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Subject: Line Conductor (L): What it is, Purpose, Features, Requirements

Definition of the term.

Line conductor (identification: L): conductor which is energized under normal conditions and used for the transmission of electric energy but which is not a neutral conductor or mid conductor (source: IEC 60445:2021 [5]). The line conductor in AC electrical circuits is the phase conductor, and in DC electrical circuits is the pole conductor.

Separately distinguished is the earthed line conductor (LE), which is a line conductor that has an electrical connection to the local earth.

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Subject: What is a Neutral Conductor (N), its Designation, Purpose, Requirements?

Neutral conductor (identification: N): conductor electrically connected to the neutral or the mid-point of the AC electrical system and used for the transmission of electric energy (source IEC 60445:2021 [6]).

NOTE. Neutral: common live part of a star-connected polyphase AC system or mid live part of a single-phase AC system.

In the United States, while the term “neutral conductor” is used, this conductor is often also or alternatively identified as “grounded conductor”.

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Topic: What Is Earthed Line Conductor (LE)? Definition, Examples, Requirements

Earthed line conductor (identification: LE): line conductor which has an electrical connection with a local earth (as defined in IEC 60364-1 [1]).

The earthed line conductors are used in single-phase 2-wire AC electrical systems, in three-phase 3-wire AC electrical systems without the neutral and in 2-wire DC electrical systems.

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Topic: Protective Conductor (PE): What Is it? (Designation, Cross-section, Requirements)

Protective conductor (identification: PE): conductor provided for purposes of electrical safety (source IEC 60050-195:2021 [1]). In the United States of America, instead of the more correct term “protective conductor” they mostly use the terms “equipment grounding conductor” and “grounding electrode conductor”. It is not a current-carrying conductor and should never be energized under normal conditions.

More about it: https://www.asutpp.com/protective-conductor-pe.html
Topic: What Is a Protective Earthing Conductor?

Protective earthing conductor (identification: PE) or (protective grounding conductor, US): protective conductor provided for protective earthing [defined in the IEC 60050-195-2021]. In other words, it is a protective conductor designed to implement the earthing performed for the purpose of electrical safety.

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Topic: What Is a PEN Conductor?

PEN conductor: conductor combining the functions of both a protective earthing conductor and a neutral conductor (defined in the IEC 60050-195).

A PEN conductor, like other protective conductors, is not classified as a live part. However, a PEN conductor is a current-carrying conductor that is included in the total number of conductors used in an electrical circuit, network or system.

More: https://www.asutpp.com/pen-conductor.html
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Topic: Pole Conductor (L): What It Is, Definition, Cross-sectional Requirements

Pole Conductor (L): line conductor which is used in an DC electrical circuit [defined in the IEC 60445-2021].

The term “pole conductor” is not recommended by the IEC (IEC 60050-195 and IEC 60050-826). Instead, the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) however, the term “pole conductor” is used in the requirements and recommendations of IEC standards and other documents. Moreover, the IEV has defined the terms “mid-point conductor” and PEM conductor, which describe conductors used in DC circuits, electrical installations and systems. Therefore, along with the general term “line conductor”, the IEV should define the particular term “pole conductor”, which characterizes a line conductor to be used exclusively in DC circuits.

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Functional Earthing Conductor (FE): Definition, Example, Color and Alphanumeric Identification

Functional earthing conductor (UK, IEC) or functional grounding conductor (US): conductor provided for functional earthing [defined in the IEC 60050-195-2021].

Some electronic equipment requires a reference voltage at about earth potential in order to function correctly; this reference voltage is provided by the functional earthing conductor.

Conductors for functional earthing may be metallic strips, flat braids and cables with circular cross section.

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What Does Circuit Protective Conductor (CPC) Mean?

BS7671 defines a circuit protective conductor (CPC) as a protective conductor connecting exposed-conductive-parts of equipment to the main earthing terminal. The term is actively used in the United Kingdom.

Circuit Protective Conductor Requirements

- A circuit protective conductor shall be run to and terminated at each point in wiring and at each accessory except a lampholder having no exposed-conductive-parts and suspended from such a point.
- Except where Regulation 412.1.3 [1] applies, a circuit supplying one or more items of Class II equipment shall have a circuit protective conductor run to and terminated at each point in wiring and at each accessory.
- In every installation a main earthing terminal shall be provided to connect to the earthing conductor the circuit protective conductors.

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What Is an Earthing Conductor? Definition, Requirements, Size

Earthing conductor (UK) / Grounding conductor (US): conductor forming a conductive path between a conductive part and an earth electrode [definition: IEC 60050-195-2021]. Included as part of the earthing arrangement.

Example: conductor connected between a main earthing terminal or busbar and an earth electrode.

Earthing conductors shall comply with 543.1.1 or 543.1.2 [2]. Their cross-sectional area shall be not less than 6 mm2 for copper or 50 mm2 for steel. Where a bare earthing conductor is buried in the soil, its dimensions and characteristics shall also be in accordance with Table 54.1 [2].

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Main Earthing Terminal (MET): Definition, Purpose, Requirements

Main earthing terminal (MET) (UK and IEC) or main grounding terminal (US): terminal or busbar that is part of the earthing arrangement of an installation and enabling the electric connection of a number of conductors used for earthing or bonding purposes. [defined in the: IEC 60050-195-2021]

Synonyms for term: main earthing busbar (UK and IEC), main grounding busbar (US).

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Live Conductor: Definition, Meaning, Examples

Live conductor: a conductor intended to be energized in normal use, including a neutral conductor but, by convention, not a PEN conductor [defined in the BS7671].

Examples

The term “live conductor” is derived from the general term “live part” and refers to those live conductive parts intended to conduct certain electric currents.

Live conductors are primarily defined as phase conductors and pole conductors, which under normal conditions are energized in a way that poses a serious hazard to humans and animals. The neutral conductor and the mid-point conductor, which are under low voltage, are also live conductors. Phase and pole conductors in extra-low voltage electrical circuits have a voltage that are generally not hazardous to humans and animals.

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PEL Conductor: Definition, Examples of Systems, Requirements

PEL Conductor: conductor combining the functions of both a protective earthing conductor and a line conductor [SOURCE: IEC 60050-195:2021, 195-02-14].

The designation “PEL” is formed from two short designations: protective conductor “PE” and line conductor “L”, indicating the conductors whose function is intended to be performed by a PEL conductor.

A PEL conductor, like other protective conductors, is not considered a live part. However, a PEL conductor is a current-carrying conductor that is counted in the total number of conductors of an electrical circuit, network or system.

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Protective Bonding Conductor (PB): Definition, Sizes, Colour Identification

Protective bonding conductor: protective conductor provided for protective-equipotential-bonding [defined in the IEC 60050-195-2021].

The following metal parts are not permitted for use as protective bonding conductors:

- metallic water pipes;
- metallic pipes containing potentially flammable materials such as gases, liquids, powder;
- constructional parts subject to mechanical stress in normal service;
- flexible or pliable metal conduits, unless designed for that purpose;
- flexible metal parts;
- support wires; cable trays and cable ladders.

Where protective equipotential bonding conductors are installed, they should be parallel to and in closest contact as possible with d.c. cables and a.c. cables and accessories.

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PEM Conductor: Definition, Examples of Systems, Requirements

PEM Conductor: conductor combining the functions of both a protective earthing conductor and a mid-point conductor [defined in the IEC 60050-195:2021].

Note. In the Russian Federation , the term “PEM conductor” is defined differently: PEM conductor – electrical conductor combining the functions of both a protective earthing conductor and a mid conductor [3].

A PEM conductor, like other protective conductors, is not classified as a live part. However, a PEM conductor is a current-carrying conductor that is counted in the total number of conductors of an electrical circuit, network or system. It does not refer to line conductors.

More: https://www.asutpp.com/pem-conductor.html
Mid-Point Conductor (M): Definition, Meaning, Examples of Use

In this article we will look at what a mid-point conductor is, examples of its use in various systems, and its purpose. We will focus separately on the color and alphanumeric identification of the mid-point conductor.

What Is a Mid-Point Conductor (M)?

Mid-point conductor: conductor electrically connected to the mid-point and capable of contributing to the distribution of electric energy [defined in the IEC 60050-195-2021].

Examples of Use

Based on the definition, it follows that mid-point conductors can occur in 3-wire DC systems. Figure 1 shows an example of the TN-S system, Figure 2 shows the TN-C-S system, Figure 3 shows the TT system, and Figure 4 shows the IT system, which uses mid-point conductors.

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What Is Conductive Parts? Definition & Examples

Conductive part: a part that can carry electric current [this term is defined in the IEC 60050-195-2021].

What Are the Conductive Parts?

The term ‘conductive part’ defines a qualitative characteristic of any part of the electrical equipment, the electrical installation of a building or a building, namely its ability to conduct an electric current. Conductive parts of electrical equipment or the electrical installation of a building include cores of wires and cables, busbars and other electrical conductors, as well as other conductive elements of electrical equipment – metallic and conductive non-metallic fittings, enclosures, means of fastening, etc.

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What Is a Live Parts (in Electrical Installations and Equipment)?

Live parts: a conductive part intended to be energized under normal operating conditions, including the neutral conductor and mid-point conductor, but excluding the PEN conductor, PEM conductor and PEL conductor [this term is defined in the IEC 60050-195-2021]. This term does not necessarily imply a risk of electric shock.

The term under consideration defines those conductive parts of electrical equipment and electrical installations which are energized during their operation under normal conditions. A live part, as a special case of a conductive part, has one distinguishing feature – it can be live under normal conditions. Conductive parts which are not energized under normal conditions, but which may become energized under fault conditions, are not live parts.

Examples of Live Parts

The live parts include phase and neutral conductors of AC electrical circuits, pole and mid conductors of DC electrical circuits, and other conductive parts of a low-voltage electrical installation that have electrical connections to these electrical conductors and are under normal conditions at an electrical potential different from the earth potential.

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Electrical Distribution System Explained

Electrical distribution system: low-voltage electrical system consisting of a distribution network and an electrical installation [this term is defined in the IEC TS 62257-5-2015].

The structure of the distribution system and its examples.

Note 1 to entry: The distribution system usually includes an electrical installation of building which is connected to the low-voltage distribution network consisting of a step-down transformer substation and an overhead line or an underground cable (see Figure B.1).

Note 2 to entry: The smallest distribution system includes a power source and one item of a current-using equipment (see Figure B.2).

Power sources can also be: a local power plant, a separate small power generator driven by an internal combustion engine, and even an isolation transformer, on the basis of which the IT system is implemented in a part of the building’s electrical installation. However, the listed power sources are exceptions to the general rule. In the vast majority of cases in the low-voltage distribution networks to which the building installation is connected, the power sources are transformers installed in step-down transformer substations.

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Electrical Installation of Building: Definition, Meaning, Structure

Electrical installation of building: assembly of associated electric equipment located in a building and having co-ordinated characteristics to fulfil specific purposes [SOURCE: IEC 60050-826:2004, 826-01-01, modified: addition of “located in a building and”].

Electrical Installation of the Apartment

Currently, there is a new concept – “apartment electrical installation”, which characterizes a separate part of the electrical installation of an apartment building, located in one apartment. The electrical installation of the apartment is a set of interconnected electrical equipment installed in the apartment. Usually it functions independently of the electrical installations of other apartments.

The electrical installation of an apartment consists of several parts-electrical circuits. Until the nineties of the last century, the electrical installation of an apartment was usually a single-phase electrical installation and consisted of two final electric circuits for lighting and plug sockets. In residential buildings where electric stoves were installed, a third electric stove final electric circuit was added to the two mentioned circuits. These circuits were connected to the floor distribution board.

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