Electrical Installations

The objective of this book is to explain the engineering principles behind best practice electrical panel building, including:

  • Why should AC and DC wiring be kept separate?
  • Why should different voltage wires cross at 90 degree angles?
  • Why should wires never run parallel in the same trunking?
  • Why should there be empty space around components and how much empty space should be allowed?
  • How can heat dissipation requirements be calculated and can the required airflow be calculated?
  • How will a fan improve air flow?
  • How can panels be wired to ensure equipment is protected and able to be isolated for fault finding?
  • Why should all ground wires should originate from a single point?
  • What is the international standard for cable and wire marking?
  • Is there a naming convention for wires based on their function?
  • How can water and other contaminants be excluded from the enclosure? (e.g. positive pressure systems)
  • When should shielded cable be used?
  • When should twisted pair cables be used?
  • How can temperature be managed?
  • How can humidity be managed?
  • How tight should terminals be tightened?
  • What is the bending radius of wires?
  • Why is there a minimum bending radius?
  • What sort of lights should be used?
  • What about drain holes and air vents?