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Training Module
on
Domestic Electrical
Installation
Table of Contents
1.
2.
1.
Page 1 of 87
2.
Introduction
We usually recognise electricity by the way it changes material and objects in the world around us.
Electricity is, after all, invisible and silent. Before you can begin study electronics you need to
know about electricity. And in studying electricity, we must begin by considering what it does to
other things.
2.1
Electrical effects
You can see, hear or even measure electricity directly, but it can be detected by the way it affects
matter. Electricity interacts in five important ways:
Produce heat
Produce light
Affect chemical reactions
Cause and be caused by magnetism
Have a mechanical effect
2.2
Heating effect
One of the most important physical effects caused by electric current is heat. The heating effect of
an electric current is used in many items of electrical equipment cookers, electric heaters and
lamps for example and it is something that must be considered when designing and electrical
apparatus. Without considering how it works at this stage, let us consider a source of electrical
energy. It might be a battery, or a special laboratory power supply. If this is connected to an electric
lamp, as shown in Figure 1, electrical current will flow through the lamp.
After a minute or so, carefully feel the envelope of the lamp. It will be warm, perhaps even hot. If is
not to bright, look closely at the filament inside the lamp. What makes it light up?
The answer is that the filament is glowing white-hot. The envelope of the lamp is filled with an
inert gas, usually argon, to prevent the filament from burning up in an instant. The lamp lights only
when both wires are connected to the power supply. Electric current must be able to flow from the
power supply, through the lamp, and back to the power supply. As the electric current flows round
in a circle, we call this an electrical circuit.
Page 2 of 87
Figure 2 shows a battery converting electricity into heat. Heat is dissipated by a component called a
resistor; see below for an explanation of this component.
A power supply capable of providing at least 0.5 amps should be used. The resistor will get too hot
to the touch after a short time.
2.3
Lighting effect
Electric current can be used to produce light. In the section above, we saw how a lamp filament can
be heated to such high temperature that it glows white-hot and gives off light. But this is not direct
conversion of electrical energy into light. Only recently has light without heat become reality. It
can be demonstrated very easily using a light emitting diode or LED.
Figure 3 shows a circuit with suitable values for the components. When the power supply is
connected the LED will light up (observe polarity of the LED prior to connection). The light
produced by the LED is a result of electrical energy being converted directly into light. Nothing has
to heat up to produce the light.
Page 3 of 87
2.4
Magnetic effect
Perhaps the most widely exploited effect is the magnetic effect of an electric current. This is used in
all sorts of devices, electric motors to loud speakers. Whenever en electric current flows along a
conductor, such as a wire, it is accompanied by a magnetic field. The simple apparatus shown in
Figure 4 can demonstrate this. When the leads are connected to the battery a current flows through
the circuit. The bulb is included in the circuit for two reasons: first, to indicate that the current is
flowing; second, to limit the current to a safe level.
Make sure that there are no large metal objects close to the compass. With the current off, the
compass needle should align itself along the north-south axis of the globe. Carefully placed the wire
so that it lies exactly along the line of the needle, electrical wires are made of non-magnetic metals,
so the needles position will not be affected. Now connect the wires to the battery. The lamp will
light, and the needle will be deflected. Without disturbing the compass or the wire placed across it,
reverses the battery connections (change polarity). How does the behaviour of the needle differ
from the way it behaved in the first demonstration?
It is clear from this simple demonstration that where
there is a flow of current, there is also magnetism.
Page 4 of 87
3.
Electricity
What is electricity? This seems to be a good question with which to begin. To answer this question,
we have to look at the composition of matter. All matter is, as we know made up of atoms, but it is
far from simple to describe an individual atom. From a study of physics, any student will know that
atoms are made up of nucleus, around which orbit electrons. But nobody really knows what an
atom looks like, as the largest atom is far too small to see even with the most powerful microscope.
So physicists design models of atoms to help them to explain atomic behaviour.
Niels Bohr, a Danish physicist, proposed one of the simplest and most straightforward models of
the atom in 1913. It is Bohrs model that we most often think of, with its tiny electrons in orbit
around the heavy nucleus. A Bohr atom model is illustrated in Figure 6
The electrons are confined to orbits at fixed distances from the nucleus, each orbit corresponding to
a specific amount of energy possessed by the electrons in it. If an electron gains or loses the right
amount of energy, it can jump to the next orbit away from the nucleus, or towards it. Electrons in
the outmost orbits are held to the nucleus rather more weakly than those nearer the middle, and can
under certain circumstances be detached from the atom. Once detached, such electrons are called
free electrons.
It is important to realise that gain or loss of electrons does not in any way change the substance of
the atom. The nucleus is unchanged, with the same number and kind of particles in it, and so an
atom of say, copper can loss or gain electrons and still remain copper.
Each electron carries one unit of negative electric charge. In a normal atom, the charges on the
electrons are exactly balanced by the charge on the nucleus. An atom of copper normally has 29
electrons in orbit around the nucleus. Each electron has one unit of negative electric charge, and the
nucleus has a total of 29 units of positive charge. If a copper atom loses an electron, the nucleus will
be unchanged. But still it has a total of 29 units of positive charge, and there are only 28 electrons
and thus 28 units of negative charge, the atom has overall, one unit of positive charge that is not
balanced by a corresponding negative charge. Such an atom is called a positive ion or cation.
Similarly, atoms can gain extra electrons. If a free electron meets a neutral atom, the electron may
go into the outer orbit around the nucleus. In this case, there will be one more negative charge than
needed for neutrality. Such an atom is called a negative ion or anion.
What is an electrical charge? The real answer is that it is impossible to say in words just what
electric charge is. It can be described mathematically, but this is not the same as describing it
physically. At least we have a very clear and detailed idea of how electricity behaves, and this
enables us to use it in all sorts of clever ways without actually needing an underlying understanding
of the nature of electricity and electric charge. When looking at the physics of electricity, it is wise
to remember that we are looking at models rather than real thing.
Page 5 of 87
4.
A good place to begin is to take a simple electrical circuit, and then look at its constituent parts.
Figure 7 shows a simple battery and lamp circuit in two forms. In figure 7(a) it is shown as a
picture, and in Figure 7(b) it is shown as a circuit diagram. Like most circuits, this circuit can be
divided into basic parts: a source of energy, conductor of electricity, a load, a control device and a
protection device.
4.1
In this circuit the source of energy is a battery. Therefore the battery is the source of electric power.
We could also use other sources of energy like a generator or a solar cell. The important feature is
the fact that between the terminals of the battery there exists a potential difference (p.d.). Potential
difference is measured in volts (V), named after the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta, who made
the first practical battery. A p.d. is simply a difference in total electrical charge. Electrochemical
reactions in the battery cause one terminal to contain many positive ions, and the other to contain
many negative ions.
The battery is a source of electromagnetic force (E.m.f.). Like p.d. it is measured in volts. There is
a subtle distinction between the two. E.m.f. is the p.d. of a source of electrical energy, such as a
battery. P.d., however, measures the difference in electrical potential between two points regardless
of whether or not they are a source of energy; for example, it is possible to measure the p.d. across
the terminals of an electric lamp, but nobody would suggest that the lamp is a source of electrical
energy. The E.m.f. of the battery in Figure 2.10 is 12 volts.
Page 6 of 87
4.2
A conductor is a material that allows electric current to flow through very easily. All metals are
good conductors, as are some other materials such as carbon. Almost all plastics are very poor
conductors insulators, in fact. An insulator is simply a material that is a bad conductor of
electricity. One of the best insulators is glass. Most ceramics are insulators, along with rubber, oil or
wax.
A flow of electric current through a conductor consists of free electrons moving from atom to atom
through the material. In order for there to be a useful amount of current, a very large number of
electrons must flow. Accordingly, the basic unit of electric current flow is equivalent to around
6.28 x 1018 electrons per second moving past a given point in the conductor.
This unit of electric current is called ampere (A), and is named after Andre Marie Ampere, a
French physicist who did important work on electricity and electromagnetism.
Figure 8 illustrates a cross-section through two different types of electrical wires. Look first a
Figure 8(a). The wire consists of a central conductor that is surrounded by a flexible plastic
insulation. The conductor is most likely to be made of tin-plated copper. Copper is one of the best
conductors of electricity, only silver is better, and is also fairly flexible and relatively cheap. It is
tin-plated to prevent the copper from oxidising; copper oxide is a poor conductor of electricity,
which could give trouble if you used the cable with screw-type terminals. An oxidised surface is
also difficult to solder.
The insulation surrounding the conductor is usually made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a flexible
plastic with excellent insulation properties and an extremely long life in normal use.
Figure 8(b) shows a typical cable used in house wiring. This cable has three cores, or conductors. A
second layer of insulation, the sheath, covers the three cores. The sheath not only provides
insulation, but also gives mechanical protection to the insulated cores inside.
Page 7 of 87
4.3
Loads
The load in the circuit in Figure 7 is a lamp. In an electric circuit, a load is any device that uses
electric power and dissipates energy. The lamp converts electrical energy into heat (and some light);
this energy, which comes in the first place from the battery leaves the circuit entirely.
A load in an electrical circuit can be one of a large range of devices: everything from an electric
motor, lamp or bell to a house, which might be the load in a circuit of a large generator, or even a
whole city.
4.4
Control
Almost every electrical device that uses power needs some form of control. Usually this takes the
form of a switch or circuit breaker, to interrupt the flow of electric current in the circuit.
Switches can be almost any size, according to the work they have to do. The circuit in Figure 7
requires only a small switch, as the amounts of current and voltage involved are quite small. Circuit
breakers used at power generating stations have to interrupt very large currents and voltages and are
sometimes the size of a small house.
Figure 9: (a) A low-voltage change over switch; (b) a modern slow-break micro gap mains switch
Figure 9 shows the mechanism of two typical switches. Figure 9(a) illustrates a low voltage change
over switch, designed for use in low-voltage electrical equipment. Switches are rated according to
their working voltage and current. This type of switch could interrupt currents up to 1A at voltages
up to 100V; it is useful for battery operated appliances, but not for mains applications.
Figure 9(b) shows a typical switch used in a house for controlling the lights in a room. It is intended
for use at voltages up to 250V and currents up to 3A.
Page 8 of 87
4.5
Protection
A car battery is also a source of considerable energy. Although the voltage is low enough to avoid
the risk of shock, the amount of current that the battery can deliver is substantial. If you were to
connect the two terminals of a car battery together with a wire, the wire would immediately melt or
burn. If you used a very heavy wire, the battery would explode. Either way, you would be in danger
of serious injury.
In the circuit of Figure 7 it should not be possible for this to happen. But accidents can always
occur, so in any electrical system that has the potential for dangerous currents or voltages,
protections devices are used. The simplest protection device is a fuse. A fuse simply consists of a
thin wire, often sealed in a glass or ceramic tube. A typical cartridge fuse of this type is illustrated
in Figure 10.
The wire in the fuse is designed to carry a specific current before it begins to get hot and burn. For
the fuse in Figure 7 the current rating is 1A. If current much higher than 1A is passed through the
fuse, the thin wire inside gets so hot that it melts, breaking the circuit and interrupting the flow of
electric current.
So if something goes wrong with the lamp holder, causing the two terminals of the lamp to become
connected together shorted together is the usual technical expression - the fuse will prevent
damage to the wiring or to the battery by interrupting the current. Without the fuse, the wiring
might melt or the battery might overheat, causing fire.
Fuses are available in a range of values, and the circuit designer uses one that has a current-carrying
capacity that is just a little more than the highest current that is likely to flow in the circuit when it
is working properly.
The lamp itself can be a protection device of sorts. A lamp used in the circuit in Figure 1 to limit the
current. Normally, the amount of current that can flow is not enough to light the lamp, but in the
event of short-circuit (if the anode and cathode touch) the maximum current that can flow is limited
by the lamp. The lamp also lights up, indicating that there is something wrong.
Page 9 of 87
A disadvantage of a fuse is that, once it has blown, it is useless and has to be replaced. If a circuit
is often subject to fault conditions, this is inconvenient and expensive. In such circuits and over
current circuit breaker could be used. This is a device that interrupts the flow of current by
opening a switch when current increases above a certain level. Once the fault is corrected, the
circuit breaker can be reset by simply pressing a button. An over current circuit breaker is illustrated
in Figure 11.
4.6
Resistors
A resistor is a device, which is opposing electric current to flow, or in other words it is limiting the
current flow in an electric circuit. Any load is acting as a resistor the circuit in Figure 7 has a lamp
installed, this lamp is acting as a resistor and is limiting the actual current flow in the circuit.
4.7
Basic terms
Before starting with a scientific consideration of the electric circuit we have to agree on some basic
terminologies, which are use by the technicians worldwide.
Item
Current
Electric
charges
Voltage
Resistance
Resistor
Description
Current means the transport of electric
charge inside a conducting material
Electric charges are the free electrons
in a conducting material
The voltage is the potential difference
(p.d.) between two points
The resistance is that effect, which
opposes the current
A resistor is an electric component
with a defined resistance
Symbol
Unit
A = Ampere
C = Ampere x Second
V = Volt
= Ohm
Page 10 of 87
5.
Ohms Law
Having described the main components of a typical electric circuit, we can now begin to look at the
way in which the parts interact with each other. The E.m.f., current and electrical resistance of the
load are related in a simple mathematical way, and in the next section we shall look at what is
meant by resistance, and at the relationship of these three factors.
The flow of electric current through a circuit depends on two factors: the E.m.f. and the resistance
of the circuit. To get a visual picture of resistance it is convenient to think of the electric circuit as a
plumbing system. Figure 12 shows such a comparison
Figure 10: Plumbing analogy of an electric circuit: voltage, current and resistance all have their equivalents in the
water system
If the current flow is equivalent to a flow of water through a system, then the E.m.f. of the battery
(in volts) is equivalent to the water pressure in the top tank (in kilograms per square meter).
The flow of current (in amperes) in the circuit is equivalent to the flow of water in the pipe (in
litres per minute).
There is a restriction in the pipe that limits the flow. The amount of water that can flow out of the
end of the pipe depends on the size of the restriction. If it is very thin, only a trickle of water will
escape. In the electrical system, the equivalent of the restriction is a component called a resistor
(because it resists the flow of electric current). The resistor has a greater resistance to the flow of
current than the wires, just as the narrow part of the pipe resists the flow of water more than the
rest of the pipe. Without the resistor, a much larger current would flow in the circuit, just as more
water would flow out of an unrestricted pipe. But notice that the amount of water would still not be
unlimited; the pipe itself puts a limitation on the flow. It is the same in the electrical circuit, for the
wires and even the battery exhibit a certain amount of resistance that would, in the absence of
anything else, limit the current to some extent.
It is clear that, if the analogy holds good, there will be a relationship between pressure (E.m.f.),
flow (current) and the size of the restriction (resistance). For example, if the water pressure where
increased, you would expect a greater flow through the same restricted pipe.
The German physicist George Simon Ohm first discovered the relationship between current, voltage
and resistance in 1827. It is called Ohms Law.
Page 11 of 87
Ohms Law states that the current (I) flowing through an element in a circuit is directly proportional
to the p.d. (V) across it. Ohms Law is usually written in the form.
U=IxR
In words, this says that the voltage (in volts) equals the current (in amperes) times the resistance (in
ohms). The unit of resistance, the ohm (), is of course, named in honour of Ohms discovery.
From the formula above we can see that a p.d. of 1 Volt causes a current of 1 Ampere to flow
through a circuit element having the resistance of 1 Ohm.
Given any two of the three factors, we can find the other one. The formula can be rearranged as
follows:
I=
U
R
R=
U
I
Practical electrical and electronics engineers probably use this simple formula more than any other
calculation. Given a voltage, it is possible to arrange for a specific current to flow through a circuit
by including a suitable resistor in the circuit.
6.
Kirchhoffs Law
In the 1850s, the German physicist Gustav Robert Kirchhoff formulated two more laws relating to
electric circuits. These laws, named after him, enable us to write down equations to represent the
circuits mathematically.
st
Kirchhoffs Laws
1 Law:
2nd Law:
Page 12 of 87
Let us begin by considering the first of Kirchhoffs laws. Figure 13 shows four wires; all carrying
current and all are connected together. This is the sort of situation that occurs in almost any piece of
electrical equipment. In Figure 13, there are two wires through which current flows into the junction
and two through which current flows away from it. Adding together the currents flowing in, we
shall get exactly the same values as we shall get for current flowing out.
For Figure 13 this can be written as an equation.
I1 + I 2 = I 3 + I 4
Figure 14 shows a three-wire connection, in which one wire carries current into the junction and
two carry current away. The equation for this junction is.
I1 = I2 + I3
What Kirchhoff is saying is rather simple and obvious: current has to come form somewhere, and it
has to go somewhere, it cannot just disappear.
Page 13 of 87
Now for the second of Kirchhoffs laws. Figure 15 shows a simple circuit consisting of a source of
E.m.f. and two resistors. The source of E.m.f. is a 12V battery and the resistors have values of 47
and 56. We can use Ohms law to determine the total current flowing in the circuit.
I=
U
R
I=
12V
47 + 56
I=
12V
103
I = 0.1165A
We can use Ohms Law again to calculate the p.d. across each resistor.
U1 = I R
U1 = 0.1165A 47
U1 = 5.476V
U2 = I R
U2 = 0.1165A 56
U2 = 6.524V
Utot = U1 + U2
Utot = 12V
Page 14 of 87
7.
It is possible to connect more than one load to a source of E.m.f., as we have seen above. Figure 16
shows two ways in which two loads, in the shape of resistors, can be connected to a battery. These
resistors have a resistance of 10 and 5.
In Figure 16(a) where current is flowing through one load it also flows through the other, the loads
are said to be connected in series.
In Figure 16(b) current flows through each load independently. The loads are said to be connected
in parallel.
How can we calculate the combined value of resistance, as seen by the battery? For resistive
loads connected in series, the values are simply added together.
The combined resistance, Rtot of the loads connected in
series is given by the simple formula
Rtot = R1 + R2 + R3 + .
(the dots mean that you can add as many numbers as you
like)
In Figure 16(a), this is Rtot = 10 + 5, therefore Rtot = 15 which is about as simple as you can
get.
Page 15 of 87
1
1
1
1
= +
+
+ ......
Rtot R1 R2 R3
In case only two resistors connected in parallel have to be
calculated the following formula can be applied.
Rtot =
R1 R2
R1 + R2
This means that the reciprocals of the values of the resistances, added together, give the reciprocal
of the answer. Working this out for Figure 16(b) we get.
1
1
1
=
+
Rtot 10 5
1
= 0.1 + 0.2
Rtot
1
= 0.3 Rtot = 3.33
Rtot
Utilizing the other formula should provide us with the same result
Rtot =
10 5
10 + 5
Rtot =
50
15
Rtot = 3.33
The combined resistance of the 10 resistor and 5 resistor, connected in parallel, is 3.3.
Page 16 of 87
Calculate the total resistance (Rtot) as it is seen by the source of E.m.f. for the circuits given
below.
Rtot =
Rtot =
Rtot =
Rtot =
Page 17 of 87
8.
Waveforms
So far the description of current has involved a flow of charge in one direction only. This is called
Direct Current (DC) and is the current, which is caused to flow when a battery is connected across
any device. A DC waveform, as shown in Figure 17 must have the same constant direction, even
though its value from one second to the next might vary.
An Alternating Current (AC) is one that is continually changing its direction. The simplest AC
waveform is that of a sine wave, and as can be seen in Figure 18 both the magnitude of the current
and its direction changes repeatedly, going from zero to a maximum positive value, falling back to
zero again before going to a maximum negative value, and then returning to zero to complete the
cycle.
Like DC, the flow of AC is due to the presence of an E.m.f. or p.d. However, in this case it must be
an alternating E.m.f. or p.d. For all ohmic conductors, i.e. conductors obeying Ohms Law, an
alternating E.m.f. causes the flow of an alternating current with a waveform similar to the of the
e.m.f. as shown in Figure 18.
Page 18 of 87
8.1
Properties of waveforms
Properties of a waveform associated with all alternating waveforms ore the frequency, period and
amplitude or peak value.
8.2.1
Frequency
This is the number of cycles of the waveform occurring each second. Frequency is measured in
hertz (Hz), one hertz being defined as one cycle per second. A thousand cycles per second is called
a kilohertz (kHz) and a million cycles per second, a megahertz (MHz). One thousand megahertz is
called gigahertz (GHz).
8.2.2
Period
This is the time for one cycle of the waveform, measured in units of a second (s), millisecond (ms),
or microsecond (s). The period is simply the inverse of the frequency.
Periode =
8.2.3
1
Frequency
Frequency =
1
Period
Amplitude
This is the peak value of the waveform. It measures from zero to the maximum positive to the
maximum negative value of the alternating voltage or current. The amplitude is therefore measured
in the same unit as the magnitude of the waveform. The peak-to peak value measures from the
positive maximum to the negative maximum and is therefore twice the amplitude.
Page 19 of 87
8.2.4
Root-mean-square (r.m.s.)
This is the average for an alternating voltage or current, defined as that steady D.C., which would
produce the same heating effect. For the sine wave shown in Figure 19, the r.m.s. value is given by
r.m.s. current =
peak current
2
Similarly,
r.m.s. voltage =
peak voltage
2
The mains supply is an alternating voltage of r.m.s. average of 240V, a peak value of 339V and a
frequency of 50 Hz. Thus the peak value of the mains is approximately 100V greater than the
average and as a result constitutes a serious safety hazard.
Figure 20 shows again the values of a sine wave with the r.m.s. indicated.
Page 20 of 87
9.
Decimal Units
For some applications in electrical engineering and for most applications in electronic engineering,
the ampere and volt are rather large units. The ohm, by contrast, is rather a small unit of resistance.
It is normal for these three units to be used in conjunction with the usual SI (System International
dUnites) prefixes to make multiplications and submultiples of the basic units. A chart of the units
is given below.
Prefix
Tera
Giga
Mega
Kilo
Milli
Micro
Nono
Pico
Femto
Symbol
T
G
M
k
m
n
P
f
Meaning
x 1012
x 109
x 106
x 103
x 10-3
x 10-6
x 10-9
x 10-12
x 10-15
R=
I=
10V
=
50mA
15V
=
3 k
U = 150M 500mA =
Page 21 of 87
Page 22 of 87
When a current is passed through the coil, a magnetic field is created by electromagnetism. The
orientation of the filed is such that it rotates the coil against the springs. The amount that it moves
depends upon the strength of the electromagnetic filed, which in turn depends upon the amount of
current flowing through the coil. It is convenient to use the hairsprings themselves to carry the
current to the coil.
Moving-coil meters are made in many shapes and sizes, according to the application. Electrically,
they are specified according to three main parameters: Coil resistance, sensitivity and accuracy.
The coil resistance is just what it sounds like: the electrical resistance of the moving coil, in ohms.
This can be any value form just a few ohms to several kilo ohms.
The sensitivity of a meter is often quoted as the full-scale deflection, or FSD for short. It is
measured in amps (or more often in milliamps or micro amps), and is the amount of current that has
to flow through the meter coil to make the pointer move to the far end of its scale.
Another useful measure of sensitivity which includes the resistance of the coil (FSD does not) is
given by
S=
RM
VFSD
Here RM is the resistance of the meter movement coil, and VFSD is the voltage required to produce
full-scale deflection. The sensitivity, S, is given in ohms per volt. This parameter may also be
quoted by the manufacturers.
The accuracy of the meter is given as a percentage tolerance, in just the same way that a
component such as a resistor has a tolerance value.
A meter with a sensitivity of 1 mA and an accuracy of 20 % is a meter that will give a full-scale
deflection of its pointer for a current ranging from about 800A to 1,2 mA. This does not mean that
the meter will vary by that amount from time to time, just that the meter may depart from its
specification by 20 %.
Page 23 of 87
The repeatability, a fourth parameter, of measurements will be much better than this, and is related
to the mechanical construction of the meter: the quality of the bearings, for example.
Moving-coil meters are not cheap and tend to be used only when there is no effective solid-state
substitute, such as indicator lights. A low-cost moving-coil meter might have an accuracy of 20%;
the best and most expensive models will have an accuracy of better than 1 %.
11.1.2
Moving-iron meters
An alternative to the moving-coil meter movement, cheaper to make but less accurate, is the
moving-iron meter movement. The basic construction of a moving-iron meter is shown in Figure
22. This shows more the common repulsion moving-iron meter, based on the fact that two pieces
of soft iron a repelled and move away form each other if they are magnetised so that they have the
same polarity (either north or south). There is another design; called an attraction moving-iron
meter, but most manufacturers use repulsion movements.
When a current flows through the coil, a magnetic filed is created by the solenoid and both soft iron
rods become magnetised. Clearly, they will both be magnetised in the same direction, so they will
repel each other and move the pointer along the scale, against the controlling spring. The more
current flows through the coil, the more powerful will be the repulsion and the further along the
scale the pointer will move.
All moving-coil meter movements are effectively damped that is, prevented from swinging too
rapidly by magnetic effects. This damping is not present in moving-iron meters to the same
extent, so some kind of extra damping, usually a simple air brake, is needed. The air resistance of a
small vane in the air-damping chamber (Figure 22) prevents the pointer from moving to rapidly
along the scale, but does not introduce any long-term effects.
An important difference between the moving-coil meter and the moving-iron meter is that the
moving-coil meter involves a magnetic field produced by a permanent magnet and the moving-iron
meter does not. This means that the moving-iron meter can be designed for use with AC or DC
whereas moving-coil meters will work with DC only.
Page 24 of 87
In general a synonym for parallel. A resistor, usually of a relatively low value, that is connected in parallel with a
measuring instrument. Only a friction of the current in the main circuit passes through the instrument so that the shunt
increases the range of the instrument.
Page 25 of 87
DC Voltage
0 0.1V
0 1V
0 - 10V
0 100V
0 1000V
DC Current
0 - 100A
0 1mA
0 10mA
0 100mA
0 500mA
0 10A
Resistance
0 - 100
0 1k
0 100k
0 10M
AC Voltage
0 0.1V
0 1V
0 - 10V
0 100V
0 1000V
AC Current
0 - 100A
0 1mA
0 10mA
0 100mA
0 500mA
0 10A
The input resistance is a factor that is independent of the ranges available, it is the measure of the
sensitivity of the meter. A sensitivity of 20 K per volt is typical for the best analogue instruments.
Clearly, all else being equal, a meter that loads any p.d. under measurement the least (by putting
across the highest possible resistance) is the best. A meter of high sensitivity will also present the
lowest resistance when measuring current.
The table includes a range for the measurement of resistance. This is a simple function of a
multimeter, using Ohms Law. The multimeter is fitted with a low-voltage source of e.m.f., usually
a small battery. To measure resistance, the source of e.m.f. is connected across the resistance to be
measured, and the resulting current can be read on the meter scale directly in ohms. The better the
meter are equipped with a means of stabilising the battery voltage, for accurate resistance reading.
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Current is measured using either an ammeter or a multimeter and is measured in amp, milli amps
or micro amps. The way in which current is the same, regardless of which meter is used.
The circuit is broken at the point where the current measurement is required and the meter is
connected in series with the other components of the circuit as shown in Figure 23. Note that
the positive terminal is connected to the positive side of the circuit and the negative terminal is
connected to the negative side.
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Description
Moving-coil measuring
mechanism
Moving-coil ratio meter
Moving-magnet measuring
mechanism
Moving-iron measuring
mechanism
Symbol
Description
Measuring mechanism with
magnetic screen
Measuring mechanism with
electrostatic screen
A static measuring mechanism
D.C. instrument
Electrodynamic measuring
mechanism
A.C. instrument
Iron-cored electrodynamic
mechanism
Electrcodynamic ratio
measuring mechanism
Iron-cored electrodynamic ratio
measuring mechanism
Induction measuring mechanism
Bimetallic measuring
mechanism
Electrostatic measuring
mechanism
Vibration measuring mechanism
Thermocouple, general
Moving-coil measuring
mechanism with thermocouple
Insulated thermocouple
Rectifier
Moving-coil measuring
mechanism with rectifier
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It is clear, that electrical energy is also very convenient for domestic use. That is the reason, that
like in any other fields of technology, a standard of technical requirement has been developed.
Responsible for the distribution of electricity is the local supply authority. This responsibility
usually ends with the delivery of electricity to a terminal at the object to be supplied.
This however does not mean, that everyone is permitted to carry out electrical house installations.
The local supplier usually has the right to decide upon qualifications of an electrician.
Consumer installations are connected to a low-voltage network via buried cables or overhead lines,
depending on the local conditions. The so-called private connection commences at the point where
the supply line branches off from the main cables.
Low-voltage supply means the provision of a voltage of 220/380V. This voltage is widely used as a
standardized alternating voltage with a frequency of 50Hz.
It is, however a voltage high enough to be fatal for any living creature when handled or installed in
the wrong way. Electric safety standards and regulations therefore always have the top priority at
electric house installations.
When planning a house installation, the transmission capacity (current carrying capacity) of the
cable to an installation has to be calculated. The data of those cables are standardized and available
form the supplier.
The terminal of the mains cable from the supplier of the electricity is a box (or cabinet) inside the
consumers premises. This box carries the power consumption meter (which is sealed by the
supplier), the mains fuse (or circuit breaker) plus the branch fuses.
The following important regulations apply to the installation of private connection boxes.
They must be installed only in locations with no fire hazards
Special enclosures must be used in damp rooms or outdoor locations.
An arc-proof base has to be used for installation on wood
The box has to be placed under a protective cover if inflammable material may fall on it.
The planning of electrical installations in residential accommodations must provide a sufficient
number of sockets and wall outlets for the connection of appliances.
Conductor diameters must be selected in accordance with the anticipated loads and adequate
numbers of circuits must be provided
The planning has to meet the requirements and regulations for the selection and dimensioning of the
installation materials
Besides the technical requirements, finally also minimizing the cost of a sufficient installation has
to be taken in consideration.
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Think about, a mistake in reading a circuit diagram for a domestic installation may
lead to fatal results.
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The above shown symbols are only a selection of many symbols used.
Several symbols can be combined in one symbol
Other fields of technologies have their own symbols, and a symbol used for domestic installation
e.g. may have in the fluid technique another design.
14. Reading construction plans
An architect usually designs the shape and construction of a house. He prepares the construction
plans, which provide the technical information required to build the house.
Masons and carpenters build the walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows and the roof of a house. The
sanitary installations such as the water pipes, the sanitary fixtures and the sewage pipes are installed
by a plumber and the electrical installation providing illumination and electrical power is installed
by a building electrician.
As the electrical installation of a house is designed to suit its shape and construction, a building
electrician must be able to read and interpret those construction plans, which are used to prepare the
electrical installation plan.
To show the layout of the rooms, walls, doors and windows of a house, the architect prepares the
LAYOUT PLAN. The illustration below shows the principle of the layout plan by cutting the
house into two pieces and remove the upper half.
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For practical reasons the layout plan is drawn as seen from above, giving us two of the dimensions
required for the construction work. The length and the width.
The layout plan shows also the place of each room in the house
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Bedroom
Bathroom
Kitchen
Dining and living room
Entrance
Toilet
Storeroom
Corridor
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The detailed measurement of the building and its rooms, walls, doors and windows are provided by
the MASUREMENT PLAN. Using the metric system, the measurement should be given in
centimetres (cm)
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The electrical supply to the distribution centre is provided by a SERVICE CABEL, WHICH is
connected to the distribution centre via a HOUSE CONNECTION BOX and an ELECTRIC
METER.
As the incoming electrical supply and each of the outgoing supply lines are separately fused in the
distribution centre, they are called the INCOMING and OUGOING CIRUITS. The above
distribution centre has one incoming and three outgoing circuits.
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In the following architectural diagram of the electrical installation gives the following information:
It shows the layout of the installation
It shows the various circuits of the installation
It shows the position of each component and gives the required measurements
It shows the path to which the electrical lines have to be installed between the various
components
It shows the method in which the installation is installed. In this case the components and
connecting lines are installed on the surface of the walls and the ceilings. It is therefore called an
ON SURFACE INSTALLATION.
It shows the various components of the installation, e.g. switches, socket outlets, light fixtures
and specific
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In the following architectural diagram the components and the connecting lines are installed in the
surface or flush to the surface of the walls and ceilings. It is therefore called an IN-SUFACE or
FLUSH MOUNTED installations.
Can you identify all the symbols used in the diagram and can you spot the symbol denoting the
flush installation of the components and connection lines
Door
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16.
Lamp
Switch
Branching box
Insulated wires
The wires used in the above electrical installation consist of a CORE, which conducts electricity,
and of an INSULATION COVER, WHICH does not conduct electricity.
1. Core
2. Insulation
The core of an insulated wire for general electrical installation work is mostly made of cooper and
in some cases of aluminium. Both of these materials are GOOD ELECTRICAL
CONDUCTORS. The insulation is mostly made of plastic material such as PVC or rubber. These
materials are GOOD INSULATORS.
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Cross-sectional area
in square mm
0.75
1
1.5
2.5
4
6
10
16
25
35
50
70
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As there are also other colour codes used in other countries, you must consult your instructor and
ask him to explain to you the colour code used in your country.
Generally it can be assumed that the colour code is as follows:
Three wire system: Phase / Live
Neutral
Ground
black
blue
green/yellow
black\
brown
brown
blue
green / yellow
Phase L1 / R
Phase L2 / S
Phase L3 / T
Neutral
Ground
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Using PVC insulated cables and a normal onsurface branching box with a terminal
arrangement as show, the completed connection
of the wire ends would look like this
For proper insulation the ends of the cables
should extend with their sheath or outer
insulation into the branching box to the distance
D. The distance D depends on the type and
size of the branching box and ranges from
approximately 5 to 10mm.
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For better support of the cable, position the clips of horizontal runs of cables in such a way that their
nails are places underneath the cable as shown in the illustration.
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Two-wire system:
The classical distribution system does not
provide a protective earth connector.
Three-wire system:
It is like the two wire system, also a one-phase
system, but provides additionally a protective
earth conductor.
Three-phase network:
It is a four-wire system and most commonly
used.
Five-wire system:
Modern installations provide a PE to be able to
protect sensitive installations by a special
protective measures.
Distribution networks are subdivided as required into three, four or five wire systems. The symbols
used are in accordance with IEC recommendations (IEC = International Electric Commission).
An earth wire, which also acts as a neutral conductor may be represented by the letters PEN
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Junction box to
connect the wires
Lamp protection by a
circuit
protected
conductor PE
Hand driven
switch with a
notch
17.1.2
Schematic diagram
The detached representation of a circuit diagram is also known as a schematic diagram. This
representation provides a high degree of clarity. The PE connection is not shown.
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17.1.3
Installation diagram
The installation diagram is a single representation for lightning and power installations, which is as
a rule drawn in its proper position on the building plan. The PE conductor figure as an additional
conductor in the indication of the number of the conductors.
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Perspective view
17.4.2
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17.4.3
Most useful when comparing the 3 ways of drawing an installation plan, seems to be the ground
plan with the installations
As to be seen from the perspective view, the wiring has to be done only horizontally and vertical,
but never diagonal.
17.4.4
Fuses
When current flows through a conductor, heating occurs. The extend of heating depends on the
magnitude of the current flowing. When the current is impermissible strong and the heating
consequently also excessive the conductors and equipment will be destroyed and there is a risk of
fire.
To prevent this danger, electrical installations have to be disconnected at excessive high current. For
this reason particularly sensitive points (planned interruption points) are introduced into the wiring
system to break the circuit when the current is too high. These devices are called fuses.
Fuses or circuit breakers are produced in a wide range according to the required applications
If fuses are patched-up or bridged, there is no longer any planned interruption point. Patching-up or
bridging of fusses is prohibited.
Equipment or cables run the danger of being destroyed. There will also be the risk of fire.
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Installation plan
Schematic diagram
Connection plan
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Installation plan
Schematic diagram
Connection plan
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Installation plan
Schematic diagram
Connection plan
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Installation plan
Schematic diagram
Connection plan
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Installation plan
Schematic diagram
Connection plan
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Installation plan
Schematic diagram
Connection plan
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The advantage of an impulse switch is, that with a low voltage in the control circuit a high voltage
in another circuit can be switched. The excitation of the impulse switch requires only a very short
time. Usually this short excitation is obtained through a push-button.
Symbols used with impulse switching circuits
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Schematic diagram
Connection plan
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Impulse switching using for control and for switching voltage different sources
Installation plan
Schematic diagram
Connecting plan
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Installation diagram
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Schematic diagram
Connection plan
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Schematic diagram
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Connection plan
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If two fluorescent lamps are connected in series it is called a TANDEM-CRICUIT. For this circuit
only one ballast (choke) is necessary. The ballast has to be made for the power of both fluorescent
lamps.
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