Mindanao University of Science and Technology

College of Engineering and Architecture

Building UT 2 (Mechanical and Electrical Systems)
Assignment #2









Submitted by
Ciara Mary B. Cansancio
B.S. Architecture 3A

Submitted to
Archt. Kenneth C. Arado
Wire
Different than cable. Cable refers to two
or more wires or conductors grouped
together in a jacket.
Copper or tinned copper is the most
common conductor in home wiring
because it has minimum resistance at
reasonable cost.
Wire is grouped by gauge number,
running from 0000 to No. 40. The smaller
the number, the thicker the wire. For
home use, the most common gauges are
between 10 and 20.
Larger wire carries more current. Forcing
too much current through a wire will
cause it to overheat and trip a breaker.
Wire is also characterized by letters that
correspond to the insulation type and
electrical capacity.
Grounding wire provides a path of least
resistance from the frame or case of an
appliance to the ground to guard against
electric shocks. Both two- and three-
conductor cables can carry grounding
wires.
Types of Wires
1. Triplex Wire

Triplex is an aerial cable that the utility
company uses to feed the power pole. This wire
ties to the wires sticking out of the weather
head on your service entrance pole. This wire is
aluminum in most cases and is connected by
the utility company.
2. Main Feeder Wires

These wires are usually type THHN wire and are
rated for 125% of the load required. These are
usually black insulated wires coming out of the
service weather head.
3. Panel Feed Wires

These wires are also type THHN, like the main
feeders. A typical 100-amp service would have a
#2 THHN set of wires. They would then be rated
at 125 amps. This would protect the wires if the
amperage was a full 100 amps.

4. Non-Metallic Sheathed Wire (NM)

This wire, commonly called Romex, is a plastic
coated wire that has either two or three
conductors and a bare ground wire. This is the
typical wiring used in most homes. The rating
for this wire is either 15 amps, 20 amps, or 30
amps, depending on the installation.
5. Single Strand Wire

When your home is piped, youll have to have
another type of wire. Single strand wire is
insulated and many of these can be pulled into
the same pipe. Normally, youll be using THHN
wire for this installation.
















Cable
Refers to a collection of two or more
strands of wire or conductors. Basically,
cable has a hot line to carry the current
and a neutral line to complete the loop.
They often have a third wire as that acts
as a grounding wire.
Classified according to the number of
wires it contains and their size or gauge.
All cables are marked with a series of
letters followed by a number, a dash and
another number. The letters indicate the
type of insulation (cord, wire and
insulation). The first number indicates the
resistance of the wires in the cable, and
the number following the dash indicates
the number of individual conductors in
the cable.
If the designator G follows the series it
means that the cable is also equipped
with a non-current-carrying ground wire.
Hence, the designator USE 12-3/G
indicates an underground cable
containing three separately insulated
wires capable of carrying 20 amps of
current plus a grounding wire.
The most common jackets are NM-B
(Non-Metallic Building Indoor), UF-B
(Underground Feed) and BX, which is
flexible metallic cable.
Different types of Cables
Armored Cable (AC)
It is a fabricated assembly of insulated conductors
enclosed in a flexible metal sheath. Armored cable
is used both on exposed and concealed work.
Metal Clad Cable (MC)
It is a factory assembled cable of one or more
conductors each individually insulated and
enclosed in a metallic sheath of interlocking tape
for a smooth or corrugated tube. This type of
cable is especially used for vice feeders, branch
circuit, and for indoor or outdoor work.
Mineral Insulated Cable (MI) is a factory assembly
of one more conductors insulated in a highly
compressed refractory mineral insulation
enclosed in a liquid and gas tight continuous
copper sheath. This type of cable is only used in
dry, wet or continuously moist location as service
feeders or branch circuit.
Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (NM)
It is also a factory assembly of two or more
insulated conductors having a moisture resistant,
flame retardant, and non metallic material outer
sheath. This type is used specifically for one or
two family dwellings not exceeding 3 storey
buildings.
Shielded Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (SNM)
This type of cable is a factory assembly of two or
more insulated conductors in an extruded core of
moisture resistant and flame retardant material
covered within an over lapping spiral metal tape.
This type is used of hazardous locations and in
cable trails or in raceways.
Underground Feeder and Branch Circuit Cable
(UF)
It is a moisture resistant cable used for
underground connections including direct burial in
the ground as a feeder or branch circuit.
Service Entrance Cable
It is the types SE and USE. A single or multi-
conductor assembly provided with or without an
overall primarily used for service wire.
Power and Control Tray Cable (TC)
This is a factory assembled two or more insulated
conductors with or without associated bare or
covered grounding under a metallic sheath. This is
used for installation in metal surface or raceways.

Flat Conductor Cable (FCC)
Consists of three or more flat copper conductor
placed edge to edge separated and enclosed
within an insulating assembly. This type of cable is
used for individual branch circuits, especially in
hard smooth continuous floor surfaces and the
like.
Medium Voltage Cable (MV Cable)
It is a Single or multi-conductor solid dielectric
insulated cable rated at 2000 volts or higher. This
type is used for power system up to 35,000 volts.