ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN DOMESTIC BUILDINGS

1 CLASSIFICATION

Domestic dwellings or Residential buildings are those buildings intended for

normal residential purpose with sleeping, cooking and dining facilities. These buildings
can be broadly classified into
• Stand alone buildings which is occupied by the members of a single
family and accommodating not more than 20 persons.
• Apartment buildings / flats where independent living spaces for three or
more families are provided.

The primary objectives in planning the electrical system for a domestic building
are safety and economy. Other factors like energy efficiency, reliability, convenience and
provision for future expansion also merits consideration. The electrical installations of
residential buildings are perhaps the simplest form of electrical system. But , this system
needs careful planning because of the drastic life style changes that is sweeping across
the world. Electricity has become part and parcel of normal human life and it is almost
impossible to exist without electricity. It is in this context the design of electrical system
for domestic buildings is to be approached.
The characteristic feature if the type of installation for domestic buildings is that
the supply is derived at 240 V for single phase systems and at 415 V for three phase
systems.
2 ESTIMATION OF LOAD REQUIREMENTS

Electrical installations in domestic buildings basically cater to the lighting,

ventilation, domestic appliances and gadgets.. If the actual wattages of the appliances and
light points are not known, the load requirements can be calculated based on the
recommended ratings as listed in table 1.

Table 1 Recommended rating of light and socket points (NEC)

Specification Rating (Watts)

Incandescent lamps 60
Fans (ceiling / table) 60
6A three pin sockets 100
16A three pin sockets 1000
Fluorescent lamp 600 mm 25
Fluorescent lamp 1200 mm 50
Exhaust fan 300 mm 45
 The National Electrical Code also recommends the minimum number of points to
be provided in various domestic buildings. Table 2 lists the number of points to be
provided on the basis of plinth area of the building.

Table 2 Recommended number of points in dwelling units

Area of the residential building (m2)

Description
35 45 55 85 140
Light points 7 8 10 12 17
Ceiling fans* 2-2 3-2 4-3 5-4 7-5
6A sockets 2 3 4 5 7
16A sockets - 1 2 3 4
Call bell - - 1 1 1

* indicates the number of fan points wired and the actual number of fans
provided.
National Electrical Code also provides the details regarding the minimum number
of socket outlets required for various sizes of residential buildings. Table 3 lists these
details.
Table 3 Details of socket outlets required for domestic buildings
Description Socket outlets
6A 16A
Bed rooms 2-3 1
Living rooms 2-3 2
Kitchen 1 2
Dining room 2 1
Garage 1 1
For Refrigerator 1
For Air conditioner 1
Verandah 1 for every 10 m2
Bath rooms 1 1

The details given are the minimum requirements and the owner of the building is
at liberty to decide to opt for higher number of points for their buildings in consultation
with the design engineer so as to meet the present as well as the future anticipated loads.
Once all the light points, fan points and the socket points are decided, the total connected
load of the building can be calculated.
The total installed apparent power (kVA) is assumed to be the sum of the kilo volt
ampere rating of the individual loads. The maximum demand kVA however need not be
equal to the installed kVA. This is because of the fact that all individual loads need not
necessarily operate at full rated power or at the same time. Therefore, a suitable
correction factor is to be applied to the installed capacity to determine the maximum kVA
demand of the building. The two factors that are useful are:
• Factor of maximum utilization ku and
 • Factor of simultaneity ks
Factor of maximum utilization
In normal situation, power consumed by a load is less than the normal
rating of the load. For example, a motor may not be operating at its rated capacity. Hence
it is justifiable to apply a utilization factor k u to get a reliable estimate of the load. This
factor must be applied to individual loads which are very rarely operated at full load.
Standard values of ku are given below.
For fluorescent lighting ku =1.00
For industrial loads (motor) ku =0.75
For socket outlets ku –depends entirely on the type of apparatus being
supplied.
Factor of simultaneity - ks
It is a well known fact that the simultaneous operation of all the connected loads
of a given installation never occurs in practice. In other words, there is always some
degree of diversity and this factor is taken into account for the purpose of estimating. The
simultaneity factor ks are applied to a group of loads (e.g. Loads being supplied from a
distribution board or switch board).The determination of this factor is the sole
responsibility of the system designer, since it requires the detailed knowledge of the
working of the installation. For this reason it is not defined precisely. The term diversity
factor as defined in IEC and simultaneity factor ks are one and the same. However, in
India diversity factor is the reciprocal of simultaneity factor and its value is always
greater than one.
For domestic installations, the diversity factor can be assumed to be 2.00 to 2.50
on the assumption that only 40 to 50 percent of the connected load will be used
simultaneously.
EXAMPLE 1
The floor plan of a two storied residential building is shown in figure-1. Calculate
the number of light, fan, and socket and exhaust fan points required for the building as
per NEC norms. Also find out the type of supply required and the size of the distribution
board.
 V I L L A - G {3 B E D R O O M S }

 





     


 

 


      


FI R ST F L O O R P L A N
A REA - 63 M ²





      
            





    
 
    
   

      

     
     





G RO U N D FL O O R PL A N

A REA - 105 M²
TO TA L A REA - 168 M ²

DA TE T ITLE S C AL E P .S.A B R A H A M
reg is te re d A rc h itec t & T o w n p lan n e r
1 : 100 T H IR U VA N A N T H A P U R A M , K E R A L A -69 5011
P H O N E :2 5504 43
ab raha m p u tha n @ yah o o .c o.in

Figure -1 Plan layout of a residential building

Solution:
Determination of the connected load and maximum demand
A very detailed lighting calculation is not required for domestic buildings and the
lighting requirements can be worked out based on the guidelines in the NEC. The number
of light, fan and socket points required for each area is tabulated and is indicated in
table- 4.

Table -4 Details of light, fan and socket points for example -1

Room space 1×40W WB CF 6A 16/6A EF others
Bed rooms + dressing (3) 1×3 (2+1)3 1×3 3×3 1×3
Living room 1×2 2×2 1×2 3×2 1×2
Dining room 1 1 1 2 1
Kitchen 1 1 1 2 3 1
Verandah / sit out 1 Call bell-1
Toilets 1×3 1×3 1 1×3
Store 1
Work area 1 1
Peripheral lights Bulkhead-3
Car porch 1 1
Total points 7 22 7 21 11 4 3(1)
(1) Call bell not included in connected load calculation.
1 × 40W 40 W fluorescent fixtures
WB Wall brackets with 11/15 W CF lamps
CF Ceiling fans (1200m or 1500 mm)
6A 6A light socket points
16/6A` 16/6A power socket points
EF 220/300mm fresh air fans
Once the points have been finalized, the total connected load of the building can
be calculated using the NEC guidelines (Table -1)

Room space 1×40W WB CF 6A 16/6A EF others

Connected load-W 7×50 22×15 7×60 21×100 11×1000 4×60 3×15

The total connected load = 14485 W

As per the existing norms, a connected load of 14,485W of connected load will require a
three phase supply to be taken from the distribution supply system. The details of supply
for various types of consumers are given in table -5.
Table -5 Relations between connected load/contract demand and type of
supply (Kerala Electricity Supply Code-2005)
Supply voltage Max. connected load Max. contract demand
V kW/kVA kVA
240,1 phase 5 kW
415, 3 phase 100 kVA
11000 3000
22000/33000 6000
66000 8000
110000 20000
220000 >20000

14485
The maximum demand (assuming a diversity factor=2.5) =
2.5
= 5794 W
Determination of the size of the Distribution board
To determine the size of the distribution board, first thing to be done is to
calculate the number of light and power sub circuits. From table -4,
The number of light points = light + fan + 6A socket + exhaust fan +other points
= 7+22+7+21+4+3
= 64 points
Similarly, power points = 11 points
No of light points 64
The number of light sub circuits = = ≈ 11 light circuits
6 6
(According to Indian Standard specifications IS-732, the maximum number of light
points that can be wired in a light circuit is 10 or the maximum connected load in a light
circuit is 800 W-). A good engineering practice is to select the number of light points
between 6 and 8.
No of power points
The number of power circuits =
2
11
= = 6 power circuits.
2
The total number of sub circuits required = No of light circuits+ Power circuits
= 11+6 =17 sub circuits.
A three phase 8 way MCB distribution board will provide 24 sub circuits of which 17 can
be used now and the remaining 7 can be used as spare capacity for future expansion.
Specification of the Distribution board
Three phase distribution board conforming to IS-8623, universal mounting type
with 100 A copper bus bar, neutral bar , earth bar and cable ties for cable management
with top and bottom removable gland plates with knock outs and provision for four pole
RCD / MCB/ ISOLATOR as incoming and single pole MCBs as out going. The
protection class of the distribution board may be either IP20 (single door) or IP42 (double
door) with acrylic or metal door.
Incomer: 25 A, 4 pole, RCBO, 415volt, with 30 mA sensitivity
Outgoing: 6A single pole MCB with B-curve 11Nos
and 16A single pole MCB with C-curve 6Nos.
The B-curve MCBs are to be used for lighting loads and C-curve MCBs for
highly inductive loads. Most of the power devices other than the water heaters or cooking
ranges will be inductive in nature.
RCBO devices provide triple protection against earth leakage, over current and
short circuits. If ELCB+MCBs are used, protection is guaranteed for earth leakage and
short circuits only. MCBs provide protection against short circuit only. No protection is
guaranteed if only MCB isolators are used. It will serve only as an isolating device.
 V I L L A - G {3 B E D R O O M S}

BATH RM. UP
150X170

DN

DRESS FAMILY LIVING

150 X 120 400 X 300
DRESS BATH RM.

LEGEND
135X180 150X180

TERRACE - Exhaust fan

770 X 460 BED ROOM
340X450
- Ceiling fan

- Wall bracket

F I R ST F L O O R P L A N - 1x40W FL
A REA - 63 M²

UP
- 6A Socket

- 16A Socket
UP

STORE KITCHEN - Bulk head

150X300 WORK AREA 300 X300
150X300
DINING
400 X 300
- Switch box
DRESS BATH RM.
CAR PORCH 135X180 150X180
LIVING
320 X 450 420 X 330 - LDB

MASTER BED
340X450

SITOUT
420 X 120

G R O U N D F L O O R PL A N
UP
A REA - 105 M²
TOTAL AREA - 168 M²

DATE TITLE SC ALE P.S.A BR A H A M

registered Architect & Town planner
1 : 100 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA-695011
PHONE:2550443
abrahamputhan@yahoo.co.in

Figure-2 Plan layout with electrical points marked

Figure -2 shows the plan layout of the example -1 with all electrical points
marked on the drawing. The locations of the light fixtures, ceiling fans, socket points etc
are clearly marked on the drawing which can serve as a document to be used at the
construction site. Such drawing will also be required for getting official sanctions for the
work from the Electricity Supply Departments.

3 SELECTION OF TYPE OF WIRING

Different types of wiring as specified in the BIS specification IS-732-1989 are
available for wiring of domestic installations. However, one of the following methods is
more suitable for residential buildings.
• PVC insulated and PVC sheathed wires on teak wood batten
• PVC insulated wires in Steel / PVC surface conduits and
• PVC insulated wires in concealed conduit s.
 If economy is the only criterion, the first type of wiring is the best option. It is
economical as well as functional and is the best choice for low cost housing. On the other
hand if aesthetics is the most important consideration, the third type of wiring is the best
option. The second type of wiring is functional as well as easy to maintain. Hence this
type of wiring is more suitable for locations where functionality and maintenance are
more important. The first and second type of wiring has the advantage that these wiring
can be taken up after completing the building structure. Whereas, concealed wiring is
required to be carried out along with the building construction. And this requires proper
co-ordination between the agencies involved in the building construction. Concealed
conduit wiring with rigid PVC conduits is the most accepted form of wiring for modern
residential buildings.

3-1 General rules applicable for conduit wiring using rigid PVC conduits

• Only rigid PVC conduits shall be used for the wiring

• The conduits may be either threaded type or pasted type
• Conductors of different supply systems shall not be bunched in the same
conduit
• Phase segregation in separate conduits is recommended for lighting and
small power applications
• The number of insulated wires inside a conduit shall be as per table 4-3
• Conduits shall be interconnected by means of threaded or pasted couplers
depending on whether the conduits used are threaded type or pasted type.
• For long straight runs, inspection type couplers should be used at regular
intervals.
• Conduits shall be supported by saddles with a minimum spacing of
600mm.
• Necessary conduit specials like bends, inspection bends, elbows, T’s shall
be used wherever appropriate.
• In case of concealed conduits, the chase in the walls shall be made neatly
and with sufficient size to permit the conduits to be laid properly. If the
building is under construction, the chase shall be made before plastering of
the walls.
• Conduits in ceiling shall be laid while concreting the ceiling slabs.
• Suitable inspection boxes shall be provided to facilitate periodical
inspection and removal of wires if necessary. The minimum size of the
inspection box shall be 75x75 mm
• All outlets like switch, socket, ceiling rose etc may be either of surface
type or flush type.
• All flush mounting outlets shall me made of mild steel or aluminium
boxes with a cover plate of insulating material and with provision for
earthing.
Table -3 Maximum permissible number of 1.1 kV grade cables in metallic conduits
Size of Size of conduits -mm
2
cable mm
20 25 32 40 50
1 7 13 20
1.5 6 10 14
2.5 5 6 10 14
4 3 6 10 11
6 2 5 9 11
10 4 7 9
16 2 4 5 12
25 2 2 6
Reference: “Electrical Systems Design”, M K Giridharan , I K International Publishing
House, New Delhi, 2010