PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN DURING HOUSEWIRING

Er. Anil Kr. Goyal

These are common tips one should follow when planning for a residence, which is the ultimate dream of a common
man. During the construction of house utmost care should be taken for ELECTRICAL & sanitary system because
after completion of building there is no solution for rectification or it is very expensive. Following are some necessary
steps to be taken care of during wiring:
Sr. No.
1.

Description
Protection Needed
a. Over Load

b.

c.

2.

Short Circuit

Remedies
a.

This means overloading of line knowingly or unknowingly which

should be avoided to safeguard the wires by providing Isolators of
proper rating.

b.

When phase wiring gets in touch with phase/neutral/earth, in this

case heavy current flow which in turn burns the complete circuit,
for this protection a proper rating fuse or MCB (this gives
protection for overload as well as short circuit) should be provided.

c.

This is the most dangerous fault which should be protected but

unfortunately least care is taken towards this fault. A leakage of 20
milli Ampere can turn in a fatal accident (very dangerous in case
of wet appliances as coolers, pumps, etc.) for this protection a
proper earthing and ELCB should be provided in mains or on
Individual circuit.
Earth Wire- Green & Yellow OR Green.
Phase or Live Wire- Red/Yellow/Blue.
Neutral Wire- Black.
In 3- connection, for lighting loads 4 Core cable must be used in
place of 3.5 Core cable at mains to avoid unnecessary heating of
cables as load is never found balanced.
Earth & Neutral must be kept separate for proper working of ELCB
(if provided).
Termination at MCB Board must be done by crimping through
crimping tool and not by Pliers, which is a normal practice.
If possible, ferrule must be provided for identification of Circuit at
MCB Board.
For connecting the two wires lead in between in line/tumbles must
be in place of twisting the wire, which in turn create problem.
For earthing a power circuit earth wire should be of same size as
phase wire or one size less but never 0.75/1.00sqmm as usually
seen in house wiring.
At MCB Aluminum Cable or wire should not be connected directly
as it give burning of copper contact of MBC.
Termination should be properly tightened to avoid heat loss at
termination point which in long run burns the Switch/MCB.
Provide a 6A 2-Pin connector at every point terminal instead of
joining the cable terminals with PVC tapes.

Earth Leakage

Wiring & Termination

During wiring proper color
code should be followed.

a.
b.
c.
d.

e.
f.
g.
h.
i.

j.
k.
l.

3.

4.

Earthing

Wire Size & MCB

selection for Common
Wiring

A proper tested earth is required for safety of man as well as equipment.

Resistance of Earthing System must be:
Voltage below 1000V
Maximum 6.0 (Ohm)
Up to 36 kV
Maximum 2.0 (Ohm)
Above 36 kV
Maximum 0.5 (Ohm)
For Electronic Equipment
Maximum 2-3 (Ohm)
*The Earthing may be of Plate Type or Pipe Type but it should have proper
arrangement for water pouring as well as a Test Link for checking of Earth
Resistance at the Pit itself.
Circuit
Wire Size
MCB Rating
Light
1mm-1.5mm
2-6 Amps
Power
2.5mm
10-16 Amps

Air Conditioner
1T/1.5T/2T OR Geyser

1.5mm/2.5mm/4m
m

10A/20A/25A