2.3.6

Activity 2.3.6 Residential Electrical Systems

Introduction

We often take for granted that a light will illuminate when we flip a switch or that there will be an electrical outlet in a convenient location when we want to use a hair dryer. The fact that you do not notice the design of the lighting and electrical system when you are in a building indicates that the designer has done a good job anticipating the needs of the occupants. The electrical system must be designed and constructed according to the applicable building codes and regulations, but it should also be designed with the end user in mind.

In this activity you will research lighting and electrical design topics and review residential electrical code requirements. Using the knowledge you gain, you will layout the electrical system for your Affordable Housing Project.

Equipment

Computer with Internet access

Print of your Affordable Housing Project floor plan(s)

Common Electrical Symbols handout

Residential Electrical Code Requirements

Procedure
Visit the following websites:

U. S. Department of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy website at http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/lighting_daylighting/index.cfm/mytopic=11970.

Whole Building Design Guide at http://www.wbdg.org/resources/daylighting.php

Review the information on lighting and daylighting and complete the following questions.

Describe the three general classifications of lighting uses.
Ambient lighting- background lighting
Task lighting-specific lighting
Acsent lighting

• What is daylighting?

Daylighting is the ability to maximize the use of natural daylight in your home to further reduce the need for artificial lighting. Using windows and skylights in your home is a way to reduce artificial lighting.

What are some advantages to providing daylighting?

You can reduce the cost of always running lights. You also save energy.

Describe the best orientation for windows in a building in order to take advantage of daylighting.

Depending on where you live the sun shines the most in one direction. If you are above the equater then having your windows and skylights facing south is the best way.

Review your affordable home floor plans. Consider how you can better incorporate daylighting into your design. Mark at least one change on the floor plan(s) that will improve the energy efficiency of the home by increasing the daylighting. Make the change on your 3D model.
Locate an electric meter (typically mounted on an exterior wall) and sketch your proposed location for the main panel on the print of your affordable home floor plan. Choose an accessible interior location for the panel that is hidden from public view – perhaps a closet or separate space. Include the electric meter and main panel in your 3D model.
Sketch a preliminary electrical plan on your affordable home floor plan(s).

Sketch the location of outlets, lighting, and switches so as to comply with the Residential Electrical Code Requirements. Think about how each room will be used, what appliances and equipment are needed, and where extra convenience outlets should be placed.

Connect each lighting fixture to at least one switch (or as required by the Residential Electrical Code Requirements) using a switch leg (dashed line). Consider the need for three way switches.

Locate exterior outlets and lights as required by code.

Comply with all New Construction Guidelines for Habitat for Humanity.

Include an electrical service line on your electronic site plan.
(Optional) Revise your Affordable Home Project drawings to include your electrical design. You must determine the best place to show your electrical plan. Sometimes it is easiest to place it directly on a floor plan; other times you will need to prepare a separate electrical plan.
Conclusion

1. How did you incorporate daylighting into your project?

I have many windows that will reduce the cost and save energy.

2. Why are some electrical plans placed on a floor plan and others on a separate sheet?

If there is too much on one sheet then it will look like there is to much going on and the customer might get confused.

What is important for an architect to know about electrical plans?

So he/she doesnt build the building that will counter act with the electrical plans and so he/she builds it to the needs of the customer.

How does the design of the structure affect the electrical layout?

You cant always build it completely the way you want. there is codes and regulations that will cause problems in the future.

Essential Questions 2.2

1. What is the difference between R-value and U-value? When are they used?
The U-Value is the reciprocal of the R-value. They are used to find heat loss and gain.
2. What are some leading causes of solar gain?
Heat going through windows and doors.
3. What key areas of a building can minimize heat loss?
The walls, better insulation will decrease heat loss.
4. Why is a cost estimate important to create before starting a project?
So you can prepare for the cost and make a bugit for it.

Utility shed

Eq's 1.2

1.    Why is it important to recognize challenges and barriers during the charrette and then identify solutions?

So you can have ideas that others can add on to or change the idea into something better.

2.    Among the ideas or thoughts that you prepared for the charrette, were there any that were disregarded by the group? Why? Do you think it was the right decision?

 

There was an idea to make a door from the outside into the lunch room it got shut down because it would have costed to much and wouldnt of worked in the winter.

3.    What is the value of using a charrette to investigate the feasibility and development of a building project? Describe specific advantages over a traditional approach in which the client meets with an architect and the architect develops the plan.

 

Because you can have more views on one topic. That would most likely create better ideas and cause the best idea to be shown over the others. It gives a person with no personal intrest a completely different outlook.

4.    Identify and explain a potential drawback of the plan your team drafted.

 

It could be very confusing. There would be alot of people standing around waiting in line.

1.How did the time period from which your feature was most prevalent influence the feature?

In the late 1700's Britain mainly modeled after Roman classicism. Also the Renaissance had a major influence on the federal architecture from then on.


2.How did the feature you modeled meet a human need?

It is built for more residential type structures. But it is a more formal type of archecture. It is also seen in many presidential buildings.


3.Describe the use of the principle of design best represented in the architecture of your model.

The smooth straight lines make the structure feel calm but yet the different shapes you see like the triangle roof, and the different shaped windows.


4.Explain how one of the other models in your class has similar characteristics?

 Victorian style is very similar to federal. Victorian has similar features such as the roof. The time periods are very similar in both styles.

Questions for Engineer.

Which do you enjoy more, on the field work or in the office work?

What is your favorite part of your job?

What is a typical day for you?

Why did you choose this career path?

Essential Questions 1.1

Essential Questions:




1. How did the art and science of architecture and civil engineering evolve over time?
Old style architecture was very symmetrical. Today more modern houses are built to be spacious and asymmetric. Most modern homes have straight lines and repition.


2. Describe three structural systems used by architects in historical construction projects.
Historical projects were many used for a specific purpose. Like the great pyramid was used to protect the pharows wealth. Canals were built for transprtation and to control water flow. Aqueducts were used to transport water from place to place.

3. How have historical innovations contributed to modern civil engineering and architecture?
Historical innovations have created a hole new style of civil engineering and architecture. We now use a mixture of many styles to create a hole new look.
4. How are visual design elements and principles manifested in architecture?
They are used to make people feel a surtain way or react a different way. Like color is used to make a person feel a surtain way. Lines can also have the same effect.