Topic X Electrical

Services in
Buildings

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
1

Identify the various stages involved in the supply and transmission of

electricity;

Identify the stages of electrical distribution in buildings;

Differentiate between the radial and ring final circuit;

Identify the two basic wiring systems in a domestic building;

Describe the electrical installation protection in buildings;

Identify the differences of tungsten, fluorescent and high intensity

discharge lighting; and

Explain the implications of lighting towards energy conservation.

X INTRODUCTION
Electricity is an essential part of our lives in providing energy for lighting and
electrical Appliances such as air-conditioners, televisions, computers and for
many other conveniences.
Electric power arrives at our house and offices from power providers, [for
example Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation
(SESCO) and Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. (SESB)] via the transmission cables,
and subsequently through overhead or underground cables to a building. Often
as consumers we utilise electricity without realising the complexity and the

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various compliance to standards and engineering practices that should be

adhered to.
To ensure that electricity is being supplied and utilised to its optimum usage and
safety, its supply, distribution, installation and standard practices should be
understood.

6.1 PUBLIC SUPPLY AND TRANSMISSION OF

ELECTRICITY
Electrical supply is generated in power plants normally located some
distance away from residential areas. Electrical power supply normally needs to
be transmitted over long distances which results in the problem of voltage drop.
High transmission voltage of up to 400 kV is required. But usually, electrical
supply generated are not up to such high level of voltage. Therefore, step-up
transformers are used to raise the generated electric power to transmission
voltage and the voltage is subsequently stepped down along its transmission
system to various consumers at 33 kV, 11kV, and 415 V according to the
requirements as in Figure 6.1.

Figure 6.1: Generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power

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Visit http://www.state.hi.us/dbedt/ert/electgen.html to learn more about

generating electricity
Visit http://www.howstuffworks.com/power.htm to see how electricity is
generated, transmitted and distributed to your house.

6.2

ELECTRICAL SUPPLY TO SMALL

INSTALLATIONS

Electrical supply is normally distributed at 240 V (single-phase) or 415 V (threephase), depending on the load to be supplied. The electrical supply enters
a building eitherthrough overhead or underground cables. The supply to
small buildings or domestic premises is normally single-phase while larger
buildings such as factories, hospitals and commercial buildings will require a
three-phase supply.
For single-phase supply, in order to balance the load between the phases,
buildings are connected sequentially to the three different phases
The incoming current carried by the service cable passes through the electricity
main fuse and through the power providers meter. Until this point, the service
control is the responsibility of the power provider, while everything beyond
this point is the responsibility of the building owner. This includes the main
switch, circuit breaker and the distribution fuse board. Figure 6.2 illustrates the
responsibility of the power provider and the building owner.

Figure 6.2: Distribution of electricity supply in buildings

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Electrical Distribution in Buildings

(a)

Incoming Service Cable

The incoming service cable is made up of two live wires which are
connected to the main circuit breaker, and one neutral wire which is
connected to a neutral bus bar and grounded. The grounding serves to
divert electricity from any short-circuiting live wires into the earth, thus
preventing electric shock. (refer to Figure 6.3)

(b)

Service Fuse
The service fuse comes under the control of the power provider.

(c)

Meter
The meter monitors the electric power consumption and is mounted at
generally where the electricity enters the house. Readings are in units of
kWH (KiloWatt Hour).
There are generally two types of electrical meters; namely the dial
(analogue) meter or the digital meter.

(d) Distribution Fuse Board

The distribution board consist of the distribution circuits, the main circuit
breaker, and branch circuit braker.
(i) The distribution circuits include the lighting circuit, power outlets and
appliances throughout the premises
(ii) The main circuit breaker shut off the power of the whole house in the
event of dangerous electrical overload or short circuit
(iii) The individual circuit breaker connects to circuits throughout the
house. Each circuit is protected by an individual circuit breaker of fuse
at the main panel
Figure 6.3 shows the distribution fuse board containing the main breaker, neutral
bus bar and individual circuit breakers.

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Figure 6.3: Distribution fuse board

6.2.2 Domestic Circuits

Domestic circuits are either radial or ring final circuits and they can be described
as below:
(a)

Radial circuits are fed from the consumer unit and run either a chain or
radiates out like the spokes of a wheel; and

(b) Ring final circuits start at the consumer unit, loop in and out of each socket
and finally return to the consumer unit to terminate in the same terminals as
it started.

6.2.3 Wiring Systems

There are various different types and sizes of cables and conductors available for
all applications. However, in domestic applications there are limited few.

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The current capacity of cables is described as the rating. The objective of the
rating is to ensure a normal continuous working current is maintained to avoid
raise of the temperature of the cable to a level which may damage the cable.
There are two basic wiring systems used in domestic buildings:
(a)

Flat twin and three-core cable which are normally clipped to the building
structure; running in the floor, wall and ceiling voids; and

(b) Single-core cables which are enclosed in steel or rigid PVC conduit, or in
skirting.
The flat-sheathed cables are more likely to be used with the trunking systems,
which are not usually continuous throughout the whole installation.
Figure 6.4 shows the different types of cables.

Figure 6.4: Different cable types

Source: Baker (1994)

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6.3

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ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS PROTECTION

IN BUILDING

Electrical installations today have various features to give personal and fire
safety. The electrical installations are designed to operate safely within specified
limits of current and voltage. The electrical installations particularly need to
take consideration of protection against excess current and current leakage.
Excess currents can arise as a result of connection of too many electrical
appliances to a particular circuit (overloads) or wiring faults (short circuit).
Protection against excess current in an electrical system involves the
detection of the excessive current and cutting off the power to the affected
portion.
The protection devices that protect excess current conditions are circuit breakers
and fuses.
Circuit Breakers
The purpose of a circuit breaker is to protect an electrical circuit from damage
caused by excess current. This can be due to ground faults, overloads and short
circuits. The circuit breaker will trip if the circuit it is protecting is forced to carry
more current than the wiring can handle. A circuit breaker can also be used
manually to isolate a circuit from incoming power to facilitate repairs. The
advantage of circuit breakers over fuse is that they may be reset after they have
been activated.
Fuses
A fuse is a simple device used to protect circuits from overloading and
overheating. Most fuses contain a strip of metal that has a higher resistance than
the conductors in the circuit. This strip also has a relatively low melting point.
Because of its higher resistance, it will heat up faster than the conductor. When
the current exceeds the rating on the fuse, the strip melts and opens (switches off)
the circuit.
The three types of fuses are:
(a)

Rewirable fuse;

(b) Cartridge fuse; and

(c)

High breaking capacity (HBC) fuse.

Figure 13.5 shows the various types of protection devices against excess current.

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Figure 6.5: Excess current protection devices

Source: Baker (1994)
Visit the following web site for additional information on electrical protection
devices: http://www.iee.org/publish/
Visit these website http://www.rainshadowinc.com/primer.htm to learn more
about circuit breakers and how they work.

ACTIVITY 6.1
Y6
.1

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ELECTRICAL LIGHTING IN BUILDINGS

Electrical lighting, also known as artificial lighting, is constant and controllable

and is required to supplement or replace daylighting which is dependent on
time, weather conditions and locality. Electrical lighting is used for the following
purposes:
1.

Ambient lighting which provides illumination for the whole space through
ceiling or wall fittings.

2.

Task lighting which provides directed light for specific activities such as
drafting, reading, computer work etc.

3.

Accent lighting which highlights objects or interesting architectural features.

Electrical lighting constitutes a big portion of the work done by construction

electricians. In building projects, lighting types, layout, initial cost and energy
implications are factors which may be taken into consideration by lighting
contractors or designers. Some of the types of lighting available are discussed
below.

6.4.1 Tungsten Filament Lighting

One of the most common types of electric lamps used is the incandescent
filament lamp. Incandescent lighting by far is the oldest and most economical in
terms of initial capital cost as it does not require any operating gear. This first
operational light bulb is the invention of Thomas Edison.
Some facts about tungsten filament lighting are as listed below:
1.

Operation
The operation of tungsten filament lamps is based on the principle of the
passage of an electric current passing through a fine tungsten filament
and raising its temperature until it becomes white hot (ie.incandescence)

2.

Range of luminous Efficacy

Typically 8-18 lumens/lamp watt

3.

Life span
The life span is limited by the failure of the filament. This averages to about
1000-2000 hours according to the type.

Figure 6.6 shows types of tungsten filament (incandescent) lamps.

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Figure 6.6: Incandescent lamp types

6.4.2 Fluorescent Lamps

Fluorescent lamps are widely used and are comparatively low in operating costs
but incur higher initial cost than filament lamps as they need operating gears.
The common fluorescent lamp is a low pressure mercury vapour discharge lamp.
Listed below are some facts about fluorescent lamps:
1.

Operation
Fluorescent lamps have a coating of phosphors in the form of powder on the
inside of the glass tube which fluoresces, thus giving light, due to the
ultraviolet radiation from the mercury vapour discharge.

2.

Range of luminous Efficacy

Typically 37-90 lumens/lamp watt.

3.

Life Span
Typically 5000-10000 hours to 30% reduction in light output according
to type and switching cycle.

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Figure 6.7 shows fluorescent lamp types.

Figure 6.7: Fluorescent lamp types

6.4.3 High Intensity Discharge Lamps

High intensity discharge (HID) lighting is one of the latest developments in the
lighting field, with good energy savings features. These lamp types achieve the
highest lumens output per watt (i.e. the highest efficiency). Among HID
lamp types available are mercury vapour lamps, metal halide lamps, high
pressure sodium lamps and low pressure sodium lamps. Below are listed some
facts about HID lamps.
1.

Operation
HID lamps operate on the principle of passing an electric current through a
gas or vapour, thus igniting a luminous arc. Control gears are used to
initiate and stabilise the discharge. The main disadvantage of HID lighting
is the start-up time. An interruption in the power supply or voltage drop of
15% will extinguish the arc and it has to be sufficiently cooled before it will
re-light again.

2.

Range of Luminous Efficacy

While high pressure sodium lamps can have an efficacy of 67-121 lumens
per watt, the low pressure sodium lamps may have an efficacy of 70 to 175
lumens/lamp watt.

3.

Life
Life span ranges from 6000 to 12000 hours depending upon the lamp
construction.

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Figure 6.8 shows 2 types of HID lamps:

Mercury-vapour discharge lamp

Sodium-vapour discharge lamp

Figure 6.8: High intensity discharge lamps

Source: Gray & Bailey (1997)
Visit the following web site for additional information on lighting types and its
application
http://www.gelighting.com
http://www.eur.lighting.philips.com

SELF CHECK 3.2

1.

Walk around the house. What types of lamps are available in the
house?

2.

Based on your understanding of the various lighting types and its

characteristics, what lighting type would you recommended for
the foyer of a hotel?

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ENERGY CONSIDERATIONS OF LIGHTING

Lighting consumes electricity and has an impact on building energy loads. The
design of lighting system should take consideration of flexibility, efficiency,
cost, visual properties and energy consumptions. Daylighting and task-ambient
designs, luminaire systems with heat removal and recovery capabilities are
among the possible measures for energy consumption reduction.
Lighting energy consumption can be minimised by reducing installed
power, time of use and having an efficient design layout. Installed power can be
minimised by the use of efficient lamp/ballast systems and luminaries.
The use of incandescent lamps for general lighting should be discouraged.
Fluorescent lamps are better alternatives to these lamps. General lighting of
work place is also generally less efficient. Often the variation of activities at
workplace requires different lighting levels. A lower background lighting
supplemented by task lighting can result in a reduction of overall lighting load
per unit area. Recommended illuminance levels are
as follows in Table 6.1:
Table 6.1: Recommended Illuminance in Malaysia
Task

Lighting for working

interiors

Lux
20
50
100
200
350

Localized lighting for

exacting task

500
750
1000
2000

Example
Minimum service illumination
Interior walkways and car parks
Hotel bedrooms
Infrequent reading and writing
General offices, shops & stores,
Reading and writing
Drawing offices
Proof reading
Exacting drawing
Detailed and precise work

Source: Guidelines for Energy Efficiency in Buildings, (1989), Ministry of

Energy, Telecommunications and Post, Malaysia
To test your understanding of what you have just learnt, please try the following
exercise.

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EXERCISE 6.1
1.

Electrical power in Malaysia is supplied by power providers like

TNB, SESCO and SESB. Sketch and label the sequence of the
distribution of electrical supply from the power providers supply
to residence of the consumer.

2.

Describe the electrical protection that can be installed to give

personal and fire safety protection.

3.

Make a comparison of the tungsten filament lamp type with the

fluorecent lamp type in terms of initial and operation cost, life span
and efficacy.

4.

Explain briefly why the use of incandescent lamps is not preferred

for general lighting.

In this chapter, the transmission of electrical power, distribution of electricity

in domestic buildings, electrical protection and common lighting applications
have been discussed.

The understanding of the lighting types and the energy consideration would
enable building technical personnel to have a better design understanding of
electrical services.