Learning Information Sheet F.1.

BRANCH CIRCUIT DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR RESIDENTIAL HOMES

Learning Objectives:

After reading this information sheet, you must be able to:

1. Describe a branch circuit.

2. Know the general considerations for a good circuitry design.

3. Describe the types of branch circuits.

4. Have a good working knowledge of circuiting guidelines.

5. Draft /Prepare the lighting layout of a two-storey residential house of your own design.

6. Draft/ Prepare the convenience outlet (power) layout of a two-storey residential house of
your own design.

7. Strictly observe the circuiting guidelines in the preparation of required electrical working
drawings.

Introduction:

Electric circuit refers to the complete path traversed by electric current. Thus it refers to the
entire house wiring installations that will supply electricity to the lighting outlets, appliances and
fixtures.

The branch circuit is defined by the National Electric Code (NEC) as; the circuit conductors
between the final overcurrent protective device and the outlets. A branch circuit is composed of the
following:

1. the source of voltage

2. the wiring

3. the load
Good circuitry design varies according to designers but it should be based on the following
considerations:

1. Flexibility of the circuit

Every wiring installation should incorporate sufficient flexibility of design so that it can
accommodate probable patterns, arrangements and location of electric loads for future expansion or
development.

2. Reliability and Efficiency of Service

Wiring installations should be able to provide a continuous service and supply of power and is
determined by the service provided by the electric utility company and the electrical system of the
building.

3. Safety

The electrical system should be designed to conform to factors as electric hazards caused by
misuse or abuse of equipment or equipment failure. A thorough acquaintance of the size of equipment
used will eliminate the often encountered physical hazards caused by obstruction of access spaces,
passage, closets and walls with electric equipment.

4. Economy

Economy refers to the initial as well as operating costs. These cost factors stand in inverse
relationship with each other. The use of low-cost equipment results in high energy and maintenance
cost and shorter operating life for the equipment.

5. Energy Consideration

This covers the following; energy laws and codes, energy conservation techniques, space
allocation and energy control

A. CLASSIFICATION OF BRANCH CIRCUIT

The National Electrical Code (NEC) has classified branch circuit into the following:

1. General purpose branch circuit – a circuit that supplies outlets for lighting and appliances
including convenience receptacles.

2. Appliance branch circuit – a circuit that supplies outlets for feeding appliances but does not
supply fixed lighting.

3. Individual branch circuit – a circuit designed to supply a single specific item.

B. CIRCUITING GUIDELINES

The following are rules and guidelines promulgated by the National Electric Code for flexibility,
economy and convenience in the installation of circuitry:

1. The Code requires sufficient circuitry to supply residential load of 30 watts per square meter
in buildings excluding porches, garages and basements. The requirement of 30 watts
per square meter works out to 80 square meters for a 20 ampere circuit (2,400 watts) or
60 square meters for a 15 ampere circuit (1,800 watts)

Good practice however suggests that the load should not exceed 1,600 watts for a 20
ampere circuit and 1,200 watts for a 15 ampere circuit.

2. The Code requires a minimum of two - 20 ampere appliance circuit to feed all small
appliance outlet in the kitchen, pantry, dining and family rooms.

3. The general purpose branch circuit shall be rated at 20 amperes and wired with No. 12 AWG
being the minimum size of conductor wire required for all convenience outlets

4. The Code requires that at least one-20 ampere circuit should be installed to supply the
laundry outlets.

5. Convenience receptacles should be planned properly so that in case of failure by any one of
the circuitry. The entire area will not be deprived of power supply. To provide
reliability of service, each area should be provided alternately with different circuits.

6. Lighting and receptacles should not be combined in a single circuit.

7. Avoid connecting all building lights in one circuit.

8. Provide at least one receptacle in the bathroom and one outside the house. Both must be
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI ) type.

9. Provide switch control for closet lights. The use of pull-chain switch is a nuisance.

10. Convenience outlets though counted as part of the general lighting load shall be limited to
6 convenience outlets on a 15 ampere circuit and 8 convenience outlet on a 20
ampere circuit.

11. All kitchen outlets shall be fed from at least two circuits.

12. If air conditioner is anticipated, provide a separate circuit for this separate appliance.

13. Provide two duplex convenience outlets at each side of the bed location to accommodate
electric blankets, clock, radios, lamps and other small appliances.
 14. Kitchens should have a duplex convenience outlet every 0.90 meter of counter space, but
not less than two in addition to the normal outlets.

15. It is a good practice to use a small kitchen panel recessed into a corner wall to control large
kitchen appliances and to provide a completely safe, accessible disconnecting means.

16. Perimeter lighting with inside switch control can do much to lessen vandalism and
discourage prowlers and illuminates the house at nighttime.

C. CIRCUIT SAFE LOAD

Branch circuit is the technical term for house wiring installation. House wiring varies in size
depending on the kind of load it is to serve. Load refers to the electricity drawn or consumed by lighting
fixtures, appliances and equipment.

The National Electric Code (NEC) provides the following specifications:

1. The Code provides that wirings for electric circuitry shall be of the types RHW, T, THW, TW,
THWN, XHHW in a raceway or cable.

2. That on a 15 ampere circuit, a single appliance shall not draw a maximum load of more than
12 amperes

3. That on a 20 ampere circuit, a single appliance shall not draw current in excess of 16
amperes.

4. That, if a branch circuit is combined with lighting or portable appliances, any fixed appliance
shall not be allowed to draw more than 7.5 amperes on a 15 ampere circuit and 10
amperes on a 20 ampere circuit.

5. That , on a 30 ampere circuit, a single appliance shall not be allowed to draw current
exceeding 24 amperes.

6. That heavy lamp holders shall be rated not less than 750 watts.

7. That, 30, 40 and 50 amperes circuit shall not be used for fixed lighting in residences.

8. That, when loads are connected for a long period of time, its actual load shall be computed
not to exceed 80% of the fuse rating. Long period of time refers to electric motors, air
conditioners and other similar units with a continuous loading.

9. That , a continuous load shall be considered at 125% of the actual load in all calculations.

10. Receptacles feeding portable and or steady appliance shall be limited to 80% of their rating.
D. PROTECTION OF THE BRANCH CIRCUIT

As a rule, branch circuits should be protected from overcurrent, hence overcurrent protective
devices shall be installed in all branch circuits. Overcurrent protective devices disconnect the lines when
the current rating capacity of the equipment being protected is exceeded. The overcurrent protective
device represents the source of voltage. It is always connected at its hot line end to the voltage source
and its load end to the circuit wiring. The most common types of overcurrent protective device are as
follows:

1. Fuse – is a simple device consisting of a fusible link or wire of low melting temperature that
when enclosed in an insulating fiber tube is called a cartridge fuse, and when in
a porcelain cup is known as plug fuse. When the fuse is subjected to excess
current, the energy loss in the link generates heat and melts it. Plug fuses normally
used in residences are rated 5 to 30 amperes while cartridge fuses are made in
size 5 to 600 amperes.

2. Circuit breakers – is an electro-mechanical device that performs the same protective

function as fuses and in addition acts as a switch. Basically, a circuit breaker is
equipped with an automatic tripping device to protect the circuit from overload
and ground fault. Most circuit breakers are equipped with both thermal and
magnetic trips. The thermal trip has similar action to the thermostat. Heat
generated by excessive current causes an element to move and trip the latching
mechanism of the breaker, thus opening the breaker contact and thereby of the
circuit. The magnetic trip on the other hand is comprised of a coil with a movable core.
On short circuits ,the magnetic force actuate the core which trips the circuit latch.
Trip or tripping refers to the cutting-off or disconnection of the supply of electric
current

The overcurrent protective devices are installed in circuits to protect the following;

1. the wiring

2. the transformer

3. the lighting fixtures

4. the appliances

The overcurrent protective devices are contained in a panel board popularly known as panel or
electrical panel. If the protective devices are of fuses, it is called fuse panel, and if the devices are circuit
breakers, it is called breaker panel.

The following are to be observed when installing the panel board:

1. The approach shall be accessible and more convenient.

2. The panel board is centrally located to shorten the home wiring runs

3. It must be installed near the load center. In most cases, panel boards are mounted near the
kitchen and laundry where heavy duty loads are expected.

4. To limit the voltage drop on the branch circuit, the panel board shall be located in such a
manner that no circuit/wiring connections exceed 35 meters long.

5. In cases where a circuit is more than 35 meters long, No. 10 AWG wire shall be used for runs
up to 50 meters long and No.8 AWG wire for longer runs.
 SELF-CHECK F.1.2

IDENTIFICATION

Instruction: Write the word or phrase that best describe each statement. Write your answers on the
blanks before each item.

_______________ 1. A fuse that is enclosed in an insulating fiber tube.

_______________ 2. It has reference to electric motors, air conditioners and other similar equipment.

_______________ 3. What type of circuit supplies outlets for lighting and appliances including
convenience receptacles.

_______________ 4. The laundry outlets should be supplied by a __________.

_______________ 5. How many convenience outlets should be connected on a 15 ampere circuit?

_______________ 6. Duplex convenience outlets provided on kitchen counter should be spaced at

__________.

_______________ 7. What is the technical term for branch circuit?

_______________ 8. An electro-mechanical overcurrent protective device that also acts as a switch.

_______________ 9. What is the maximum load that can be drawn by a single appliance on a 20
ampere circuit?

_______________ 10. It is comprised of a coil with a movable core.

_______________ 11. A circuit intended to supply a specific item or equipment.

_______________ 12. A circuit that is intended to supply outlets for feeding appliances.

_______________ 13. What is the wire size required for general purpose circuits?

_______________ 14. It is the complete path traversed by electric current.

_______________ 15. What is the minimum circuit load allowed by the National Electric Code to feed
small appliances in the kitchen, living, dining rooms and pantry ?
 TASK SHEET F.1.2A

Title : Draft the LIGHTING LAYOUT of the first and second

floor plans of the house of your own design

Performance Objectives : Using the necessary tools and materials you are
required to do the assigned task for 9 hours.
Draw the task using scale 1:100

Supplies/Materials : legal size bond paper with suggested border trims and
title block

Tools/Equipment : Tee-square, triangles, circular template, architectural

template, pencil, inking pens, triangular scale

Steps/Procedure

1. Redraw the first and second floor plans.

2. Locate/draw the symbol for the lighting outlet of choice at each room of the house. Make sure that
the symbol is drawn in proper proportion to the drawing.

3. Locate the switch on the door knob’s side of the doorway at each room of the house.

4. Locate three-way switches at the head and foot of the stair and at both ends of the hallway.

5. Draw an invisible line to connect the switch and the lighting outlet (switch run ).

6. Draw the circuit lines connecting the lighting outlets and draw the homerun circuit number at the
desired end of the circuit. The National Electric Code limits the number of outlets to 6 on a 15 ampere
circuit and 8 on a 20 ampere circuit. Further, the Code do not allow the use of 30, 40 and 50 amperes
circuit for fixed lighting in residences.

Note; Please observe accuracy and neatness in drawing assigned tasks.

Assessment Method :

Performance Criteria Checklist

 Performance Criteria Checklist F.1.2A

CRITERIA YES NO
Did you…
Layout/draw the first and second floor plan properly

Use the appropriate size of the symbol for lighting fixture

Locate the switches properly

Use three-way switches on stairs and hallways

Use the right type of line for the switch run

Observe the limits set for the number of lighting outlets as required by the National
Electric Code in circuiting the lighting outlets
 TASK SHEET F.1.2B

Title : Draft the CONVENIENCE OUTLET LAYOUT on the first

and second floor plans of the two-storey
house of your own design

Performance Objectives : Using the necessary tools and materials you are
required to do assigned task for 9 hours. Draw
task using scale 1:100

Supplies/Materials : Legal size bond paper with suggested border trims

and title block

Tools/Equipment : Tee-square, triangles, pencil, inking pens, circular

template, architectural template, triangular
scale

Steps/Procedure:

1. Draw the first and second floor plans.

2. Locate small appliance outlets in the different rooms. Observe the planning rules and circuiting
guidelines in locating convenience outlets and make sure that the symbols will be in direct proportion
with the size of the floor plan.

3. Layout the circuitry by connecting the convenience outlets with a medium weight solid line and
indicating the number of circuit homerun at the desired end. Numbering of small appliance circuit
follows the sequence of the circuit homerun for lighting circuits. Observe circuiting guidelines as to the
number of convenience outlet connected to a particular circuit

3. Locate convenience outlets to serve specific items of equipment like air conditioning units, washing
machine, refrigerator, range, oven and others. These items are heavy duty circuits and are considered
individual branch circuits. Numbering of individual circuits follows that of the last circuit homerun for
small appliance circuits.

Note: Please observe accuracy and neatness in drawing assigned tasks.

Assessment Method:
 Performance Criteria Checklist

Performance Criteria Checklist F.1.2B

CRITERIA YES NO
Did you…
Draw the first and second floor plan according to the required scale

Observe the planning rules and circuiting guidelines in the layout of

convenience outlets required for small appliance circuits.
Locate the outlets for each individual branch circuit near the specific item of
appliance/equipment