Wiring
Wiring
Wiring
Components and
Accessories
INTRODUCTION
Electricity requires an electric path to flow and there
are many conducting materials used for this purpose.
There are many semi conducting materials which are
used to reduce the voltage and also drop the current
flow. There are non-conducting materials which are used
as insulation during working on live-lines. In this unit
we will study how the household or industrial wiring is
done and what materials are essential for household or
industrial wiring. We will also study the different types
of wiring and how they is done.
(b) Aluminium
It is light weight and cheaper in comparison to copper.
Therefore, this type of conducting material is mostly
used in electrical wiring. It is silvery–white in colour
and it has a soft texture. It is often used in wiring and
making cable (Fig. 3.3).
Fig. 3.3 Aluminium wire
Insulating Materials
Insulating materials are used for insulating purpose.
These types of materials are bad conductors of current.
For example rubber, paper, mica, wood, glass and
cotton.
Wiring Accessories
Wiring accessories are used for connecting appliances
(Fig. 3.4).
(a) Switch
A switch is used to make or break an electrical circuit.
It is used to switch ‘on’ or ‘off ’ the supply of electricity
to an appliance.
There are various switches such as
y surface switch Fig. 3.4 Sockets
y flush switch
y ceiling switch
y pull switch
y push button switch
y bed switch
(i) Surface switch: It is mounted on wooden boards fixed
on the surface of a wall. It is of three types
1. One-way switch
2. Two-way switch
3. Intermediate switch
ELECTRICAL WIRING COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
43
(b) Holders
A holder is of two types.
1. Pendant holder (Fig. 3.10)
Fig. 3.6 Two-way switch
2. Batten holder (Fig. 3.11)
Fig. 3.10 Pendant holder
(c) Ceiling rose
It is used to provide a tapping to the pendant lamp–
holder through the flexible wire or a connection to a
fluorescent tube (Fig. 3.12).
(d) Socket outlet/plug
Fig 3.7 Intermediate switch
The socket outlet has an insulated base
with the moulded or socket base having
three terminal sleeves (Fig. 3.13).
Fig. 3.13 Socket
(e) Main switch
To control the electrical circuit a main switch is used.
Through the main switch, the power in a building is
Fig. 3.8 Flush Switch controlled completely (Fig. 3.14).
Concealed Wiring
It is laborious to install this wiring. The layout of this
wiring is done under the plaster of the wall of the
building.
Advantages of concealed wiring
y Safe
y Better appearance
y No risk of fire
y No risk of damage of cable insulation
y Safe from humidity, smoke, steam, etc.
y No risk of shock
y Long lasting
Disadvantages of concealed wiring
y Expensive
y Installation not easy
y Not easily customisable for future use
y Hard to detect faults
Electrical Circuit
In an electric circuit the positive side of wire is connected
to the negative side of a load, for example, bulb, TV, Fig. 3.21 MCB distribution board
etc. and power supply is started by using a switch. The
circuit is like an electrical house.
Let’s Practice 1
Adjust the electrical accessories like, switches, holders, sockets,
etc. on the given board or round block. And then mark their
positions by a pencil. Remove the covers of the accessories and
loosen the screws of terminals. Make a powder of chalk and pour
it in the holes of the terminal. Mark the point on them by the
poker.
Now make the holes on the round block or board by the
drilling machine where the points have been marked. Insert the
wires in the terminal, after removing the insulation. Then fix all
Material
1. Wooden round block/ PVC Round Block
2. Wooden board/ Sun mica Board
3. Single pole one-way switch 5 A, 250V
4. PVC wire
5. Pencil
6. Chalk
Precautions
All the fittings (switch, holder) should be fitted well. No naked
portion of the conductor should remain visible. The screws
in the accessories fitted should be tight. The tools should be
used carefully.
P
S1 SPDT 2-Way S2 SPDT 2-Way
Single Way Switch
N
L+
N–
Lamp
A lamp is switched ON and switched OFF from
three different places.
Activity 1
Aim: Identify and draw the figure
of various wiring materials
Procedure
See the different types of wiring
materials as shown in the
diagram as well as in classroom
and draw the diagram.
Activity 2
Procedure
Accessories will be connected with the help of wires.
Precautions
1. All connections should be tight.
2. Do not touch the terminals when supply is on.
Activity 3
Aim : To connect different types of components with wires in a
junction box.
Procedure
1. Different types of components will be connected with the
help of wires in a junction box
Precautions
1. All connections should be tight.
2. Do not touch the terminals when supply is on.
Activity 4
Aim
• To familiarise N
the student with
the electrical
P
connection of
a lamp to the Single Way Switch
supply mains.
• To select the
proper size of
connecting wires
and switch for a
given load.
Related information
In a lamp, the electrical energy is converted into light. The
function of the switch is to turn the lamp “ON” or “OFF” by
making and breaking the electrical circuit respectively. The
switch should be connected to the phase wire of the supply. It
should be connected in series with the lamp. The function of the
fuse is to protect an electrical circuit against over current which
may be caused by a fault or overloading.
Procedure
1. Fix the switch and lamp holder on the board.
2. Connect the switch and lamp.
3. Connect the circuit to the supply mains, while the main
switch is “OFF”.
4. Put “ON” the main switch.
Activity 5
Aim: To check the connection of the lamp by one switch (series)
Apparatus
Lamp 100W/220V, holder, one-way switch, PVC wire 1/18 SWG
etc.
2. Screwdriver 1
3. Phase tester 6” 1
Procedure
Take a PVC 1/18 SWG wire about 1 meter in length and cut it
in two pieces of equal length with side cutting plier. Remove the
insulation of nearly 1 cm of both ends of each wire with the help
of combination plier. Now take the holder and screw the nut with
the help of screw driver. Fit each end of both the wire in the bolt
and screw the nuts. Now cover the holder, connect one end of
the wire to the top point of the switch. Take 1 foot of another wire
and connect it to the bottom of the switch.
Connect the switch wire to phase and another wire to neutral.
Switch it on. If the bulb glows then our connection is right.
Precautions
1. Phase is always controlled by the switch.
2. Part of the wire with removed insulation should not
be open.
Activity 6
Related information
The circuit consists of one lamp and one pair of two way switches
are connected.
The common points in switches S1 and S2 are C1 and C2
respectively. The common point C2 is connected to position
2 of the switch S2. Now if the common C1 is connected to
position 1 in switch S1, then the path of the electric circuit
is not complete and, hence, the lamp will not glow. However,
if C1 is connected to position 1, then the path of the current is
completed through S1, S2 and the lamp. The lamp will glow.
Apparatus
How to control a lamp from two
1. One lamp holder, different places by 2-way switches?
(pendent) 5 A, 250V.
2. One lamp 40 Watts,
250V. S1 SPDT 2-Way S2 SPDT 2-Way
3. Two two-way switch,
5A, 250V. N
4. Connecting wires
5. Insulated plier
6. Electricians knife
7. Screw driver
Procedure
1. Connect the lamp with the two switches S1and S2
2. Put the lamp in position in the holder
3. Make the positions 1 and 1’ on S1 and 2 and 2’ on s2
4. Operate switch S1 in position 1and 1’
5. For each position of S1 put switch S2 in position 2 and
2’ respectively
6. Observe the results
Precautions
1. All connections should be firmly made
2. Switches S1 and S2 should be connected to the phase
wire.
Electrical Hazard
An electrical hazard defines a dangerous condition. This
dangerous condition is related to energised equipment
or a conductor at workplace. If a technician comes
in contact with the energised equipment, then the
equipment may cause injury to the technician. There is
a possibility of being electrocuted or getting an arc flash
burn, thermal burn or blast injury while assembling
the components in a unit. Many of the hazards can
be avoided by being aware and taking appropriate
precautions. This will ensure safety at workplace
Fig. 3.22 Safe work in an
(Fig. 3.22). electrical system
Points that need to be remembered for working safely
around electrical panel and cabinet are as follows.
1. Watch out for loose cords and wires. Loose cords
and wires can cause physical hazards and even
electrical hazards. Hazard Tape should be placed
if a cord or wire is placed on a pathway.
Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher (Fig. 3.27) is a protection device
used to cease fire. It is the basic first aid equipment
which can be effectively used for controlling fire. A fire
extinguisher is a cylindrical pressure vessel containing
an agent which can be discharged to cease a fire. A fire
extinguisher should always be available in areas where
persons work with electrical equipment.
Different parts of a fire extinguisher are shown in
Fig. 3.27.
The following steps demonstrate the operation Pin and Seal
Vision Difficulty in
Problems breathing or
respiratory arrest
Fractured
bones
Entry Burn
Muscle tenderness
and possible twitching
Fig. 3.28 Wireman in an unconscious state because of an electrical shock
Fig. 3.31 Chest compression Fig. 3.32 Open the mouth for airway Fig. 3.33 Rescue breathing