PROCEDURES FOR
ELECTRICAL DESIGN SUBMISSIONS
Electrical Submissions
Approval for Electrical submissions must be gotten before installation of any Electrical works commences for any residential, industrial or commercial building.
Electrical Inspection
After final inspection by PUCs Inspectors a Fit-For-Turn-On Certificate is issued to the wireman or owner so that power can be energized in the building.
Inspection Request
What is an Electrical Design Submission?
Set of drawings & calculations comprising the design of an electrical system for use in residential, commercial, or industrial applications. Design must ensure practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electrical energy.
Why are submissions mandatory for everyone?
By law, the PUC is required to regulate the consumption sector of the electrical industry. Section of the Electricity Act (Ch 221, rev 2000) that speaks to this includes:
➢ Section 6(2)(g) – protects the public from dangers arising from the generation, transmission, or supply of electricity
➢ Section 7(1)(d)- the protection of electrical installations
➢ Section 7(1)(e) – the conditions under which fixtures and fittings may be installed
➢ Section 7(1)(f) – matters generally connected with the electric light and power service which are not otherwise provided for in preceding sections.
An electrical system starts with a design that must be based on PUC-approved installation standards. Mandating that the design of any such systems be reviewed by the PUC will ensure PUC meets its regulatory obligation under the law.
When must a submission be made:
A submission must be made to the PUC whenever there is:
• Installation of an electrical system for a new residential/commercial/industrial application
• Alteration/modification/upgrade of an existing electrical system
Who should make a submission:
Only a PUC licensed Wireman can make a submission. Note that any such submission must be done in accordance with the licensed category of that wireman. Also, only PUC-licensed wiremen can engage in any electrical installation works at a project site.
Where must a submission be made:
All submissions can be made either at the office of the PUC or via two newly approved methods:
1. Hand-delivered to PUC Office.
2. Hard copy mailed in via Domestic Speed Mail; wireman covers the cost to send and receive.
3. Online by emailing to submissions@puc.bz.
Rules/Regulations/Codes governing submissions :
All electrical drawing submissions must follow the code of practice adopted by the PUC, The National Electrical Code, and PUC addendums. Other relevant codes include the BEL Service Installation Manual and Standard metering Arrangements. PUC regulations and guidelines supersede all other codes in the event of any material differences
Wireman categories. design & installations limits:
The table below outlines the design and installation limits as per the wireman category:
| Category | Design Limits | Installation Limits |
|
Electrician
|
Can submit designs of electrical systems up to 24 kVA, single-phase, residential. |
Can work alone on electrical systems up to 30 kVA, 600V<, single-phase, residential; systems above must be supervised by Electrical Technician or above. |
| Electrical Technician | Can submit designs of electrical systems up to 150 kVA, 600V<; residential or commercial |
Can work alone on electrical systems up to 500 kVA, up to 1000V residential or commercial; systems above must be supervised by an Engineer |
|
Engineer
|
Can submit designs of electrical systems of any size and voltage |
Can work on electrical systems up to any size and voltage |
Features of a wireman submission:
➢ Can be hand-delivered at PUC office, #4 Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City.
➢ Can be emailed to submissions@puc.bz.
➢ Can be mailed in via Domestic Speed Mail (DMS); wireman to incur the cost to send/receive a submission. Wireman must notify PUC when this method is chosen, call +(501)223-4938 or +(501)606-7571 or +(501)672-7820.
➢ Can be hand-drawn with pen and ruler; must be neat and legible
➢ Can be computer-generated; the minimum font size is Arial 11 in Microsoft Word.
➢ The preferred size for drawings is 11” x 17” paper. Other sizes used must ensure the contents are legible.
➢ Drawings should only show outlines of structures (floor plan) overlaid with electrical details of the design.
➢ Every page must bear a title block with Project Name/description, Project address, Project Owner/developer, Wireman name/address/phone/license number/type, name of the drawing of the individual sheet, and space with wireman signature.
➢ A minimum of two copies of a submission must be sent to PUC when seeking approval of the design.
Features of a wireman submission:
The typical submission must have the following components:
A. SITE PLAN DRAWING
➢ Must include the address of the lot and any other details to allow for site inspection
➢ Must show the location of the project building relative to property lines and existing structures
➢ Must show the location of BEL’s HV and/or LV lines nearby relative to the project building.
➢ Must show the location of the proposed meter and any existing electricity meter on the property
➢ Must show direction and distance of any UG network from meter point to all points within the property.
B. SINGLE LINE DRAWING (SLD) FOR SERVICE ENTRANCE
➢ Must show from BEL’s transformer to the main breaker using standard electrical symbols and single lines labeled with conduit/cable size, voltage, current, # of phases, and rating (kVA).
➢ Must show supply side and load side wire size(s) (line, neutral, ground)
➢ Must show grounding details including size/type/length of the rod, size/type of ground cable. Projects requiring grounding grids must show all such details.
➢ Must show a second drawing with the weather-head details inclusive of structural strength and minimum height clearances as per BEL’s Service Installations Manual for OH feed, or drawing with UG route, type/size of ducts used, depth of the trench, back-fill, and demarcation.
➢ Must include a disconnecting means once there is an underground section from the BEL supply to the main breaker.
➢ Must show breaker panels and sub-panels; specifying voltage, current, phase, and location. Specify weather-proof where appropriate. Clearly indicate the size of the main isolating breaker in each panel.
➢ Must include a legend of all symbols
C. FLOOR PLAN WITH POWER CIRCUITS
➢ Must show the legend of symbols used in the single line drawing
➢ Must have circuit reference numbers to identify components of each circuit
➢ Clearly indicate the location of convenience, GFCI, Dedicated and weather-proof outlets
➢ Must show the location of control/distribution panel (s) ➢ Must show dimensions
D. FLOOR PLAN WITH LIGHTING CIRCUITS
➢ A separate drawing is required if these circuits will result in a cluttered floor plan as per (C)
➢ Must show the legend of symbols used in the single line drawing
➢ Must have circuit reference numbers to identify components of each circuit
➢ Must show control devices of each component as part of the circuitry
➢ Must show dimensions
E. BREAKER PANEL DETAILS (Load sheet):
➢ Must show panel details for the main breaker panel and every sub-panel in the design
➢ Panel details must include all the information as shown in the sample submission attached with this document
➢ Panel details must clearly indicate the calculated imbalance as a percentage
F. LOAD CALCULATION SHEET
➢ Must follow any one of the calculation methods as per the NEC.
➢ Must be submitted on one of the load sheets attached to this document
G. SPECIFICATIONS, NOTES, LEGEND
➢ All relevant details required by the NEC but not shown in any of the above-listed drawings must be noted in the specifications sheet.
➢ The attached specification sheet must be included in each submission; additions may be made as required by specific design