Division 16 Electrical

SECTION 16100 – BASIC MATERIALS AND METHODS

1.0 REFERENCE:

Requirements of Section 16010 apply to all work under this Section.

2.0 GENERAL:

A. Furnish and install all conduits, cable troughs, wireways, joint and outlet
boxes, conductor and miscellaneous materials required for wiring, as specified
herein and shown on drawings.
B. Furnish and install all power and control wiring to al equipment, except as
otherwise specified. Equipment includes motor, motor starters, and
miscellaneous devices.

3.0 INTERMEDIATE METAL CONDUIT ( IMC ):

A. General : NEMA standard trade sizes, UL approved or equivalent to

MATSUSHITA/PANASONIC, WHEATLAND, or approved equal.
B. Material : mild steel, hot dipped galvanized with inside enamel or epoxy
coating.
C. Size : 15mm (1/2”) minimum.
D. Coupling, unions and fittings : standard, threaded
E. Use limitation : as specified in the latest edition of PEC and/or NEC.
F. Expansion fittings : use for runs spanning expansion joints.
G. Paint field cuts and repair damaged protected coating with red lead or
zinc chromate. Conduit threads shall not be painted.

3.0 POLYVINYL CHLORIDE ( PVC ) CONDUIT:

A. General: Standard trade sizes, heavy wall, manufactured to NEMA TC-2 Type 40,
rated 90 deg Celsius cable as manufactured by Crown, Emerald, Neltex and
Atlanta.
B. Material: Polyvinylchloride, extruded.
C. Nominal size: 20 mm ( ½”) minimum.
D. Couplings and Fittings: Standard joint by solvent weld process.
E. Use Limitation:

1. As specified in the latest edition of PEC and/or NEC.

2. Not permitted where subject to mechanical damage.
3. As indicated in the drawings.

BASIC MATERIALS AND METHOD 1

 F. Pulling Hardwares: Flat fish tape with ball and flexible leader or polyethylene or
Manila rope. Use of steel pulling cable not permitted.

4.0 ELECTRICAL METALLIC TUBING ( EMT ):

A. General: Standard sized, UL approved or equivalent to Matsushita/Panasonic or

approved equal.
B. Material: Steel, zinc coated outside, enamel coated inside.
C. Nominal Size: 15mm (1/2”) minimum, 50 mm (2”) maximum.
D. Fittings: Compression type with plastic insert.
E. Use limitation:

1. As specified in the latest edition of PEC.

2. Only where approved by the CONSULTANT.

G. Repair damaged protective coating with red lead or zinc chromate.

5.0 FLEXIBLE GALVANIZED STEEL CONDUIT:

A. General: Standard sized, UL approved or equivalent to Matsushita/Panasonic or

approved equal.
B. Material : Steel, galvanized.
C. Nominal size: 15 mm ( ½” ) minimum.
D. Fittings: Standard.
E. Use Limitation:

1. Between motor terminal boxes or vibration producing devices and rigid

conduit.
2. Short lengths of concealed wiring to lighting fixtures.
3. Other applications: only where approved or where shown on plans.

6.0 FLEXIBLE LIQUID TIGHT CONDUIT:

A. General: Standard trade sizes. UL approved or equivalent.

B. Material: Galvanized steel with outer liquid-tight plastic jacket.
C. Size: 15 mm ( ½” ).
D. Fittings: Liquid-tight.
E. Use limitation:

1. Short lengths to vibration producing devices situated in wet or potentially

wet locations.
2. Between motor terminal boxes or vibration producing devices and rigid
conduit.
3. Other applications: Only where approved or where shown on plans.

BASIC MATERIALS AND METHOD 2

7.0 CONDUIT INSTALLATION:

A. General: Install in accordance with applicable codes and recognized standards of

good practice.
B. Location: Approximately as shown on drawings; actual routing subject to
approval.
C. Wall and floor sleeves:

1. General: Provide passage of conduits through walls, floors, or partitions.

Set sleeves in masonry during construction; set sleeves through concrete
before pouring begins.
2. Material: Galvanized pipe, securely fastened in position.
3. Sleeves through exterior building walls: Install conduit in center of sleeve,
fill annular space with loosely packed oakum. Seal interior and exterior of
packing with hot applied asphalt. Fit the conduit on each side of the wall
with round galvanized steel flange fastened to conduit by two set screws to
retain sealing compound.
4. Sleeves through waterproof constructions: Flanged type.
5. Opening required after footings, walls, floors, or ceilings are constructed
shall be provided and patched at Contractor’s expense in an approved
manner.

D. Embedded Contuit:

1. General: Set before pouring of concrete begins. Route in as direct line as

possible and where a bend is required, turn with a long radius.
2. Underground installation: Encase conduits with concrete, 75mm ( 3” )
from outer face of conduits.
3. Conduit joints shall be half-wrapped with 3M Scotch wrap #50 PVC tape
or approved equivalent.

E. Joints: Make with approved couplings and unions to provide electrically

continuous and moisture-tight system.
F. Expansion joints: Use expansion fittings and bonding jumpers wherever conduit
spans building expansion joints.
G. Drainage: Avoid pockets in conduit runs as much as possible; provide suitable
fittings at low spots in exposed conduits where pocket cannot be avoided. Weep
holes not permitted.
H. Bends: Not more than the equivalent of three 90 deg bends between pulling joints.
I. Wiring of fire related motors shall be embedded or encased in concrete.
J. Field cuts and threads:

1. Cut ends of conduit square with hand or power saw and ream to remove
burrs and sharp edges. Do not use wheel cutter.

BASIC MATERIALS AND METHOD 3

 2. Threads cut on job shall have same effective lengths, thread dimensions,
and taper as factory cut threads.
3. Carefully removed burrs from threads. Conduit threads shall not be
painted.
4. Apply coat of protective paint through conduits where protective coating is
damaged.

K. Supports:

1. Manufacturer: ERICO, Steel City or approved equal.

2. Hangers, supports, or fastenings: Provide at each elbow and at end of
every straight run terminating in a box or cabinet. Rigid fastenings spaced
in accordance with the PEC.
3. Clamps: Galvanized malleable iron one-hole straps, beam clamps, or other
approved device with necessary bolts and expansion shields.
4. Adjustable hangers:

a. Use to support horizontal runs only.

b. Trapeze hangers: For parallel runs of conduits. Install pipe
clamps every third intermediate hanger for each conduit. Paint
hangers one prime coat of red lead or zinc chromate, one finish
coat of approved color. Hangers are not detailed but must be
adequate to support the combined weights or conduit,
conductors, and hangers.

5. Submit shop drawings for approval.

L. Concealing: Conceal conduits in all areas except mechanical equipment rooms

and areas as specified. Run exposed conduits parallel with, or at right angle to,
lines of buildings.
M. Conduit ends:

1. Cap conduit.
2. Open conduit ends terminating in panels for enclosures where exposed to
entrance of foreign material: Plug space around cables with commercial
duct sealing compound.
3. Cap conduit ends during construction to prevent entrance of foreign
materials and moisture before wires or cables are installed.

N. Cleaning: Clean inside by mechanical means to remove all foreign materials and
moisture before wires or cables are installed.
O. Conduit connections at panels and boxes: Double locknuts and bushings.

8.0 JUNCTION BOXES AND OUTLET BOXES:

BASIC MATERIALS AND METHOD 4

 A. General: Provide junction boxes for pulling and splicing wires, and outlet
boxesfor installation of wiring devices as required, or as shown on drawings. As a
rule, provide junction boxes in all runs of greater than 30 meters ( 100 ft ) in
length. For other lengths, provide boxes as required for splicing or pulling.
Boxes shall be in accessible locations.
B. Construction: Welded sheet steel, galvanized finish. Provide removable covers
attached with round head machine screws, minimum of ____ MSG.
C. Support: Support boxes independently of conduits entering, by means of materials
described in Section 16100, sub-section 6.0J.
D. Finish: Galvanized.

9.0 WIREWAY:

A. General: Furnish and install wireway as indicated on drawings or as required.

B. Size and arrangement: As indicated on drawings.
C. Construction: Minimum 1.519mm ( #16 MSG ) thick galvanized steel sheet metal
with snap-on cover or as shown on plans.
D. All screws installed towards the inside shall be guarded to prevent wire insulation
damage.
E. Provide all necessary supports, fittings and miscellaneous materials for a complete
installation.

10.0 CONDUCTOR:

A. Manufacturer: Philflex or Phelps Dodge.

B. Material : Copper, annealed.
C. Stranding: Standard stranding for 3.5 sq mm and larger.
D. Minimum sizes: 3.5 sq mm THW or THHN for lighting and power as noted in the
plans.
E. Standards: ICEA or Philippine Electrical Code.
F. Color Code:

1. Color coding for all ground and neutral conductors shall be as follows in
accordance with the Code:
2. Multi-wire branch circuits, feeders to distribution, lighting, receptacle and
power panels shall be color coded.
3. Color coding shall be maintained all throughout the installation.

G. 600-Volt Class Conductors Insulation:

1. Feeders and general use conductors: THW or THHN insulation as shown

in the plans.
2. Fixture wires: In accordance with Philippine Electrical Code.
3. Wiring in fluorescent fixtures: In accordance with Philippine Electrical
Code.

BASIC MATERIALS AND METHOD 5

 4. Wire insulation in wet or potentially wet locations: TW insulation.

11.0 CONDUCTOR INSTALLATION:

A. Place all wiring, in raceway of type of types indicated. Provide all required and
indicated accessories for proper installation of all wiring.
B. Bending radii: Not less than permitted by Philippine Electrical Code.
C. Supports in vertical runs: As prescribed by Philippine Electrical Code.
D. Splicing:

1. Permissible only in junction boxes or similar accessible locations.

Number of splices held to absolute minimum.
2. Use solderless, compression-type wire terminators at devices. Use wire
nuts with screws not bearing directly on the wires.

E. Insulation of splices or taps:

1. Three layers 20mm wide 3M Company “Scotch no.33” or “Scotch no.88”,

or approved equal, electrical tape, half lapped.
2. Use filler compound, “Scothfil”, or approved equal, at sharp edges to
provide smooth surface before taping.
3. Use 3M wire nut for splices in wireways.

F. Marking: Mark each end of every power or control cable with a plastic tag
securely fastened to it bearing circuit use identification. Also mark cables in pull
or junction boxes.
G. Connections:

1. Apparatus lugs: Solderless pressure-type lugs. Thoroughly clean lug

conductor and coat with suitable oxidation inhibiting compound prior to
connection.
2. Terminal blocks: Use retaining cup washers where solid wire is used. Use
pressure type terminal lugs where stranded wire is used.
3. All feeder cable terminations shall be torqued and properly marked.

12.0 NAMEPLATES:

A. General: Provide and install nameplates wherever indicated as required in these

specifications. Wording shall be approved prior to purchase of nameplates.
B. Material: Red Bakelite engraving stock, white core.
C. Lettering: Engraved, approximately 5.0 mm high. Wording shall identify function
of device to which nameplate is attached, or identify equipment served by device.
D. Installation ( except for factory-installed nameplates ): Attach with sheet metal
screws after painting of equipment is completed.

BASIC MATERIALS AND METHOD 6

 E. All receptacle outlets/switches, plates shall be identified with circuit and panel
homerun numbers using “dymo” tape labeler.

13.0 FIELD TESTS AND ADJUSTMENTS:

A. Test reports: Typewritten, listing equipment used, person or persons performing

the tests, date tested, circuits tested and results of tests.
B. Insulation resistance tests, general:

1. Perform insulation resistance tests on wires listed herein.

2. Test equipment: Furnished by Contractor; equal to Megger as
manufactured by James G. Biddle Company, motor driven or rectifier type
ranges of 500, 1000, and 2500 volts DC.
3. Resistance measured: Line to ground.
4. Disconnect all solid state equipment before making wire or cable tests.
Contractor is responsible for damage to any such equipment caused by
these tests.

C. Insulation resistance tests, wires.

1. Test all 600 volt class power and lighting circuits at 1000-volt rating of
“Megger” for one minute duration.
2. Spot test control circuits with “Megger” as directed.

D. Voltage level test:

1. When performed: After all equipment is installed, ready for operation.

2. Contractor shall measure voltage at five points in the system as directed.
3. Load conditions: No-load and full load, in so far as practicable.
4. Test report: Required, as specified under item “A”.

E. Continuity test: Test all socket outlet and control circuits to determine continuity
of wiring and connections. Submit written statement that this test has been
performed.
F. Correction of defects:

1. If tests disclose any unsatisfactory workmanship, wiring or equipment

furnished under this Contract, Contractor shall repair or replace, at his
expense, such defects in an approved manner.
2. If any wiring or equipment is damaged by tests, Contractor shall repair or
replace, at his expense, such wiring or equipment in an approved manner.

BASIC MATERIALS AND METHOD 7