National Building Code (NBC)

Module 3
B24ES1T02 BASICS OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
 What is the National Building Code (NBC)?
What is the role of NBC?

• The National Building Code of India (NBC), a comprehensive building

Code, is a national instrument providing guidelines regulating
building construction activities which includes electrical work, air
conditioning and ventilation, fire and life safety work etc. across India.
• It is applicable to all agencies/departments involved in construction
activities such as the Public Works Department, Govt construction
departments, local bodies or private construction agencies.
SCOPE
• Part-8/Section 2 of NBC covers the essential requirements for
electrical installations in buildings to ensure efficient use of electricity
including safety from fire and shock.
• This section also includes general requirements relating to lightning
protection of buildings and brief provisions on certain allied
installations.
General Requirements
• All electrical installations must comply with the Indian Electricity Rules
(1956), relevant IS standards, and safety regulations.
• Installations should prevent risks of electric shock, fire, or equipment
damage.
• Insulation of cables and equipment must be adequate for the system's
voltage and current rating.
• Electrical installations should be designed to handle the anticipated load
and allow for future expansion.
• Lighting circuits (separate for common areas and individual rooms).
• Power circuits for equipment like air conditioners, geysers, and motors.
• Dedicated circuits for emergency systems like fire alarms, emergency
lighting, and elevators.
• The distribution board (DB) must be easily accessible, installed at a
safe height and appropriately rated to handle the total load.
• Circuit breakers, including MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers) and
RCCBs (Residual Current Circuit Breakers), must be used for
overcurrent and earth fault protection.
• All electrical systems must be properly earthed as per IS 3043: Code
of Practice for Earthing.
• Use high-quality, insulated wires and cables that meet IS 694 or
equivalent standards.
• Common types include PVC-insulated cables or XLPE cables for
higher current capacity.
• Use fire-resistant cables in critical areas (e.g., stairwells, emergency
systems).
• Ensure proper clearance between electrical equipment and combustible
materials.
• Buildings must have a lightning protection system to safeguard against
lightning strikes.
• Essential systems (e.g., elevators, lighting, fire alarms) must be connected
to backup power.
• Electrical panels, switches, and outlets must be easily accessible.
• Regular maintenance and periodic testing of installations are mandatory.
• Use energy-efficient devices and systems, such as LED lighting, Star-rated
electrical appliances, and Smart meters for energy monitoring and control.
• Maintain detailed documentation of the electrical installation, including,
Single-line diagrams.
NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE (NEC 2011) & VOLTAGE STANDARDS

MODULE 3

B24ES1T02 BASICS OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

 NEC 2011
• The National Electric Code was first introduced in 1985
• It is a regionally adoptable standard for safe installation of electrical wiring and
equipment
• It unifies practices, procedures and safety requirements to be compiled within
design, execution, inspection and maintenance of electrical installations in the
country
• NEC is formulated to elaborate the Indian Electricity Rules and serve as a
compilation documents in electrical practices in India
Objective of NEC
• To complement IE rules by the way of elaborating as well as
recommending practices to comply with their requirements
• NEC provides information in a consolidated form to the Electrical
Engineers and contractors who are concerned with the design and
operation of electrical installation
NEC 2011
• The information relating to each type of installation above is further classified and presented in
the following manner
• Assessment of general characteristics
• Heavy current installation in the occupancy
• Power supply and distribution system
• Cables and accessories for power distribution
• Protective equipments
• Metering of energy consumption
• Reactive power compensation
• Guidance on electrical aspects of building services like lighting, air conditioning etc
• Emergency supply requirements
• Light current installations in the occupancy
• Electric bell, clock, audio systems etc
• Fire protection signalling, Cable T V, networking etc.
• Specific requirements for protection and safety
National Electric Code (NEC 2011)
• Basically a compilation document taking assistance from detailed IS specifications
already available.
• Contains guidelines which can be adopted immediately
• Harmonized with corresponding IEC standards
• Code is intended to be advisory and not mandatory
• Should be adopted in interest of safety and economy
• To keep our electrical installation practices at par with the best international
practices
Voltage Standard
• IS 12360 : 1988
Voltage Standard
• Section 6 of NEC 2011
Voltage Classification

Voltage
Sl. No. Abbreviation Max. Voltage
Class

1 Low LV 250 V
2 Medium MV 650 V
3 High HV 33,000 V
4 Extra High EHV > 33,000 V
Voltage Limit Tolerance Level

Voltage Variations
Sl. No. Abbreviation
Class Allowed

1 Low LV -6% to +6%

2 Medium MV -6% to +6%
3 High HV -9% to +6%
4 Extra High EHV -12.5% to +12.5%
Frequency Standard

• The nominal frequency of operation in Indian grid is 50.0 Hz and the permissible
frequency band specified by Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) is 49.5 Hz to 50.2
Hz w.e.f 3rd May 2010.
6.6 SERVICE MAINS

Having brought the supplier’s service line into the consumer’s premises it is now to be connected to
the consumer’s internal wiring. The supply authorities have to charge the consumer for electrical energy
consumed. For this purpose the supplier’s service line will be connected to the input terminal of the
energy meter to be provided by the supply authority. After the energy meter the service line is connected
to cut-out as shown in Fig 6.3. The cut-out contains a fuse wire so that if the consumer draws heavier
current than the rating of the meter, the fuse will blow off. The cut-out also serves the purpose of enabling
the supply authority to disconnect the supply if the consumer fails to pay his bill. The cut-out and the
meter are the supply authority’s property and are sealed. The consumer’s distribution starts after the
energy meter and cut-out. The leads from the output terminals via the cut-out are connected to the
consumer’s main switch.

Fig.6.3: Single Line Diagram Of The Meter Distribution Board

A Service main is an arrangement of connections from service pole to consumer premises. From
the distribution line consumers are given connection from the nearest pole. The service connection may
be given in:

i) Overhead System
ii) Underground System.

The service connection terminates at the point of commencement of supply to the consumer.

The service cable from distributor terminate at the main cut-out and metre

The supply from metre goes to main switch for control purpose.

The service connections are provided by the supplier (Electricity Department) up to metre.

6.7 METER BOARD AND DISTRIBUTION BOARD

Meter board is a board on which the following accessories are installed:

 (i) Cut Out
(ii) Neutral Link
(iii) Meter (Kwh metre)

The consumer is given connection through metre board. The distribution board and other accessories of
the meter board are to be installed by the consumer. The metre board is to be provided by the electricity
department. The metre and the fuse cut out is sealed by electricity department. The fuse (cut-out) is
provided on phase wire after the metre to avoid theft of electricity. Fig.6.4 shows a typical diagram of
meter board and distribution board.

Fig.6.4: Detailed Wiring Diagram Of Meter Board And Distribution Board

Distribution Board

Every installation of any load is controlled by the main switch at main board. The main switch
(Switch Gear) may be installed at a place readily accessible to the consumer and as near as possible to the
supplier of service board. The type and size of the main switch depends upon the consumer’s maximum
load. The advantage of keeping main switch near the meter board is to save the cable length for
connection and also voltage drop.

6.8 EARTHING

Earth’s potential is taken as zero for all practical purposes. Hence any electrical appliance, part, machine
when connected to earth attains zero potential and is said to be ‘Earthed’. Voltage of this earthed
appliance will fall or increase to zero if its voltage is higher or lower than the earth potential.
The frames, bodies of machineries are earthed so that in case of any ground or leakage the chances for
electric shock and fire are eliminated by allowing the leakage current to flow to earth at once and the
circuit’s fuse blows off, thus disconnecting the machinery, appliance from the supply.

6.8.1 Necessity of Earthing

Fig.6.5 shows path of fault current through human body when no earth wire is provided. When metal
frame is connected to the earth through an earth wire of low resistance, a person touching the metal frame
even when the live wire is in touch with it, will provide two parallel paths through which the circuit will
be completed: one through the human body and other through the earth wire. The earth wire will offer an
easier path for the current to flow through the circuit and heavy current flows. This blows of the fuse
isolating the equipment from the supply mains. Thus the earth wire works a protective device against any
electric shock in case of fault in the circuit. Equipments are earthed using three pin socket, where the
bigger pin serves as earth.

Fig.6.5: Path Of Fault Current Through Human Body When No Earth Wire Is Provided

General Requirements of Earthing

Earthing means connecting earth terminals to electrodes installed solidly in the mass of earth. It should
generally be carried out in accordance with the requirements of Indian electricity rules, 1956 and the
relevant regulations of the concerned electricity supply authority. I.E Rule Nos. 32, 51, 61, 62, 67, 69,
88(2) and 90 are particularly applicable. The normal expected value of earth resistance is below 5 ohms.

Methods of Earthing

There are three methods of earthing

1. Earthing through a water main

2. Pipe earthing
3. Plate earthing

First method is however not popular as water means are of concrete or cement.

6.8.2 Plate Earthing

The earth connection can again be provided with the help of a copper plate or a G.I. plate as shown in Fig
6.6. When G.I plate is used it should not be less than 60 cm. × 60 cm. × 6.35 mm while for copper plate
these dimensions may be 60 cm. × 60 cm. × 3.18 mm. However, the use of the copper plate in these
days, is limited .The plate is kept with its face vertical at a depth of 3m. (10 ft.) and is so arranged that it
is embedded in an alternate layer of coke and salt for a minimum thickness of about 15 cm. in case
earthing is done by copper plate and in coke layers of 15 cm. if it is done with G.I. plate. The earth wire is
securely bolted to the earth plate with the help of bolt nut and washer. The other details of plate earthing
are same as that of G.I. pipe earthing.

6.8.3 Pipe Earthing

A galvanised iron pipe of approved length and diameter can be used as earth pipe. The size of the pipe
depends upon (a) the current to be carried and (b) the type of soil. According to I.S.I Standard No. 732 -
19653 the galvanised iron pipe shall not be less than 38.1mm. diameter and 2 m long for ordinary soil is
dry and rocky, the length of the pipe should not be increased to 2.75 m.

The pipe is placed upright as shown in Fig 6.7 and must be placed in a permanently wet ground. The
depth at which the pipe should be buried depends on the condition of ground moisture. According to
Indian Standard, the pipe should be placed at a depth of 4.75 m , it can be less if soil provides sufficient
moisture earlier. The pipe at the bottom should be surrounded be broken pieces of coke or charcoal for
distance of about 15 cm. around the pipe. The coke increases the effective areas of earth practically to the
outside of coke bed.

Impregnating the coke with salt decreases the earth resistance. Generally alternate layers of salt and coke
are used for best results as represented in figure. In India in summer season the moisture in the soil will
decrease to a large extent which will increase the earth resistance. So in order to have an effective earth,
whenever needed, 3 to 4 buckets of water should be put into the funnel connected to the main G.I. pipe
through 19mm dia. pipe.

The earth lead used must be G.I. wire or G.I. strip (not copper) of sufficient cross-sectional area to carry
fault current safely. It should not be less than electrical equivalent of copper conductor of 12.97 sq. mm
(8SWG) cross-sectional area. The earth wire from the G.I. pipe of 19 mm dia. should be carried in a G.I.
pipe of dia. 12.7 mm at a depth of about 60 cm. below the ground. Further when the earth wire is carried
over from one machine to the other, it should be well protected from mechanical injury, by carrying the
earth wire in recessed portion.
Fig.6.6: Plate Earthing
Fig.6.7: Pipe Earthing
General rules applicable for Wiring

• A Service main from the overhead line or underground cable of the electricity supply
provider (Electricity Board) terminates at the energy meter in the meter board of the
consumer.
• Meter board contains energy meter and fuse cut out.
• After the energy meter and cut out, electricity supply wires are taken in to the building
where they first enter in to a main switch (main breaker) of the main switch board.
• The main switch board (MSB) contains earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB), Miniature
circuit breaker (MCB), etc… in addition to the main breaker.
• The position of the meter board is fixed so as to bring down the length of service mains to
a minimum.
• The distance between meter board and main switch board should be as minimum as
possible.
• The main switch board should be placed at an easily accessible common place in the
building.
• Ratings of the main switch and MCBs of sub circuits should match the electrical loads that
they handle.
• If the connected load exceeds 5 kW, three phase connection is required and the wiring
must be done accordingly.
• The maximum load per circuit is limited to 800 watts or ten electrical points including
connected plug sockets.
• Separate phase and neutral conductors should be provided for each circuit.
• 1.5 sq. mm multi strand PVC insulated copper wire can be used as phase and neutral
conductors of each sub circuit.
• The conductors used in the final sub circuits for light and fan shall be 1 sq. mm multi strand
PVC insulated copper wire.
• 2.5 sq. mm multi strand PVC insulated copper wire can be used as phase and neutral
conductors of each power sub circuit.
• The cross sectional area of copper conductor used in residential air conditioner circuit shall
be 4 sq.mm.
• Neutral wire can be looped within a circuit but it cannot be looped between two circuits.
• It is a good practice to choose red, yellow or blue colour wire for the phase conductor and
black colour wire for the neutral conductor.
• The accepted colour for the earth wire is green.
• 2.5 sq. mm multi strand PVC insulated copper wire can be used as earth conductor in
residential wiring.
• All plug socket outlets should have independent switches and the switches must be placed
on the right hand side of the socket.
• Earth pin is not available for two pin sockets. So devices to be earthed must be connected
to 3 pin sockets.
• 6 Amp switches are normally used for light, fan, exhaust fan, socket outlets etc…
• Switches of higher rating may be necessary for water heaters, room air conditioners,
cooking ranges etc… according to their power ratings.
• Power circuits should have independent phase and neutral wires of adequate capacity.
• Proper earthing should be provided in the building. The expected value of earth resistance
is less than 5 ohms.
• In industries, light and power circuits should be independent and are to be metered
accordingly.