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PHILIPPINE

ELECTRICAL
CODE

I. INTRODUCTION
EDITIONS: 1962, 1969, 1973, 1980, 1985, 1992, 2000, 2009
PART I
VOLUME I CHAPTER 1 TO 9 (inside the building)
VOLUME II CHAPTER 10 (Watercrafts)
PART II outside the building
PEC NUMBERING: Chapter, Article, Part, Section
Its primary purpose is the practical safeguarding of persons
and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.
The PEC contains provisions that establish minimum
requirements necessary for safety.
SHALL/SHALL NOT mandatory rule
SHALL/SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED advisory/
permissive rule but not required

The Code covers electric conductors and equipment


installed in:
a) public and private buildings
b) electric generating plants
c) industrial plants
d) transformer stations
e) permanent & temporary substations
f) air fields
g) railway switchyards
h) yards, carnival, parking
i) quarries and mines
j) watercraft, dockyard, offshore facilities
k) trailers
l) mobile homes, & recreational vehicles
m) other premises except aircraft, motor vehicles and
railway rolling stocks

Who authorized the P.E.C.?


The P.E.C. has been approved & adapted by the Board of
Electrical Engineers (BEE), Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC) <PD233> & by virtue of the authority
vested in it under R.A. 7920 (New Electrical Engineering
Law).
Who enforces the P.E.C?
The Government Bodies such as:
1. Office of the City Electrical Engineer
2. Office of the Municipal Electrical Engineer
3. Regional Office of the Department of Interior and Local
Government
Referral Codes
1. National Building Code (PD 1096)
2. Fire Code of the Philippines (PD 1185)
3. Structural Code
Electrical permit (Form No. 96-001/002-E)

Certificate of Electrical Inspection (Form No. 96-006-E)


CEI and/or electrical permit not required for:
(1) installation of not more than 2 additional general
purpose branch circuits for GL & SA
(2) service has been cut off not more than one year

Electrical plan 5 copies of sheet size in mm (a) 760x1000,


(b) 600x900, (c) 500x760

Working space
(1) permit a 90 degree opening of doors, width is 750mm
or width of equipment (whichever is greater)
(2) entrance of at least 600mm wide, 2000mm high
(3) minimum headroom of 2000mm

II. DEFINITION OF
TERMS
SERVICE - the conductors and equipment for delivering energy
from the electric energy to the wiring system of the premises
served which consists of:
GENERAL RULE: A building or other structure served should be
supplied by one service only.
BUILDINGS a structure that stands alone or that is cut-off
from adjoining structures by firewalls .
EXCEPTIONS: a) Fire pumps (high pressure) for the building
b) Emergency & standby systems
c) Parallel power production systems
d) Building of multiple-occupancy
e) Building of large capacity (above 2000 Amp)
f) Where the load requirements of a single-phase
installation are greater than the serving agency
normally
applies through one service
g) Building of different characteristics (voltage,
frequency, phase, rate schedule)

A. FOR OVERHEAD SERVICE:


1. SERVICE DROP the overhead service conductors from
the last pole or other aerial support and including the
splices if any, connecting to the service entrance
conductors at the building or other structures and
shall not be smaller than 8 mm2 Cu or 14mm2 Al or
Cu-clad Al.
Minimum Clearances of Service Drop:
a) Above roof (2400 mm), all directions from edge of
roof (900mm)
b) Vertical Clearances from ground:
* 3,000 mm above sidewalks w/o truck traffic
* 3,600 mm above residential property and
driveways, commercial areas
* 4,500 mm as in 3,600 mm class but when the
voltage > 300 V
* 5,500 mm over public streets subject to truck
traffic
c) Clearance from building opening or non-building
structure - 900mm

2. SERVICE ENTRANCE CONDUCTORS the service


conductors between the terminals of the service
equipment
and a point usually outside the building,
clear of building walls,
where joined by tap or splice
to the service drop.
3. SERVICE EQUIPMENT the necessary equipment
usually
consisting of circuit breaker or switch and
fuse connected to the
load end of service conductors,
intended to constitute the
main control of the supply which should be
a) Located in an easily accessible location
b) Either fusible or circuit breaker type
c) Externally operable
d) For multiple-occupancy building, service
equipment should
be accessible to all tenants
Minimum size: (1) ckt. -20A (2) 2 ckt./other
installation 30 A (3) SFD 60 A
Minimum Open Conductor Spacings:
(1) Power conductors on poles below comm.- 750mm
(2) Power conductors on poles alone or above comm.
- 750mm (>300V); 600mm(300V)

(3) Conductors on poles not placed on racks - 300 mm


(4) Communications conductors alone no requirement
B. FOR UNDERGROUND SERVICE:
1. SERVICE LATERAL - the underground service conductors
between the streets main or from transformers
including any riser at the pole and a point of to
the
service entrance conductor in a terminal box or
other
2
enclosure, and shall not be smaller than 8.0
mm Cu &
14.0 mm2 Al.
2. SERVICE ENTRANCE (Underground) - the service
conductors between the terminals of the service
equipment and the first point of connection to service
lateral.
3. SERVICE EQUIPMENT - (Same as for overhead service
equipment)
Note: When distribution is overhead, the utility company usually secures
the service drop conductors to the building. All design and construction
beyond this point is the responsibility of the owner, and the PEC regulations
now apply. If distribution is from an underground system, the underground
service installation is usually made by the utility company.

NOMINAL VOLTAGE - the lowest ratings of voltage under


load can operate under normal condition.
Total voltage drop allowed: 5 %
Branch circuits: 3 %

which a

GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) required


for bathrooms, garages, outdoors, crawl spaces, unfinished
basements, kitchens, sinks
SWITCH BOARD - A large frame assembly that contains a number
of over current device for feeder. It may also contain
instruments and may be accessible from both front and rear
PANELBOARD -A smaller assembly of over current devices,
contained in a cabinet and accessible only from the front. The
over current devices up to a maximum of 42 (excluding main
CB), in this case 21 branch circuits for 1 and 14 branch
circuits
for the case of 3.
AMPACITY - the current in amperes a conductor can carry
continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its
temperature rating. (Allowable ampacities on p. 351
PEC2009)
** DERATED AMPACITY - reduction of ampacity due to
(a) # of conductors placed in a conduit (p. 347)
(b) ambient temperature (p. 351 lower table)

FEEDER all circuit conductors between the service equipment and


the final over current devices.
- must not be less than 30 A for 2 or more circuits
- Ampacity of feeder conductor load current
IW = 125% continuous load + 100% noncontinuous load
= 125 % HRM (IFL of highest rated motor) + remaining load
- Over-current protective device:
ICB/F = 250% HRM + remaining load for Inverse Time CB
= 300% HRM + remaining load for Non-time delay
fuse
BRANCH CIRCUIT - A set of conductors that extend beyond the
last over current device in the system.
PERMISSIBLE LOADS
A. 15 & 20A (1) lighting units and/or utilization equipment
(2) rtg. of one cord & plug-connected utilization
equipment
80% of br. ckt. rtg.
(3) total rtg. of fixed utilization equipment and
lighting
50% of br. ckt. rtg
B. 30 A
(1) for heavy duty fixed lighting units
(2) rtg. of one cord & plug-connected utilization
equipment
80% of br. ckt. rtg.
C. 40 & 50A (1) for dwelling, cooking appliance fastened in place
(2) for non-dwelling, heavy duty fixed lighting units
D. Larger than 50 A only non-lighting outlet loads
**Summary of branch circuit requirements (p.83, PEC2009)

III. WIRING
A. DesignDESIGN
Load / Area Method
1. GENERAL LIGHTING
24 VA / m2 for dwelling, school, store ( p. 100, PEC2009)
16 VA per m2 for industrial plant, hotels, hospitals
l25% continuous + 100% noncontinuous
At least 1 lighting outlet per habitable room
2. SMALL APPLIANCE / LAUNDRY / BATHROOM BRANCH CIRCUIT
8VA/m2 for General Purpose Receptacle Outlets (GPRO)
1500 VA / branch circuit for dwelling
180 VA per convenience outlet( 3 receptacles or less), 90
VA per
receptacle (4 or more) for non-dwelling
At least 1-20 A branch circuit, serving not more than 2
kitchens
for SA
Not more than 1800 mm horizontal distance between 2
adjacent outlets
1 outlet / 3m for hallway, show window
Note: Dwelling unit 50sq.m. (3680 VA) may have 1-20A
br.
ckt.
*Demand factor for GL, SA, BC & LC in dwelling units:
1.0 for 1st 3000VA, 0.35 for next 120000, 0.25 remaining load

3. ELECTRIC CLOTHES DRYER - 5000 VA or name plate


rating,
whichever is higher
4. HEAVY DUTY LAMPHOLDER 600 VA / outlet
5. SHOW WINDOW 660 VA / linear meter
6. FIXED MULTI OUTLET ASSEMBLY
180 VA/ 0.3 m (simultaneous)
180 VA/ 1.5 m (non simultaneous)
7. TRACK LIGHTING 150VA / 600 mm of track
8. SIGN & OUTLINE LIGHTING 1200 VA / br. ckt.
9. SPECIFIC APPLIANCES
Name Plate Rating
10. MOTOR LOADS
HP Rating, IFL on (1) p.732 for 1-phase (2) p. 734
for 3-phase
ROP service factor of 1.15 & up use 125% IFL
service factor below 1.15 use 115% IFL
** (1) Ampacity of branch conductor load current or based on
OCPD
IW = 125% IFL (continuous/motor load) = 100% IFL
(noncontinuous load)
(2) Rating of branch over-current protective device:
ICB/F = 125% IFL (continuous load)
= 250% IFL for Inverse Time CB and 300 % IFL for
Nontime delay fuse (motor load)
= 100% IFL (noncontinuous load)

B. APPROVED TYPE OF WIRING METHOD BY P.E.C.:


A) Conductors - on insulator Method:
1. Open wiring on insulator -installed exposed.
2. Concealed Knob and tube work- installed hidden by
portion of building.
B) Cable Wiring Method:
1. Armored (BX) cable (AC)
2. Metal-clad cable (MC)
3. Mineral insulated metal-sheathed cable
4. Non-metallic sheathed cable (NMS)
5. Shielded non-metallic sheathed cable
6. Service entrance cable
7. Underground feeder
8. Power and control tray cable
9. Flat conductor cable
10. Medium voltage cable
11. Integrated Gas spacer cable

C) Raceway Method:
1. Intermediate metal Conduit (IMC)
2. Rigid metal conduit (RMC)
3. Rigid non-metallic conduit (PVC)
4. Electrical metallic tubing (EMT)
5. Flexible metallic tubing (FMT)
6. Liquid-tight FMT
7. Liquid-tight FNMT
8. Metallic surface raceway
9. Wooden surface raceway
10. Non-Metallic surface raceway
11. Under floor raceways
12. Cellular metal floor raceway
13. Cellular concrete floor race way
14. Wireways
15. Busways
16. Cable trays
17. Cable bus
18. Flexible metallic conduit (FMC)
19. Electrical non-metallic tubing
20. Multi-outlet assembly

CONDUIT

MINIMUM
SIZE

MAXIMUM
SIZE

SUPPORT

SUPPORT
(mm)

AC

300

1400

MC

300

1800

MI

Not specified

1800

300

1400

NM, NMC,
NMS

(TERMINATION)

IMC

15

100

900

3000

RMC

15

150

900

3000

FMC

15

100

300

1400

LFMC

15

100

300

1400

RNC

15

150

900

900

HDPE

15

100

NUCC

15

100

LFNC

15

100

300

900

EMT

15

100

900

3000

Not specified

CONDUIT

MINIMU
M SIZE

MAXIMUM SUPPORT
(TERMINATION)
SIZE

SUPPORT
(mm)

FMT

15

20

ENT

15

50

900

900

PVC

15

100

900

900

Aux. Gutters
(Sheet Metal)

1500

Aux. Gutters
(Non-Metal)

900

Cablebus

900 horizontal
450 - vertical

Metal
Wireways

1500 horizontal
4500 - vertical

Nonmetallic
Wireways
Concealed
Knob & Tube

900 horizontal
1200 - vertical

150

1400

IV. HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS


1. Class I - Locations which flammable gases or vapors are or
may he present in the air sufficient to produced
explosive or ignitable mixtures. (e.g. gasoline terminals,
distillery, pharmaceuticals etc.)
GROUP A Acetylene
GROUP B Hydrogen
GROUP C Ethylene
GROUP D Propane
2. Class II - Locations that are hazardous because of the
presence of combustible dust (e.g. firecracker maker,
matchmaker, dynamite plant etc.)
GROUP E Metal ( Al, Mg)
GROUP F Carbonaceous dusts (Coal)
GROUP G other than E & F (Flour, Grain, Wood,
Plastic, Chemicals)
3. Class III - Locations that are hazardous because of the
presence of easily ignitable fibers or flyings (e.g. textile
plant, paper, saw mills etc.) - rayon, cotton.

V. GROUNDING SYSTEM
System grounding- a system or circuit conductor that is
intentionally grounded.
Equipment grounding - the conductors used to connect the noncurrent carrying metal parts of equipment to the system ground
conductor at the service equipment.
GROUND- A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental,
between an electrical circuit or equipment and the earth, or to
some conducting body that: serves in place of the earth.
(1) Grounded
Connected to earth or to some conducting body that serves in
place of the earth.
(2) Grounded, Effectively
Intentionally connected to earth through a ground connection
or connections of sufficiently low impedance and having
sufficient current-carrying capacity to prevent the buildup of
voltages that may result in undue hazards to connected
equipment or to persons.

(3) Grounded Circuit


A circuit in which one conductor point (usually the neutral
conductor or neutral point of the transformer or generator
winding) is intentionally grounded either solidly or through a
grounding device.
(4) Grounded Conductor
A system or circuit conductor that is intentionally grounded
(5) Grounding Conductor
A conductor that is used to connect equipment or the
grounded circuit of a wiring system to a grounding electrode or
electrodes.
(6) Grounding Conductor, Equipment
The conductor used to connect the non-current - carrying
metal parts of equipment, raceways, and other enclosures to
the system grounded conductor, the grounding electrode
conductor, or both, at the service
equipment or at the source of a separately derived system.
(7) Grounding Electrode Conductor
The conductor used to connect the grounding electrode to the
equipment grounding conductor, to the grounded conductor, or
both, of the circuit t the service equipment or at the source of
a separately derived system

(8) Bonding (Bonded)


The permanent joining of metallic parts to form an electrically
conductive path that will ensure electrical continuity and the
capacity to conduct safely ant current likely to be imposed (p.
6)
(9) Bonding Jumper
A reliable conductor to assure the required electrical
conductivity between metal parts required to be electrically
connected.
(10) Bonding Jumper, Equipment
The connection between two or more portions of the
equipment grounding conductor.
(11) Bonding Jumper, Main
The connection between the grounded circuit conductor and
the equipment grounding conductor at the service.

Grounding Electrode System


the following should be bonded together to form the grounding
electrode system
(1) Metal Underground Water Pipe
a buried metal water pipe is a suitable grounding electrode if
there is 3,000mm (10) or more of it in direct contact with the
earth (including any metal well casing bonded to the
water
pipe), but by itself is not an adequate grounding electrode and
must be supplemented by at least one other electrode to
provide a grounding electrode system.
(2) Metal Frame of the Building
May be used as a grounding electrode provided it is effectively
grounded (embedded in earth and/or in buried concrete) and
would give the same protection as the other methods of
grounding

(3) Concrete-Encased Electrode


An electrode encased by at least 5Omm (2) of concrete,
located within and near the bottom of a concrete foundation or
footing that is in direct contact with the earth, consisting of at
least 6,000mm of bare solid copper conductor not smaller than
22mm2.

(4) Ground Ring


Consisting of at least 6,000mm of bare copper conductor not
smaller than 30mm2 encircling the building or structure, in
direct contact with the earth at a depth below earth surface
not less than 750mm.
(5) Made & Order Electrodes
A. Metal Underground GAS Piping System
Shall NOT be used as a grounding electrode
B. Local Metal Underground System or Structures
Such as piping system and underground tanks
C. Rod and Pipe Electrodes
Shall not be less than 2,400mm in length and shall
consist of the following materials, and shall be installed
in the following manner:
a) Electrodes of pipe or conduit shall not be smaller
than 20mm (3/4) trade size. When using iron or
steel, the conduit shall have the outer surface
galvanized or otherwise metal-coated for corrosion
protection.

shall be
13mm

b) Rods used as electrodes made of steel or iron


shall not be less than 16mm (5/8) in diameter.
Nonferrous rods such as solid copper stainless
steel, or steel that is copper clad or their
equivalent less than 16mm in diameter
PS- or UL- listed and shall not be less than
(1/2) in diameter
c) The electrode shall be installed such that at least
2,400mm (8) of length is in contact with the soil.
It shall be driven to a depth of not less 2,400mm
except that in a mountainous areas where bedrock
is encountered close to the surface the rod
electrode may be driven at an oblique angle not to
exceed 45 from the vertical or may be buried in a
trench that, is at least 750mm.

Plate Electrodes
Each plate electrode shall expose not less than 0.186 square
meter of surface to exterior soil. Electrodes in iron or steel
plates shall be at least 6.4mm (1/4) in thickness.
Electrodes of nonferrous metal shall be at least 1.5mm (0.06)
in thickness. These are often used by utilities at the bottom of
a pole hole.
(A) Aluminum Electrodes
- Shall NOT be permitted
Note: Any type of electrode other than a water pipe electrode
MAY BE USED BY ITSELF AS THE SOLE ELECTRODE.

Resistance of Made Electrodes


A single electrode consisting of a rod, pipe, or plate
which does not have a resistance to ground of 25 Ohms
or less shall be augmented by one additional electrode.
When the resistance is greater than 25 Ohms, two or
more electrodes may be connected in parallel, and they
shall not be less than 1800 mm apart.
Chemical improvement of ground resistance:
magnesium sulphate, copper sulphate, rock salt.
Testing of ground resistance: used ground megger,
which is a battery operated ground tester that uses a
vibrator to produce pulsating AC, or transistor type
ground megger.

OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
The two basic types of over current protection devices that are in
common use include fuse & circuit breakers.
Over Current
Either an overload current or a short-circuit current
A. Overload Currents
Most often between one and six times the normal current level an
excessive current relative to normal operating current but one
which is confined to the normal conductive path provided by the
conductor and other components and loads of the distribution
system maybe temporary surge currents (when motors are
started-up or transformers are energized) or continuous overload
current (caused by defective motors, worn motor bearings,
overloaded equipment or too many loads on one circuit)
B. Short Circuit Current
Or fault current, can be many hundreds of times larger than the
normal operating current.

C. FUSE
An over current protection device with a circuit - operating
fusible member which is heated & severed by the passage of
over current through it.
Fusible Link
Encapsulated in a tube and connected to contact terminals,
comprise the fundamental elements of the basic fuse.
It acts as a conductor for its resistance is so low, hut when
destructive current occurs it quickly melts and opens the
circuit to protect conductors and other circuit components
and loads.
Fuse 3 Unique Performance Characteristics
Fuse Voltage Rating
The RMS (alternating) or direct voltage rating for which fuse
is designated
Fuse Current Rating
The designated RMS alternating, or direct current for which
fuse will carry continuously under stated conditions.

AIC Rating
Ampere interrupting capacity rating of a fuse (or CB), is the
maximum short-circuit current which the fuse will interrupt
safely; i.e., without destroying itself. This is at rated voltage
arid frequency.
Types of Fuse
Non-Time-Delay-Fuse
A single-element fuse which may have one or more links
under normal operation, when it is operating at or near its
ampere rating, and if an overload current occurs arid
persist for more than a short interval of time, it simply
function as a conductor.
Dual-Element Time-Delay Fuses
It can be applied in circuits subject to temporary motor
overloads and surge currents to provide both high
performance shot-circuit and overload protection contains
two distinctly separate types of elements which are
electrically connected in series.

Edison Base Plug Fuse


Is allowed only in existing installation where there is no
evidence of over fusing or tampering
Rated at 250V and 0-30A unless the system has a grounded
neutral if it does, they are rated at 150V
Sizes 15A and smaller are identified by hexagonal
configuration of the window, cap, or other prominent part
to distinguish them from the other Edison base fuse of
higher rating
Type S Fuses
Can be considered as an improvement on the Edison base
plug fuses have a design that prevents a larger fuse from
being inserted in circuits designed for lower ratings
Each type requires a special adapter that accepts only a
fuse of equal rating and is so designed that it can not be
removed easily once it has been installed.
Shall be classified at not over 250V and 0-15A, 16-20A &
21-30A

Cartridge Type Fuses


Are the ferrule type and knife-blade type.
May be of the non renewable type, where the complete
fuse must be change each time it opens or the renewable
type, where only the fuse link most be change. The
renewable type was cost efficient in the long run when they
were installed.
Maximum voltage is 500V and they are classified according
to voltage and amperage ranges.
Standard Ampere Rating of Fuse
15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 90, 100, 110, 125,
150, 175, 200, 225, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 800,
1000, 1200, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000

Fuse Types and Applications Summary


Voltage

Fuse Type

Ampere
Rating

Interrupting Rating
(Amperes)

125

Plug

0-30

10,000

250

Class H
Class K
Class RK1
Class RK5
Midget

0-600
0-600
0-600
0-600
0-30

10,000
50,000 : 100,000 : 200,000
200,000
200,000
10,000

Class G
Class T

0-60
0-1200

10,000
200,000

Class H
Class J
Class K
Class RK1
Class RK5
Class T
Class CC
Midget
Class L

0-600
0-600
0-600
0-600
0-600
0-800
0-30
0-30
601-6000

100,000
200,000
50,000 : 100,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
200,000
10,000 : 50,000 : 100,000
200,000

300

600

The Following will aid in the selection


of fuses for the various applications
listed:
Applications

Fuse Class

Service Equipment
Distribution Equipment
Motor Control Centers
UPS Equipment
General Purpose Branch Circuits
Large Motors
Small Motors
Transformers
Compressors, Pump
Variable Speed Drives

L, RK-1, RK-5, JT
L
L, RK-1, RK-5, J
L
RK-1, RK-5, J
L
RK-1, RK-5, J
RK-1, RK-5, J, CC
RK-1, RK-5, J, G, CC
L, RK-1, T

CIRCUIT BREAKERS
A device designed to open and close a circuit by non-automatic
means and to open the circuit automatically on a predetermined
over current without damage to itself when properly applied within
its rating.
Also used as protection against ground faults, overload, and short
circuits used in placed of fuses because of their reset capabilities.
Most Common Types
Molded-Case Circuit Breaker
The tripping mechanism is enclosed in a molded plastic
housing
Power Circuit Breaker
The larger, heavier type used in industrial applications.
Magnetic Type Circuit Breaker
Responds to current only its operation is accomplished by
current passing through an electromagnet when an overload
occurs. And the electromagnet attracts an armature and
releases a mechanism which trips the circuit breaker

Solid-State Circuit Breaker


With adjustable trip ratings and settings, they are very
expensive when compared to the standard molded-case
breakers.
*** Circuit Breakers used as switches
When used as switches in fluorescent lighting circuits shall be
PS- or UL- listed and shall be marked SWD
AF (ampere frame)
The frame size of circuit breakers
V (voltage)
Rated voltage of circuit breakers
AT (ampere trip)
The rated current of a circuit breaker
KAIC (kilo-amp interrupting capacity)
interrupting capacity of the circuit breaker

AF

AT

KAIC

60

15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60

7.5 / 3

100

60, 75, 100

15 / 7.5

125

125

15 / 7.5

225

125, 150, 175, 200, 225

25 / 15

250

250

25 / 15

400

250, 300,350, 400

30 / 16

600

450, 500, 600

35 / 22

800

700, 800

60 / 35

1000

1000

35

1200

1200

35

1600

1000, 1200, 1400, 1600

75

2000

1800, 2000

75

2500

2500

75

PHILIPPINE
ELECTRICAL
CODE

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