4.

5 ESTIMATING AND COSTING IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING L T P 4 - - RATIONALE A diploma holder in

electrical engineering should be familiar to Indian Standards and relevant Electricity Rules. Preparation
of good estimates is a professional’s job, which requires knowledge of materials and methods to deal
with economics. The contents of this subject have been designed keeping in view developing requisite
knowledge and skills of estimation and costing in students of diploma in electrical engineering.

DETAILED CONTENTS

1. Introduction (12hrs)
Purpose of estimating and costing, proforma for making estimates, preparation of materials
schedule, costing, price list, tender document, net price list, market survey, overhead charges,
labour charges, electrical point method and fixed percentage method, contingency, profit,
purchase system, enquiries, comparative statements, orders for supply, payment of bills.
Tenders – its constituents, finalization, specimen tender.
2. Types of wiring (15hrs)
Cleat, batten, casing capping and conduit wiring, comparison of different wiring systems,
selection and design of wiring schemes for particular situation (domestic and Industrial).
Selection of wires and cables, wiring accessories and use of protective devices i.e. MCB, ELCB
etc. Use of wire-gauge and tables ( to be prepared/arranged)
3. Estimating and Costing: (25 hrs)
3.1 Domestic installations; standard practice as per IS and IE rules. Planning of circuits, sub-
circuits and position of different accessories, electrical layout, preparing estimates including cost
as per schedule rate pattern and actual market rate (single storey and multi-storey buildings
having similar electrical load) 3.2 Industrial installations; relevant IE rules and IS standard
practices, planning, designing and estimation of installation for single phase motors of different
ratings, electrical circuit diagram, starters, preparation of list of materials, estimating and
costing exercises on workshop with singe-phase, 3-phase motor load and the light load (3-phase
supply system) 3.3 Service line connections estimate for domestic and Industrial loads (over-
head and under ground connections) from pole to energy meter.
4. Estimating the material required for (12 hrs)
4.1 Transmission and distribution lines (overhead and underground) planning and designing of
lines with different fixtures, earthing etc. based on unit cost calculations 103 4.2 Substation:
Types of substations, substation schemes and components, estimate of 11/0.4 KV pole
mounted substation up to 200 KVA rating, earthing of substations, Key Diagram of 66
KV/11KV Substation.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY Teacher should identify/prepare more exercises on the pattern shown
above. The teacher should make the students confident in making drawing and layouts of electrical
wiring installations and doing estimation and costing leading to preparation of small tender document..
This capability will lead the students to become a successful entrepreneur. Take the students to
field/laboratory and show the material and equipment. RECOMMENDED BOOKS 1. Electrical Installation,
Estimating and Costing by JB Gupta, SK Kataria and Sons, New Delhi a) Estimating and Costing by SK
Bhattacharya, Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi b) Estimating and Costing by Surjeet Singh, Dhanpat Rai &
Co., New Delhi c) Estimating and Costing by Qurashi d) Estimating and Costing by SL Uppal, Khanna
Publishers, New Delhi e) Electrical Estimating and Costing by N Alagappan and B Ekambaram, TMH, New
Delhi

lectrical Engineering project management

2017/07/25
2 Comments
Hi everybody, how about a new article giving you tips on how to
manage an electrical engineering project?
Well your fellow electrical engineer Jesus Perez Diaz wants to tell
you about it. If you want to write an essay for us, don’t be shy
and contact us!

image: emergingtech.tbr.edu
So you are about to set up an electrical engineering project but you don’t
know anything about methodology to follow and how to proceed?
Just let me know that it’s common and the possibility to achieve success is
remote, getting overcost, schedule delay, work out of scope and failure to
meet objectives.

What is an Electrical Engineering project?

A project is a temporary effort applied to achieve planned objectives and
produce a specific output or outcome. Each project is unique with a defined
scope, start and end date (these made it Temporary), outputs are tangible
and expressed as deliverables such as Document Reports, Drawings,
Constructions, etc. A project has a specific schedule and budget that define
indicators of performance.

Electrical engineering projects (in power systems) as any other kind must be
scheduled according to the logical sequence of activities involved
(calculation, equipment installation, raceways, wiring, grounding…); many of
these need to be coordinated with other disciplines such as Civil Engineering
(for construction underground raceway systems).

In addition and since Electricity is a service, coordination with other

disciplines such as mechanical and process engineering is important, they
establish equipment duty and power requirements, so continuous
communication and interdisciplinary information revision should be
established during project life.

What is project management?

Project management is recognized as a discipline that involves the
application of knowledge, techniques, experiences, tools and skills to project
activities in order to successfully accomplish all the project objectives and
meet client requirements.
There is a lot of information about approaches and methodologies to run
projects. Project Management Institute (PMI) developed a guide to the
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) that establishes the
common processes and best practices applied to most of projects. These
technique and indications should be adapted to each project since they are
unique.

PMBOK is process-based, it means that objectives are achieved by executing

processes, being concise with other recognize management standards such
as ISO 9000. Each process interacts with others; has Inputs, Tools /
Techniques to be applied, and of course Outputs. PMBOK establishes five
process groups:

 Initiating: Involves all the processes applied for starting a new project or
stage, taking authorization from organization and sponsor.

 Planning: these processes establish the scope of work, objectives to

accomplish, Plans, schedule, budget, quality issues, among others.

 Executing: Processes to carry out for committing the defined scope and
activities indicated in project plan.

 Monitoring and controlling: includes all the activities to review, check and
track the project performance in order to determine any deviation of the
Plan.

 Closing: All processes done to formally end the project.

These recommendations apply to any type of electrical engineering project.

Electrical Engineering: successful project management

There is no recipe for success in Electrical Engineering Projects but a balance
of skills, experiences and knowledge can be the key to obtain positive
results.
Regarding my experience, I identify some issues that I consider important:

Scope Definition
Project scope must be detailed and specifically defined in the early stage. It
should be written in a document and reviewed by all project team members.
Out of scope activities should be mentioned in order to easily detect any
deviation.

Any activity done out of the approved scope will affect schedule and budget.

Physical and Electrical Battery Limits of the Scope should be clear and
mentioned, determining which panelboard, equipment, substation and area
will be included as part of the project.

Making Real Plans

Plans should be made considering the defined scope and requirements,
taking into account all the tasks, responsible and milestones.

Plans must be real, based on available resources (human, technological,

financial), employee work schedule, and quality issues.
If the obtained plan does not meet project requirements such as end date,
actions must be taken by the organization (hire more people, buy new
equipment…) in order to commit them.

Risk Analysis
Risks are always present and can affect (positive or negative) project
objectives. Identify possible risks at the beginning of the project is really
important, determining real causes and how to avoid them by pre-event and
post-event plan ensure that any action won’t be improvised.

Project manager shouldn’t be taken by surprise for risk.

Work environment
Projects are carried out by people, so how employees feel about work
influences project performance. A better environment will bring better
results, adaptation to changes and commitments to the achievement of
objectives.
Work environment can be improved by good and open communication,
training, rewards, and flexibility.

Tracking and Monitoring

It consists of evaluating the work already done with the project plans.
Deviation of plans must be studied and corrective actions should be taken.
Tracking and monitoring establishes project performance, using key
indicators such as efficiency, efficacy, earned value, etc.

These indicators are usually shown in a dashboard that makes work easier.
This ensure that project will be completed on time and meeting the budget.

By Jesús Pérez Díaz,

Thanks for reading.

The Electrical Project Management Plan (EPMP) includes:

PM Function Process Description

Scope Scope Definition Revision is required in view of further

information coming to light

Time Work Breakdown The primary objective broken down into

Structure achievable tasks and activities.
or WBS This is a process which leads into the
schedule, budget and other plans.

Schedule using WBS A time based plan for completing project tasks

Cost and Cost Estimate using WBS By phase, milestone, or overall

Revenue

Monitor Costs project

Cost report summary

AS400 – System

Quality Registered Documentation What quality expectations are there, and how
 Inspection and test will they be checked and monitored?
plan

Risk Risk Register What uncertainty exists and how will it be

Safety JSA/WMS managed?

HR Responsibility Assignment Who will be responsible for what?

Matrix

Skills Matrix What skills are needed?

What skills do your people have?

Communications Stakeholders Contact Who are the stakeholders? How and Why are
Details they contacted?
 Customer
 Principal
Contractor
 Suppliers

Communications How are communications within the electrical

Management Matrix project structured? Who reports to whom?
How?

Procurement Purchase Order System Anything relating to the procurement of goods

and services to assist in the achievement of the
electrical project outcomes.