PEC (PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE)

Article 1.2 – Permits and Inspection Certificates

Before starting any installation work,

alteration, repair or extension on any
electrical system,
The owners, lessors, operators, occupants, or
electrical practitioners shall obtain Electrical
Permit for Building, Trailers, Mobile Homes,
or other premises from the Office of the Local
Building Official, and for watercrafts from the
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)

What are Requirement for Applying an

Electrical Permit?

1. Application for Electrical Permit (DPWH Form NO. 96-

001-E)
2. Five sets of complete electrical plans and specifications
signed and sealed by Professional Electrical Engineer
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Article 1.2 – Permits and Inspection Certificates
No electrical installation, alteration and/or addition shall be connected or reconnected to any power
supply or any other source of electrical energy without a Certificate of Final Electrical
Inspection/Completion obtained from the government authority concerned.

Installation without permit maybe allowed if not more than two additional general
purpose branch circuits for lighting and convenience outlets.

Article 1.3 – Electrical Plans and Specifications

What are the Standard Sizes of Electrical Plan Sheets?

1. 760 mm x 1000 mm
2. 600 mm x 900 mm
3. 500 mm x 760 mm

What system of measurement shall be used in scaling electrical plans?

Metric drawing scales shall be used
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What are the composition of an Electrical Plan?
1. Location Map –shows whre the propsed project be erected. It includes the bordering areas showing public or well-
known streets, landmarks and/or structures, Location of the utility company pole furnishing the electric energy.
2. Legend or Symbols –Shows the meaning of each symbol used in the electrical plan. Summary of the symbols used in
the design.
3. General Notes and/or Specifications –additional information on the design that were left out or not included in the
other parts of the plan. These are the type of service, height of fixtures and devices, method of wiring, special
equipment to be installed, system grounding, clearances of service drop, burial depth of service lateral, mounting
height of kWhr meter.
4. Electrical Layout –
a. Lighting Layout Plan –is the arrangement of lighting outlets in the different rooms
And other parts of building. It includes what type of lamp is used whether incandescent,
Fluorescent and other special lamps. Lighting system must provide sufficient quantity of
Light and the right kind of light that is free from glare and objectionable shadows.

b. Convenience Layout Plan –is the arrangement of small appliance outlets and special
Outlets in the different rooms and parts of the building. It also includes the location of the
service equipment such as the main switch, kWHr Meter and panel boards.

c. Fire Detection and Alarm Layout plan – Arrangement of signaling and alarm system in the
different parts of the building.

5. Schedule of Loads –is a table of the expected loads of the building being designed. It includes the ff.
a. Number of branch circuit of the electrical wiring system.
b. Number of lighting/Convenience outlets per branch circuit
c. Number of switch per circuit
d. Total load wattage per circuit
e. Size of wire used in each circuit
f. Total current load per circuit
g. Branch circuit rating

6. Design Analysis –
7. One Line Diagram –is an schematic drawing of the service entrance, service equipment and the different circuits.
 PEC (PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE)
Article 1.10 – Requirement for Electrical Installation
What are the considerations to be evaluated on Electrical Installations?

1. Suitability for installation and use in conformity to PEC provisions.

2. Mechanical strength and durability
3. Wire-bending and connection space
4. Electrical insulation
5. Heating effects under normal conditions of use and also under abnormal conditions likely to
arise.
6. Arcing effects
7. Classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity and specific use.
8. Other factors that contribute to the practical safeguarding of persons

How are Conductor sizes express?

mm2 –for stranded conductors

mm or AWG –for solid conductors
What will you do to unused openings?
Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or
housing shall be effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall
of the equipment.
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What is the PEC provision on placing conductor insulation?

All splices and joints and free ends shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to
that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose.
At what voltage of live parts be guarded against accidental contact?

Live parts of electric equipment operating at 540 volts or more shall be guarded against
accidental contact by approved enclosures.
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Article 2 – Use and Identification of Grounded Conductors
What is the standard color for grounding conductor?

shall be identified by a continuous white or natural gray outer finish or by three continuous
white stripes on other than green insulation along its entire length.

What is the maximum branch circuit rating permitted by PEC?

The rating for other than individual branch circuit shall be 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 amperes.
where conductors of higher ampacity are used for any reason, the ampere rating of the
specified overcurrent device shall determine the circuit rating.

At what voltage and where to install Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter to Protect Personnel?

When the voltage is 120v and/or 250v single phase, 15-20A receptacles and in locations:
1. Bathrooms
2. Garages
3. Outdoors
4. Crawl spaces
5. Unfinished basements
6. Kitchens
7. Wet bar sink
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What is the maximum floor area or wattage to be serve on a single 20A, 2-wire branch circuit?

If the dwelling unit it not more than 50 sq meters and does not exceed 3680 volt-amperes.

What is the minimum branch circuit rating for any household coking appliances of 8 ¾ kW or more?
40 Amperes

Table 2.10.2.3b –Maximum Cord and Plug-Connected Load to Receptacle

Circuit Ratings (Amps) Receptacle Rating (Amps) Maximum Load (Amps)

15 or 20 15 12

20 20 16

30 30 24
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Can more than 50A branch circuit be used to supply non-lighting load?

No, branch circuit larger than 50A shall supply only non-lighting outlet loads.

3 meters 3 meters

In dwelling units,
Hallways of
3000mm
0r ore in length hallway S3W
shall S3W
Have at least one
receptacle
Outlet.
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The Ampacity of feeder conductors shall not be less than 30A where the load supplied consist of
any of the following number and types of circuits:

1. Two or more 2-wire branch circuit supplied by a 2-wire feeder

2. More than 2-wire branch circuit supplied by a 3-wire feeder
3. Two or more 3-wire branch circuit supplied by a 3-wire feeder
4. Two or more 4-wire branch circuit supplied by a 3-phase 4-wire feeder

How is floor area computed for lighting Load?

The floor area for each floor shall be computed from the outside dimension of the
building, dwelling unit, or other area involved. For dwelling units, the computed floor area shall not
Include open porches, garages, or unused or unfinished spaces not adoptable for furniture use.
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What are the Clearances of Service Drop Prescribe by PEC?

1. Above roof –2500 mm

2. Vertical Clearances from ground
a. 3100 mm –at the electric service entrance
to buildings, above finished grade,
sidewalks, or from any platform or 2500 mm

projection from which they might be

reached where the voltage does not exceed
150v to ground and accessible to
pedestrians only.
b. 3700 mm –over residential property and
driveways, and those commercial areas not
subject to truck traffic where the above
voltage does not exceed 300v to ground.
c. 4600 mm –for those areas listed in the 3700
mm classification where the voltage
exceeds 300v to ground
d. 5500 mm –over public streets, alleys, roads,
parking areas subject to truck traffic,
driveways on other than residential
property, and other land traversed by
vehicle such as cultivated, grazing, forest
and orchard
3. Clearances for building opening –1000 mm
vertical, diagonal, and horizontal (from signs,
chimneys, radio and television antennas, tanks)
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How do you connect outdoor lamp holders to the circuit wires?

Connect in staggered basis

How is disconnecting means be installed to the circuit?

It should connected to disconnect all ungrounded conductors that supply or

pass through the building or structure

Where are you going to install the disconnecting means?

It can be installed either inside or outside of the building served or where the
conductors pass trough the building. It shall be mounted at a readily accessible location
nearest the point of conductor entrance.
What is the minimum vertical clearance to the point of attachment of service
entrance conductors?

3000 mm above finish floor level

What is the minimum service entrance conductor?

it shall not be smaller than 8.0mm2 (3.2mm dia.) copper or 14mm2 aluminum or
copper-clad aluminum. Exception: Conductors supplying limited loads of a single branch
circuit such as small polyphase power, controlled water heater shall no be smaller than
3.5mm2 (2.0 mm dia) hard-drawn copper or equivalent.
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How do you protect service cables subject to physical damage?

Protect with the use of RSC, IMC, RNMC, EMT

How do you support service cables?

Support by strap or other approved means within 300 mm of every service head,
gooseneck, or connection to a raceway or enclosure and at interval not exceeding 760 mm.

How do you install raceway in places exposed to weather?

Raceways enclosing service-entrance conductors shall be raintight and arranged to drain.

What is the maximum number of disconnecting means?

Shall consist of not more than six in a single enclosure.

Protection for small conductors

Overcurrent Protection Size of Conductor Size of Conductor

(Amperes) (Copper) (Aluminum)
15A 2.0 mm2 3.5 mm2
20 3.5 mm2
25 5.5 mm2
30 5.5 mm2
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What are the standard Ampere Rating of Fuses

15 25 30 35 40
45 50 60 70 80
90 100 110 125 150
175 200 225 250 300
350 400 450 500 600
700 800 1000 1200 1600
2000 2500 3000 4000 5000
6000 Amperes

According to PEC provisions, can an intentionally grounded conductor be connected in series

with the overcurrent device?

No, unless the overcurrent device opens all conductors of the circuit, including the
grounded conductor, and is designed so that no pole can operate independently;
where required by section 4.30.3.6 or 4.30.3.7 for motor overload protection.

What Factors to be considered in selecting where to install overcurrent device?

1. Overcurrent devices shall be readily accessible

2. Each occupant shall have ready access to all overcurrent devices protecting the conductors
3. Not exposed to physical damage
4. Not in vicinity of easily ignitable material
5. Not located in bathrooms
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Can a two pole circuit breaker be used to protect 3 phase circuit?

No, unless the circuit breaker is marked 1phase-3phase to indicate suitability.

How do you insure good electrical continuity/grounding?

Nonconductive coatings such as paint, lacquer, and enamel on equipment to be

grounded shall be removed.
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Article 2.5 -Grounding

What are the thing to be bonded to form a grounding electrode system?

1. Metal underground water pipe –a buried metal water pipe is s suitable electrode if there is
3000 mm (10’) or more of it in direct contact with the earth but by itself is not an adequate
grounding electrode and must be supplemented by at least one other electrode to provide a
grounding system.
2. Metal Frame of the building –may be used as grounding provided it is effectively grounded
and would give the same protection as the other methods of grounding.
3. Concrete-Encased Electrode –an electrode encased by at least 50 mm of concrete, located
w/in and near the bottom of a concrete foundation or footing that is direct contact w/ the
earth, consisting of at least 6000 mm of one or more steel reinforcing bars, rods of not less
than 13 mm diameter or consisting at least 6000 mm of bare solid copper conductor not
smaller than 760 mm.
4. Ground ring –consisting of at least 6000 mm of bare copper conductor not smaller than 30
mm2 encircling the building in direct contact w/ the earth at a depth below earth surface not
less than 760 mm.
5. Made other electrodes
a. Metal underground GAS piping system shall not be used as a grounding electrode.
b. Local metal underground system susch as piping system and underground tanks
c. Rod and pipe electrodes –shall not be less than 2400 mm inlength and shall consist
of the following material: steel or iron (not less than 16 mm or 5/8”) conduit (not
smaller than 20 mm or ¾” trade size..
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Article 2.5 -Grounding

Plate electrode –shall expose not less than 1/5 square meter of surface to exterior soil.
Electrode of iron or steel plates shall at least 6.4 mm or ¼” thickness.

Electrodes of non-ferrous metal shall be at least 1.5 mm or 0.06” in thickness. These are
often used by utilities at the bottom of a hole.
Aluminum electrodes is not permitted

¼” or 6.4 mm

1/5
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What must be the 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 a resistance is greater than 25 ohms, two or more electrodes maybe connected in
parallel, and they shall not be less than 1900 mm or 6’ apart.

How do you improve grounding resistance?

Apply magnesium sulphate, copper sulphate, and rock salt.

What testing instrument is used to test grounding resistance?

used ground Megger, which is a battery operated ground tester that uses vibratir
to produce pulsating AC, or transistor type ground megger.
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What is the minimum diameter/length of a Ground Rod?

Diameter shall not be

less than 12.7 mm or ½”

Length shall not be less

than 2,400 mm or 8’
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What is a counterpoise?

Counterpoise ground –a conductor encircling a building and inter-connecting all

ground terminals.
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What is an Air terminal?
a device capable to drawing lighting
discharge to it in preference to vulnerable
parts of protected area.

Air terminal shall extend not less than 254

mm above the object protected for 6000
mm maximum intervals and not less than
600 mm above the object protected for
760 mm maximum intervals.
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What is a chimney?

Small concrete, masonry or

metal vent protruding through
the roof or attached to the
side to a building used typically in
heating or venting, subject to
protection under class I
requirements.
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Article 3.0 Wiring Methods

Can we joint splice inside raceway/conduits?

No splice or tap w/n a raceway unless permitted by section 3.0.1.15; 3.52.1.7;
3.52.2.9; 3.54.1.6; exemption 3.62.1.7, 3.62.2.8, or 3.64.1.8a

It shall be done on boxes.

What is the allowance or free length of conductors on outlets, junction boxes, and switch points?

Atleast 150 mm or 6”
How is 6” wire allowance measured ?

It is measured from the point in the box where it emerges from its raceway or sheath

Note: Wire allowance does

not
Include splices, joints, taps

6”
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What is the minimum radius bend for conductors?

The conductor shall not be bent to a radius less than 8 times the overall diameter for
nonshielded conductors or 12 times the diameter for shielded or lead-covered
conductors during or after installation.

For multiconductor or multiplexed single conductor cables having individually shielded

conductors, the minimum bending radius is 12 times the dia. Of the individual shielded
conductors or 7 times the overall dia. Which is greater.

Can we install solid conductors inside raceway with sizes 8.0 mm2 or larger?

No, against PEC. For conductors installed inside raceway of sizes lager than 8.0
mm2 used only stranded conductors
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What are the Principal Determinants of Operating Temperatures on Conductors?

1. Ambient temperature
2. Heat generated internally in the conductor as the result of load current flow, including
fundamental and harmonic currents
3. The rate at which generated heat dissipates into ambient medium
4. Adjacent load carrying conductors

What are the required information that shall be marked on conductors?

1. Maximum rated voltage
2. Proper type letter or letter (letter indicate the type of insulation used)
3. Manufacture’s name, trade mark
4. Size of wire (mm2 for stranded, AWG or mm for solid)
5. Cable assemblies where neutral conductors is smaller the the ungrounded
conductor shall be so marked by: surface marking, marker tape, Tag marking,
optional marking of wire size.

What are the suffixes used to designate number of conductors?

1. M –for 2 insulated conductorss laid parallel w/in an outer nonmetallic covering.

2. M –for an assembly of 2 or more insulated conductors twisted spirally w/in an
outer nonmetallic covering.
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What is the interval distance of wire marking?

The mm2 size stranded or mm diameter for solid shall be repeatedly marked at an
Interval of not exceeding 600 mm. All other markings shall be repeated at interval not
exceeding 1, 000 mm.

TYPE TW 1.6 mm 600v 60 C TYPE TW 1.6 mm 600v 60 C

Interval is 600 mm

What are the suffixes to designate number of conductors?

1. D –for two insulated conductors laid in parallel w/n an outer nonmetallic covering.
2. M –for an assembly of two or more insulated conductors twisted spirally w/in an outer
nonmetallic covering.

What is the color of conductor intended for use as ungrounded conductor?

Ungrounded conductors shall be distinguished by colors other than white, natural gray,
or green; or by a combination of color plus distinguishing markings.
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What are the different wiring methods?
1. Armored cable or BX cable
2. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
3. Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)
4. Fire Alarm Cables
5. Flexible Metal Conduit
6. Flexible Metallic Tubing
7. Instrumentation Tray Cable
8. Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
9. Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit
10. Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit
11. Metal-clad Cable
12. Meneral-insulated, metal-sheathed cable
13. Multiconductor service-entrance cable
14. Multiconductor underground feeder and branch-circuit cable
15. Multipurpose and communication Cable
16. Nonmetallic Sheathed Cable or NM cable
17. Power-limited tray cable
18. Power and Control Tray Cable
19. Optical fiber cables
20. Other factory-assembled, multiconductor control, signal, or power cables that are
specifically approved for installation in cable trays
21. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
22. Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit
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Fire Alarm Cable

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Instrumentation Cable

Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit

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Liquidtight steel connector, 90 degree bend

Liquidtight steel connector, straight

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PVC coated Flex. Conduit

Flexible metal conduit

Flex. Stainless steel conduit

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connector

Metal-clad cable

Mineral-insulated cable
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Multiconductor service entrance cable

Power tray cable

Multipurpose communication cable

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