Electricity is a need on which we rely on to live our lives. It is a safe and convenience source of energy for heat, light and power.
Wiring is the system of providing power to buildings to operate lights and appliances. It is an insulated conductor used to carry electricity and associated device.
Each home wiring system should meet the requirements of the National Electrical Code. (The NEC is the common name for the National Fire Protection Association‘s standard for electrical work. It contains comprehensive requirements for all electrical installations. It is the national authority for safeguarding people and property)
Certain factors to be kept in mind while wiring a home are:
Type of occupancy of the building,
Type of electric system,
Rating of the circuit,
National and local regulations and conditions in which the wiring must operate.
Types of Wiring:
Two types of wiring are used at home.
Contemporary Wiring: In this individual wires run in a sheathed cable.
Two-Wire System: In this individual wires are insulated with white or black treated fabric. They are also available with “Two-Wire with ground” and “Three –Wire with Ground”
The Two-Wire with Ground cables have a black wire, a white wire and an uninsulated ground.
Whereas a Three-Wire with ground cables has a black wire, a white wire, a red wire and an uninsulated ground.
In wiring, the white wire is the neutral wire, the black wire is “Hot”, and the exposed copper wires are ground wires. Even a red wire is “ Hot”
Wiring up a house is done by pulling up all of the cables from a central point.
The centre of the wiring is a distribution panel, typically in a garage or well – ventilated closet.
Materials used for wiring depends on the factors listed below:-
Intended use and amount of power demand on the circuit
Type of occupancy and size of the building
National and local regulations
Environment in which the wiring must operate
In a basic basic house wiring, three common systems of wiring are used. They are as follows:-
Cleat Wiring: In this type of wiring, the wiring is done on cleats or insulated supports which are then mounted on a wall or other surface leaving the wiring exposed.It is not preferable in damp situations. Accumulates dirt easily and becomes loose at some places.
Casing Capping: Is suitable for residential buildings. In this, there are two grooves to carry wires. The top groove is covered by a strip, known as ‘Capping’. The lower one is same as capping and is called as ‘ Casing’. The casing is made of well seasoned teak wood or any other suitable hard wood. Need to be free from Knots, Shakes or any other defect.
C.T.S Wiring: This wiring is called as “Cable Type Sheathed “wire.They are available in single, twin or three cores with circular or oval shape.It is free from effects of moisture, acids, alkalis and climatic variations. Can be exposed to sun. Is also suitable for places where chemicals fumes are present.
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