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State where the following electrical circuits are typically used in a domestic dwelling: • ring circuit - Leaving Cert Construction Studies - Question 9 - 2016
Question 9
State where the following electrical circuits are typically used in a domestic dwelling: • ring circuit. • radial circuit. Two electrical light points, as shown, ar... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:State where the following electrical circuits are typically used in a domestic dwelling: • ring circuit - Leaving Cert Construction Studies - Question 9 - 2016
Step 1
State where the following electrical circuits are typically used in a domestic dwelling: • ring circuit. • radial circuit.
Answer
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Ring Circuit: Typically used for adjacent rooms in the house, with no specific socket limit as long as the total does not exceed the current required.
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Radial Circuit: Primarily used in a single room, with a maximum number of sockets per circuit.
Step 2
Using an annotated freehand sketch, show the design of a typical electrical circuit for the lights. Show the circuit from the consumer electrical distribution board to the light points and switch. Indicate the typical sizes and colour coding of the electric cables.
Answer
To design the circuit:
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Drawing the Circuit: Create a freehand sketch depicting the circuit from the consumer distribution board. Indicate the following components:
- Consumer Unit
- Main Switch
- RCD and MCB
- Light fixtures (Label A and B in the sketch)
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Electric Cables:
- Use a 1.5mm² cable for the light circuit, typically colored brown for the live wire and blue for the neutral wire. The earth wire should be green/yellow.
- Indicate connections to the switch and the light fixtures. Ensure that the circuit is shown as loop-in-loop-out.
Step 3
Step 4
Show two safety features in the design of the lighting circuit to ensure that it is safe for all users.
Answer
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Protective Conductor: An earth conductor is provided to ensure that in the case of a fault, the electricity is safely diverted.
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Overcurrent Protection: The circuit is protected by an MCB rated appropriately to handle any overload, ensuring the circuit remains safe.
Step 5
Show two features that could be incorporated into the design of a lighting system to ensure the economical use of electricity in the house.
Answer
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Motion Sensors: Install sensors in areas that are not always occupied to ensure lights are only on when needed, automatically turning off when no motion is detected.
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LED Lighting: Utilize LED bulbs which consume significantly less electricity, have a longer lifespan, and provide energy savings when compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.