Engr. HIPOLITO A.

LEONCIO
Chairman, Electrical Safety and ESEA committee

ELECTRICAL INSPECTION STRATEGY AND

GUIDE
Republic Act 7920
An act providing for a more responsive and
comprehensive regulation for the practice,
licensing, and regulation of electrical engineers
and electricians

STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS
The Philippine Electrical code
is used nationally as the
basis for safeguarding
persons, buildings and its
contents from hazards that
may arise from the use of
electricity.
This code contains provisions
which is considered
necessary for safety and thus
is used as basis for the legal
enforcement agency in the
government regarding
electrical installation

Electrical
Safety
Enforcement and
Awareness

ESEA Profile
February 10, 2011 MOA Signing for
the 3-year Electrical Safety Enforcement
and Awareness (ESEA) Campaign Project

May 21, 2011 Launching of ESEA at

the Institute of Integrated Electrical
Engineers of the Philippines, Inc Head
Office.

ESEA Profile
June 27, 2011 President Aquino signed
Proclamation No. 193 declaring the Month of
May of every year thereof as the Electrical
Safety Month.

May 24, 2013 Addendum to the MOA was

signed at Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City. This is
to continue the campaign on electrical Safety

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION NO.

193
DECLARING THE MONTH OF MAY
OF EVERY YEAR AS THE
ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH
WHEREAS, many lives and
properties are lost due to fires
and electrocution

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION NO.

193

WHEREAS, most of these

fires and incidents of
electrocution are attributed
to faulty electrical wiring

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION NO.

193
WHEREAS, economic
losses brought about by
fires contribute to
reduced productivity and
therefore affect the
economy of the country

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION NO.

193
WHEREAS, there is a real need
to increase public awareness on
electrical safety and educate our
people in the safe use of
electricity.

ESEA Profile
MISSION

To

ensure

ESEA

is

properly enforced through improving

local inspectors capacity and to

increase the publics awareness on

electrical safety.

ESEA Profile
VISION - To be a major
campaign that leads the
public towards an electrically
safe environment.

ESEA Profile
Objectives

designed to enhance the enforcement

of the Philippine Electrical Code
(PEC);
provide capacity building to improve
the skills of local inspectors
increase the awareness of and
educate the public on the importance
of electrical safety

ESEA Profile
and strengthen the institutional
cooperation between government and
industry such as the local
government units, developers, and
contractors association, among
others.
Electrical

Safety Starts With

Me! ESEA Slogan

Electrical Safety Flyer

Prime on Electrical Inspection for residential Units

THIS PRIMER HAS FOLLOWED
THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE IIEE
INSPECTION GUIDE, WHEREIN
THE INSTITUTE HAS TAPPED
THE ELECTRICAL ENFORCING
AUTHORITIES IN ORDER TO
COME UP WITH A SERIES OF
PUBLICATIONS
THAT
IS
DESIGNED TO SUPPLEMENT
THE
LATEST
PHILIPPINE
ELECTRICAL CODE EDITION AND
PROVIDE
GUIDANCE
IN
APPLYING CODE PROVISIONS

THE PRIMER ON PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE PART 1

THIS MANUAL DO NOT
WISH TO FULLY INTERPRET
THE PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL
CODE, BUT HOPEFULLY
ATTEMPTS TO STANDARDIZE
THE INSPECTION
GUIDELINES ALL OVER THE
COUNTRY, AND EVENTUALLY
FOSTER A CULTURE OF
ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE
WORKPLACES.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY ENFORCEMENT AND

AWARENESS

This manual is
intended to inform
the general public
about the
importance of
Electrical Safety in
our daily lives.

Electrical Safety
Key Result Areas
Compliance with
National/International
Standards
Safety
Workmanship

Improve Power Quality

Voltage Stability
Arrest Surges
Harmonics

Attain Flexibility
Reduce/Add Loads

Maintain Reliability
Interruption Frequency
Interruption Duration

Ensure Cost Effectiveness

Effective Budget Cost
Efficient Maintenance
Program/Enercon/man
Energy Savings

Electricity - The Dangers

About 5 workers are
electrocuted every week
Causes 12% of young
worker/people/ workplace
deaths
Takes very little electricity
to cause harm
Significant risk of causing
fires

20

Electricity- The Dangers

12,301 Fires recorded nationwide- source BFP as of
2013

WHAT IS AN ELECTRICAL
INSPECTION & AUDIT?
An electrical audit
is a thorough
survey/ inspection,
review and
evaluation of an
electrical system
which is already in
operation for
several years.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN

ELECTRICAL INSPECTION &
The purpose of an AUDIT?
electrical safety
inspection or
audit is to identify
potentially
hazardous
electrical
situations and
provide corrective
actions for these
situation.

OBJECTIVES of ELECTRICAL
INSPECTION & AUDIT - 1
# 1. Determine compliance of the electrical
system to electrical safety, viz-a-viz:
- Philippine Electrical Code (Part I & II)
- National Electrical Code
- NFPA 70E
- NFPA 70B
- OSHA 1910.331-335
- Other Electrical Codes (IEC)

OBJECTIVES OF AN ELECTRICAL
INSPECTION & AUDIT 2,3,4
#2. Review and provide corrective actions for
safe electrical work processes.

# 3. Review and provide corrective measures

for electrical maintenance tools.
# 4. Identify efficient measures and potential
cost savings through modifications/
improvements in the electrical system.

 So what would be the

samples of electrical
violations or errors that you
should be mindful of when
you do your electrical audit/
inspections?

1. THE USE OF HIGHER RATED CIRCUIT PROTECTION . . .

THIS IS A RAMPANT VIOLATION!

1-A. ANOTHER CASE OF USING VERY HIGH RATING OF PROTECTION..

THE IIEE ESC/ESEA VOLUNTEER TEAM IN 2012 REPLACED IT WITH 100-AMPERE FUSES.

AS INSPECTED IN 2011, THE SIZE OF THIS SERVICE ENTRANCE FEEDER IS 2

14 SQUARE MM IN A PVC CONDUIT, SO THAT THE ALLOWABLE AMPACITY IS
70 AMPERES BUT THE PROTECTION IS 200-AMPERE FUSES!

Ex.2.D UNINTENTIONALLY CREATING

STRAY CURRENTS/ localized heating
THIS WAS DISCOVERED JUST RECENTLY
ON A 40-STOREY TOWER ELSEWHERE . .
IN A CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT IN
METRO MANILA!

NOTE THE SAME PHASE CONDUCTORS

IN SAME RS CONDUIT. HOW COULD
THE SITE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
AND/OR ELECTRICAL FOREMAN MADE
THE OVERSIGHT!

3. INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT GROUNDING . .

WHAT WOULD BE THE MAXIMUM GROUNDING RESISTANCE? IS IT 25

OHMS?5 OHMS?1 OHM? THE LOWER THE VALUE, THE SAFER! WHY?
GROUND FAULT CURRENT SEEKS THE PATH OF LOWER RESISTANCE.

4. NOT USING GROUNDING TYPE CONVENIENCE

OUTLETS . . .

5. NOT USING GFCI DEVICE FOR CIRCUITS IN

DAMP LOCATIONS OR EXTERIOR AREAS . .

6. NOT CHECKING THE BUS BAR CAPACITY OF

THE PANEL BOARDS/ BUS BAR GUTTERS . .

7. FAILURE TO TEST COMPLETELY BEFORE

ENERGIZATION
AFTER A PROLONGED SHUTDOWN OF A SWITCHGEAR, A
DANGEROUS ARC FLASH FAULT BETWEEN PHASES MAY RESULT
AFTER ENERGIZATION OF THE BUS BARS!
THIS MAY HAPPEN WHEN THERE IS A FAILURE TO
DETERMINE THE INSULATION RESISTANCE OF THE ENCLOSED
BUS BARS.
AFTER A PROLONGED SHUTDOWN ON A HUMID DAY,
MOISTURE MAY OCCUR DUE TO CONDENSATION INSIDE THE
SWITCHGEAR.
WARNING: ALWAYS MEGGER TEST CIRCUIT BREAKERS, BUS
BARS, CABLE FEEDERS BEFORE ENERGIZATION!
THE HIGHER THE MEGGER READING, THE SAFER!

8. USING

IMPROPER SPLICES

9. NOT USING SEAL FITTINGS IN HAZARDOUS

LOCATIONS
NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO
TYPE EYS CONDULET SEAL
FITTINGS ON THE CONDUITS
WITHIN 150MM FROM THE
SWITCH BOXES.
IN CLASSIFIED LOCATIONS, THE
CONDUIT SEAL WOULD
PREVENT THE ENTRY OF
FLAMABLE GASES OR VAPORS
TO THE SWITCHES WHICH ARE
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF A
SPARK.

10. LACK OF SUPERVISION DURING

CONSTRUCTION. . .

THESE INAPPROPRIATELY/POORLY SPLICED WIRES INSIDE A BADLY

BURNT FLEXIBLE PVC CONDUIT. THE ELECTRICAL
SUPERVISOR/FOREMAN MISSED THIS.

11. TEMPORARY WIRING ALLOWED TO BECOME

TEMPORARY-PERMANENT

THE FLYING WIRES/CABLES WHICH INCLUDE POWER & COMMUNICA-TION LINES ARE
INSTALLED TEMPORARILY.. UNTIL AN UNTOWARD INCIDENT HAPPEN AGGRAVATING
MATTERS ACCIDENTS.

12. NOT USING SEAL FITTINGS IN HAZARDOUS

LOCATIONS
NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO TYPE
EYS CONDULET SEAL
FITTINGS ON THE CONDUITS
WITHIN 150MM FROM THE
SWITCH BOXES.
IN CLASSIFIED LOCATIONS, THE
CONDUIT SEAL WOULD
PREVENT THE ENTRY OF
FLAMABLE GASES OR VAPORS
TO THE SWITCHES WHICH ARE
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF A SPARK.

13.LACK OF SAFETY SENSE

NOTICE THE SERVICE ENTRANCE WIRES, NO ENTRANCE CAP OR DRIP LOOP THIS
ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER CONDUIT AND MAY EVEN REACH PANELBOARD INSIDE,
CAUSE DAMAGE, OR GROUND FAULT. THERE IS ALSO NO GROUND WIRE.

14.NOT USING BOLT-ON TYPE

MAINS
THE 60A PANEL MAIN CBs ARE
PLUG-IN TYPE, SHOULD BE BOLTON TYPE..

THE PLUG-IN MAINS WILL RESULT

TO LOOSE CONNECTION,
LOCALIZE HEATING..

15. LACK OF MAINTENANCE

REGULAR CLEANING
REQUIRED.
CABLE
TERMINATIONS
ARE VIOLATIONS.
COLOR CODING OF
WIRES MUST BE
FOLLOWED.

16. JUNCTION BOX COVER MISSING ..

THE ABSENCE OF THE COVER FOR THE JUNCTION BOX EXPOSES THE
CONDUCTORS NOT ONLY TO WATER BUT ALSO TO THE ULTRA-VIOLET (UV)
RAYS OF THE SUN, CAUSING THE DETERIORATION OF THE INSULATION OF
THE CONDUCTORS FASTER.

17. Panel Cover & Power CBs Not Fitted Properly

In a big manufacturing plant, during
the retrofitting or replacement of the
main circuit breaker of the Low
Voltage Switchgear, the panel
opening is so big where in there is a
large clearance between the front
face of new power breaker and the
panel opening. This may allow
foreign bodies such as dust, and even
live creatures to possibly enter inside
the switchgear and cause a
shutdown. A control wire is even left
not tied properly.

18. Old Fused Disconnects Still in Use?

The use of old fused
disconnect switches where in
the load side feeder wires are
too small in their ampacities as
matched to the rating of the
fuses. The fuses may protect
the small wires from high
magnitude short circuit current
but not on an overload current
or during a low magnitude
line-to-ground fault. These
installations must be replaced
with bus bar type panel board
of power distribution to
various load circuits.

19. Cables Not Provided w/ Raceways..

Would you believe that this kind of cable installation still exists? If you are
the electrical practitioner assigned to supervise the electrical works, how
would you have provided for a better job?By providing flexible metallic
conduits?By a cable duct?Or by extending the cable trench?

20. POOR VENTILATION FOR HEAT GENERATING

EQUIPMENT
THE TRANSFORMER BELOW WHICH WAS INSTALLED INSIDE A CABINET THAT IS NOT
ADEQUATELY VENTILATED OR NOT PROVIDED WITH LOUVERS SHOWS SIGNS OF
EXCESSIVE HEAT BEING DISSIPATED. IT WAS SOON DAMAGED

AS-BUILT PLANS
After your thorough electrical inspection & audit,
you will now prepare/ update your electrical
drawings:
* Lighting Layouts * Power Layouts * Panel
Arrangements * Single Line Diagram/ Riser Diagram *
Load Schedules and Computations * Service Entrance
* Substation * Meter Center * Grounding system *
Lightning Protection system * Other electrical details of
the electrical system

Note down all observations of non-compliance/

Code violations, unsafe situations, inefficient
system/ equipment, etc

FIRE TRAGEDIES
When Would We Learn

FIRE OCCURRENCE NATIONWIDE

(2005-2010)
Origin/Causes

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

TOTAL

Unknown/Others

2334

1871

2485

3395

1966

2324

14,375

Electrical
Electrical

2249

2087
2087

2300
2300

2532
2532

2333
2333

2616
2616

14,117
14,117

Open Flames/Cooking 1598

1144

1726

2285

997

1280

9,030

Combustion/Bonfire

710

538

1094

1592

392

540

4,866

Cigarette Butts/
Smoking

324

257

349

355

132

199

1,616

7954

10159

5820

TOTAL

7215 5897

6959

2012 Total Fire Incidents in the Philippines

8,798

5,470; 62%

2,861; 33%
Electrical Connections
Electrical Appliances
Electrical Machiniries
Others

396; 4%
71; 1%

Damage to Properties
Php 3,373,240,786.16
37.8% causes of fire due to electrical in nature such
as:

Defective Electrical Device, Sub-standard

electrical appliances and wires, circuit
overloading, short circuits, arcing,
overheating and malpractice of electricity.
Working together towards an electrical safety
conscious nation 2013 Theme of Electrical Safety
Month

250 Civilians died

645 were injured

2 Firefighters died
and 100 were injured

Total of 252 fatalities

and 745 were injured

2013 Total Fire Incidents in the Philippines

12,301
8,287; 67.3%

3,532; 28.7%
Electrical Connections
Electrical Appliances
Electrical Machineries
Others
74;
0.6%

408; 3.3%

Damage to Properties
Php 5,465,832,497.74
32.6% causes of fire due to electrical in nature such
as:

Defective Electrical Device, Sub-standard

electrical appliances and wires, circuit
overloading, short circuits, arcing,
overheating and malpractice of electricity.
Electrical Safety starts with me 2014 Theme of
Electrical Safety Month

244 Civilians died

697 were injured

No Firefighters died
but 77 were injured

Total of 244 fatalities

and 774 were injured

Big Fires: Causes?

Manor Hotel Fire Electrical Short Circuit
Location

Kamias Road, Quezon City

Date/Time

18 0412H August 2001

Cause of Fire:

Electrical Short Circuit

Casualty

75 persons

Injured

73 Persons

Est. Damages:
The Fire was put under control in one hour and 16 minutes after the
first firetruck has arrived. Most of the fatalities died of suffocation.

Fire exit at the 3rd Floor without stairs

Electrical
Malfunction
Ozone Disco Fire
(overloading)
Location

57-A Timog Ave., Quezon City

Date/Time

19 2405H March 1996

Cause of Fire:

Electrical Malfunction (overloading)

Casualty

162 persons

Injured

100 persons m/l

Est. Damages:

15 Million m/l

OZONE DISCO FIRE

Be electrically safe, not sorry!

For inquiries, please contact:

ESEA Secretariat
#41 Monte de Piedad St., Cubao, Quezon City
0905-375 8576 / 727 3552 loc 107 / 966 9462