THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT CODE FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN BUILDINGS (DRAFT) B1 August 2012 FOREWORD The mission of the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) is to promote an adequate, safe and well maintained works and transport infrastructure and services so as to effectively contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. In exercising this mission and in discharging its responsibilities, the Ministry is issuing a series of Design Manuals, Guidelines, Codes and Standards, of which the “Code for Electrical Installations In Buildings” is one part thereof. The Code for Electrical Installations In Buildings will be a nationally recognized document which will serve as a standard reference for the regulation of design and construction of electrical installations and equipment in buildings. The major benefits to be gained in applying this document are the harmonization of professional practice in the building construction in Uganda and curtailment of informal developments so as to ensure well-planned, well- maintained, safe, cost effective and decent building developments and human settlements throughout the country. The Regulations will be periodically updated and new editions issued to cater for the dynamic technological developments in the construction industry. Abraham Byandala Minister of Works and Transport August 2012 Regulations for Electrical Installations and Equipment in Buildings TABLE OF CONTENTS Definitions ..................................................................................................................iv SECTION 1 SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS ............................................................... 1.1 1.1 Scope ............................................................................................................... 1.1 1.2 Definitions ........................................................................................................ 1.1 SECTION 2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ............................................................. 2.1 2.1 Administrative ...................................................................................................2. 1 2.2 Technical .......................................................................................................... 2.2 2.3 Planning and Designing ................................................................................... 2.3 SECTION 3 METHODS OF INSTALLATION ......................................................... 3.1 3.1 General ............................................................................................................ 3.1 3.2 Fundamental Requirements for Safety ............................................................ 3.1 3.2.1 Workmanship and Materials .................................................................. 3.1 3.2.2 Protective Devices ............................................................................... 3.1 3.2.3 Portable Appliances ............................................................................... 3.2 3.3 Switchboard and Switchgear ............................................................................ 3.3 3.3.1 General ................................................................................................. 3.3 3.3.2 Isolation (Protection against direct contact) .......................................... 3.6 3.3.3 Cable Terminations to Switch Gear ...................................................... 3.7 3.4 Wiring and Wiring Accessories ........................................................................ 3.8 3.4.1 Cable Wiring ......................................................................................... 3.8 3.4.2 Cable Trunking ...................................................................................... 3.9 3.4.3 Conduit Wiring .................................................................................... 3.10 3.4.4 Mounting Heights of Wiring Accessories ............................................ 3.11 3.4.5 Ceiling Roses and Lamp Holders ........................................................ 3.12 3.4.6 Switches and Socket Outlets .............................................................. 3.12 3.4.7 Motors ................................................................................................. 3.12 3.4.8 Final Circuits .......................................................................................3. 13 3.5 Underground Cables ...................................................................................... 3.13 3.5.1 Cable Specification ............................................................................. 3.13 3.5.2 Cable Laying ....................................................................................... 3.14 3.5.3 Warning Covers .................................................................................. 3.15 3.5.4 Earthenware Ducts and Fiber Conduits .............................................. 3.15 3.5.5 Concrete Cable Markers ..................................................................... 3.16 3.5.6 Cables Jointing ................................................................................... 3.16 3.5.7 Identification of Cables and Cable Joints ............................................ 3.16 i Ministry of Works and Transport Regulations for Electrical Installations and Equipment in Buildings 3.5.8 Position of Cable Routes .................................................................... 3.16 3.5.9 Bonding and Earthing of Cables ......................................................... 3.16 3.6 Excavation and Reinstatement ...................................................................... 3.17 3.7 Consumer Mains ............................................................................................ 3.18 3.7.1 Feeder Pillars ...................................................................................... 3.18 3.7.2 Earthing .............................................................................................. 3.18 3.8 "AS INSTALLED" Drawings ............................................................................ 3.19 3.9 Inspection and Testing ................................................................................... 3.19 SECTION 4 MISCELLANEOUS ............................................................................ 4.1 4.1 Street Lighting .................................................................................................. 4.1 4.2 Lightning Protection and Earthing .................................................................... 4.1 4.3 Lifts ................................................................................................................... 4.2 4.4 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems .................................................... 4.2 4.5 Radiation Emissions ......................................................................................... 4.2 4.6 Special Services ............................................................................................... 4.3 4.6.1 Data Network ........................................................................................4 .3 4.6.2 Other ..................................................................................................... 4.3 SECTION 5 SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM MODULES AND BATTERIES .................................................................................. 5.1 5.1 Scope ............................................................................................................... 5.1 5.2 Photovoltaic (PV) Modules ............................................................................... 5.1 5.2.1 PV Modules (Panels) Specifications ..................................................... 5.1 5.2.2 PV Modules Position .............................................................................5. 1 5.2.3 PV Modules Orientation ........................................................................ 5.1 5.2.4 PV Modules Lightning Protection .......................................................... 5.1 5.2.5 PV Modules Support Structure ............................................................. 5.2 5.2.6 PV Modules Roof Mounting .................................................................. 5.2 5.2.7 PV Modules Ground Mounting ............................................................. 5.2 5.3 Batteries ...........................................................................................................5. 2 5.3.1 Type ...................................................................................................... 5.2 5.3.2 Installation .............................................................................................5. 3 5.3.3 Controllers and Circuit .......................................................................... 5.3 5.4 Samples ........................................................................................................... 5.4 5.5 System Design - Essential and Non- Essential Service (ES and NES) ........... 5.4 5.5.1 Design data ........................................................................................... 5.4 5.5.2 Calculations .......................................................................................... 5.4 5.5.3 System Autonomy .................................................................................5. 5 5.5.4 Essential Services (ES) ........................................................................ 5.5 ii Ministry of