Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE

F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
ENU 1– ENGINEERING UTILITIES
MODULE 5
Title: Building Electrical Design Principles

Electrical Codes, Licenses and Permits

Electrical Code – design of an electrical system involves applying the standards written into the building code. An
electrical code specifies the minimum provisions necessary for protecting people and property from the improper use
of electricity and electrical equipment. It applies to both the manufacture and installation of electrical equipment.

Philippines Electrical Code (PEC) – it is used nationally as the basis for safeguarding persons, buildings and its
contents from hazards that may arise from the use of electricity. This code contains provisions which is necessary for
safety and thus is used as basis for the legal enforcement in the installation of electrical system design in the country.

Licensing – most municipalities have ordinances (local laws) that requires that any person who wishes to engage in
the business of installing electrical systems must be licensed (usually by the state or province).

Permits – most municipalities require that a permit be issued before any electrical installations may be made on a
project.

Electrical Constructions Drawings - it shows the layout and design of an electrical installation.
The following construction drawings and details are generally required:
1. complete plans and specification of all electrical work
2. labeling criteria of all electrical equipment
3. lighting floor plan(s) including electrical circuits indicating conduit and wiring sizes
4. power floor plans including electrical circuits indicating conduit and wiring sizes, equipment and
disconnect switches
5. exit sign/means of egress lighting location and power supply
6. panelboard schedule
7. lighting fixture schedule
8. symbol schedule and diagrams

Review of the Design Requirements

Location – the location plan will guide the electrical design engineers, inspectors from the office of the local building
official, inspectors from the local electric utility, prospective bidders, and other persons who have interest in the
project.

Electrical Layout – the electrical layout is similar to the architectural layout except that the electrical layout contains
the interconnection of the service drop/lateral, service entrance, service equipment, feeder, subfeeder, load center,
panelboards, branch circuit, and nomenclature of occupancies.

Legend or Symbol – these help in understanding the electrical plan. the recommended symbols are shown in
Appendix A of the PEC Part 1. However, other symbols can be used, especially the local symbols which are easily
understood in the area.

General Notes and/or Specifications

These are general requirements showing the following:
a. nature of electrical service, including number of phases, number of wires, voltage and frequency
b. type of wiring
c. special equipment to be installed, including rating and classification of services or duty cycle
d. methods of grounding
e. type and rating of main disconnecting means, overcurrent protection and branch circuit wiring
f. clearance and mounting height of service equipment, electric meter, pane board and devices.

Schedule of Loads
This is a load tabulation which indicates the following:
a. branch circuit for each load or combination of loads

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
b. rating of each load and the corresponding computatins
c. source of electric power and rating of service equipment protective device and disconnect
d. number of phases, types and the size of wiring
e. service entrance, feeder, subfeeder, etc.

Single Line or Riser Diagram – this shows a comprehensive interconnection, size and rating of the service
drop/lateral, service entrance, service equipment, feeder, subfeeders, load centers, and panelboards. This is
necessary in the computation of short circuit current and voltage drops.

Title Block – this is a standard strip of 40mm height at the bottom of the sheet and contains the following:
a. name and location of installation or project
b. name, signature and address of owner/manager/operator
c. name, signature and seal of Professional Electrical Engineer together with his PRC license number
and validity, Professional tax Receipt Number and Tax Identification Number
d. sheet contents
e. scale
f. drawing and sheet number

Design Analysis – this is a computation or selection of the following

a. size/type/number of wires and size/type of conduits for branch circuits, sub-feeders, feeders,
busways and service entrance
b. type, rating and trip setting of overload protective devices
c. short circuit current and interrupting capacity of overcurrent protection device

Electrical Design of a Single Storey, and Single Occupancy Residential Building

General – although the electrical design of a low-rise residential building is already a project design subject in most
colleges, it is discussed here because the design processes, criteria methods, requirements of the owners, architect,
electric utility, and others are almost similar to the electrical design of a high-rise condominium building.

Design Process – in most cases, the electrical design starts from an architectural layout and other drawings.

Detailed Design

Preparations – with the architectural layout and other drawings, the development of the initial electrical design starts.
A preliminary arrangements of the electrical plan requirements helps in the determination of the number of drawings
sets to be prepared to avoid overcrowding in the electrical plan.

Design Example

A single family dwelling units has a floor area of 100 sq.m. exclusive of unoccupied basement and open porches. It
has three 20A small appliance branch circuits, one 20A laundry circuit, 10kW electric range, a 5kW clothes dryer and
two ¾ HP and one 1.5HP air conditioning units.

Branch Circuits
Branch Circuit No. 1: Lighting Loads
Branch Circuit No. 2: Small Appliance Loads
Branch Circuit No. 3: Small Appliance Loads
Branch Circuit No. 4: Small Appliance Loads
Branch Circuit No. 5: Laundry Loads
Branch Circuit No. 6: 10kW Electric Range
Branch Circuit No. 7: 5kW Clothes Dryer
Branch Circuit No. 8: 3/4HP Air-Conditioning Unit
Branch Circuit No. 9: 3/4HP Air-Conditioning Unit
Branch Circuit No. 10: 1.5HP Air-Conditioning Unit

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Computation of Loads for a Typical Residential Unit

A. General Lighting Load and Convenience Receptacle

(Branch Circuit No. 1)
Typical residential Unit at 150sq.m.
Load = 100sq.m. x 33VA/sq.m. = 3,300volt-amperes
Load Current = 3,300/230 = 14.35 Amperes

 Use 2 – 2.00mm2, copper THHN, branch circuit conductors. Refer to table [Link] for ampacities of
insulated conductors
 Use 15mm diameter rigid PVC conduit. Refer to table C10 for size of conduit
 Provide one (1) 20A branch circuit. Refer to section [Link] for standard ampere trip ratings of circuit
breakers

B. Small Appliances Load (Branch Circuit Nos. 2-4)

Load = 20A @ 1,500 volt-amperes = 1,500 volt-amperes
Where 1,500 volt-amperes as per section [Link](a)
Load current = 1,500VA/230V = 6.52 amperes

 Use 2 – 3.5mm2, copper THHN, branch circuit conductors. Refer to table [Link] for ampacities of
insulated conductors
 Use 15mm diameter rigid PVC conduit. Refer to table C10 for size of conduit
 Provide three (3) 20A small appliance branch circuit as per section [Link](a) or section
[Link](b)(1)

C. Laundry Circuit (Branch Circuit No. 5)

Load = 20A @ 1,500 volt-amperes = 1,500 volt-amperes
Where 1,500 volt-amperes as per section [Link](b)
Load current = 1,500VA/230V = 6.52 amperes

 Use 2 – 3.5mm2, copper THHN, branch circuit conductors. Refer to table [Link] for ampacities of
insulated conductors
 Use 15mm diameter rigid PVC conduit. Refer to table C10 for size of conduit
 Provide three (3) 20A small appliance branch circuit as per section [Link](c)(2)

D. 10kW Electric Range Load (Branch Circuit No. 6)

Maximum Demand is 8kW
Based on Table [Link] (column C)
Load current = 8,000/230 = 34.78 amperes

 Use 2 – 8.00mm2, copper THHN, branch circuit conductors.

 Use 15mm diameter rigid PVC conduit. Refer to table C10 for size of conduit
 Provide one (1) 50A branch circuit refer to section [Link] for standard ampere trip ratings of circuit
breakers

E. 5kW Clothes Dryer Load (Branch Circuit No.7)

Load = 5kW x 100% demand factor = 5,000 volt-amperes
The 100% demand factor is per Table [Link]
Load current = 5,000VA/230V = 21.73 amperes

 Use 2 – 5.50mm2, copper THHN, branch circuit conductors. Refer to table [Link] for ampacities of
insulated conductors
 Use 15mm diameter rigid PVC conduit. Refer to table C10 for size of conduit
 Provide three (3) 30A small appliance branch circuit as per section [Link] standard ampere trip
ratings of circuit breakers

F. 3/4HP Air-Conditioning Unit (Branch Circuits Nos. 8 and 9)

Ampacity of wire = 125% x 6.9A = 8.63A

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Where 125% is per Article [Link]
Where 6.9A is the motor full-load current as per Table [Link]
 Use 2 – 3.5mm2, copper THHN, branch circuit conductors.
 Use 15mm diameter rigid PVC conduit.

Rating of branch circuit protective device = 250% x 6.9A = 17.25A

Where 250% is the maximum inverse time rating of the breaker as per table [Link]. the room ACU
is at 100% demand factor. Refer to section [Link] (c)(1).
 Provide two (2) 20A small appliance branch circuit as per section [Link] standard ampere trip
ratings of circuit breakers

G. 1.5HP Air-Conditioning Unit (Branch Circuits No. 10)

Ampacity of wire = 125% x 10A = 12.50
Where 125% is per Article [Link]
Where 10A is the motor full-load current as per Table [Link]
 Use 2 – 5.5mm2, copper THHN, branch circuit conductors.
 Use 15mm diameter rigid PVC conduit.

Rating of branch circuit protective device = 250% x 10A = 25A

Where 250% is the maximum inverse time rating of the breaker as per table [Link]. the room ACU
is at 100% demand factor. Refer to section [Link] (c)(1).
 Provide one (1) 30A small appliance branch circuit as per section [Link] standard ampere trip
ratings of circuit breakers

Riser Diagram

Computation of Service Entrance

Design Example Load Computations

a) General Lightings and General Use Receptacle

100sq.m x 33VA/[Link] 3,300VA
 Provide One (1) 20 - Ampere Trip Circuit Breaker,
2 – 3.5 mm2 THHN copper wire for General Lightings.

b) Small Appliance Load

 Provide Three (3) 20 - Ampere Trip Circuit Breaker, 4,500 VA
2 – 3.5 mm2 THHN copper wire for Small Appliance Load.

c) Laundry Circuit Load

 Provide One (1) 20 - Ampere Trip Circuit Breaker, 1,500 VA
2 – 3.5 mm2 THHN copper wire for Laundry Circuit Load.

d) Clothes Dryer
 Provide One (1) 30 - Ampere Trip Circuit Breaker, 5,000 VA
2 – 5.5 mm2 THHN copper wire for Clothes Dryer.

TOTAL 14,300 VA

APPLICATION OF DEMAND FACTORS

First 3,000 Volt-Ampere @ 100% Demand Factor 3,000 VA

Remainder @ 35% Demand Factor, = (11,300 VA x 0.35) 3,955 VA

TOTAL COMPUTED LOAD 6,955 VA

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

e) Other Loads

Range Load
 Provide One (1) 50 - Ampere Trip Circuit Breaker, 8,000 VA
2 – 8.0mm2 THHN copper wire for Range Load

3/4HP ACU Load

 Provide two (2) 20 - Ampere Trip Circuit Breaker, 3,174 VA
2 – 3.5 mm2 THHN copper wire for 3/4HP ACU Load

1.5HP ACU Load

 Provide One (1) 30 - Ampere Trip Circuit Breaker, 3,000 VA
2 – 5.5 mm2 THHN copper wire for 1.5HP ACU Load

TOTAL NET COMPUTED LOAD 21,129 VA

SERVICE ENTRANCE CONDUCTOR

A. Maximum Current Rating of Protective Device, with:

1. Non-Time Delay Fuse

3,000𝑉𝐴 + 3,955𝑉𝐴 + (8,000𝑥0.8𝐷𝐹) + (300%𝑥10𝑥230) + (6.9𝑥230) + (6.9𝑥230)

= 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟖𝟕 𝑨𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔
230 𝑉

1. Inverse-Time Circuit Breaker

3,000𝑉𝐴 + 3,955𝑉𝐴 + (8,000𝑥0.8𝐷𝐹) + (250%𝑥10𝑥230) + (6.9𝑥230) + (6.9 𝑥 230)

= 𝟗𝟔. 𝟖𝟕 𝑨𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔
230 𝑉

SERVICE EQUIPMENT

1. Use one 200A, 2PST, 250V safety switch with two 125A renewable fuses or

2. Use one 125AT, 2 pole, 240V, molded case circuit breaker

Project: Make a complete electrical plan.

1. Lighting Layout
2. Power Layout
3. Schedule of Loads
4. Riser Diagram
5. Branch Circuit Computations
6. Service Entrance Computations
8. General notes
9. Specifications
10. Legends

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Section [Link](c)(1)

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Section [Link](b)

Section [Link](b)

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Section [Link](c)(2)

Prepared by: Engr. Myrine Ysobelle S. Sioco

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