Electrical Information

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Electrical Explained

Electrical supplies and associated products are essential for creating modern day living and working environments. With technological advances within home entertainment and computing electricity is not only necessary to provide illumination and heating. The electrical category is diverse and covers specialist subcategories such as home automation systems, closed circuit television systems, computer networking alongside standard fitment heating and illumination products. Also included are a variety of electrical contractors of which many have particular areas of expertise from industrial to residential specific applications.

For any building, whether it is domestic, commercial or industrial, an array of standard electric cables will be required for key installations such as lights, electric sockets and heating appliances. Standard electricity cables are manufactured from lengths of copper wire and are often coated with metals such as tin to prevent their oxidation under usage. Low voltage cables are generally specified for use within domestic environments and are tested to british standards to ensure that they are of the appropriate fire resistance and that they do not emit hazardous gases on combustion should a house fire occur. Domestic low voltage cables generally comprise solid copper wires known as 'cores'.

The most commonplace electricity cable variants used within a domestic environment include twin core cables which comprise insulated live and neutral solid copper wires with a bare solid copper earth wire running between them. This assembly is encased within a PVC outer sheath for further insulation. Twin core cables are typically used for lighting, power circuit and cooker wiring and are available with different core sizes (diameters) to suit each of these applications. Another common configuration is the three core cable which comprises three solid copper core cables sheathed with coloured PVC and a bare central earth wire. Three core cables are used for two way switched circuits e.g. at the top and bottom of stairs. Within external areas armoured cabling is used for overhead and underground situations, this may contain two, three, four or more cores depending on application. Armoured cabling may have multi strand cores constructed of smaller diameter twisted copper wires to create each one. Specialist extra low voltage muti core cables are available for the installation of fire alarms and burglar alarms.

High voltage wires suitable for industrial applications are also generally mutli core cables. With large diameter cables produced in multi strand format. Industrial cables may have to withstand high temperatures and flexing if mounted on moving machinery. In commercial and industrial environments trunking systems, also known as cable management systems, are key to maintaining a safe and functional working environment. Cable trays keep cables tidy whilst cable ducting both protects and tidies cables. Cable ducts are usually manufactured in plastic for use in commercial environments and more resistant aluminium or steel for industrial usage.

An array of cables are available to suit particular electrical installations, such as coaxial cables for television aerials and satellite specific cables. One of the biggest cabling requirements is for data transfer within home automation systems, office networking systems and industrial applications. Both copper and fibre optic data cabling can now be purchased from many specialist supplies and manufacturers.

Industrial manufacturing and processing facilities are likely to require the installation of complex electrical distribution equipment to enable the supply of electricity to various machines. Machine systems may incorporate starter motors, switching gear and transformers all requiring different current inputs. Residential distribution equipment takes the form of a consumer unit, which distributes the mains energy to lighting and appliance circuits within the building. The consumer unit contains switching gear and fuses for all circuits installed within the property. Junction boxes are used to join electrical cables within the circuits. Various electrical fittings and appliances are supplied electricity from the consumer unit. Common residential electrical fittings include plug sockets (single and double), available in both square and round pin format, ceiling roses and light switches. Plug sockets comprise a front facia plate and a back box, often referred to as a knockout box, which is installed within the wall cavity to mount the socket facia on. Plug socket facia plates can be purchased manufactured from white plastic along with metal finishes such as brass effect. Other electrical accessories include earth rods and earth clamps to safely complete any electrical installation. It is important that all electrical installations and major alterations are undertaken by a registered and qualified person to satisfy building regulations.

Electrical materials such as intumescent gaskets, sheaths and sealants can be purchased to fit between electrical fittings like light roses, junction boxes and halogen spotlights. A fire risk can occur if the electrical fitment malfunctions. The intumescent material will swell up under fire conditions isolating the electrical fitting from its fixture and providing a rated fire protection of around 2 hours.

An array of industrial or commercial electrical equipment can be purchased and commissioned on a bespoke basis to fulfil specific industry applications. Items such as electric motors, transformers and linear motors can all be custom made. Many companies will be able to offer advice on design and specification.