Explain each of the following terms as used in electrical installation, (i) cable; (ii) resistance: (iii) looping in.(6 marks)June/July 2020

(i) A cable is a conductor, or group of conductors, that is used to transmit electricity from one location to another. It is typically made of copper or aluminum and is insulated with a protective covering to prevent electrical shocks and to protect the cable from damage. Cables are used in a wide range of electrical installations, including buildings, power plants, and transmission lines.

(ii) Resistance is the measure of a material’s opposition to the flow of an electric current. It is typically expressed in ohms and is represented by the symbol “R”. A material with a high resistance will oppose the flow of an electric current more than a material with a low resistance. Resistance is an important factor in the design and operation of electrical systems, as it determines the amount of current that can flow through a conductor and the amount of heat that is generated as a result.

(iii) Looping in refers to the process of connecting a cable or wire to a circuit or device in such a way that it forms a loop. This is often done to increase the capacity of a circuit or to provide a redundant connection for increased reliability. In electrical installations, looping in is commonly used to add additional circuits or devices to an existing electrical system, or to connect multiple circuits or devices together in a parallel configuration.