Electrical Thumb Rules For:
- Cable Capacity
- Current Capacity of Equipment
- Earthing Resistance
- Minimum Bending Radius
- Insulation Resistance
- Lightning Arrestor
- Transformer
- Diesel Generator
- Current Transformer
- Quick Electrical Calculation
Cable Capacity
- For Cu Wire Current Capacity (Up to 30 Sq.mm) = 6X Size of Wire in Sq.mm
Ex. For 2.5 Sq.mm = 6×2.5 = 15 Amp, For 1 Sq.mm = 6×1 = 6 Amp, For 1.5 Sq.mm = 6×1.5 = 9 Amp - For Cable Current Capacity = 4X Size of Cable in Sq.mm, Ex. For 2.5 Sq.mm = 4×2.5 = 9 Amp.
- Nomenclature for cable Rating = Uo/U
- where Uo = Phase-Ground Voltage, U = Phase-Phase Voltage, Um = Highest Permissible Voltage
Current Capacity of Equipment
- 1 Phase Motor draws Current = 7Amp per HP.
- 3 Phase Motor draws Current = 1.25Amp per HP.
- Full Load Current of 3 Phase Motor = HPx1.5
- Full Load Current of 1 Phase Motor = HPx6
- No Load Current of 3 Phase Motor = 30% of FLC
- KW Rating of Motor = HPx0.75
- Full Load Current of equipment = 1.39xKVA (for 3 Phase 415Volt)
- Full Load Current of equipment = 1.74xKw (for 3 Phase 415Volt)
Earthing Resistance
- Earthing Resistance for Single Pit = 5Ω, Earthing Grid = 0.5Ω
- As per NEC 1985 Earthing Resistance should be < 5Ω.
- Voltage between Neutral and Earth <= 2 Volt
- Resistance between Neutral and Earth <= 1Ω
- Creepage Distance = 18 to 22mm/KV (Moderate Polluted Air) or
- Creepage Distance = 25 to 33mm/KV (Highly Polluted Air)
Minimum Bending Radius
- Minimum Bending Radius for LT Power Cable = 12 x Dia of Cable.
- Minimum Bending Radius for HT Power Cable = 20 x Dia of Cable.
- Minimum Bending Radius for Control Cable = 10 x Dia of Cable.
Insulation Resistance
- Insulation Resistance Value for Rotating Machine = (KV+1) MΩ.
- Insulation Resistance Value for Motor (IS 732) = ((20xVoltage (L-L)) / (1000+ (2xKW)).
- Insulation Resistance Value for Equipment (<1KV) = Minimum 1 MΩ.
- Insulation Resistance Value for Equipment (>1KV) = KV 1 MΩ per 1KV.
- Insulation Resistance Value for Panel = 2 x KV rating of the panel.
- Min Insulation Resistance Value (Domestic) = 50 MΩ / No of Points. (All Electrical Points with Electrical fitting & Plugs). Should be less than 0.5 MΩ
- Min Insulation Resistance Value (Commercial) = 100 MΩ / No of Points. (All Electrical Points without fitting & Plugs).Should be less than 0.5 MΩ.
- Test Voltage (A.C) for Meggering = (2X Name Plate Voltage) +1000
- Test Voltage (D.C) for Meggering = (2X Name Plate Voltage).
- Submersible Pump Take 0.4 KWH of extra Energy at 1 meter drop of Water.
Lightning Arrestor
Arrestor have Two Rating:
- MCOV=Max. Continuous Line to Ground Operating Voltage.
- Duty Cycle Voltage. (Duty Cycle Voltage > MCOV).
Transformer
- Current Rating of Transformer = KVA x 1.4
- Short Circuit Current of T.C /Generator = Current Rating / % Impedance
- No Load Current of Transformer =< 2% of Transformer Rated current
- Capacitor Current (Ic) = KVAR / 1.732xVolt (Phase-Phase)
- Typically the local utility provides transformers rated up to 500kVA For maximum connected load of 99kW,
- Typically the local utility provides transformers rated up to 1250kVA For maximum connected load of 150kW.
- The diversity they would apply to apartments is around 60%
- Maximum HT (11kV) connected load will be around 4.5MVA per circuit.
- 4No. earth pits per transformer (2No. for body and 2No. for neutral earthing),
- Clearances, approx.1000mm around TC allow for transformer movement for replacement.
Diesel Generator
- Diesel Generator Set Produces = 3.87 Units (KWH) in 1 Litter of Diesel.
- Requirement Area of Diesel Generator = for 25KW to 48KW = 56 Sq.meter, 100KW = 65 Sq.meter.
- DG less than or equal to 1000kVA must be in a canopy.
- DG greater 1000kVA can either be in a canopy or skid mounted in an acoustically treated room
- DG noise levels to be less than 75dBA at 1 meter.
- DG fuel storage tanks should be a maximum of 990 Litter per unit. Storage tanks above this level will trigger more stringent explosion protection provision.
Current Transformer
Nomenclature of CT:
- Ratio: input / output current ratio
- Burden (VA): total burden including pilot wires. (2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 30VA.)
- Class: Accuracy required for operation (Metering: 0.2, 0.5, 1 or 3, Protection: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30).
- Accuracy Limit Factor:
- Nomenclature of CT: Ratio, VA Burden, Accuracy Class, Accuracy Limit Factor.Example: 1600/5, 15VA 5P10 (Ratio: 1600/5, Burden: 15VA, Accuracy Class: 5P, ALF: 10)
- As per IEEE Metering CT: 0.3B0.1 rated Metering CT is accurate to 0.3 percent if the connected secondary burden if impedance does not exceed 0.1 ohms.
- As per IEEE Relaying (Protection) CT: 2.5C100 Relaying CT is accurate within 2.5 percent if the secondary burden is less than 1.0 ohm (100 volts/100A).
Quick Electrical Calculation
| 1HP = 0.746KW | Star Connection |
| 1KW = 1.36HP | Line Voltage = √3 Phase Voltage |
| 1Watt = 0.846 Kla/Hr | Line Current = Phase Current |
| 1Watt = 3.41 BTU/Hr | Delta Connection |
| 1KWH = 3.6 MJ | Line Voltage = Phase Voltage |
| 1Cal = 4.186 J | Line Current = √3 Phase Current |
| 1Tone = 3530 BTU | |
| 85 Sq.ft Floor Area = 1200 BTU | |
| 1Kcal = 4186 Joule | |
| 1KWH = 860 Kcal | |
| 1Cal = 4.183 Joule |
Related electrical guides & articles
Hi Sir,
In a substation we use different connectors, like, bus support, couplers, body & cap connector etc, I would like to know what each component is rated for with respect to ampacity. How can we calculate that, is there a way to do that.
Excellent and neat write up, keep the great work !!
3phase 40A energy meter 17Nos in one apparetment.
How much amps switch rating and transformer is required?
Typically the local utility provides transformers rated up to 1250kVA For maximum connected load of 150kW.
Power factor*KVA=KW
0.8*1250=1000KW
But here answer is 150KW
How it will calculate?
Sir, one of my client wants to take connection having his required load 70 KW. In fact I have maximum feeder capacity in the existing panel 100 AMP TPN,MCCB-16 KA. Please suggest me the Feeder specification, so that I can install it in my panel in the spare box. also please eleborate the formula to select.
Thank you sir. This is very needful to us.
Sir,
I need to know the load calculations of
2core 1sqmm al ar cable = Amps
1sqmm cu cable = Amps
Tor electrical calculation should we take 1HP= 735.5W or 746W
1HP=746W
Dear sir
Twin core flat aluminium pvc insulated cable when we are supply current one core than earthing second core why ?
Dear sir
I need your expertise ON TRIPOING OF 220KV EHV transmission line, during lightening.
Need your help. Can I have your contact number please.
Very very nice ..very very useful informations &Calculations..thank u very much
For 4Cx 6sqmm cu at cable, you can go with 4Cx 25 sqmm Al AR XLPE cable. And for 3Cx4sqmm you go with 16sqmm if the length is less than 80 to 100mts.
load calculation of3.5*300 sq mm al. cable
For single core house wiring to 1.5 sq. Mm. How much current take ?
2800KW, 12Amps 1 phase AC load and distance between incoming supply source to load point is 1500mtr. Cable laid in under ground and HDPE pipe. now can you please suggest cable size and voltage drop calculation