Electrical Wiring Specifications and Methods

Electrical Wiring Specifications

• Switches should be 4' or 1.20 meters above the floor.
• Three-way switches control lights at the ends of stairwells, halls, and garages.
• Time switches are for garage lighting, bathrooms, exhaust fans, and heat lights.
• Automatic switches are for closets and storage areas.
• Safety alarm switches are for security systems in the master control unit and master bedroom.
• Outdoor security lighting uses motion detectors.
• A point of electrical connection (PEC) is used as a junction in circuits.
• Receptacles allow connections for plugs, extensions, appliances, and devices.
• Kitchen appliance outlets should be spaced every 4' or 1.20 meters.
• Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) outlets' installation is described elsewhere.
• GFCI placement is 12 to 18 inches or 0.20–0.45 meters from the wall.
• Hall outlets should be placed 15 feet or 4.572 meters apart.
• Outlet height is 1.8 meters.

Wiring Plans and Methods

• Wiring plans are prepared by designers.
• Consulting electrical contractors prepare final electrical plans.
• Plans include fixture type and location.
• Wiring diagrams show fixture wiring to switches.
• Wiring methods comply with building codes.
• Wiring must be approved by a licensed electrician.
• Electrical wiring is installed using rigid PVC conduits.

Lighting Types and Characteristics

• Lumens: Total potential light amount.
• Lux: Amount of light on a surface.
• Candela: Total light in a specific direction.
• Filament lamps: Contain a thin wire coil (filament) that generates light.
• Gas-discharge lamps: Generate light through an electrical discharge.
• High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps: Include types like Gymnastic, public area, and roadways.
• Incandescent lamps: Contain a sealed glass bulb with a filament.
• Track lighting/Illuminating artwork: Complete optical systems in a single bulb.
• Tungsten Halogen lamps: Used in automotive headlamps, undecabinet lighting, and work lights. Prevent rapid depreciation through halogen gas cycle.
• Fluorescent lamps: Low-pressure mercury vapor lamps, giving light from a large surface. Common types are T12, T8, and T5.
• Energy-saving lamps: Include compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and LED bulbs. CFLs use less wattage, but LEDs are the most efficient.
• Neon vapor lamps: Miniature gas discharge lamps, often used as indicator lamps.
• Indicator lamps/Pilot lights: Used in electrical and electronic equipment.
• Plug-in fluorescent lamps (PL lamps): Include types such as PL-T and PL-C.
• Mercury vapor lamps: Produce blue-green light, suitable for limited industrial areas and street lighting.
• Metal halide lamps: Modification of mercury vapor lamps with improved color.
• High-pressure sodium lamps: Newest addition to HID lamps, with an arc tube made of high-density polycrystalline alumina. Soft white, warm white, and daylight options available.