SECTION 3:GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

 SECTION 3

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

301    All electrical equipment, accessories and fittings employed in electrical installations shall be fully suitable for use in the climatic conditions of Bahrain having the following salient features

 Maximum sun radiation temperature in summer     84آ°C
 Maximum ambient temperature in summer    501آ°C
 Average ambient temperature in summer    451آ°C
 Minimum ambient temperature in winter    -60آ°C

Periods of high humidity are common and a relative humidity of 100% at 30آ°C has been recorded. Even on comparatively still days fine dust is carried in suspension in the air.

302    In buildings of substantial construction, all electrical equipment and cables shall be rated for continuous operation at an ambient temperature of 40آ°C. In plant and machine rooms an ambient temperature of 55آ°C shall be assumed.

303    All electrical equipment, apparatus, accessories and fittings shall be so designed and manufactured to operate continuously in the electricity supply system of Bahrain having the following characteristics

Voltage   400 volts + 6%, 3 phase, 4 wire
Frequency   50 Hz. +- 2 percent
Neutral   Solidly earthed
Fault level   31 MVA at 400 volts
Fault duration   0.5 seconds

Where it can be established that the fault level within the wiring installation of a premises shall be less than 31 MVA due to the parameters and characteristics of the equipment, apparatus, lines or cables connected to the wiring installation, electrical switchgear and accessories with a lower interrupting capacity may be employed, subject to prior approval of the Electricity Distribution Directorate.

Wherever the supply of electricity is at 11,000 Volts the characteristics of the electricity supply
system will be as follows :-

Voltage   11 kv آ± 6%, 3 phase, 3 wire
Frequency   50 Hz + 2%
Fault level   350 MVA at 11 kv
Fault duration   1 sec.

304    All electrical wiring shall be so installed that when completed, the system will be free from short circuits and earth faults.

305    Devices intended to break current shall have a breaking capacity sufficient for the voltage employed and for the current that must be interrupted.

306     All electrical equipments shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted. Wooden plugs driven into holes in masonry, concrete, plaster or similar materials shall not be used.

307     All electrical equipment, accessories and fittings exposed to weather, corrosive atmosphere, or other adverse conditions shall be so constructed or protected as may be necessary to prevent danger arising from such exposure.

308     Where electrical equipment, accessories, fittings and cables are likely to be exposed to flammable surroundings or an explosive atmosphere, it shall be protected by a flame-proof enclosure or be otherwise so designed and constructed as to prevent danger.

309      All electrical equipments, accessories, fittings and cables shall be installed in a neat and workman like manner.

310      All materials used in electrical installations shall be of good quality and shall comply as a minimum with the latest relevant recommendation(s) or specification(s) of the GCC. In the absence of such recommendation(s) or specification(s) all such materials shall comply with the latest recommendation(s) or specification(s) of the International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC) and if these are not available to the latest relevant British Standard Specification(s) (BSS). Materials of other national standards may also be employed provided they are compatible with GCC/IEC/BSS.

311      No addition, temporary or permanent shall be made to the authorised load of an existing installation, unless it has been ascertained that the current rating and the condition of any existing conductors and equipment which will have to carry the additional load are adequate for the increased loading and that the earthing arrangements are also adequate.

 Any additions to the existing installations shall only be executed after approval of the relevant application submitted to the Customer Services Directorate.

 The Secretariat reserves the right to disconnect the electrical supply  to any consumer who has carried out unauthorised additions or extensions to the originally approved electrical installation.

312     All electrical installation works, new and/or additional shall only be carried out by licensed Electrical Contractors as authorised by the Electricity Distribution Directorate from time to time.

313      All electrical equipment including fractional H.P. motors, window A/C units, fluorescent light fittings etc., shall be so selected that the over-all power factor is not less than the following:

           Min P.F.
         At full load
 Fluorescent discharge lamp circuits          0.90
 Window type A/C units           0.85
 Refrigerators             0.85
 Other single phase motors           0.80

 3-phase motors

 Motors   15 HP -   50 HP - (    1 kW -  37 kW)       0.83
 Motors   50 HP - 100 HP - (  37 kW -  75 kW)       0.85
 Motors 100 HP - 200 HP - (  75 kW - 150 kW)       0.87
 Motors 200 HP - 400 HP - (150 kW - 300 kW)       0.88
 Motors above 400 HP - (300 KW)         0.89