Module 6

Electrical Installations

M.R.Chakraborty
Department of EE
Electrical Installations Outline
1 Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB,MCCB

2 Types of Wires and Cables

3 Earthing

4 Types of Batteries, Important characteristics for Batteries

5 Elementary calculations for energy consumption & savings

6 Battery backup

2
 Electrical Installations

• Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB

• Types of Wires and Cables
• Earthing
• Types of Batteries, Important characteristics for Batteries
• Elementary calculations for energy consumption and savings
• Battery backup

3
Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse Unit (SFU),
MCB, ELCB, MCCB

Switchgear: The apparatus used for switching, controlling and protecting the
electrical circuits and equipment is known as switchgear.

The term ‘switchgear’ is a generic term encompassing a wide range of products

like circuit breakers, switches, switch fuse units, off-load isolators, HRC
fuses, contactors, earth leakage circuit breaker, etc...

4
Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse Unit (SFU),
MCB, ELCB, MCCB

Classification of Switchgear:
Switchgear can be classified on the basis of voltage level into the following:
• Low voltage (LV) Switchgear: upto 1KV
• Medium voltage (MV) Switchgear: 3 KV to 33 KV
• High voltage (HV) Switchgear: Above 33 KV

5
Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse Unit (SFU),
MCB, ELCB, MCCB

The term LT Switchgear includes low voltage Circuit Breakers, Switches, off
load electrical isolators, HRC fuses, Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker,
Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB) and Molded Case Circuit Breakers
(MCCB) etc i.e. all the accessories required to protect the LV system.

The most common use of LVswitchgear is in LVdistribution board.

6
Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
FUSE:
Fuse is perhaps the simplest and cheapest device used for
interrupting an electrical circuit under short circuit, or excessive
overload, current magnitudes.

The action of a fuse is based upon the heating effect of the electric
circuit.

The fuse has inverse time-current characteristics as shown in the next

slide. 7
Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
FUSE:
The part which actually
melts and opens the circuit is
known as the fuse element.

Fuses have following

advantages and
disadvantages:
Time-Current Characteristics

8
Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
FUSE:
Advantages:
1. It is cheapest form of protection available.
2. It needs no maintenance.
3. Its operation is inherently completely automatic unlike a circuit
breaker which requires an elaborate equipment for automatic
action.
4. It interrupts enormous short circuit currents without noise, flame,
gas or smoke.
9
Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
FUSE:
Disadvantages:
1. Considerable time is lost in rewiring or replacing a fuse after
operation.
2. On heavy short circuits, discrimination between fuses in series
cannot be obtained unless there is considerable differences in
the relative sizes of the fuse concerned.
3. The current-time characteristics of a fuse cannot always be
correlated with that of the protected device.
10
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch
Fuse Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
FUSE: Fuse is provided only in phase or live pole, never on
neutral pole.

FUSE UNITS:
The various types of fuse units, most commonly available are:
1. Round type fuse unit.
2. Kit-kat type fuse unit.
3. Cartridge type fuse unit.
4. HRC (High Rupturing Capacity) fuse units and
5. Semiconductor fuse units.
11
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
1. Round type fuse unit:
This type of fuse unit consists of a porcelain or bakelite box and two
separated wire terminals for holding the fuse wire between them. This type of
fuse is not common use on account of its following disadvantages:
1. One of the terminals remain always energized and, therefore, for
replacement of fuse either the worker will have to touch the live mains or
open the main switch.
2. Appreciable arching takes place at the instant of blowing off fuse and thus
damage the terminals. After two or three arcing the fuse unit becomes
unusable.
12
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Rewirable or Kit-kat Type Fuses:
The most commonly used fuse in “house wiring’
and small current circuits is the semi-enclosed or
rewirable fuse (also sometimes known as kit- kat
type fuse). It consists of a porcelain base carrying
the fixed contacts to which the incoming and
outgoing live or phase wires are connected and a
porcelain fuse carrier holding the fuse element,
consisting of one or more strands of fuse wire,
stretched between its terminals.
13
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Rewirable or Kit-kat Type Fuses:
The fuse wire may be of lead, tinned copper,
aluminium or an alloy of tin-lead. The actual
fusing current will be about twice the rated
current.
The specifications for rewirable fuses are covered
by IS: 2086-1963. Standard ratings are 6, 16, 32,
63 and 100A. A fuse wire of any rating not
exceeding the rating of the fuse may be used in it
i.e. a 80A fuse wire can be used in a 100A fuse,
but not in the 63A fuse. 14
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Disadvantages of Rewirable or Kit-
kat Type Fuses:
• Unreliable operation.
• Lack of discrimination.
• Small time lag.
• Low rupturing capacity.
• No current limiting feature.
• Slow speed of operation.

15
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
3. Cartridge Type Fuses:
This is a totally enclosed type fuse unit. It
essentially consists of an insulating container of
bulb or tube shape and sealed at its ends with
metallic cap known as cartridge enclosing the fuse
element and filled with powder or granular
material known as filler.
There are various types of materials used as filler
like sand, calcium carbonate, quartz etc.
This type of fuse is available upto 660V and the
current rating upto 800 A. 16
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
4. High Rupturing Capacity
(HRC) Fuses:
With a very heavy generating
capacities of the modern power
stations, extremely heavy currents
would flow into the fault and fuse
clearing the fault would be
required to withstand extremely
high stresses in this process.

17
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
4. High Rupturing Capacity (HRC) Fuses: HRC fuses developed and
designed after intensive research for use in medium and high voltage
installations. Their rupturing capacity is as high as 500MVA up to 66 KV and
above.

There are basically two types of HRC fuses are used.

1. Cartridge Type HRC Fuse.
2. Tetra Chloride Type HRC Fuse.

18
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
5. Semiconductor Fuses:

These are very fast acting fuses for protection of thyristor and other
electronic circuits.

19
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
Switch Fuse Unit (SFU): Switch fuse is a combined unit and is
known as an iron clad switch, being made of iron. It may be double
pole for controlling single phase two-wire circuits or triple pole for
controlling three-phase, 3-wire circuits or triple pole with neutral link
for controlling 3-phase, 4-wire circuits. The respective switches are
known as double pole iron clad (DPIC), triple pole iron clad (TPIC),
and triple pole with neutral link iron clad (TPNIC) switches.

20
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
Switch Fuse Unit (SFU):

1. For Two-wire DC Circuits or Single Phase AC Circuits:

240V, 16A, DPIC switch fuse

2. For Three-Wire DC Circuits: 500V, 32A (63/100/150 or

higher amperes), IS approved TPIC switch fuse.

3. For Three-Phase Balanced Load Circuits: 415V, 32A

(63/100/150 or higher amperes), IS approved TPIC switch fuse.
21
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch
Fuse Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
Switch Fuse Unit (SFU):

22
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch
Fuse Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
Switch Fuse Unit (SFU):

23
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch
Fuse Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
Switch Fuse Unit (SFU):

24
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch
Fuse Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
Switch Fuse Unit (SFU):

25
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB): A device which provides definite
protection to the wiring installations and sophisticated equipment
against over-currents and short-circuit faults. Thermal operation
(overload protection) is achieved with a bimetallic strip, which
deflects when heated by any over- currents flowing through it. In
doing so, releases the latch mechanism and causes the contacts to
open. Inverse-time current characteristics result. i.e. greater the
overload or excessive current, shorter the time required to operate the
MCB.
26
Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB):
On occurrence of short circuit, the rising current energizes the solenoid,
operating the plunger to strike the trip lever causing immediate release of the
latch mechanism. Rapidity of the magnetic solenoid operation causes
instantaneous opening of contacts.
MCBs are available with different current ratings of 0.5, 1.2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.5,
10, 16, 20, 25, 32, 35, 40, 63, 100, 125, 160 A and voltage rating of 240/415 V
AC and up to 220 V DC. Operating time is very short (less than 5 ms).
They are suitable for the protection of important and sophisticated equipment,
such as air-conditioners, refrigerators, computers etc.
27
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch
Fuse Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
Miniature Circuit
Breaker (MCB):

28
Components of LT Switchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB): It is a device that provides
protection against earth leakage. These are of two types.
1. Current operated earth leakage circuit breaker:
2. Voltage operated earth leakage circuit breaker.

1. Current operated earth leakage circuit breaker: It is used when

the product of the operating current in amperes and the earth-loop
impedance in ohms does not exceed 40. such circuit breakers is used
where consumer’s earthing terminal is connected to a suitable earth
electrode.
29
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
1. Current operated earth leakage circuit breaker:

A current-operated earth leakage circuit breaker is applied to a 3-phase,

3-wire circuit.

In normal condition when there is no earth leakage, the algebraic sum

of the currents in the three coils of the current transformers is zero, and
no current flows through the trip coil. In case of any earth leakage, the
currents are unbalanced and the trip coil is energized and thus the circuit
breaker is tripped.
30
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
1. Current operated earth leakage circuit breaker:

31
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Voltage operated earth leakage circuit breaker: It is suitable for
use when the earth –loop impedance exceeds the values applicable to
fuses or excess-current circuit breaker or to current operated earth
leakage circuit breaker. When the voltage between the earth continuity
conductor (ECC) and earth electrode rises to sufficient value, the trip
coil will carry the required current to trip the circuit breaker. With such a
circuit breaker the earthing lead between the trip coil and the earth
electrode must be insulated; in addition, the earth electrode must be
placed outside the resistance area of any other parallel earths which
may exist.
32
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Voltage operated earth
leakage circuit breaker:

In both the above types of ELCB the

tripping operation may be tested by
means of a finger-operated test button
which passes a predetermined current
from the line wire through a high
resistance to trip the coil and thus to
earth. This test operation should be
performed regularly.
33
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) :
It is a type of electrical protection device that can be used for a wide range of
voltages, and frequencies of both 50 Hz and 60 Hz, the main distinctions
between molded case and miniature circuit breaker are that MCCB can have
current rating up to 2500 amperes, and its trip setting are normally adjustable.
MCCBs are much larger than MCBs. An MCCB has three main functions:
• Protection against overload.
• Protection against electrical faults.
• Switching a circuit ON and OFF. This is a less common function of circuit
breakers, but they can be used for that purpose if there is not an adequate
manual switch.
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Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) :

The wide range of current ratings available from molded-case circuit

breakers allows them to be used in a wide variety of applications.
MCCBs are available with current ratings that range from low values
such as 15 amperes, to industrial ratings such as 2500 amperes. This
allows them to be used in both low power and high power
applications.

35
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch
Fuse Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) :
Operating Mechanism: At its core, the protection mechanism employed by
MCCBs is based on the same physical principles used by all types of thermal-
magnetic circuit breakers.
• Overload protection is accomplished by means of a thermal mechanism.
MCCBs have a bimetallic contact what expands and contracts in response
to changes in temperature. Under normal operating conditions, the
contact allows electric current through the MCCB. However, as soon as the
current exceeds the adjusted trip value, the contact will start to heat and
expand until the circuit is interrupted.
36
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) : The thermal protection
against overload is designed with a time delay to allow short duration
overcurrent, which is a normal part of operation for many devices.
However any over current conditions, that lasts more than what is
normally expected represent an overload, and the MCCB is tripped to
protect the equipment and personnel.

37
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) :
• On the other hand, fault protection is accomplished with
electromagnetic induction, and the response is instant. Fault
currents should be interrupted immediately, no matter if their
duration is short or long. Whenever a fault occurs, the extremely
high current induces a magnetic field in a solenoid coil located
inside the breaker-this magnetic induction trips a contact and
current is interrupted. As a complement to the magnetic protection
mechanism, MCCBs have internal arc dissipation measures to
facilitate interruption.
38
Components of LTSwitchgear: Switch Fuse
Unit (SFU), MCB, ELCB, MCCB
2. Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) :

39
 Types of wires and cables:
Wire is a single electrical conductor, whereas a cable is a group of
wires swathed in sheathing.
 CABLES
• The main requirements of the insulting materials used for cable are:
1. High insulation resistance.
2. High dielectric strength.
3.Good mechanical properties i.e. tenacity and elasticity.
4. It should not be affected by chemicals around it.
5. It should be non-hygroscopic because the dielectric strength of
any material goes very much down with moisture connect
 TPES OF CABLES
RUBBER: used for house wiring,
buildings, factories and low
power work.

PVC(Polyvinyl chloride):
It is a thermo plastic insulating
material. These are used up to 1.1kv
voltages especially in concealed
wiring system.

TRS(Tough rubber sheathed) or Cab type

sheathed(CTS):
These are used in 250/ 500v circuits.
 Electrical Earthing
The process of transferring the immediate discharge of the electrical energy directly to
the earth by the help of the low resistance wire is known as the electrical earthing.

Mostly galvanised iron is used for earthing.Earthing provides simple path to the
leakage current.

Earthing is an important component of electrical systems because of

the following reasons:
• It keeps people safe by preventing electric shocks
• It prevents damage to electrical appliances and devices by preventing excessive
current from running through the circuit
• It prevents the risk of fire that could otherwise be caused by
current leakage
 Types of Electrical Earthing:
• Neutral Earthing:
In neutral earthing, the neutral of the system
is directly connected to earth by the help of
the GI wire. The neutral earthing is also
called the system earthing.
Ex. Generator, T/F, Motor etc.
• Equipment Earthing:
Such type of earthing is provided to the
electrical equipment. The non-current
carrying part of the equipment like their
metallic frame is connected to the earth by
the help of the conducting wire.
 Electric shock

An electric shock happens when an electric current passes through your

body. This can burn both internal and external tissue and cause organ
damage.
First Aid:
If you receive an electric shock
• Let go of the electric source as soon as you can.
• If you can, call 911 or local emergency services. If you can’t, ask for someone else
around you to call.
• If the shock feels minor ,See a doctor as soon as you can, even if you don’t have any
noticeable symptoms. Remember, some internal injuries are hard to detect at first.
In the meantime, cover any burns with sterile gauze.
Don’tuse adhesive bandages or anything else that might stick to the burn.

If someone else has been shocked

• Don’t touch someone who has been shocked if they’re still in contact with the source
of electricity.
• Turn off the flow of electricity if possible.
• Stay at least 20 feet away if they’ve been shocked by high-voltage power lines that are
still on.
Cells and Batteries

• A device which is used as a source of e.m.f. and which works on the

principle of energy conversion of chemical energy into electrical
energy is called a cell.

• But practically the voltage of a single cell is not sufficient to use

in any practical application.
• Hence various cells are connected in series or parallel to obtain
the required voltage level.
• The combination of various cells, to obtain the desired voltage
level is called a battery.
Types of Cells

• There are two types of cells,

 Primary Cells:
• The chemical action in these cells is not reversible and hence the
entire cell is required to be replaced by a new one if the cell is down.
• The primary cells can produce only a limited amount of energy.
• Mostly the non electrolytes are used for the primary cells.
• The various examples of primary cells are
i. Dry Cell (zinc-carbon)
ii. Mercury cell
iii. Zinc chloride cell
iv. Lithium cell
v. alkaline cells
Dry Cell (zinc-carbon)

• The zinc container is lined with paper to avoid

direct reaction of zinc with carbon.
• The container is sealed with an insulator called
pitch.
• The tin plates are used at top and bottom which
are positive and negative terminals of the cell.
• Applications are Used in torch lights,
Electronic apparatus and toys, wall clocks etc.
Mercury cell

Applications
These cells are preferred for providing
power to small devices like Electronic
calculators, Audio devices, Cameras
etc.,
Types of Cells

 Secondary Cells:
• The chemical action in this cells is reversible.
• Thus if cell is down, it can be charged to regain its original state, by
using one of the charging methods.
• The electrical energy is stored in the form of chemical energy.
• secondary cells are also called storage cells, accumulators or
rechargeable cells.

• The various types of secondary cells are

i. Lead-acid cell.
ii. Alkaline cell (Nickel-cadmium )
Lead-acid cell

Applications
1. In emergency lighting systems
2. In automobiles for starting.
3. Uninterrupted power supply systems.
4. Railway signalling.
5.Electrical substations and the power stations.
Characteristics of Lead-acid cell

•During charging of the lead acid

cell, the voltage
increases from 1.8V to 2.5V-2.7V,
when cell is completely charged.

• If the discharge rate is high, the

curve is more drooping as voltage
decreases faster.
Alkaline cells

• The secondary cells can be alkaline cells. These are of two types
1. Nickel – iron cell or Edison cell
2. Nickel – cadmium or Nife cell or Junger cell
 1.Nickel – iron cell or Edison cell

Applications
1. Mine locomotives and mine safety lamps
2. Space ship
3. In the railways for
Lighting and air conditioning purposes.
4. To supply power to tractors, submarines,
aeroplanes etc.
Electrical Characteristics of Nickel Iron cell

• The Characteristics will show the

variations in the terminal voltage of
cell against the charging or
discharging hours.

• When fully charged its voltage is

about 1.4V and during discharging
it reduces to 1.1 to 1V. During
charging, the average charging
voltage is 1.7 to 1.75 V.
Nickel – cadmium cell

Applications
1. Millitary aero planes , helicopters and
commercial airlines for starting engines
and provide emergency supply.
2. In Electric Shavers.
3. In the railways for Lighting and air
conditioning purposes etc.
Elementary calculations for energy consumption

STEP I : Calculate Watts Per Day

In this step, simply multiply your device’s wattage by the number of
hours you use it in a day. This will give you the number of watt-hours
consumed each day.

For example, say you use a 125-watt television for three hours per day.
By multiplying the watts (125) by the hours used (3), we find that the
television is consuming 375 watt-hours per day.

125 watts X 3 hours =

375 watt-hours per day
 Cont.,
STEP II : Convert Watt-Hours to Kilowatts
Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours on your bill, not watt-
hours. One kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts.

so to calculate how many kWh a device uses, divide the watt-hours

from the previous step by 1,000. Using our previous example, this
means you would divide 375 watt-hours by 1,000, resulting in 0.375
kWh.

375 watt-hours
per day / 1000 = 0.375 kWh per day
 Cont.,

STEP III : Find Your Usage Over a Month

Now that you know the kWh used per day, multiply
that by 30 to find your approximate usage for the
month.

So, if your daily usage is 0.375 kWh, your monthly usage would be 11.25 kWh.

375 watt-hours per day X 30 days =

11.25 kWh per month
 Cont.,

STEP IV : Figure Out the Cost

For the final step, refer to your last electric bill to see how
much you pay per kWh, i.e. Tariff. Let’s say, according to
your bill, your electric rate is 3 rupees per kWh.

Multiply your electric rate (₹3) by your monthly

usage (33.75) to find out how much your TV is
costing you in a month (₹33.75).

11.25 kWh per month X ₹5 perkWh

= ₹33.75 permonth
What about devices that use more electricity?

• For refrigerator, for instance, runs 24 hours a day. Most refrigerators consume
anywhere between 300 to 780 watts of electricity. Let’s say your model only uses 300
watts.
 300 watts X 24 hours = 7,200 watt-hours per day

 7,200 watt-hours per day / 1000 = 7.2 kWh per day

 7.2 kWh per day X 30 days = 216 kWh per month

 216 kWh per month x ₹3 per kWh =648 per month

Battery Backup
• A battery backup device is an electronic device that supplies secondary
power in the absence of main power, such as during a power outage.

• The battery backup will supply power when it detects an outage.

• Battery backup devices can also protect electronic hardware from power
spikes, dirty electricity and power outages.

• Battery backup devices in all sizes and power capacities available but this
will affect the size and capacities required.