ATGB2363 BUILDING SCIENCE AND SERVICES II
TUTORIAL (2015/16, S3)
TUTORIAL 2: Electrical Supply Systems
1) Calculate the maximum current can be taken and the power load of an
electrical appliance with 40Ω resistance if it is connected to a single phase
electricity supply in Malaysia.
Resistance = 40Ω, V = 240V
V = IR
I = V/R
I = 240 / 40
I = 6A
Maximum current can be taken = 6A
P = VI
P = 240 x 6
P = 1440W
Power load = 1440W
2) With calculation, shows that the maximum current can be taken and the
resistance of an electric appliance rated at 3600W and 240V are 15A and 16Ω.
P = 3600W, V = 240V
P = VI, I = P/V
I = 3600 / 240 = 15A
Maximum current can be taken = 15A (shown)
R = V/I
R = 240 / 15 = 16Ω
Resistance = 16Ω (shown)
3) A 3kW electric motor on a 240V single-phase supply is found to take 18A and
3.8kW on a full load. Calculate the power factor and the percentage efficiency
of the motor.
P(input) = 3800W, P(output) = 3000W, V = 240V, I = 18A
Power factor = P / VI
= 3800 / (240 x 18)
= 0.88
Efficiency = P(output) / P(input) x 100%
= 3000 / 3800 x 100%
= 78.9%.
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
ATGB2363 BUILDING SCIENCE AND SERVICES II
TUTORIAL (2015/16, S3)
4) Referring to the diagram provided, calculate the following:
a) The total resistance across the circuit
b) The total current flowing in the circuit
c) The voltage & current flowing in R1, R2, R3 & R4
(a) Total of R3 & R4,
1/ R(3,4) = 1/R3 + 1/R4 = (1/1 + 1/1) = 2
R(3,4) = ½ = 0.5 kΩ
Total of resistance, R = R1 + R2 + R(3,4)
= 0.5 + 0.5 + 0.5
= 1.5 kΩ
(b) Total Current I = V / R = 1.5 / 1.5 = 1 A
(c) I1 = I = 1A, V1 = I1 x R1 = 1 x 0.5 = 0.5 kV
I2 = I = 1A, V2 = I2 x R2 = 1 x 0.5 = 0.5 kV
V(3,4) = V – (V1 + V2) = 1.5 – 0.5 -0.5 = 0.5 kV
V3 = V(3,4) = 0.5 kV, I3 = V3/R3 = 0.5 / 1 = 0.5 A
V4 = V(3,4) = 0.5 kV, I4 = V4/R4 = 0.5 / 1 = 0.5 A
5) With a sketch, briefly explain the concept of electricity distribution system
from the power station to the end user through the national grid system.
The concept of electricity distribution system:
Electricity is generated in the electric power station by converting mechanical energy
into electrical energy.
On leaving the generator, the electricity passed to a step-up transformer where the
voltage is boosted to 132kV, 275kV & 400kV before pass on to the National Grid.
National grid is the transmission network that links the main power stations in
Malaysia.
Transmission voltage of 132 kV, 275 kV & 400 kV are lowered to 33 kV or 11 kV
using step down transformers at the distribution substations.
The 33 kV or 11 kV are further reduced to 415 V (three phase) or 240 V (single
phase) before distributing to the consumers.
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
ATGB2363 BUILDING SCIENCE AND SERVICES II
TUTORIAL (2015/16, S3)
Diagrammatic of Electric Power Transmission
275/132kV
Step Down
Transformer
25/275kV
Step Up
Transformer
33/11kV
Step Down
132/33kV Transformer
Step Down & Sub Station
Transformer
& Sub Station
6) Calculate the power wasted as internal energy in a cable when 15 kW is
transmitted through a cable having a resistance of 0.8Ω at
i) 240 V
ii) 275,000 V
Subsequently explain why electricity is transmitted at very high voltages such
as 132kV, 275kV or 400kV in the National Grid system in Malaysia.
Cable resistance = 0.8 Ω, Load transmitted = 15kW
i) Power wasted as internal energy at 240V
P = VI
15kW = 240V x I
I = 15,000W / 240V = 62.5A
P = VI, V = IR, P = (IR) x I
Power wasted, P = I2R = 62.52 x 0.8 = 3125watts or 3.125kW
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
ATGB2363 BUILDING SCIENCE AND SERVICES II
TUTORIAL (2015/16, S3)
ii) Power wasted as internal energy at 275,000V
P = VI
15kW = 275000V x I
I = 15,000W / 275000V = 0.05454A
Power wasted, P = I2R = 0.054542 x 0.8 = 0.00238watts
Electricity is transmitted at very high voltage such as 132kV, 275kV or 400kV in the
National Grid System in Malaysia to minimize or reduce power losses during
transmission.
7) Using an annotated diagram, illustrate the supply of electricity to consumers’
premises connected from secondary distribution lines by Tenaga Nasional
Berhad (T.N.B). In the diagram clearly show the boundary line between the
responsibilities of the utility company and the consumer.
Consumer /
Building
Owner
TNB
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
ATGB2363 BUILDING SCIENCE AND SERVICES II
TUTORIAL (2015/16, S3)
8) Sketch a typical ring and radial electrical circuit in domestic buildings
complete with the following items:
a) Consumer control unit
b) Live/phase, neutral and earth wires
c) Wall socket connection with the wires.
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
ATGB2363 BUILDING SCIENCE AND SERVICES II
TUTORIAL (2015/16, S3)
9) With aids of annotated diagram, shows the construction of armoured cable
and subsequently explain why armoured cable is preferred over other types in
underground installations.
The reason of armoured cable is preferred:
More tolerant to overheating.
Robust and strong.
Resistant to moisture.
10) With the aid of an annotated diagram, describe how a “Ring-Main” system of
electrical distribution is installed in a large site.
In the case of a large development scheme having several buildings around the
perimeter of the site, a ring-main circuit would be taken around the site with supplies
taken into each building.
For the same scheme, a radial distribution system would require a number of feeder
cables, each running separately from the main intake panel to the individual
buildings.
The ring-main distribution system has the following advantages:
Each building and individual sections of the ring may be isolated without switching
off the entire installation.
The current may flow in cither direction which reduces the voltage drop.
The ring may be sized to take account of the diversity factor for all the buildings
since a heavy load is unlikely required for all the buildings simultaneously.
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
