Republic of the Philippines
ILOILO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY
La Paz, Iloilo City
College of Engineering and Architecture
Electrical Engineering Department
Name: Rey Angela Selana Date Performed: 09/01/2024
Course and Year: BSEE 2-A1 Date Submitted: 09/02/2024
EELX 305 EE WORKSHOP 1 Basic Building Wiring
ACTIVITY No. 02
Understanding the Fundamentals of Basic Building Wiring
Objectives
At the end of the activity, the student will able to understand the type of electrical
circuits, the different type of lighting switches commonly used in residential building,
Discussion 1: What is a SWITCH?
A switch is an electrical component that can disconnect or connect the
conducting path in an electrical circuit, interrupting the electric current or diverting it from one
conductor to another.
Discussion 2: Enumerate the different types of lighting switches commonly used in
residential or small commercial building including its function, and purpose.
1. **Single-Pole Switch**: Controls a light or a group of lights from a single location,
providing basic on/off functionality and is the most commonly used switch for simple
lighting needs in homes and small businesses.
2. **Three-Way Switch**: Allows control of a light fixture from two different locations,
making it ideal for areas like staircases, large rooms, or hallways where you want the
convenience of turning the lights on or off from multiple points.
3. **Four-Way Switch**: Works in combination with two three-way switches to control a
light from three or more locations, which is particularly useful in long hallways or large
spaces with multiple entry points where you need flexibility in lighting control.
4. **Dimmer Switch**: Enables you to adjust the brightness of a light fixture, allowing for
the creation of different atmospheres or moods in a room while also offering the
potential for energy savings by reducing power usage.
5. **Double-Pole Switch**: Controls two separate circuits from a single switch, typically
used for high-voltage appliances such as electric stoves or large air conditioning units,
where a standard single-pole switch wouldn’t be sufficient.
6. **Smart Switch**: Can be controlled remotely via smartphone apps or voice assistants,
providing advanced features like automation, scheduling, and integration with smart
home systems for enhanced convenience and energy efficiency.
7. **Motion Sensor Switch**: Automatically turns lights on when movement is detected
and off after a set period of inactivity, making it perfect for spaces like bathrooms,
hallways, or outdoor areas where hands-free operation is desirable and energy savings
are important.
8. **Occupancy/Vacancy Sensor Switch**: Automatically turns lights on when someone
enters a room and off when the room is empty (occupancy) or requires manual turn-on
but will automatically turn off the lights when the room is empty (vacancy), providing
energy efficiency and convenience in spaces like bathrooms, garages, or basements.
9. **Pilot Light Switch**: Features a small indicator light that shows whether the
connected light or device is on or off, which is useful for monitoring the status of devices
or lights, especially those located in remote or outdoor areas.
10. **Timer Switch**: Allows lights or devices to be automatically turned on or off after a
pre-set amount of time, making it ideal for managing outdoor lighting, exhaust fans, or
other appliances that do not need to run continuously.
11. **Toggle Switch**: Operated by a lever that is pushed up or down to open or close the
circuit, this is a traditional switch design used for general on/off control in a variety of
residential and commercial settings.
12. **Rocker Switch**: A type of switch that rocks back and forth to open or close the
circuit, offering a more modern, flat design compared to toggle switches and often
chosen for its aesthetic appeal in contemporary interiors.
13. **Push-Button Switch**: Operated by pressing a button to open or close the circuit, this
type of switch is sometimes used in older homes or for specialty applications where a
different look or function is desired.
Discussion 3: A storage room was installed with two bulbs controlled at one location using
one Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) switch. Draw the corresponding one-line diagram,
circuit or schematic diagram, and wiring diagram of the said storage room.
Discussion 4: Describe briefly the three types of circuits: Open circuit, Closed circuit, and
Short circuit.
1. **Open Circuit**: A circuit in which the path for the current is interrupted or
incomplete, preventing the current from flowing. This could be due to a switch being
open or a break in the wiring.
2. **Closed Circuit**: A complete electrical path where the current can flow uninterrupted
from the power source, through the circuit, and back to the power source. All
components are connected properly, and the circuit is functional.
3. **Short Circuit**: A fault in the circuit where a low-resistance path is created, allowing
an excessive current to flow. This usually happens when the current bypasses part of the
circuit, potentially causing damage or a fire hazard.
Summary and Recommendation:
Summary:
You’ve researched various electric circuits and their functions, particularly focusing on how
different configurations and components operate. Your exploration also covered the types of
lighting switches used in residential and commercial buildings, understanding their specific
functions and how they’re chosen based on convenience, efficiency, and design.
Recommendation:
To further your understanding, try hands-on experimentation with simple circuit setups. This
practical experience will reinforce your knowledge of how different switches and circuit types
work together. For a deeper dive, explore circuit analysis techniques like Ohm’s Law and
Kirchhoff’s laws, and consider using tools like multimeters to measure electrical properties in
your circuits.
