 MMSQUARE

2. MEDIUM ELECTRIC LOAD BETWEEN 250W TO 1000W SUCH AS WASHING

MACHING REFRIGERATOR ,IRON ETC IS SWICH /SOCKET OUTLET IS 2.5
MMSQUARE AND SUGGESTED CORE SIZE OF COPPER CABLE IS 2.5MMSQUARE

3. HEAVY ELECTRIC LOADS BETWEEN 1000W TO 3000W SUCH AS GEYSOR, AIR

CONDITIONERS ETC ALSO SUB DISTRIBUTION BOARD IS 15 AMPS SWITCH /
SOCKET OUTLET AND SUGGESTED CORE SIZE OF COPPER CABLE4 MMSQUARE

4. SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT SUCH AS COMPUTER IS 5AMPS AND SUGGESTED

CORE SIZE OF COPPER CABLE IS 1,5 MMSQUARE

5. SPECIFIC EQUIPMENTS WORKING ON BATTERIESON MAIN POWER FAILURE SUCH

AS FAX / ANSWERING MACHINE IS 15 AMPS AND SUGGESTED CORE SIZE OF
COPPER CABLE IS 4.0 MMSQUARE

6. TELECOMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT LIKE TELEPHONE FAX ETC IS SWITCH SOCKET

OUTLETS IS TELEPHONE WIRE AND SUGGESTED CORE SIZE OF COPPER CABLE
IS 4 OR 6 CORE

7. SAFETY AND PROTECTION EQUIPMENT LIKE ALARMS ETC IS 5 AMPS AND

SUGGESTD CORE SIZE OF COPPER CABLE IS 1.5 MMSQUARE.

PLANNING FOR EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL WORK

1. FLOW CHART FOR ELECTRIC SUPPLY FROM ELECTRICITY BOARD TO
CONSUMER

ELECTRICITY BOARD
 TRANSFORMER

L . T ROOM

FEEDER PILL

BUS BAR OF EACH BUILDIN

INDIVIUAL METRE OF FLAT

CUT OUT / FUSES

MAIN SWITCH OF EACH FLAT IN METRE

CABINET

MAINS

DISTRIBUTION BOX IN FLAT

CIRCUITS

ROOM SWITCH BOARDS

INTERNAL WIRING

INDIVIUAL ELECTRIC POINT

(2) TRANSFORMER AND L.T (LOW TENSION) ROOM

Loads above 50 kw require a transformer and L.T room . the following points
should be considered while planning the location of the transformer place
and L.T room

• Location of an electrical transformer / L.T room, for a group of buildings

, should be at the nearest convenient place on the ground floor.

• The floor level of the transformer / low tension room shall be above the
highest flood level of the locality

• The availability of nearby power lines may also be kept in view while
deciding the location of the transformer / low tension room

• In the L. T room , provision for cable trench , for passing cables from
the transformer room should be provided

• Plinth for the transformer should be constructed in rubble masonry ,

at the required height and side.

• The capacity of the transformer depends upon the load of the building

• The load should be calculated from the electrical points in each flat
and each building

(3) FEEDER PILLAR

• Feeder pillar is a distribution box. It is generally fixed in common

convenient place . the cable from the main supply board (L.T room)
comes in the feeder pillar and is distributed to various outgoing and
other points of supply

• Feeder pillar should be fixed on a firm concrete platform

• Feeder pillar should be painted in red and marking of the building

number for feeder pillar should always be intact

• Feeder pillars are available in 200 , 400 , 600 and 1000amp capacity

(4) BUS – BAR

 • Bus – bar is a distribution box which provides tappings to different
electrical metres

• The main supply to bus bar is provided from the feeder pillar by
suitable cable

• Bus bars are available in 100 , 200 , 400 amp capacity

(5) ELECTRICALMETER CABINET

• Meter cabinet is required to contain the meters of each building

• Generally , meter cabinet is made of a wooden frame , covered with

wooden shutters and weld mesh . for proper ventilation , meter cabinet
should be located near the entrance of the building . this also allows
easy access for the readings.

• Meter box should be fixed above 45 cm( 1’6”) from the floor level

• Size of the meter box should be decided as per the number of metres
to be fixed

• For one meter about 0.28sq.m (3sft) space is required to accommodate

fuse , main switch and the meter

• Meter cabinet should always be locked to prevent any mishaps

• All the meters in the cabinet should display the correct name and the
flat number , for easy maintenance

• Wiring in the meter box should be safe and done properly , with the
required size and colour codes of the wires

• Building number should be painted on the bus bar in the meter box

• M.C.B should be provided for every electrical meter

• Meter cabinet should be painted with primer and oil paint to avoid
decay and termite attack

• Load and cable size calculation for one building of 14 flats (SPECIMEN)
SR DESCRIPTIO LIGHT FAN POWE POWE PLUG IND BELLPOIN
NO N POINT POIN R R ON POIN T
T POINT POINT BOAR T
BATH PLUG D

01 ELECTRICAL 9 3 1 1 3 1 1
POINTS

02 LOAD ON 40W 60W 500W 1500W 100W 100 100W

EACH POINT W

03 TOTAL 360W 180 500W 1500W 300W 100 100W

LOAD IN W W
WATT(W)

04 GRAND 3040 SAY

TOTAL 3000W=3K
LOAD W

NOTE; GEYSER OF 1500WATT IS CONSIDERED WHILE WORKING OUT

LOAD.

FOR 14 FLATS ---------------------3KW * 14 = 42KW

FOR COMMON LIGHTS--------2KW*1 = 2KW

FOR PUMPS------------------------6KW*1 = 6KW

__________

50KW

CURRENT CARRYING CAPACITY = 50*2.84 AMPS/KW

= 142 AMPS

(2.84 AMPS /KW CONSIDERING 0.8 AS POWER FACTORS)

NET CURRENT-----------------------------------= 142*0.75 (DIVERSITY FACTOR)

= 106.5 AMPS

TOTAL NET CURRENT REQUIRED IS 106.5 AMPS FOR BUILDING ON 3

PHASE, 31/2 CORE CABLE.

THERFORE CURRENT IN EACH PHASE 106.5 106.5

 ________ = _________

ROOT 3 1.732

= 61.56 AMPS (SAY 62

AMPS)

P= VI COS &

THREE PHASE SUPPLY P= ROOT 3 VI COS&.

(7)EARTHING

• Earthing is the term used for the electrical connection to the general
mass of earth

• There are various methods of earthing but the most common method
is earthing by plate electrodes

• Plate electrodes are made of copper or galvanized iron

• The size of copper plate shall not be less than 600mm * 600mm*
3.15mm and the thickness of the iron plate should not be less than
6.30mm

• Earthing plate should be placed vertically on its edge

• The top edge of the plate should not be less than 1.5m below the
surface of the` ground

• Resistance of the earth electrodes depends upon the resistance of the

soil

PROCEDURE OF EARTHING

• Dig a pit of size 90cm * 90cm * 90cm , 1.5cm below the ground

• Put a 15 cm layer of charcoal and salt to reduce the resistance of the

soil

• Tie the copper wire / galvanized iron wire to the earthing plate and put
the plate In the pit
 • Size of the wire should not be less than 3sqmm in case of copper wire
and 6sqmm . in case of G.I wire . fix a funnel from the pit to the ground
level to pour water , to maintain a safe value of earth resistance. The
earth resistance value should not exceed 0.7ohms

• Provide another G.I pipes of 25mm diameter to pass the earth wire
upto and above ground level

• Fill the pit (90cm*90cm*90cm) with charcoal and salt , 40kg each.
Refill the balance pit with soil and compact it properly

(7)CABLING AND DUCTING

• Once the location of the transformer , L.T room feeder pillar , meter
cabinets etc. are finalized , decide on the cabling ducting

• Most of the cables are laid under ground in conduits

• In case of a cable without conduits , lay it carefully . ensure a brick

layer and sand cushion, with an excavation of minimum 1m
depth

• A chamber should be provided at each junction and turning . it

should be covered properly about 15cm (6”) from the ground level ,
to prevent mud and water from entering.

(8) CONSTRUCTION QUALITY IN ELECTRICAL WORKS.

To follow IS specifications to cover various items internal electrification

fittings and code of practice for execution IE rules 1956

IS732 ; code of practice for electrical wiring installation, having part 1,2,3,
which cover definitions and general requirements design and construction,
inspection and testing of installations

IS4648 guide lines for layouts in residential buildings

IS 694; PVC insulated cables for working voltages upto including1100 volts

(9)ELECTRICAL LOADING OF FITTINGS

½ HP to 1HP ; 240 volts single phase (3.5 amps ) cable size 2 to 2.5 cm
3HP to 5 HP 416 volts 3 phase ( 8 amps ) cable size 3 core 4 mm2

ton to 1.5 ton AC 240 V single phase (10 Amps) cable size 3 core 4 mm2

light incandes cent 40, 60 Watt ,fluorescent 40W kitchen fan

50W

ceiling fan 100W refrigerator 100W geyser 1500W Mixer 200W

washing Machine 200W electric iron 500W

10) INSULATION RESISTANCE OF COMPLETE INSTALLATION WITH

EARTHING

To ensure that the wires used are correct size quite sound now to avoid
leakage the insulation resistance has to be checked keeping the main
switch in off position with all fuses in distribution board and all lamps put
in position and test is done with 500V megger . the measure resistance
live conductor and neutral at the out going terminal of the main switch
earth should not be less than 50 Mega ohms divided by no of points (fan
,light, sockets) it should be more than 1 Mega ohm

insulation resistance between conductors

keeping the main switch in off position with all fuses in distribution board
in position with all lamps removed from holder the insulation resistance
between phase and neutral conductor checked by 500V meggar should
not be less than 1 Mega ohm

extract s of IE rules the following IE rules 1956 which are given at the
end are to be read thoroughly and follow while executing and operating
the installations chapter1B

rules 29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,38,,40,,41,42,43,44,44A

chapter5

rules 47,48,49,50,51,58,

chapter6

rules 61,62,

chapter7
 rules 63,64,65,66,67,68,69,

chapter 8

rules 74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,

some high lights of rules

rule 29 construction, installation, operation and maintenance of electric

supply lines and application

1. all electric supply lines and apparatus has to be of sufficient ratings for
power insulation and estimated fault current and of sufficient mechanical
strength for duty which they may require to perform under the
environmental conditions of installation and shall be constructed,
installed , and protected, worked and maintained in such a manner as to
ensure safety of human being , animal s and property

2. the material and apparatus used must conform to relevant specifications

of BIS rules 30 service lines and apparatus on consumers premises

Thank You