Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Subject: Basic Electrical Engineering Course Coordinator: Dr. Pradeepa P
Subject code: 18ESEE02 HOD of EEE
Module 5- Basic Electrical Installation
Q1 Explain different types of switches.
Q2 Define fuse. Explain its importance.
Q3 Explain Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
Q4 Explain different types of wires.
Q5 Explain different types of cables.
Q6 What is Earthing? Explain the need of Earthing.
Q7 What is battery? Explain the different types of batteries.
Q8 Explain important characteristics of battery.
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Module 5: ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
Faculty in charge: Chethan G S
Pramod R
1) Explain different types of switches
The electrical installation is an assembly of
components that allows using electrical power
reliably and safely in a particular place
Switches
SPST (single pole single throw)
SPDT (single pole double throw)
DPST (Double pole single throw)
DPDT ( Double pole double throw)
The Single Pole Single through (SPST) is a basic
on/off switch that just connects or breaks the
connection between two terminals.
The single pole double throw (SPDT) switch is a
three terminal switch, one for input and other two
for the outputs.
A DPST switch turns two circuits on or off. A DPST
switch has four terminals: two inputs and two
outputs.
DPDT Is routes two separate circuits, connecting
each of two inputs to one of two outputs
2) Explain different types of wires.
Based on the type of insulation used electrical wires
are mainly classified into the following types
wires
Vulcanized Indian rubber wire
Tough rubber sheathed wire
Poly vinyl chloride wire
Weather proof wires
Flexible wire
• Vulcanized Indian rubber wire consists of a copper
conductor covered with an insulation layer of
Vulcanized Indian Rubber (VIR).
• Tough rubber sheathed wire the insulation layer is
covered by a layer made of tough rubber
• Poly vinyl chloride wire consists of a conductor over
which an insulation layer made up of Polyvinyl
Chloride
• Weather proof wire consists of conductor provided
with an insulation layer made up of hard rubber.
• Flexible wire generally consist of silk or cotton or
plastic covering. Generally plastic is used as they are
available in different sizes and almost all colors.
3) Explain different types of cables.
Coaxial cable
Direct-buried cable
Flexible cables
Multi-core cable
Paired cable
Ribbon cable
Shielded cable
Twin-lead
Twisted pair
• Coaxial cable is a type of transmission line, used to carry high
frequency electrical signals with low losses Eg: telephone trunk
lines, broadband internet networking cables, high speed computer
data busses, carrying cable television signals
• Direct-buried cable used under the ground without any kind of extra
covering, sheathing, or piping to protect it.
• Flexible cables used in tight bending radii and physical stress
associated with moving applications
• Multi-core cable consists of more than one wire and is covered by
cable jacket
• Paired cable are Composed of two individually insulated conductors
that are usually used
• Ribbon cable Useful when many wires are required.
This type of cable can easily flex, and it is designed
to handle low-level voltages.
• Shielded cable Used for sensitive electronic circuits
or to provide protection in high-voltage
applications.
• Twin-lead are used as a transmission line between
an antenna and a receiver
• Twisted pair Consists of two inter wound insulated
wires
4) Explain Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCB) are
electromechanical devices used to protect an
electrical circuit from overcurrent.
An MCB operates as automatic switch that
opens during the overcurrent flowing through
the circuit.
An MCB is a better alternative to a fuse since
MCB does not require replacement once
overcurrent is detected
The principal of operation is simple. There are
two contacts one is fixed and the other
moveable. When the current exceeds the
predefined limit a solenoid forces the
moveable contact to open and the MCB turns
off thereby stopping the current to flow in the
circuit.
5) With help of neat diagram, Explain Pipe Earthing
and Plate 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
• Need of earthing:
The primary purpose of earthing is to avoid or
minimize the danger of electrocution
Plate earthing: • In Plate Earthing an earthing
plate either of copper of
dimension 60cm×60cm×3mm of
galvanized iron of dimensions 60
cm× 60 cm×6 mm is buried into
the ground with its face vertical
at a depth of not less than 3
meters from ground level.
• The earth plate is inserted into
alternative layers of coke and salt
for a minimum thickness of 15
cm
• The copper plate and copper wire
are usually not employed for
grounding purposes because of
their higher cost.
Pipe earthing: • This is the most common and best
system of earthing as compared to
other systems suitable for the same
earth and moisture conditions.
• Normally, the size of the pipe uses for
earthing is of diameter 38 mm and
0.5 meters in length for ordinary soil
or of greater length in case of dry and
rocky soil. The depth at which the
pipe must be buried depends on the
moistures of the ground.
• During summer the moisture in the
soil decreases, this causes an
increase in earth resistance. 3 or 4
buckets of water are put through the
funnel connected to 19 mm diameter
pipe, which is further connected to GI
pipe.
6) What is battery? Explain the different types of
batteries.
A battery can be defined as; it is a combination of
one or more electrochemical cells that are capable of
converting stored chemical energy into electrical
energy.
There are two types of batteries:
1) Primary batteries
2) Secondary batteries
Primary batteries:
As the name indicates these batteries are meant for
single usage. Once these batteries are used they
cannot be recharged
Applications: remote control, smoke detectors etc
Secondary batteries:
Secondary batteries are also called as rechargeable
batteries. These batteries can be used and recharges
simultaneously.
Types of secondary batteries are:
1. Lithium battery: Lithium battery used in different
applications like power tools, mobiles, laptops etc.
2. Nickel Cadmium (Nicd) Battery: The Nickel Cadmium
batteries have the advantage of being recharged many
times and used in photography equipment, flashlights,
emergency lighting, hobby R/C, and portable electronic
devices.
3. Lead acid battery: Lead Acid batteries are widely
used in automobiles, inverters, backup power
systems etc.
4. Lithium ion battery: Lithium Ion batteries are
now popular in majority of electronic portable
devices like Mobile phone, Laptop, Digital Camera,
etc
7) Explain important characteristics of battery.
1. Voltage: It is important to check the correct nominal voltage
of a battery before connecting it.
2. Capacity: the amount of current or electrical energy that
can be obtained from a cell/battery after it is fully
charged.
3. Efficiency: Efficiency of a battery is the ratio of the energy
provided by the battery and usage.
4. Chemistry: The main battery chemistries are lead, nickel and
lithium
5. Load: Load describes the current drawn from a battery
8) Define Fuse. Explain its Importance
An electric fuse is a safety device used to limit the
current in electric circuit
Importance of fuse:
1. A fuse is needed in all electrical systems
2. They are used to protect wires and components
from the extreme heat produced due to
overload
3. The fuse is used to safeguard the electric circuit
and overcurrent
4. Protect the devices from short-circuits.
9) What is earthing ? Explain the need of 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
1. The primary purpose of earthing is to avoid or
minimize the danger of electrocution.
2. When the metallic part of electrical appliances
comes in contact with a live wire.
3. If a person touches such a charged metal, the
result is a severe shock. To avoid these problems we
need earthing.
