Electrical Wiring
Electrical wiring is an electrical installation of cabling and associated devices such as switches, distribution boards, sockets, and light fittings in a structure.
Types of Electrical Wiring Systems
- 1. Cleat Wiring
- 2. Casing and Capping Wiring
- 3. Lead Sheathed or Metal-Sheathed Wiring
- 4. Batten Wiring
- 5. Conduit Wiring
1. Cleat Wiring:
This wiring system wire is braided and compounded on walls or ceilings using porcelain cleats with groves, wood or plastic.It is a temporary wiring system, therefore making it unsuitable for domestic premises.It is used especially in temporary military campuses or festival related pavilions.
2. Casing and Capping Wiring:
This type of wiring system wires are carried by enclosures of the wooden or plastic casing. Capping (also made of wood or plastic) is used to install and fit wires and cables into the casing.
3. Lead Sheathed or Metal-Sheathed Wiring:
Lead sheathed wiring uses conductors which are insulated with VIR and are covered with an outer sheath of lead aluminum alloy which contains about 95% lead. The metal sheath gives protection to cables from mechanical damage, moisture and atmospheric corrosion.
4. Batten Wiring
In this type of wiring single electrical wire or a group of wires are laid over a wooden batten. The wires are held to the batten using a brass clip and spaced at an interval of 10 cm for horizontal runs and 15 cm for vertical runs.
5.Conduit Wiring:
There are two main types of Conduit Wiring which are as follows:
a.Surface Conduit Wiring.
b. Concealed Conduit Wiring
a. Surface Conduit Wiring
When GI or PVC conduits are installed on walls or roof, it is known as conduit wiring. The conduits are attached to the walls with a 2-hole strap and base clip at regular distances.
b.Concealed Conduit Wiring
When the conduits are hidden inside the wall slots or chiseled brick wall, it is called concealed conduit wiring. Electrical wires are laid inside the conduits.
Comparison Between Different Wiring Systems:
| Feature | Cleat Wiring | Casing Capping Wiring | Batten Wiring | Conduit Wiring |
| Life | Short | Fairy Long | Long | Very Long |
| Cost | Low | Medium | Medium | Highest |
| Mechanical Protection | None | Fair | None | Very Good |
| Possibility of Fire | Nil | Good | Good | Nil |
| Installation | Very Easy | Difficult | Easy | Difficult |
| Inspection | Easy | Easy | Easy | Difficult |
| Repair | Easy | Slightly Difficult | Easy | Difficult |
| Popularity | Nil | Fair | Nil | Very High |
| Type of Skilled | Semi-Skilled | Highly Skilled | Semi-Skilled | Highly Skilled |