Wiring materials and
accessories
Conductor materials used in cables
● Copper and aluminium are the materials used in power and lighting cables
Advantages of copper wiring
● Conductivity of copper is high compare with aluminium.
● Copper is mechanically strong, hard, extremely tough, durable and ductile. it is high
resistive to corrosion and oxidation. it can withstand dampness and high
temperature.
● Now a days for domestic installation copper wires are used.
Advantages of aluminum wiring
● Aluminum is considerably less expensive than copper.
● Aluminum is a lightweight material and very flexible, making it easier to work with.
● This makes it more desirable to use, especially in large projects requiring extensive
wiring.
Insulating materials
● High resistivity
● High flexibility
● High dielectric strength
● Non inflammability
● Non hygroscopic
● Highly resistive to moisture, acids or alkalies.
● Capability to withstand high rupturing voltages and high temperature without
much deterioration.
No one insulating materials have all above mentioned qualities, so the type of
insulating materials used in a cable depends upon the service.
Rubber
● Dielectric strength -30kv/mm
● Disadvantage- it Absorbs moisture.
Vulcanized India Rubber
● Doest not absorb moisture from the atmosphere.
● Main drawback is due to sulphur content ,it attacks copper so
copper conductor is tinned before providing the insulation.
Impregnated paper
● Cheap
● Heat conductivity is high(VIR) and capable to withstand higher temperature
without deterioration.
● Disadvantage-Hygroscopic (tending to absorb moisture from air).
● Rarely used, PVC and XLPE insulated cables are predominantly used.
Polyvinyl Chloride
● Low cost
● inert to oxygen, oils, alkalies and acids so it is preferred over VIR in extreme
environments-cement ,chemical factory.
● Employed for low and medium voltage domestic and industrial lights and
power installation.
Cable Types
● Conductor used- Cu ,Al conductor
● Number of cores used- single, twin, three core cables
● Voltage grading -250/440 volt cables or 650/1100 volt cables
the safe voltage which insulation of the cable can withstand .cables
employed for domestic wiring are graded 650/1100 V grade.
● Type of insulation used- VIR, TRS/CTS, lead sheathed, PVC, weather
proof , XLPE, Flexible cords and cables.
Vulcanized Indian Rubber cables
● Available in 240/440 volt and 650/1100 volt grades.
● VIR cable consists of tinned copper conductor covered with a layer of VIR
insulation.
TRS/CTS cables
● Available in 240/440 volt and 650/1100 volt grades.
● Vulcanized rubber insulated conductor with an outer protective covering of tough
rubber-provide additional insulation and protection against wear and tear, also it is
water proof.
● Low cost and light weight compare to lead sheathed cable
● Similar properties to those of lead sheathed cables and thus provided cheaper
substitute to lead sheathed cable.
Lead sheathed cables
● Available in 240/415 volt grade.
● Vulcanized rubber insulated conductor with a continuous sheath of
lead.
● Good Protection against absorption of moisture and mechanical
injury so can be used without using casing or conduit.
Flexible cords and cables
● Consists of wires silk/cotton/plastic covered
● Flexible cords have tinned copper conductors
● Using large no of strands for flexibility
● These wire or cables are used as connecting wires for such
purposes as from ceiling rose to lamp holders, socket outlet to
portable apparatus radios, fans, lamps, heaters etc.
● These may not be used in fixed wiring.
Weather proof cables
● Used for outdoor wiring and for power supply.
● Available in 240/440 volt and 650/1100 volt grades.
● Not affected by heat or sun or rain
PVC cables.
● Available in 240/440 volt and 650/1100 volt grades.
● PVC insulation provides better flexibility.
● Used in casing capping, batten and conduit wiring
● Inert to oxygen, oils, alkalies and acids so it is preferred over VIR in
extreme environments-cement ,chemical factory.
● Employed for low and medium voltage domestic and industrial lights
and power installation.
Advantage of PVC cables over other type of Cables
● Non hygroscopic insulation almost unaffected by moisture.
● Complete protection against most form of electrolytic/chemical
corrosion.
● Tough sheath with excellent fire resisting qualities.
● Good ageing characteristics.
● Not affected by vibrations.
XLPE cables
● PVC and XLPE cables are built of insulation made of polymers
Advantage of XLPV cables over other type of Cables
● Higher current rating
● Higher short circuit current rating
● Longer service life
● Can withstand 130° c for short time
● Low dielectric loss
● The resistance to acids, alkalies are good
Presently XLPE cables are used extensively for high tension and low
tension work .even for distribution work at 3 p 415V industry is using XLPE.
Multi-strand cables
● More flexible and durable .so can be handle conveniently
● More heat radiating capacity.
● Skin effect is less.
● The no of strands in the stranded cable must be 3,7,19,37,61,91 and so on
● The size of cables is given in various manner
3/20 , 19/1.12mm and 19.34mm2
Energy meter
● The electrical energy meter is essentially a small electric motor.
● AC energy meter are of induction type and are further classified
as single phase , three phase three wire and three phase four
wire.
● These are of current rating of 2.5,5,10,25,50 and 100 amperes
and of voltage rating 240 V (single phase) and 415 V (three
phase).commonly used for domestic and power wiring.
● The meters used on 11kv and above are connected through CT
and PT .these meters are doubly earthed.
Main switch
Main switch
● As per IE rule 50 a suitable linked switch is to be provided immediately
after the meter board and a suitable cut out must be provided after the
linked switch to protect the circuit against excessive current.
● switch fuse(main switch + fuse) is a combined switch and is known as
Iron clad switch.
● Eg DPIC,TPIC,TPNIC.
● Since no fuse is provided in neutral(IE rule 32) in DPIC switch one fuse
carrier is furnished with fuse element and other with thick copper wire.
Distribution board
3 Phase DB ● Distribution board is an assembly of parts including
one or more fuses or circuit breakers, arranged for
the distribution of electrical energy to various circuits
or other distribution boards known as sub main
distribution boards.
● The no of ways depends upon the circuits or sub-
circuits to be fed.
Single Phase DB