ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN for HIGH-RISE BUILDING

High – rise buildings normally refer to occupancy for:

• general offices
• commercial establishments
• hotels / condominiums or their combinations. The definitions
as to number of floors and areas vary from one party to
another.
These buildings distinctively differ from industrial buildings for
manufacturing with regards to electric utilization equipment installed
and the number of floors. The latter are mostly single or two-storey
structure due to operational requirements and constraints. Exceptions
are the taller silos for stockpiling of materials or finished products.
1 – HIGH RISE BUILDING POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS:
1. General Lighting & Power
• light for general illumination, seeing tasks, decorative
features, hallways and stairways, others
• power for appliances and office machines
2. Heating, Ventilation & Air-conditioning (HVAC) System
•air-conditioning for temperature control
•blowers and fans ventilation
•heaters for humidity control
3. Transport System
•elevators and escalators
•conveyors, dumbwaiters, others
4. Water Pumps
•potable and non-potable water supply
•water sprinkle (fire suppression)
•pumps / drainage
•sewage ejectors
5. Communication System
• PABX telephone system
• Intercom
6. Automatic Doors
• entrance and exit for pedestrians
• garage and freight
7. Central Computer System
• CPU and peripherals
• Terminals
8. Auxiliaries
• intrusion and hold-up control system
• fire suppression and alarm system
• background music and paging
• sound reinforcement and video facilities
• noise masking and acoustics, others

Note: The latter items could be integrated into the building automation
system as may be provided in the design.
2 – HIGH-RISE BUILDING SYSTEM COMPONENTS

A high-rise building electrical system is composed of hundreds of

components, designed and assembled into a safe, functional power-
delivery system. In figure 2.1 shows a typical building electrical system
riser diagram, where the building’s electrical system is connected to the
utility system. Here, it is a pad-mounted transformer, but in other cases it
might be a bank of transformers mounted overhead on a utility pole (for a
demand less than 1,000 kVA).

The underground service connects the utility system to building’s

main distribution panel (MDP). Located within the MDP is the main
building over-current device, or main disconnect, as well as individual
over-current devices for the system components connected to the MDP.
The MDP may also contain provisions for utility metering, as well as
instrumentation for the measurement of system voltage and current.
 The main disconnect device can be either a circuit breaker or a
fused switch. This main device often contains special circuitry for sensing
low-level faults (i.e. ground faults for more than 1,000 Amp main), which
otherwise might escape detection. The MDP might be thought of as the
electrical nerve center of the building. It is normally located near building
exterior wall and as close as possible to the utility transformer to
minimize the cost of main service feeders.

Thus, all components of the system must be chosen carefully

based on design requirements and must function safely, under normal
operating conditions and also under abnormal conditions, such as short
circuits.
 3 – POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM
The franchise utility power company serves at nominal level of
230/115-volt, single- or three-phase, two-, three or four wires depending
on the type of load and as long as it does not exceed 1,000 kVA. For
extremely large service entrance current, multiple conductors may be
used. Likewise, multiple protective/disconnect devices not exceeding six
(6) may be connected in parallel for the service entrance (as stated by
P.E.C.).
For establishment of greater than 1,000 kVA load, as most
commercial and industrial consumers, the power company requires a load
center unit sub-station and serves power at primary line distribution level
of 13.8 or 34.5k Volts or whatever potential level available in the vicinity.
The size of the load center depends on the proposed connected
load and allowances for future growth of the establishment; its
configuration, on the other hand, depends on the requirements and
available facilities of the utility company.
 The major components of the load center are:
(1) High-voltage switchgear; primary side
(2) Power transformer section
(3) Low-voltage switchgear; secondary side
(4) Metering equipment

3.1 – Utilizing Voltage

Usually in large installations with private load centers, the
practice is to use 208/120-volt for general lighting and power, and 460-volt
for motors. This appears to be the more economical and practical
arrangements.
Three-phase electric motors are normally dual-voltage, i.e.
460/230 volts and using the higher 460-volt rating will result in half-as-
much ampere draw, hence smaller wires, lower circuit breaker rating
(although higher voltage) and smaller starter unit.
For lighting and appliances, 460-volt line can likewise be used
but availability of fixtures for such potential may not be easily procured,
i.e. 265-volt ballasts for fluorescent and convenience outlet with built-in
unit transformers of 50 to 100 VA, 460-230/115-volt ratings.
 For total load of 1,000 kVA or less, the power supply is 208/120-
volt or 230/115-volt only. In some cases, and for temporary construction
power, the power company would serve 460-volt for use of construction
equipment, subject to their requirements, rules and regulations.

3.2 – Configuration of Load Centers

Should the customer enterprise be required to provide its own

load center unit substation, several options are available, again subject
to approval of the power utility company.
OPTION – 1 : High-voltage supply line from power company transformed to
utilization voltage of 208/120-volt for general lighting and
power, and 460-volt for motors using two separate power
transformers as shown in fig. 3.2(a).
OPTION – 2 : High-voltage supply line from power company transformed to
460-volts; general lighting and power fed by the 460-volt line
through a unit dry-type transformer, 460-208 / 120-volt, as
shown in fig. 3.2(b).
OPTION – 3 : Similar to Option – 2 “except” several units of smaller units of
smaller dry-type transformers are distributed in the areas or
floors for general lighting and power system; these unit
transformers are fed by 460-volt line or lines from the load
center as shown in fig 3.2 (c).
 Any of these configurations will serve the purpose of transforming
the incoming high-voltage line from the utility company to acceptable
utilization equipment level. The final choice of the desired system is
normally dictated by costs and equipment availability. Power transformers
are either dry-type or oil-immersed.
The common disadvantage of all of the above load center
configurations is its inflexibility. In cases of breakdown of any of the main
components, i.e. high or low-voltage switchgear mains, or the transformer
itself will result in total system shut-down.

3.3 – Load Center Flexibility & Reliability

While a “fail-safe” system could not be adopted due to its

prohibitive cost, still some degree of flexibility and reliability of the system
can be reasonably reached.
The load center can be split into two (2) equal or identical units
to serve the likewise equally, as far as practicable, divided electrical loads.
In cases of failure of any of the major components of either unit, the
remaining half is still operational. System selectivity can be attained,
either on the primary or secondary sides or both, by using “tie-breaker”.
 Properly coordinated interlocking system should be
provided between the tie and main breakers to prevent
accidents.

The load centers described in the proceeding

paragraph will be served on two (2) separate ends and thus
termed “double-ended” unit. Customarily, the power company
serves this type of load center from two (2) separate
distribution feeder lines to further enhance the system’s
selectivity. Figure 3.3 shows the one line diagram of a typical
“double-ended” system as adopted from Option 3. The same
can be done for both Option 1 and 2.
Note: The interlock, mechanical/electrical, will prevent putting “ON” the
tie-breaker until either of the main breaker is “OFF”; metering
CT’s and PT’s are to be installed in both the high-voltage
incoming lines 1 and 2.

4 – EMERGENCY POWER SYSTEM

The power requirements of the building can be sufficiently
supplied by the power company at acceptable level, continuity and
characteristics. There are, however, instances when the power may be
interrupted due to the system fault or deficiencies, some of which are
inherent in the power transmission and distribution. Longer interruptions
will greatly inconvenience the building occupants and may even be
dangerous to life and limbs. Losses in terms of unproductive man-hours
and business opportunity may also substantial.
The suggested solution, other than the self-contained battery-
powered emergency lights, is a stand-by diesel engine-generator set or
sets. It is not economically sound, and probably poor engineering
practice, to provide 100% back-up or stand-by power because of the
tremendous costs of the generator set or sets to be used in relatively
short time of main power interruptions.
 The more essential loads of the building are to be supplied with
emergency power in cases of main power failure. Normally, these are the
following:
• Stairways’ and hallways’ lighting for safety purposes
• Counter areas for public transactions
• Water pumps and fire pumps
• One or two elevators to be used by physically handicapped
• Computer system
• Rooms or suites of top executives

Power transfer to stand-by generator can be done manually by

double-throw transfer-switch or automatically by automatic-transfer-switch
(ATS). For the latter, it is necessary that the feeder/s or line/s serving the
essential loads should not include the non-essential facilities. Separate
emergency lines and panel boards will be provided exclusively for the
purpose. A typical one-line diagram is shown in fig. 4.1 as adopted from
fig. 3.3.
 The system operates as follows:
• When main power voltage dips to 70 to 80% of nominal
value, the ATS automatically starts the generator and build-
up same to its rated output voltage; after 20 seconds of such
power condition, the ATS automatically transfer the
emergency feeder mains to generator;
• When main power is restored to its rated level, the ATS
instantly transfer the load back to the main power feeder;
after 1 or 2 minutes of main power stabilized conditions, the
generator set automatically stops;

• The ATS could also be programmed to automatically “exercise”

or operate the generator at no-load for 15-minute, twice-a-week
periods in order to keep the set and auxiliaries in good running
conditions.
Voltage level and time setting as mentioned may be adjusted to
the desired level of the user, but instant transfer from main to stand-by
power is not possible since it will require sometime for the generator
voltage to build-up.
 For uninterruptible power supply as may be required by computer
hardwares and the like, a different equipment configuration is necessary. It
is discussed in the succeeding paragraphs.
Power Supply for Computer System
Computer hardwares and operations requires controlled
environment as to temperature, humidity and dust for satisfactory
performance.The same is true for its electric power supply.
Power hits and dips which is normal occurrences in AC power
system are sometimes beyond the tolerable limits of the computer. Some
hardwares can not tolerate power disturbance of more than 1/5 of a cycle
of the normal 60 Hz power. While specially designed automatic-voltage-
regulators (AVR) may serve the purpose, the problem will be in the
response time to correct the abnormalities, not to mention actual power
interruptions.
On power interruptions, the time-lag for the emergency generator
to build-up and supply power through the ATS is a way beyond the recovery
time of the computer. Hence, the computer will shut-down, will have to be
reset and re-started. If the computer is on a long-batch run schedules, it
may be necessary to re-run the batch (viz. program) from the start. There is
also the possible errors and damages to the computer hardwares and
softwares which may prove very costly.
 The recommended conditioned power system for computer is the
“uninterruptible power supply” system or UPS. In the country most UPS are
static type. A typical block diagram is show in fig. 4.2.
 The rectifier-charger, fed from emergency feeder thru “RCB”
breaker, supplies the D-C bus. The battery is charged and at the same
time supplies power to the inverter where D-C power is inverter to A-C
output for the computer load. Charging of the battery is appropriately
controlled.
The output feeder line to the computer is protected by the
inverter circuit breaker “ICB”.
In cases of power supply and system infirmities:
• Hits and dips will not be reflected in the A-C output lines as this is
absorbed in the rectifier / charger only; the UPS in effect, filters the
power to the computer.
• When power is interrupted, the floating battery will supply D-C bus
such that the inverter will not suffer any power stoppage; the battery
bank is normally rated to supply power for 10 to 15 minutes, time
enough to build-up and put on the line the emergency generator. The
battery bank composed of 100 to 150 industrial type-heavy duty
units, each with a rated terminal voltage of 2 to 2 ½ Volts for higher
capacity units.
• When the UPS itself fails, the static-transfer switch “SS” will
automatically transfer the output to the by-pass line; the transfer
is of the make-before-break operation that the A-C output will not
detect the switch made; Manual transfer to the by-pass line can
also be made thru the commercial circuit breaker “CCB”.

There are several supplies of imported and locally manufactured

UPS who can assists the users in selecting the configuration most suited to
their respective purposes. Several options of Redundancy features are
available to enhance the reliability of the system.
A rotary type combination of an A-C motor-driven-alternator and
stand-by diesel engine prime mover with “flywheel” is another
configuration of a UPS system as shown in fig. 4.3, this is sometimes
termed as “dynamic UPS” system. The flywheel stores and supplies the
rotating power (i.e. kinetic energy) for the alternator before the stand-by
prime mover assumes the A-C motor drive functions in cases of power
failure. This is similar with the principle of rotating regulators in
maintaining the speed of a D-C generator.
5 – FEEDER : NUMBER & SIZES

Feeder line can either be bus way (bus bar trunking) or

insulated conductors or combination of both. The former is more
versatile, neat in appearance but decidedly more expensive Bus ways
are very popular especially for high ampere capacity lines. It can carry
up to 7,000 Amp as compared against wires of 540 Amp maximum per
set.
Bus ways, however, should not be used in highly corrosive
atmospheres as in battery rooms, in concealed locations, and where it
may be subjected to serve mechanical injury as in hoist ways. For these
cases, only insulated conductors in rigid steel conduit will suffice.
All feeder runs will terminate in the low-voltage switchgear and
will be protected with appropriately rated circuit breakers or fuses. (see
fig. 5.0)
There is no limit placed in determining the number of feeders,
its maximum load and hence its corresponding circuit protection. This is
decided by the individual’s perception as regards to flexibility,
functionality and economy.
5.1 – Consideration in the Design of Feeders and Protections
Flexibility
• While a single feeder may sufficiently supply several areas or
floors or loads, so the scope of it affects in cases of breakdown.
• For the general lighting and power system of a high-rise
building, some designer distribute the loads among several
feeders, example:
Feeder I - to serve Ground, 3rd, 5th floors
Feeder II - to serve Basement, 2nd, 4th
Feeder III - to serve 6th, 8th, 10th …
and so forth; if the floor is sufficiently large, it
may even be divided into zones and fed from
different feeders.
• The idea is to minimize areas affected by a single feeder
breakdown;
• The same principle could be adopted for air conditioning,
elevators, pumps and other motor loads
Conveniently Available Sizes of Bus ways or Conductors

• While multiple bus ways or conductors can be used to meet

desired current-carrying capacity of the line, there should be
some limit to this multiplicity for practical purposes in handling
and where building spaces are restricted.
for example, three or more sets of large sized
conductors can not be conveniently terminated in a
single receiving or originating lugs or breaker terminal.

Minimized Number of Replacement Breakers in Stock to

Reduce Inventory Carrying Costs

• A set of feeder breakers, say 10 units of 1,000 Amperes each,

another set of 10 units of 500 amperes each and so forth will
require lesser number of replacement units in stocks as
compared against numerous feeders of substantially different
sizes of breakers.
Allowable Voltage Drops in the Conductors
• for branch circuits the allowable voltage drop not exceeding
3% at the farthest outlet of power, heating and lighting loads.
While for both feeder and branch circuits to the farthest outlet
the allowable voltage drop not exceeding 5% to provide
reasonable efficiency of operation.
Note: The sizes of feeder and branch circuit wires are
based on the connected load, allowances for future
growth, demand factor and diversity factors. The
following can be used as reference for this purpose:
• branch circuit wires for lighting, heating, and similar loads
should have a capacity of not less than 125% of the load
supplied with over current protection not exceeding the capacity
of the conductors or 150% of the rating of the load; it is
considered good engineering practice if the capacity of the
conductor is not less than 150% of the load supplied.
• for motors, owing to its starting current and occasional
overload runs, the sizes shall be computed as follows.
Single motor load
Size of conductor = 125% of motor full-load ampere (FLA)
Size of circuit breaker protection = M% times motor full-load
ampere
Where the multiplier M% value depends on the type or class of
motor as well as the starter or controller to be used,
Approximately it will be:
• 250 to 300% for smaller motors, less than 7 ½ hp with
full-voltage or across-the –line starters.
• 150 to 200% for bigger motors with reduce voltage,
wye-delta or autotransformer starters.
Example: A 150 hp, 3-phase 440-Volt squirrel cage induction motor
with auto-transformer starter and full load ampere draw of
180 Amp.
Size of conductor = 125% of 180 A = 225 A
Use: 3 - 125 mm² or 250 MCM THW Cu wire @ 225 Amp
capacity in 65 mm ø or 2 ½ inch ø rigid metal conduit
(RMC)
 Size of circuit breaker = 150% of 180 A = 270 A
Use: 300 AT, 400 AF, 3P, 500V circuit breaker

From the tables, it shows the approximate sizes of conductors

and circuit protection for different sizes of electric motors. Note that the
equivalent rating for safety switch is slightly higher than those of the circuit
breaker.

Group of motor and other loads

Example : Given a group of motors with their corresponding full-load

ampere (FLA) and other loads being supplied by several feeders
referring to fig. 5.1, provide the appropriate size of main feeder
conductor and rating of circuit breaker for protection. Assume 3-
phase, 460-volt, 60 Hz supply.
Size of conductor = (125% full-load ampere of highest rated motor
plus full load current of other loads) x demand
factor
= [125% of 180 Amp + 27+14+65+27+27+ (75,000/ 3 x 460)]
x 80% (assume an 80% demand factor refer to P.E.C. for the
provision this item)
= 383 Amperes
Use: 3 - 400 mm² or 800 MCM THW Cu wires @ 485 AMP
capacity in 100 mm ø or 5 inch ø rigid metal conduit
(RMC)

Note: 325 mm² (700 MCM) wire with 425 Amp capacity may
be sufficient, but the next bigger wire is chosen to allow for
future growth.

Voltage drops should also be computed to determine the

propriety of the selected size of conductors;

Where computed load exceeds the maximum available

wire size, multiple or parallel runs can be used.
 Size of circuit breaker protection = (highest motor breaker rating plus
full-load ampere of other loads) x demand factor
= [300A + 27 + 14 + 65 + 27+ 27+ (75,000/ 3 x 460)] x 80%
= 443 Amperes
Use: 500 AT, 600 AF, 3P, 500V ACB

The size of feeder conductor should be maintained through-out. It

should not be reduced, say at point “x” regardless of the reduced current
beyond the said point-of-tap. Such reduction in conductor size may be
allowed if appropriately sized breaker is installed to serve as protection for
the reduced line. The exception are for runs not exceeding 25 feet and
within sight, provided that the reduce line capacity is not less than 1/3 of
the main run capacity.

6 – LOAD CENTER, PANEL BOARDS or SWITCHGEARS

Ideally, load centers and panel boards should be located on the
center of the loads to be served to save on wire runs and to minimize line
voltage drops. However most of the time the designing architect, for
aesthetic purposes, has the final decision on the matter.
The electrical engineer should, however, strive to locate the panel boards
at point where the farthest load to be served is within 30 meters.
Otherwise, larger sized wires may be necessary to compensate for the
voltage drop.
Panel boards, Switchboards & Switchgears

In general panel boards and switchgear are used as control

protection points for groups of feeder or branch circuits serving the
elctrical loads in building area, usually a floor or a section of the floor.
A panel board consists of a metal enclosure containing bus bars
to which circuit breakers or fused switches are attached. The interior
space of the housing provides sufficient physical space for safe
installation of the circuit conductors to their respective over current
devices (see fig. 6.1).
They are generally classified into two categories:
a) Lighting & appliance panels
b) Power distribution panels
Panel board mounting of motor starter units may also be involved.
 A switchboard & switchgear, on the other hand are free
standing assemblies of switches, fuses and circuit breakers, which serve
as locations for larger over current devices, or as main distribution
panels for an entire building. Switchboards are physically larger than
panel boards, due to the size of the over current devices involved, and
are design to provide the necessary space for installation of larger
cables (see fig. 6.2).
There is no clear distinction made between the terms
“switchboard” and “switchgear”, although often high-voltage equipment
(above 600 Volts) is referred to as switchgear. When molded case circuit
breakers are utilized in a switchboard it is often known as building type
switchboard.
Main metal-enclosed switchgear for commercial, industrial,
and public buildings is invariably located in the basement, and housed in
a separate well-ventilated electrical switchgear rooms.
Other types of metal-enclosed switchgear are:
a) Metal-clad
b) Compartmented (with one or more non-metallic partitions)
c) Cubicle (with number of compartments less than that required for
metal-clad or compartmented switchgear, usually having
partition.
7 – SUGGESTED STEPS in BUILDING WIRING DESIGN

Prepare an electrical load estimate based on areas of the

building and other pertinent data; for office buildings, the P.E.C. has
information on the estimated general illumination load, some other
books can furnish data for other loads. An estimated load of 0.1 kilowatt
per square meter of habitable area may be used to countercheck the
estimated load.

Consult the local company as regards the point of service

entrance, service voltage, metering equipment and other requirements
for power connections; the same should be done for the telephone
system.

Determine from other designers the exact electrical rating of

all equipment, viz. HVAC, plumbing elevators and escalators, kitchen
and others; the electrical designer may be asked for comparative
characteristics of these equipment as regards the electrical supply.
 Determine the location and estimated sizes of the different electric
supply equipment such as load center, switchboards, electrical panel board,
rooms or enclosures; this will enable the architect to allocate spaces for
these equipment. This estimated space requirements could be checked and
adjusted as may be necessary after the completion of the detailed plans.

Design the lighting system, using either the lumens or point-by-

point methods, after due consultation with the architect and lighting
designer as to the type of luminaires, ceiling and wall finished. For clarity of
the plans, the lighting design which is mostly a reflection of the ceiling is
separate from those of power layout showing the floor plans. A separate
sets of plans may be prepared for auxiliaries, viz. fire alarm, hold-up and
burglar, paging and background music, noise masking and the like.

Assign circuitry for all lighting and power system to appropriate

panels including emergency lines, and compute panel loads.
 Prepare riser or one line diagram to include main distribution
panels, load centers, switchboards or switchgears and other service
equipment. Compute feeder, sub-feeder sizes and all protective equipment
ratings.
Check and coordinate with other trades, architectural structural,
VAC, mechanical, plumbing, others to minimize conflicts in the work
execution.

(the latter may belong to the project management team or the

construction manager)
Table – 1: Typical Molded Case Circuit Breaker Frame Sizes, Trip
Settings and Interrupting Rating

FRAME SIZE TRIP SETTING

50 Amp 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
100 Amp 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
60 70 80 90 100
250 Amp 70 80 90 100 110 125 150
175 200 225
400 Amp and 600 Amp 125 150 175 200 225 250
300 350 400 450 500 600
800 Amp and 1200 Amp 250 300 350 400 450 500
600 700 800 1000 1200
1600 Amp 400 450 500 600 700 800
1000 1200 1600
3000 Amp 2000 2500 3000
4000 Amp 4000
5000 Amp 5000
6000 Amp 6000
Typical Interrupting Rating (r.m.s. symmetrical Amperes)

240 Volts 480 Volts

10 kA 14 kA
18 kA
22 kA 25 kA
30 kA
35 kA
42 kA 50 kA
65 kA 65 kA
100 kA
200 kA 150 kA
Standard Ampere Ratings for Low Voltage Fuses

0 – 600 Amp
15 40 80 150 300
20 45 90 175 350
25 50 100 200 400
30 60 110 225 500
35 70 125 250 600
0 – 600 Amp
601 1200 2000 4500
650 1350 2500 5000
700 1500 3000 6000
800 1600 3500
1000 1800 4000
 References:

• Distribution Switchgear (Construction, Performance, Selection

& Installation)
By : R. W. Blower

• Electrical Wiring Commercial – based from NEC (6th ed)

By : R.L. Smith & S.L. Herman

• Design & Analysis of Building Electrical Systems

By : J.H. Mathews

• Philippine Electrical Code (part I & II)

By : Institute of Integrated Electrical Engrs. Of the Phils.
Inc.