What is electrical wiring?

Electrical wiring is the electrical installation of devices and cabling such as distribution boards, switches, light fittings, and sockets in a structure. For design and installation, wiring is subject to safety standards. In a building, the wiring system consists of circuit protection, control, and distribution devices that have current (ampere), voltage, and functional specifications. The safety codes of wiring vary by region, country, or locality. The voltage in the household is typically 120 V. If the voltage in a circuit is greater than the ability to do more work and push more electrons increases. The voltage does not depend on the size of the electric wire. In electrical wiring, a resistor reduces or opposes the flow of current and adjusts signal levels. It also divides voltages, etc. This ability of a resistor to reduce current is called resistance. The other components are a capacitor and an inductor which store energy as an electric field and magnetic field. In the case of a single-phase power supply, the phase and the neutral wires supply the power. In the case of a three-phase power supply, three or four wires (if neutral is present) supply the power.

Types of electrical wiring systems

Electrical wiring is important for any house (individual houses or apartments), office buildings, or industry. We use several methods and systems of electrical wiring for lighting and other power circuits. While choosing a particular electrical wiring system, consider the following factors:

• Wiring system cost
• The types of cables/wires used
• Wires quality
• Types of loads
• The safety of the wiring system
• Future modifications or extensions
• The installation life
• Buildings construction
• Fire safety

The wiring system must protect against regular mechanical wear and tear under normal operating conditions irrespective of the type of wiring and the choice of wire. Some of the commonly used wiring systems are-

Cleat wiring

In cleat wiring, porcelain, wood, or plastic cleats are fixed to walls or ceilings at regular intervals of 0.6 m between each cleat. The cleat supports and holds the wire when PVC-type insulated cables are taken through each cleat hole. This method is used for temporary installations and is an inexpensive method of wiring. Therefore this is an outdated method and is not suitable for home electrical wiring.

Casing and capping wiring

In such wiring, a cable runs through a wooden casing having groves. The design of the wood casing has the required fixed length with parallel grooves that can accommodate the cable only. With the help of screws, the wooden casing is fixed to the walls or the ceiling. A wooden cap with grooves is placed to cover the cables. It is a cheap wiring system but there is a high risk of fire.

Batten wiring

In this wiring system, the insulated wires run through the teak straight wooden battens that are fixed on the ceilings or the walls using plugs, screws, and tinned brass link clips. The clips are fixed to the battens with rust-resistant nails. This wiring system is simple, cheap, and takes less time to install.

Conduit wiring

In this wiring system, cables run through either PVC conduit pipes or steel conduit pipes. The conduit wiring can be of two types that are either surface conduit wiring or concealed conduit wiring.

Lead sheathed wiring

This method is similar to the Cable tyre sheathed (CTS) or Tough rubber sheath (TRS) wiring, except for the type of wire or cable. The electrical conductor is first insulated with the help of vulcanized Indian rubber and then covered with a sheath made up of Lead-Aluminum alloy.

Types of diagrams

In electrical installation works, the electrical diagrams convey information about the connection of various equipment and devices with the mains. They provide the complete design or plan of electric installation and help to assemble different types of equipment. Some electrical wiring diagrams are-

Block diagram

This functional diagram is simple and provides the main operating principles of the equipment or devices. A block diagram includes principle functions or parts. The connected lines through the blocks show the relationship between them. Before implementing a circuit diagram, technicians draw this pictorial diagram. Therefore, most of the technicians have the very least amount of interest in this diagram.

Circuit Diagram

In a simplified manner, the electric circuit is graphically interesting. A technician uses computer-aided design (CAD) software to show the position of elements like receptacle boxes, light fixtures, ceiling fans, junction boxes.

Line diagram

It is also called a One-line diagram or Single line diagram and is a simplified notion of an electrical system. Except for the various electrical elements such as switches, transformers, fans, lights, motors, and circuit breakers it is similar to the Block diagram and is represented by standard schematic symbols. The diagram does not give any detailed wiring information of the components and layout of the parts.

Wiring diagram

The pictorial representation of the circuit in the wiring diagram shows the wiring between the parts, equipment, or elements. It gives detailed information on the wiring between the devices, their arrangement, relative position, and terminals. This diagram shows earth connections and power supplies, signal functions and control functions, termination of unused leads and contacts, interconnection through blocks, plugs, sockets, lead-through, terminal posts, etc.

Types of electrical wiring

Types of wiring depend on the way the devices are powered or connected to the supply. The two types of wiring are:

Parallel circuit wiring

A parallel circuit wiring powers several devices on a single circuit. It is used in homes and industries.

Series circuit wiring

It is the most rarely used wiring application. Here through several devices, the hot wire is routed and then the neutral wire connects to the last device terminal.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is a standard rating system that defines the types of environments in which electrical enclosures can be used. It signifies certain environmental conditions withstood the fixed closure's ability.

Context and Applications

This topic is significant in the professional exam for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate courses.

• Bachelors of Technology (Electrical Engineering)
• Masters of Technology (Electrical Engineering)

Practice Problems

1. What is the typical household voltage?

1. 120 V
2. 0 V
3. 50 V
4. 100 V

Answer: Option 1

Explanation: The typical household voltage is 120 V.

2. Which component reduces the current flow in electrical wiring?

1. Diode
2. Inductor
3. Heater
4. Resistor

Answer: Option 4

Explanation: In electrical wiring, a resistor reduces the flow of current and adjusts signal levels. It also divides voltages, etc.

3. How are cables run through in the case of the casing and capping wiring?

1. Wooden casing
2. Thermostat casing
3. Steel casing
4. None of these

Answer: Option 1

Explanation: In the case of the casing and capping wiring, cables run through a wooden casing having groves.

4. How is the relationship between the blocks shown in the case of a block diagram?

1. By the lines
2. By the square
3. By the circle
4. None of these

Answer: Option 1

Explanation: A block diagram includes principle functions or parts. The connected lines through the blocks show the relationship between them.

5. Where is parallel circuit wiring used?

1. Homes
2. Industries
3. Both a and b
4. Neither a nor b

Answer: Option 3

Explanation: We use parallel circuit wiring in homes and industries where all the devices are powered and used together.

Related Concepts

• Bus duct
• Cable entry system
• Electrical conduit
• Electricity distribution
• Home wiring
• Three-phase electric power