The basic electrical design concepts
Electrical design is a technical, complex and very involved practice, using multiple principles, practices and concepts in order to successfully complete a project. Let’s explore a comprehensive answer to the frequently asked question: what are the basic electrical design concepts?
The basic electrical design concepts
Load analysis: the first and one of the most important basic electrical design concepts centres around load analysis and determining the load requirements of the system in question. Essentially, this means calculating the total power and current that will be consumed by the various devices and appliances connected to the system.
Circuit design: and, of course, then comes the design aspect of electrical design. Specifically circuit design. This involves deciding on the most appropriate voltage, frequency, and phase for the system, alongside the type and size of components like cables conduits; following relevant codes, regulations and industry standards for electrical health & safety, and performance.
Component selection: selecting the electrical components that will inevitably make up the system is next on the list of basic electrical design concepts; these components include switches, transformers, controllers and generators among other elements. Choosing the components that match the load characteristics, the circuit design, and the environmental conditions of the system is crucial to the success of the project, alongside the quality, durability, and efficiency of the components.
Control and automation: control and automation features are also a key part of electrical design that need to be catered for. This includes designing for features such as sensors, timers, relays, programmable logic controllers, and smart devices. These allow monitoring regulation, and the optimisation of the operation of the system, as well as it’s functionality and security.
Verification (and documentation): following this, electrical designs need to be appropriately documented and verified which involves creating drawings, diagrams, schematics, specifications, and even manuals that describe the system in detail and provide instructions for installation, operation, and maintenance, keeping in mind that the use of standard symbols, notations, and formats for the documentation is essential for verification, as well as following best practices for technical writing and presentation.
Maintenance: finally is ongoing maintenance, including system improvements wherever appropriate and possible; involving the regular inspecting, testing, and repairing of the system to ensure it remains safe, efficient, and reliable, and adheres to updated regulations, codes, and the changing standards of the industry.
