THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTOR ENGINEERING

Academic year-2014/2015

ECX4234 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

Academic & Course Coordinator: Lalith A. Samaliarachchi

Contact Phone: 011-2881332
E-mail address: lasam@ou.ac.lk

The course consists of the following activities:-

 Assignment #1, #2, #3, #4 to be submitted on or before the due dates

 One Continuous Assessment Test (OBT)
 Oral presentation on assignment #3 (An oral interview/examination will be held in this
regard. Each student is expected to be available during ½ day allocated during the
period immediately after CAT test for one and half months.)
 Three day schools (as stated in the activity diary)
 Final examination: Will be announced later. This will be of the closed book essay type.
The question paper will be of three hours duration.

Continuous Assessment Criterion: The average of the best four out of the five assessed activities
(4 assignments, CAT). Assignment #3 will form a part of an activity on which students will have to make
an oral presentation. Oral presentation on Ass. #3 is a must and failed to do so will not get the eligibility.

At registration, following will be supplied:

 Text book
 Assignment #1, #2 ,#3 (design), Assignment #4

The assignments should be handed over on or before its due dates. Late submission of assignments
will result in loosing marks for lateness.

In order to complete the course the student will have to:-

1. Submit 4 assignments on or before due dates [as given in the activity diary and
Assignment-3(a design activity) is compulsory])
2. Sit for the CAT
3. Appear for the oral interview/examination and is a must
4. Sit for the FINAL examination, which is of the CLOSED BOOK type of duration 3 hours.

Past assignments, model answers, and lesson materials are available on the Open University through
Virtual Class Room/Electrical & Computer Eng. Dept/ ECX-4234 for your easy reference. ID name
and the password for the same will be announced to you on the first day school.

Ref: “Electrical installation competences part-1 studies: Theory “ by Maurice Lewis

“COMMENTARY on the 15th or 16th edition of the IEE wiring Regulations” by B. D. Jenkins

Answers to the assignment should be sent by registered post to the following address or should be
placed in the relevant box of the Colombo Regional Centre.

THE COURSE COORDINATOR, ECX-4234,

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA,
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY,
NAWALA, NUGEGODA
Lalith A. Samaliarachchi Page [1] of [8] ECX4234 Assignments 2014-2015
ECX4234-ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

ASSIGNMENT-1 To be submitted on the day specified in the activity diary (12/01/2015)

1. a) How many amendments will be made/published to the original edition of the IEE
Regulations before releasing the next/new edition?
b) A 20 A over-current protective device is installed in a radial circuit with ‘x’ number of
socket outlets (55 m2 floor area). What would be the permitted conductor size?
c) An electric appliance is protected by 13 A mcb. What would be the size of the cable you
would recommend, if this cable is installed in a wall enclosed in a conduit and dedicated
only for this appliance? Assume that the ambient temperature is 30 0C
d) What would be the diversified current demand of three numbers of 230 V, 4.5 kW,
4-burner electric cookers (3 electric & one gas with a built-in oven) installed in a small
hotel.

e) What does the symbols and represents in a wiring diagram of an electric

installation?
f) With in what cable distance a 230 V, 4.5 kW hot water geezer can be installed in a
domestic installation. State any assumptions made during your calculations?

2. A 230 V, 10 kW electric cooking appliance is installed. The circuit is wired using a 12 m

long p.v.c. cable clipped direct to a surface with a 2.5 mm 2 cpc. If the circuit is protected by
a BS 1361 fuse, what would be the protective device current rating (I n) and the size of the
cable you would select for this appliance? Is this cable length acceptable?

If the value of earth fault loop impedance external to the installation is 0.45 Ω and assuming
that no rating factors are applicable for grouping or ambient temperature, determine
whether the circuit complies with the IEE wiring Regulations for shock protection (i.e. for
0.4s), if the cooker appliance is installed with a socket out let incorporated in control unit?

Re-calculate and check whether the circuit complies with the IEE Regulations if the socket
outlet in control unit is not essential (i.e. for 5s)

3. A single phase 230 V circuit is run in two core 70 0C, p.v.c insulated and sheathed cable.
The conductors (Cu) are being 16 mm2 and the circuit protective conductor (c.p.c.) is 6
mm2. If the length of the run is 40 m long, ambient temperature is 30 0C and the circuit is
protected by 80 A BS88 fuse, prove that the protective device will not be functioned
properly. Assume that the earth fault loop impedance external to the circuit is 0.36 Ω and
the disconnection time is = 5 sec

Find a suitable size for c.p.c. to function the protective device of the above circuit properly
and the corresponding disconnecting time?

Lalith A. Samaliarachchi Page [2] of [8] ECX4234 Assignments 2014-2015

4. a) Which device will operate first in the event of a short circuit fault if a 5A rewireble fuse
and a 10A mcb are installed in series in a certain circuit?

b) A jewellery shop has installed following appliances operating at 230V/50 Hz:

 Total of seven (7) Direct heaters 3X2 kW, 2X1.5 kW and 2X1 kW
 4 burner cooker 4 kW
 Water heater (thermostatic) 3 kW
 Two 30 A ring circuit
 Total shop lighting load of 2 kW

Determine the maximum demand of the jewellery shop?

c) What type of a service would you recommends for the above shop and determines the
size of the service cable (main wire)?

You may refer the appropriate Regulations, Tables and Graphs provided by the IEE 17th
Regulation report (Soft copy) available in the OUSL ECX4234 virtual class while
answering the assignments-1, 2, 3 & 4.

ASSIGNMENT-2 To be submitted on the day specified in the activity diary (25/02/2015)

1. a) What is the latest edition of the IEE wiring Regulation and its cover page colour
(no of lamps)  (Wattage of a lamp)  0.66
b) I  What is the factor 0.66 called?
Supply voltage

c) For what type of a protective device the equation I n  0.725I Z is applicable for?

k 2S2
d) Name the equation t  applied in electrical installations
I2
e) Identify ‘t’ and ‘I’ in the above equation (d)?
In
f) Current carrying capacity of a cable is  , what is the value of “factor”
C a  C g  C i  factor
for miniature circuit breakers?
mV/A/m   (Full load current) (length)
g) What do you compute using the equation ?
1000
h) State the two conditions that must be fulfilled by RCCB for correct operation?

i) What minimum size of PVC conductor is normally used in domestic wiring and sate its
current rating?

j) Why do we use DC voltage for insulation testing in domestic wiring and what voltage
value you select for insulation testing in USA?

Lalith A. Samaliarachchi Page [3] of [8] ECX4234 Assignments 2014-2015

2. a) A 230 V, 5A radial socket outlet is protected by a BS3036 semi-enclosed fuse. The
circuit is wired using single core p.v.c. cables installed in a 28 m length of conduit pipe.
Assuming that no rating factors are applicable determine the adequate conductor size
for this circuit.

b) If a separate protective conductor consisting of 1 mm 2 p.v.c. cable is used for the circuit
described above in (b) and the value of earth fault loop impedance external to this
circuit is given as 2.5 Ω, check whether the circuit complies with the adiabatic equation.
You may assume the value of k for the cable =143.

3. Conceptual single line diagram of a certain installation is as shown below:

(enclosed in conduit)
P Q Distance ??
M
3. 75 kW, single phase
power factor = 0. 85
3 phase line

Service 60 m/95 mm2 Cu A

Main I B = 150
(on a tray, touching, flat)
B

C
2
20 m/2. 5 mm Cu
I B = 18 A
(enclosed in conduit)

a) A 3 phase line (Cu conductors) of 95 mm 2 and a length of 60 m caries a current of 150

A. The above three phase line supplies 3 single phase lighting circuits A, B and C, each
of 2.5 mm2 (Cu conductors) 20 m long and each conductor caries 18 A. What would be
the percentage voltage drop at the end of the lighting circuit?

b) Calculate the distance of the cable (enclosed in conduit) that you would allow for the
installation of single phase induction motor M shown above if the permissible voltage
drop allowed from P is 2.5%? Service main is 400 V, 3phase, 50 Hz.

Lalith A. Samaliarachchi Page [4] of [8] ECX4234 Assignments 2014-2015

4. a) A lighting circuit of a hall requires an installation of a conduit system with a conduit
length of 9.75m with two bends. The number of cables required for this installation is
twelve (12) numbers of 1.5 mm2 p.v.c. insulated cables. What size of a conduit should
be chosen for this installation? What is the minimum bending radius that should be
observed during the installation?

c) A steel trunking is to be installed in an industrial wiring system consisting of six single

phase circuits (assume copper conductor cables with p.v.c. insulation). Each circuit is
designed to carry of 30 A current protected by Type B circuit-breakers to BS EN 60898.
Determine the trunking size required for this wiring system.

Conductor cross Overall diameter

section (mm)
(mm2)
6 5.4
10 6.8
16 8.0
25 9.8

5. Draw the plan for a residence comprising: (This is compulsory)

Two floors and three bed-rooms. The house should be completed with toilets, kitchen, living
area, a dining hall, and a wash room etc.

The plan should have dimensions marked appropriately. (mks system)

A sketch giving the house and the electricity distribution system of the supply authority in
the area. (not the wiring diagram which will be dealt later in assignment-3)

Also, list the electrical equipment the occupier would indicate to the supply authority in his
application for electricity to the premises.

In your next assignment, you are expected to provide the detailed electricity distribution
scheme for the said residence. Therefore keep a copy of this for use with the next
assignment.

Lalith A. Samaliarachchi Page [5] of [8] ECX4234 Assignments 2014-2015

ASSIGNMENT-3 To be submitted on the day specified in the activity diary (23/05/2015)

All parts of the question must be answered in full to be awarded full marks.

Your assignment is to design a complete wiring system for a house, where the plan was
submitted in assignment #2 question #5. All rooms should be suitably illuminated and should
have adequate socket outlets. All bed-rooms should be supplied with air conditioners. There
should be a hot water geezer for supply to the kitchen and the bath-rooms. A 4-burner electric
cooker should be provided for kitchen, which should also have other modern kitchen
appliances. A washing machine is to be provided in the wash-room and a water pump to
connect the overhead tank. The list of electrical equipment given by the occupier of the
premises mentioned in assignment #2 should be taken into account.

The wiring system shall comply with the current regulations (17th edition of the IEE regulation),
and should include all aspects of a modern house. Your design should include:-

- Lay out diagram of the electrical installation on the plan

- Wiring diagram
- All calculations as indicated in the wiring regulations
- Cable sizes
- Details of the earthing system
- A BOQ of the materials necessary for the installation
- Material Specifications

Give a list of the equipment, the owner gives to the designer/electrician for the above
residence (assignment #2, and inclusive of the items specified in this assignment) with their
power consumptions.

You should also determine the electricity connection that would be required for the house.
Indicate briefly how you would set about obtaining the supply connection from the supply
authority.

An address should be supplied to the location of the house, together with the ‘supply authority’.
What tests are necessary prior to the grant of a connection to the distribution network, and how
should this information be forwarded to the supply authority, and by whom?

While developing Assignment-3 report, following guide lines should be strictly followed:

Your Report on Assignment#3 should be according to the following format. Any other format
will not be accepted and returned for correction. Your presentation skill in this regard is also
considered during evaluation.

1. Cover Page (your name, registration number, centre, any decoration etc….)

2. Table of Content (content and the page numbers for easy reference)

Lalith A. Samaliarachchi Page [6] of [8] ECX4234 Assignments 2014-2015

 3. Information about the domestic installation you consider:

 Electrical appliances used, there names, wattage

 Current requirement for each appliances
 Total Load current and phase balancing (identification of appliances for each
phase, sub circuit descriptions etc.)

4. House plan ground floor, 1st floor (showing all the appliances)

5. Layout diagram of the electrical installation ground floor, 1st floor

6. Wiring diagram for the electrical installation ground floor, 1st floor

7. Conduit lay out plan for ground floor, 1st floor

8. Cable sizes for sub circuits, mcb/rccb and main wire selection

9. Details of the earthing system

10. Inspection and testing procedures (you may contact CEB/LECO depot superintendent
or any other person available in your area, have a technical relationship and discuss
with them, for information)

11. Appendix Standard symbols used CEB/LECO agreement for supply electricity

Transparent covered report should be spiral-bound and submitted on or before the specified
date mentioned in your activity diary. Excuses like lack of time due to training assignments,
CAT exams, lab reports etc. are not entertained under any circumstances.

Lalith A. Samaliarachchi Page [7] of [8] ECX4234 Assignments 2014-2015

ASSIGNMENT-4 To be submitted on the day specified in the activity diary (29/05/2015)

1. a) Prove from first principles that the theoretical earth resistance R of a circular plate as
1
   2
shown below is given by R  Where A is the area of the circular plate and ρ is
4.6  A 
the earth resistivity.
I

b) Compute the expected earth resistance of a 2.5m long GI pipe of diameter 60 mm firmly
driven in to a soil of resistivity 125 Ωm.

c) State three methods that can be adopted to improve earth electrode resistance.

d) How many earth electrodes of (b) above you need and how would you connect those
electrodes to reduce the earth resistance of the place (125 Ωm soil resistivity) to 5Ω?

e) State two commonly used method of arrangements for determination of soil resistivity

2. A 230 V, 13 kW domestic electric cooker is to be supplied by a 15 meter run of PVC

insulated and sheathed cable clipped direct to a surface. The cooker control unit
incorporates a 13 A socket outlet. The cable is run for a considerable part of its length on a
roof where it is totally covered by thermal insulation. The circuit is to be protected by a
BS3036 fuse and the value of earth fault impedance external to the circuit is 0.85 Ohms.
Determine the minimum size of the main cable and the appropriate earth wire size which
can be used for the above installation? Assume k=115 for Cu conductors. Relevant tables,
figures and documents are attached.

3. A circuit with a resistance 0.06 Ohm is protected by a 30A semi enclosed ceramic fuse to
BS3036. The external earth fault loop impedance to this circuit is 0.5 Ω and the source
voltage is 230 V at 50 Hz. In case of a ground fault of effective resistance 1 Ω is occurred
across the load, using suitable assumptions and calculations, determine:

a) The fault current

b) The time taken for the fuse to blow
c) The prospective fault voltage across the fault
d) The current that may flow through a typical human body if a person comes
into contact with the fault at the load
e) What form of a shock is likely to happen to the person
Lalith A. Samaliarachchi Page [8] of [8] ECX4234 Assignments 2014-2015