The aim of this module is to provide Building Services Engineers with an understanding of electrical services with regard to power applications and distribution systems.
Electrical Supplies to buildings: the national grid system, distribution voltages, forms of the supply arrangement, high voltage intakes, low voltage intakes, ring main arrangements and radial arrangements, accommodation requirements of intake rooms/sub station rooms/ transformer rooms; transformer arrangements, cooling arrangements, performance, intake earthing arrangements. ETCI / NSAI wiring rules:introduction to safety and protection, overcurrent protection, influence of ambient temperature, grouping and thermal insulation on maximum rated current, cable sizing procedure and examples; short circuit protection, fault calculations, discrimination; electric shock protection, effects of electric shock, earthing and bonding, the function of the RCD device; protection against indirect contact; calculation of voltage losses in cables. Cable management systems: types of cables, types of conductor, insulation and protection, cable support and housing systems, cables run in void spaces, current rating of cables. Protective equipment: fuses, miniature circuit breakers, moulded case circuit breakers, air circuit breakers, performance characteristics – current/time graphs and description of operation, fault energy I2 t, overload and short circuit operation, discrimination and circuit breakers, fault calculations. Wiring distribution: electrical distribution schematics, construction of main boards and distribution boards, sub-main system design and diversity , final sub circuits, lighting circuit design, circuit loading, power circuits design, distribution to motive power loads, extensive worked examples.
This module will be delivered in the form of Lectures and interactive classwork involving teams. A major assignment/project will underpin the practices involved in electrical services design. Students will work in small groups on an agreed building of their choice and provide an electrical distribution design for the chosen building. They will be required to present their work to staff and classmates. A limited amount of Lab work will be provided where students needs deem it necessary so that they may become competent in the the use of software packages (e.g. DIALux / Amtech Cable Master).
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 50 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 50 |