WIRING DEVICES AND OTHER ELECTRICAL MATERIALS

Wiring Devices
❖​ Electrical components designed to connect and control the
flow of electrical power to appliances, lighting fixtures, and
other electrical devices.

●​ Key Terms: connect, control, flow of electrical power

●​ Examples: Plugs, outlets, switches, and connectors.

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Electrical Boxes

❖​ Enclosures that house electrical connections. They protect

electrical connections from the weather and accidental electric
shocks.

●​ Key Terms: enclosure, protect, electrical connections

Types:

1. Junction Boxes:
-​ Protect and organize connections where different electrical
wires meet.
Materials: Metal (for durability) or Plastic (corrosion resistance).

2. Utility Boxes:
-​ Rectangular enclosures where flush-type outlets and switches
are mounted.

3. Pull Boxes:
-​ Facilitate pulling wires through long conduits to reduce cable
tension.
Key role: Act as a "rest stop" for wires.

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Electrical Materials

❖​ Developed for specific purposes to ensure safe and efficient

electrical systems.
Key Functions:
●​ Control the flow of current in a circuit.
●​ Carry electrical current from the source to appliances.
●​ Hold and secure wires inside and outside buildings.
●​ Protect appliances, buildings, and instruments from damage.

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Convenience Outlets

❖​ Provide an accessible source of electrical energy by allowing a

male plug to be inserted.

●​ Key Term: accessible source of electrical energy

Types:
●​ Surface Type (Duplex): Mounted on the wall surface.
●​ Flush Type (Duplex): Embedded into the wall for a neater
appearance.

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Male Plug

❖​ Device attached to an electrical cord, connecting appliances

to a power source via a convenience outlet.
❖​ Allows electric current to flow from the outlet to the appliance.

—
Lamp Holders

❖​ Secure and support lamps while providing electrical contact.

Types:
●​ Flush Type: Mounted inside a fixture for a seamless look.
●​ Hanging Type (Chain): Suspended by a chain, often used on
ceilings.
●​ Surface Type: Mounted on surfaces like walls or ceilings.
Switches

❖​ Control the flow of electricity in a circuit by turning it on or off.

Types:
●​ Hanging Type: Suspended from ceilings (often industrial).
●​ Flush Type: Embedded in the wall.
●​ Surface Type: Mounted on the wall for easy access.

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Fuses

❖​ Prevent electrical overload by melting and breaking the circuit

when excessive current flows.

Types:

●​ Plug Type: Screw-in fuse, common in older systems.

●​ Cartridge Type: Cylindrical, used in residential systems.
●​ Knife Blade Type: Heavy-duty fuse with metal blades
(industrial use).

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Circuit Breaker

❖​ Definition: Protective device that shuts off electrical power

during a short circuit or overload. Unlike fuses, it can be reset
without replacement.

—
Conduits and Pipes

❖​ Protective enclosures for routing and insulating electrical

wires.

Types:
●​ Rigid Non-Metallic Conduit (PVC): Durable and
corrosion-resistant.
●​ Flexible Non-Metallic Conduit (CPC): Allows flexibility in
installations.
 ●​ Metallic Conduit: Rigid pipe for heavy-duty protection.

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Connectors

❖​ Devices that secure conduits to junction or utility boxes,

ensuring a stable attachment.

Types:
●​ Flexible Non-Metallic Connector: For plastic/corrugated
conduits.
●​ Metal Connector: Durable, for metallic conduits.
OVERCURRENT PROTECTIVE DEVICES: FUSES, CIRCUIT
BREAKERS GFCI

Overcurrent

❖​ Occurs when the current flowing through an electric circuit

exceeds its rated capacity or safety limit.

●​ Key Terms: current exceeds capacity, safety limit

●​ Dangers: Overcurrent can cause overheating, equipment
damage, electric shock, and fire.

Types of Overcurrent:

1. Overload

-​ Happens when too many devices are connected, drawing more

current than the circuit can handle.
-​ Leads to overcurrent due to excessive load.

2. Short Circuit

-​ Occurs when a direct path forms between live and neutral

terminals, often due to broken wires touching.
-​ Allows current to flow too quickly due to low resistance.

3. Ground Fault

-​ Happens when current escapes from its intended path to the

ground, often via metal, water, or flesh.
-​ Like short circuits, it causes overcurrent.

—
Overcurrent Protective Devices (OCPDs)

❖​ Devices installed in circuits to prevent overcurrent and protect

electrical systems.
Types of OCPDs:
●​ Fuse
●​ Circuit Breaker
●​ Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

—
Fuse

❖​ A critical OCPD that safeguards circuits by disconnecting them

when excessive current flows.

●​ Key Mechanism: Contains a low-resistance metallic wire that

melts when overheated, breaking the circuit.

Types of Fuses:

1. Cartridge Fuse
-​ Commonly used in homes and industries to protect
high-voltage circuits.

2. D-Type Cartridge Fuse (Diazed Fuse)

-​ Components: Adapter Ring, Fuse Base, Fuse Cap, and
Cartridge.

3. HRC (High Rupturing Capacity) Fuse

-​ Designed to handle high fault currents (80kA or more) without

causing fire or equipment damage.
-​ Features: Ceramic body, silver fuse element, and
heat-absorbing materials like quartz or plaster.

4. High Voltage (HV) Fuse

-​ Protects transformers in circuits exceeding 1500V, often up to
13kV.

5. Rewireable Fuse (Kit-Kat Fuse)

-​ Used for low-voltage, small current protection.
-​ Components: Fuse Carrier and Porcelain Base.
6. Thermal Fuse (Thermal Cutoff)

-​ Interrupts the circuit when exposed to excessive temperatures,

preventing overheating and fire.
-​ Working Principle: A heat-sensitive alloy melts, releasing a
spring mechanism that breaks the circuit.

How to Choose the Right Fuse Size:

Use the formula:
Fuse Rating = (Power ÷ Voltage) × 1.25
Example: A 600W load on a 240V supply → Fuse Rating = 5A

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Circuit Breaker

❖​ Electrical safety device designed to interrupt current flow

during overloads and short circuits.

●​ Key Function: Protects equipment, prevents fires, and avoids

electric shocks.

Types of Circuit Breakers:

1. Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

-​ Protects against overloads and short circuits in homes.
-​ Uses delayed thermal tripping (overload protection) and
magnetic tripping (short circuit protection).

2. Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)

-​ Industrial-grade breaker for handling higher currents.
-​ Consider current ratings and trip characteristics when
selecting.

3. Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB)

-​ Detects electrical leakage and protects in wet areas like
bathrooms.
4. Air Circuit Breaker (ACB)
-​ Used in large facilities for very high current handling and
heavy-duty switching.

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Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

❖​ Device designed to prevent ground faults by detecting

imbalances in current between live and neutral terminals.

●​ Mechanism: Automatically disconnects the circuit if it detects

current escaping to the ground.

Types of GFCIs:

1. GFCI Outlet
-​ Provides ground fault protection to a single outlet. Common in
bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas.

2. GFCI Circuit Breaker

-​ Protects an entire circuit, including all connected outlets and
fixtures. Suitable for large areas.

3. Portable GFCI
-​ Plugs into any standard outlet to provide temporary ground
fault protection. Common for outdoor work with power tools.
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS

Definition of Electrical Instruments

❖​ Instruments that use the mechanical movement of an
electromagnetic meter to measure electrical quantities such as
voltage, current, power, and resistance.

●​ Key Terms: electromagnetic meter, voltage, current, power,

resistance
●​ Purpose: Used by electrical technicians to check electrical
activity, detect voltage or current, and measure electrical
parameters.

—
Classification of Electrical Instruments

1. According to Electrical Quantity

●​ Absolute Instrument:
-​ Provides measured values based on physical
constants like deflection angle, degree, and meter
constant.
-​ Requires mathematical calculation to determine
values.
Example: Tangent Galvanometer (used to detect and display
electric current).

●​ Secondary Instrument (also called Direct Instrument):

-​ Provides values by comparison with absolute
instruments or standard values.
Types:
●​ Deflection Instrument
●​ Null Deflection Instrument
Example: Ammeter, Voltmeter, Wattmeter.

2. According to Nature of Operation

●​ Indicating Instrument:
 -​ Displays value of electrical quantity at the time of
measurement.
-​ Returns to zero when not connected to a power supply.
Example: Ammeters, Voltmeters, Wattmeters.

●​ Recording Instrument:
-​ Displays and records electrical quantities continuously.
-​ Used in generating stations and substations.
Example: ECG, X-Ray machines.

●​ Integrating Instrument:
-​ Displays, records, and adds the numerical value of
electrical quantities over time.
Example: Energy Meter, Ampere-hour Meter.

●​ Null Deflection Instrument:

-​ Measures electrical quantities without deflection.
Example: Potentiometer.

3. According to Electrical Supply

●​ AC Instrument: Connected to an Alternating Current (AC)

supply.

Types:
●​ Single-Phase AC Instrument
●​ Three-Phase AC Instrument
Example: Moving Iron (MI) Instrument, Induction Instrument,
Electrostatic Instrument.

●​ DC Instrument: Connected to a Direct Current (DC) supply.

Example: Permanent Magnet Moving Coil Instrument (PMMC).

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Common Electrical Measuring Instruments

1. Voltmeter: Measures voltage or electrical potential difference

between two points in a circuit.
2. Ammeter: Measures electric current in amperes (A).

3. Wattmeter: Measures electric power in watts in a circuit.

4. Multimeter: Measures multiple electrical quantities such as voltage,

current, and resistance.
Types:
●​ Analog Multimeter
●​ Digital Multimeter

—
Other Electrical Measuring Devices

1. Clamp Meter: A combination of a digital multimeter and a current

sensor.

2. Continuity Tester: Checks if an electrical path exists between two

points.

3. Frequency Meter: Displays the frequency of an electrical signal.

4. Kwh Meter: Measures electrical energy consumption based on

magnetic field induction.

5. Megger: Used to measure insulation resistance.

6. Ohmmeter: Measures resistance in ohms (Ω). Also tests circuit

continuity.

7. Oscilloscope: Displays waveforms of electrical signals as voltage over

time.

8. Power Factor Meter: Measures the power factor (cosine of the angle
between voltage and current).

9. Tachometer: Measures rotational speed (revolutions per minute or

RPM).
10. Watt-Hour Meter: Evaluates and records electrical power
consumption over time.

—
Safety Tips for Using Electrical Instruments
●​ De-energize the circuit before making any connections.
●​ Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as rubber
gloves and safety glasses, to prevent electrical hazards.
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS

Definition of Electrical Instruments

❖​ Electrical Instruments: Electronic devices used to measure,

test, or manage electrical signals.

●​ Key Terms: measure, test, manage electrical signals

●​ Examples: Amp clamps, circuit testers, multimeters.

—
Definition of Meters

❖​ Meter: A device that detects and displays electrical quantities

in a readable form (like numerical figures or pointer movement
on a scale).

●​ Measures key quantities: Current, Voltage, Resistance.

—
Electrical Capacities and Units of Measurement

1. Voltage: Difference in electrical power between two points. Measured

in volts (V).

2. Intensity: The magnitude of current flow. Measured in amperes (A).

3. Resistance: A material's opposition to current flow. Measured in ohms

(Ω).

4. Capacitance: The capacity to store electric charge. Measured in

farads (F).

5. Electrical Power: A combination of voltage and current. Measured in

watts (W).
Classification of Electrical Instruments

1. Analog Instruments
-​ Based on electromagnetic systems where a magnetic field
moves a needle on a scale to display readings.

2. Digital Instruments
-​ Provide faster, more accurate, and reliable measurements than
analog instruments.
-​ Displays numerical readings.

3. Registers
-​ Record measured values in a graph, showing how the
magnitude changes over time.

—
Types of Electrical Instruments

❖​ Ohmmeter
-​ Measures electrical resistance in ohms (Ω).

Types of Ohmmeters:
●​ Micro-Ohmmeter: Measures very low resistance.
●​ Mega-Ohmmeter: Measures large resistance.
●​ Milli-Ohmmeter: Measures low resistance with high
precision.

Working Principle of Ohmmeter

●​ Consists of a needle and two test leads/probes.
●​ Needle deflection indicates the resistance value.
●​ Can be set to different ranges (e.g., 10Ω, 100Ω) using
an adjuster.

➢​ Series Type Ohmmeter:

●​ Measures resistance by connecting the component in
series with the meter.
●​ Displays 0 ohms for low resistance and infinity for high
resistance.
 ➢​ Shunt Type Ohmmeter:
●​ Used to measure low resistance by connecting the
component in parallel.
●​ Displays full-scale deflection (left) for high resistance
and 0 for low resistance.

➢​ Multi-Range Ohmmeter:
●​ Measures a wide range of resistances by adjusting the
scale range based on the requirement.

❖​ Voltmeter
-​ Measures voltage (potential difference) between two points in
a circuit, in volts (V).

Connection: Always connected in parallel to ensure accurate

readings.

Types of Voltmeters:
●​ PMMC Voltmeter: Measures DC voltage using a
current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.
●​ Moving Iron (MI) Voltmeter: Measures both AC and DC
voltage.
●​ Electro-Dynamometer Voltmeter: Used for accurate AC
and DC measurements.
●​ Rectifier Voltmeter: Converts AC to DC and measures
the DC signal.
●​ Analog Voltmeter: Uses a needle on a calibrated scale
to measure AC voltage.
●​ Digital Voltmeter: Displays voltage readings
numerically for accurate measurements.

❖​ Ammeter
-​ Measures electric current in a circuit, in amperes (A).

Connection: Always connected in series to measure current

flow accurately.

Types of Ammeters:
 ●​ PMMC Ammeter: Measures DC current.
●​ Moving Iron (MI) Ammeter: Measures both AC and DC
current.
●​ Electro-Dynamometer Ammeter: Highly accurate, used
for AC and DC.
●​ Rectifier Ammeter: Converts AC to DC and measures
the converted current.

❖​ Multimeter

-​ A versatile instrument that combines the functions of

a voltmeter, ammeter, and ohmmeter.

Types of Multimeters:

●​ Analog Multimeter: Uses a needle and scale.

●​ Digital Multimeter (DMM): Displays readings
numerically for precision.

Uses: Troubleshooting and measuring electrical issues in

electronic equipment, wiring systems, and power supplies.

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Other Electrical Instruments

1. Clamp Meter:
-​ Measures current without disconnecting the circuit by
clamping around the conductor.

2. Megger:
-​ Measures insulation resistance in electrical cables and
equipment by applying high voltage (500V-5kV).

3. Continuity Tester:
-​ Checks if a circuit is electrically continuous by emitting sound
or light when continuity is detected.
4. Tachometer:
-​ Measures rotational speed (RPM) in motors and engines to
monitor operating speed.

5. Watt-Hour Meter:
-​ Measures energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Commonly used for billing and monitoring energy usage.

6. Watt Meter:
-​ Measures electric power in watts (W) in industrial and
commercial circuits.

7. Frequency Meter:
-​ Measures the frequency of AC signals in hertz (Hz), used for
monitoring power grid frequency.

8. Power Factor Meter:

-​ Measures the power factor (efficiency ratio of real power to
apparent power) to minimize energy loss and improve
efficiency.

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Safety Tips for Using Electrical Instruments

●​ Always de-energize the circuit before making connections.

●​ Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such
as rubber gloves and safety glasses, to avoid electrical
hazards.