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

SNO LOCATION LIGHT FAN POWER PLUG PLUG BELL TV TEL

POINT POINT POINT ON POINT POINT POINT POINT
BOARD
1 Living room 2 1 - 1 1 1 1 1

2 bedroom 2 1 - 1 - - - -

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

5 Water closet 1 - - - - - - -

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

SNO NAME OF POINT RECOMMENDED POSITIONS

 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

SNO TYPE OF BOARD SIZE IN MM SIZE IN INCH

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

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

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 GAUGE SIZE OF WIRE SIZE OF WIRE IN mm WEIGHT OF WIRE PER
OF WIRE AVAILABLE IN 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 DESCRIPTION LIGHT POINT FAN POWER POWER PLUG IND BELLPOINT

NO POINT POINT POINT ON POINT
BATH PLUG BOARD

01 ELECTRICAL 9 3 1 1 3 1 1
POINTS

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

POINT

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

WATT(W)

04 GRAND TOTAL 3040 SAY

LOAD 3000W=3KW
 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