7. Electrical and Auxiliary systems

Electricity

A form of energy caused by the movement of electrons.

Transformer> Service Entrance> Meter> panel board

How does Electricity travel from Electric Post to household

Electricity distribution

Circuit

the complete path that an electric current travels along

series circuit

An electric circuit with only one path through which charge can flow

parallel circuit

A closed electrical circuit in which the current is divided into two or more paths and then returns via a common path to complete the circuit.

Conductors

materials that allow electric charges to flow through them easily; generally metallic material

Gold, silver and Platinum

best conductors are Precious metals (3)

Copper

Most commonly used conductor

Wires

Small conductor; no. 8 AWG or smaller

Cables

Medium conductor; No. 6 AWG or smaller

Bus bars

Big conductor; used inside large panels; for large amount of power

Cord

insulated stranded wire that conducts electricity; may be SOLID or STRANDED

Insulator

A material that does not allow heat or electrons to move through it easily.

Ampacity

The amount of electric current that can flow through a wire.

thermoplastic

Kind of conductor: abbreviated "T"

Moisture-resistant Thermoplastic

Kind of conductor: abbreviated "TW"

Heat-resistant Thermoplastic

Kind of conductor: abbreviated "THHN"

Moisture and Heat-resistant thermoplastic

Kind of conductor: abbreviated "THW"

Moisture and Heat-resistant Thermoplastic (w/ Nylon coating)

*N stands for nylon

Kind of conductor: abbreviated "TWHN"

Conduits

Roughing ins; Circular raceways used to enclose wires and cables; either made out of metal or PVC plastic

Rigid steel conduits (RSC)

Heavy-wall steel conduits; used outdoors for service entrance

Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)

Medium thickness conduit. Also threaded.

Electric Metal tubing (EMT)

Thin-wall steel conduits.

Raceways

channels or wiring accessories so designed for holding wires, cables and bus bars that are either made of metal, plastic, or any insulating medium.

Outlets

a point in an electrical circuit from which current may be drawn

Receptacles

The wiring device in which the appliance cord is plugged into.

Switches

Devices for making, breaking or changing conditions in an electrical circuit

2-way switch

directs the flow of current to one of two routes, according to its position

3-way switch

Controls light from 2 locations

4 way switch

Controls light from 3 or more locations

Electrolier

Also called Multi-Circuit switches; controlling mutiple light fixtures

Momentary Contact switches

Switch for doorbells; has a spring so that it will return to its original position as soon as the handle or button is released.

Dimmer switch

rheostat; can increse or decrease the intensity of a light fixture

time controlled switch

Switch that has a precision of low-speed miniature drive motor or a timer

Air switch

A switch in which the interruption of a circuit occurs in air

Key switch

a switch operated only by inserting a key or a card. Also called a card switch. Used in hotels (key card)

Intelligent systems

Switch using touchpad

Float switch

A switch controlled by a conductor floating in a liquid; detect level of liquid in a tank

Mercury switch

An especially quiet switch that opens and closes an electric circuit by shifting a sealed glass tube of mercury so as to uncover or cover the contacts

Overcurrent protection devices

Prevent overheating or burning of a circuit/ devices due to faults like excessive loads or a short circuit

Fuse

A safety device with a thin metal strip that will melt if too much current passes through a circuit

Circuit breaker

A reusable safety switch that breaks the circuit when there is fault in the circuit

GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)

A special electrical outlet that has a circuit breaker built in which trips due to even small changes in current; normally installed in WET LOCATIONS bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms etc.

AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter)

A device intended to provide protection from the effects of arc faults

Switchboards

Provide switching and feeder protection to larger buildings; free standing assemblies of switches, fuses, and circuit breakers

Unit substations

(Transfer Load Centers) an assembly of primary switch-fuse-breaker, step-down transformer, meters, controls, bus bars and secondary switchboard. Used in large facility or COMPLEX of buildings

Electrical Engineers

Has the liability over electrical plans

Electrical symbols

Load schedule

Tabulated form of the electrical layout showing the circuit identities, quantities and Engineer's computation

Auxiliary plans

also known as Extra Low-Voltage Plans/ Layout; showcases CCTV, CATV, smoke detector, telephone, Speakers, Internet, IT server layout and is under the responsibility of ECE or Electronics Communications Engineer

closed circuit television (CCTV)

Video cameras and receivers used for surveillance in areas that require security monitoring.

Community Antenna Television (CATV)

Delivering television programming to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted through coaxial cables

Fire Detection & Alarm system

Provides audible and visual signals as a result of the operation of manual or automatic fire alarm initiating devices