PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE

#5

ENGR. ROMEO O. MAROTO

EE Instructor
1. Conductors for General Wiring

The most common electrical conductors are wires and

cables. They are either stranded or solid conductors.

BARE – A conductor having no covering or electrical insulation

whatsoever.

COVERED – A conductor encased within material of composition

or thickness that is NOT recognized by this Code as
electrical insulation.
INSULATED – A conductor encased within material of composition
and
thickness that is recognized by this Code as insulation.

STRANDED – A conductor consist of a group of wires twisted form a

metallic string where installed in raceways, conductors
of size 8.0 mm² an larger shall be stranded.
SOLID CONDUCTOR
STRANDED CONDUCTOR
Conductor Insulation serves as a physical shield of wire against heat,
Water or moisture, and they are rated from 300 to 35, 000 most
common:
Letter Description
TW Moisture Resistant Thermoplastic
60°C Dry and Wet Locations
THHN Heat Resistant Thermoplastic
90°C Dry and Damp Locations
THW Moisture and Heat Resistant Thermoplastic
75°C Dry and Wet, 90°C for Special Applications
THWN 75°C Dry and Wet, with outer covering
THHW 75°C Wet, 90°C Dry
 TRADE NAME TYPE LETTER MAX. OPERATING TEMP APPLICATION

Moisture-and-heat 75 ⁰C Wet Location

resistant thermoplastic THHW 90 ⁰C Dry location

Moisture-and heat 75 ⁰C Dry and Wet location

resistant thermoplastic THW 90 ⁰C Special application

TWH-2 90 ⁰C Dry and Wet location

Moisture-and-heat THWN 75 ⁰C Dry and wet location

resistant thermoplastic THWN-2 90 ⁰C
Moisture – resistant TW 60 ⁰C Dry and wet location
thermoplastic
Heat-resistant THHN 90 ⁰C Dry and Damp locations
thermoplastic
Mineral-insulation (metal MI 90 ⁰C Dry and wet location
sheathed) 250 ⁰C For special application
Table 3.10.3.1(A) Conductor Applications and Insulation Rated 600 Volts
TRADE NAME TYPE LETTER MAX. OPERATING APPLICATION
TEMP.
Flourinated ethylene FEP 90 ⁰C Dry and damp location
propylene Or FEPB 200 ⁰C Dry location-special
applications.
Moisture-heat- and oil MTW 60 ⁰C Machine tool wiring in
resistant thermoplastic wet location
90 ⁰C Machine tool wiring in
dry location

Perfluoro – alkoxy PFA 90 ⁰C Dry and damp locations

Dry location-special
200 ⁰C application
Perfluoro – alkoxy PFAH 250 ⁰C Dry locations only. For
leads within apparatus…
Thermoset RHH 90 ⁰C Dry and damp locations
Conductors in Parallel. Aluminum, Copper-Clad Aluminum, or copper
conductors of size 50 mm² and larger comprising each phase, neutral, or
grounded circuit conductor, shall be permitted to connect in parallel
(electrically joined at both ends to form a single conductor) and they shall be:

1. Be the same length

2. Have the same conductor material
3. Be the same in square millimeters (mm²)
4. Have the same in insulation type
5. Be terminated in the same manner
 Table 3.10.3.3(A) Minimum Size of Conductors
Conductor Voltage Ratings Minimum Conductor Size
(Volts) mm² (mm dia.)
Copper Aluminum or Copper-Clad Aluminum
0 - 2 000 2.0 (1.6) 3.5 (2.0)
2 001 - 8 000 8.0 (3.2) 8.0 (3.2)
8 001 – 15 000 30 30
15 001 - 28 000 38 38
28 001 – 35 000 50 50
2. Ampacity
- The current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry continuously under
the conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating.

3. Ampacity Derating
* Reduction to a certain percentage of Allowable Ampacity of conductors
due to:
Environmental Condition the conductors is exposed.
Ampacities of Insulated Copper Conductors Rated thru 2,000 volts, 60°C thru
90°C. NOT more than Three Current Carrying Conductors in Raceway, Cable, or
(Directly Buried), Based on Ambient Temp of 30°C.

mm² AWG TW 60°C THW 75°C THHN 90°C

2.0 14 20 20 25
3.5 12 25 25 30
5.5 10 30 35 40
8.0 8 40 50 55
14 6 55 65 70
22 4 70 85 90
30 2 90 110 115
Ampacity Correction Factors
Ambient For ambient temperatures other than 30°C, multiply the
Temp (°C) allowable ampacities shown above by the appropriate
factor shown below
21-25 1.08 1.05 1.04 1.08 1.05 1.04
26-30 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
31-35 0.91 0.94 0.96 0.91 0.94 0.96
36-40 0.82 0.88 0.91 0.82 0.88 0.91
41-45 0.71 0.82 0.87 0.71 0.82 0.87
46-50 0.58 0.75 0.82 0.58 0.75 0.82
51-55 0.41 0.67 0.76 0.41 0.67 0.76
56-60 - 0.58 0.71 - 0.58 0.71
(2) Number of Wires placed inside the conduit (T 3.10.2.6 (B)(3)(a) at p172
Adjustment Factors for More Than Three Current Carrying Conductors
in a Raceway or Cable.
Percent of Values in Tables 3.10.1.16 Through
Number of Current Carrying Conductors 3.10.2.6(B)(16) Through Table 3.10.2.6(B)(19) as
Adjusted For Ambient Temperature if
necessary
4-6 80
7-9 70
10-20 50
21-30 45
31-40 40
41 and above 35
4. Cable Tray System – a unit or assembly of units or sections and associated fittings
forming a rigid structural system used to securely fasten
or support cables and raceways.

5. Open Wiring On Insulators – is an exposed wiring method using cleats, knobs,

tubes, and flexible tubing for the protection and support
SINGLE insulated conductors run in or on buildings, and
NOT concealed by the building structure.
6. Messenger Supported Wiring – is an exposed wiring support system using a
messenger wire to support insulated conductors by any one
of the following:
1. A messenger with rings and saddles for conductor support;
2. A messenger with a field – installed lashing materials for conductor
support;
3. Factory-aerial cable;
4. Multiplex cables utilizing a bare conductor, such as duplex, triplex,
or quadruplex type of construction.
MESSENGER SUPPORTED WIRE
7. Concealed Knob-and-Tube Wiring – are a wiring method using knobs,
tubes, and flexible nonmetallic tubing for the
protection and support of a single insulated
conductors.

8. Integrated Gas Spacer Cable (IGS) – is a factory assembly of one or

more conductors, each individually insulated
enclosed in a loose fit, nonmetallic flexible
conduit as integrated gas spacer cable rated
0 through 600 volts.
CONCEALED KNOB & TUBE WIRING
9. Medium Voltage Cable (MV) – is a single or multi-conductor solid dielectric
insulated cable rated 2 001 volts or higher.

10. Flat Conductor Cable – consists of three or more copper conductors placed
edge-to-edge and separated enclosed within an insulating
assembly.

11. Mineral-Insulated, Metal-Sheathed. Cable (MI) – is a factory assembly of one

or more conductors insulated with a highly compressed
refractory mineral insulation and enclosed in a liquid tight
and gastight continuous copper or alloy steel sheath.
MEDIUM VOLTAGE CABLE (MV)

This Photo by
Unknown Author
is licensed under
CC BY-SA
MEDIUM VOLTAGE CABLE
300/500V FLAT CONDUCTOR CABLE
MINERAL INSULATED METAL SHEATHED CABLES
12. Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT) – is a pliable corrugated raceway of circular
cross section with integral or associated couplings,
connectors, and fittings listed for the installation of
electric conductors. It is composed of a material that
is resistant to moisture and chemical atmospheres
and is flame retardant.

13. Armored Cable (AC) – is a fabricated assembly of insulated conductors in a

flexible metallic enclosure
This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-SA
ELECTRIC NONMETALLIC TUBING (ENT)
ARMORED CABLE (AC)
14. Metal-Clad Cable (MC) – is a factory assembly of one or more insulated circuit
conductors with or without optical fiber members enclosed
in an armor or interlocking metal tape, or a smooth or
corrugated metallic sheath.

15. Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable (NM, NMC, NMS) – is a factory assembly of two or

more insulated conductors having an outer sheath or
moisture resistant, flame-retardant, nonmetallic material
METAL-CLAD CABLE (MC)
NONMETALLIC-SHEATED CABLE (NM, NMC, NMS)
NONMETALLIC SHEATED CABLE
16. Service-Entrance Cable (SE & USE) – is a single conductor or multi-conductor
assembly provided with or without an overall covering,
primarily used for services, and is of the following types:

17. Underground Feeder & Branch-Circuit Cable (UF) – is a listed type UF cable
sizes 2.0 mm² copper or 3.5 mm² aluminum or copper-clad
aluminum through 100 mm²
SERVICE ENTRANCE CABLE (SE)
UNDERGROUND SERVICE ENTRANCE CABLE (USE)
18. Power & Control Tray Cable (TC) – is a factory assembly of two or more insulated
conductors, with or without associated bare or covered grounding
conductors under a nonmetallic sheath, for installation in cable
trays, in a raceways where supported by a messenger wire.

19. Nonmetallic Extensions – are assembly of two insulated conductors within a

nonmetallic jacket or an extruded thermoplastic covering. The
classification includes both surface extensions, intended for
mounting directly on the surface of walls or ceilings, and aerial
cable containing a supporting messenger cable as an integral
part of the cable assembly.
UL 1277 POWER AND CONTROL TRAY CABLE
(TC)
CONTROL TRAY CABLE/TC CABLE
RACEWAYS – are wiring accessories or channels designed for holding
wires, cables or bus bars which are either made of metals
or any insulating materials.
- They provide mechanical protection to conductors while
keeping them accessible for wiring changes: examples;
conduits connectors, couplings, clamps, hangers, etc.
CABLE RACEWAY, SURFACE, WALL & FLOOR
RACEWAYS, MILD STEEL PAINTED RACEWAYS
CONDUITS – Most common raceways: either pipes or tubing, which are
either flexible or rigid, for electric wires.

FITTINGS – Accessories such as locknuts, bushing, couplers adapters,

nipples and connectors, or other part system that is
intended primarily to perform a mechanical rather than
an electrical function.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONDUITS
INTERMEDIATE METAL CONDUIT (IMC)
EMT – ELECTRIC METALLIC CONDUIT
CONDUIT FITTINGS
PVC ELBOWS AND FITTINGS
ELECTRICAL CONDUIT AND FITTINGS
ELECTRICAL CONDUIT FITTINGS
STAINLESS STEEL CONDUIT NIPPLES/RSC-RIGID STEEL CONDUIT
(FITTING)
CONDUIT COUPLING 1, ¾, ½
EMT CONDUIT BENDER (PIPE BENDER OR HICKEY)
CONNECTORS – A metal sleeve, usually made of copper, that is slipped
over and secured to the butted ends of conductor in
making joint; also called splicing sleeve.

20. Nonmetallic Underground Conduit With Conductors – is a factory

assembly of conductors or cables inside a nonmetallic,
smooth wall conduit with a circular cross section. The
nonmetallic conduit shall be composed of a material that
is resistant to moisture and corrosives agents. It shall also
be capable of being supplied on reels without damage or
distortion and shall be sufficient strength to withstand
abuse, such as impact or crushing, in handling and during
installation without damage to conduit or conductors.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under
CC BY-SA
XLPE – Cross-Linked Polyethylene
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

CROSS-LINKED POLYETHYLENE (XLPE)

21. Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC) – is a listed steel raceway of circular cross
section with integral or associated couplings, approved for the
installation of electrical conductors and used with listed fittings
to provide electrical continuity.

22. Rigid Metal Conduit – is a listed metal raceway of circular cross section with
integral or associated couplings approved for the installation of
electrical conductors and used with listed fittings to provide
electrical continuity.
INTERMEDIATE METAL CONDUIT (IMC)
RIGID METAL CONDUIT (RMC)
23. Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit (RNC) – apply to a type of conduit and
fittings of suitable nonmetallic material that is
resistant to moisture and chemical atmospheres.

24. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) – is a listed metallic tubing of

circular cross section approved for the installation
of electrical conductors when joined together
with listed fittings.
 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

RIGID NONMETALLIC CONDUIT (RNC)

ELECTRIC METALLIC TUBING (EMT)
25. Flexible Metal Tubing (FMT) – is a listed tubing that is circular in
cross section, flexible, metallic and liquid tight
without a nonmetallic jacket.

26. Flexible Metal Conduit – is a raceway of cross section made of

helically wound, formed, interlocked metal
strip.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

FLEXIBLE METALLIC TUBING (FMT)

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

FLEXIBLE METALLIC CONDUIT

27. Liquid Tight Flexible Metal & Nonmetallic Conduit.

*METAL: is a listed raceway of circular cross section having an outer

liquid tight, nonmetallic, sunlight-resistant jacket over an
inner flexible metal core with associated couplings,
connectors, and fittings and approved for the installation
of electric conductors.
 *NONMETALLIC: is a listed raceway of circular cross section of
various types: LFNC-A, LFNC-B, LFNC-C. It is flame-retardant,
with fittings, and is approved for the installation of electrical

28. Surface Metal & Nonmetal Raceways-METAL: It has become popular

for extensions from existing CO, or new works, as well as for
modernization
 * NONMETAL : Its materials is resistant to moisture and chemical
atmosphere, flame-retardant, resistant to impact and
crushing, resistant to distortion from heat under conditions
likely to be encountered in service, and resistant to
low-temperature effects, and those that have limited
smoke-producing characteristics shall be permitted to be
identified with the suffix LS (limited-smoke)
29. Multi Outlet Assembly – a type of surface, flush, or freestanding raceway;
designed to hold conductors and receptacles, assembled in the
field or at the factory.

30. Under floor Raceways – a raceway suitable for beneath the surface of concrete
or other flooring material or in office occupancies, where laid flush
with linoleum or equivalent floor covering
31. Cellular Metal Floor Raceway – the spaces of cellular floors, together with
suitable fittings, that may be approved as enclosures for
electrical conductors.

32. Cellular Concrete Floor Raceways – its cell shall be a single, enclosed tubular
space in a floor made of precast cellular concrete slabs,
the direction of the cell being parallel to the direction of
the floor member.
33. Metal & Nonmetallic Wire Ways
*METAL : are sheet troughs with hinged or removable covers for
housings and protecting electric wires and cable and in which
conductors are laid in parallel after the Wire ways has been
installed as a complete system.

*NONMETALLIC: are flame-retardant, nonmetallic troughs with

removable covers for housing and protecting electric wires
and cables in which conductors are laid in parallel after Wire
ways has been installed as a complete system.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
34. Flat Cable Assemblies (FC) – is an assembly of parallel conductors formed
integrally with an insulating material web specifically designed for
field installation in surface metal raceway.

35. Busways – a grounded metal enclosure containing factory – mounted, bare

insulated conductors, which are usually copper or aluminum
bars, rods, or tubes
36. Cable bus – an assembly of insulated conductors with fittings and conductor
terminations in a completely enclosed ventilated protective metal
housing.

37. Boxes – are made of galvanized metal or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and they
come in four shapes of different sizes such as, square, rectangular,
circular, and octagon.
38. Junction Box
- with a blank cover, serves the purpose of joining different runs
of raceways, or cables, and provides sufficient space for connection
branching of the enclosed circuit.

39. Pull Box – a box with a blank cover, which is inserted in one or more runs of
raceways to facilitate pulling in the condcutors.
- may also serve to distribute the conductors

40. Plates – used for mounting flush-type switches and/or convenience outlets
41. Covers
- they are either metallic or Bakelite type for covering mounted
switches and convenience outlets.

42. Switches – electrical devices used to control the circuits closing and opening
Bypass Isolation Switch – A manually operated device used in conjunction
with a transfer switch to provide a means of directly connecting load
conductors to a power source, and of disconnecting the transfer switch.
General: Used Snap Switch – A form of general-use switch constructed so
that it can be installed in device boxes or on box cover, or otherwise used
in conjunction with wiring system recognized by the Code.
 General-Use Switch – A switch intended for use in general distribution
and branch circuits. It is rated in amperes, and it is capable of
interrupting its rated current at its rated voltage.

Isolating Switch – A switch intended for isolating an electric current

from the source of power. It has no interruption rating and
is intended to be operated only after the circuit has been
opened by some other means.
Motor Circuit Switch
- A switch rated in horsepower that is capable of
interrupting the maximum operating overload current of a
motor of the same horsepower rating as the switch at the rated
voltage.

Transfer Switch
- An automatic or non-automatic device for transferring
one or more load conductor connections from one source to
another.
43. Cutout Box
- an enclosure designed for surface mounting and having a swinging
doors, or covers, secured directly to and telescoping with the walls
of the box proper.

44. Cabinet – an enclosure designed for surface or flush mounting and provided
with a frame, mat, or trim in which a swinging doors are may be hung.

45. Auxiliary – a sheet-metal enclosure for conductors cables and bus bars at
switchboards, meter centers, distribution centers and similar locations/
points.
46. Switchboards – a large single panel, frame, or assembly of panels on
which
are mounted, on the face or back or both, switches, overcurrent and
other protective devices, buses, and usually instruments.
- they are generally accessible from the rear as well from the front
and are not intended to be installed in cabinets.

47. Switchgear – a general term covering an assembly or assemblies of devices

for switching, interrupting, controlling, metering of electric power.
Circuit Breaker for Switchgears
48. Panel board – a single panel or group of panel units designed for assembly
in the form of a single panel: including buses, automatic overcurrent
devices, and equipped with or without switches for the control of light,
heat, or power circuits: designed to be placed in a cabinet or cutout
box in or against a wall or partition and accessible only from the front.
 PANEL BOARD
W/MAIN & BRANCHES

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

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