Philippine Electrical Code

1
(Part 1) 2017 Edition
Introduction

Engr. JDN 1/22/2024

2 Philippine Electrical Code
 The Energy Regulatory Commission adopts the PEC Part 1 and Part 2
set by the Professional Regulation Commission as Safety Standards for
Generation Companies, Transmission Providers , Distribution Utilities and
Suppliers in the Philippine Grid Code (PGC) and Philippine Distribution
Code (PDC).
 Also adopted in the Occupational Safety and Health Standards by the
BWC-DOLE as a “Electrical Safety Standard” (Rule 1210-Electrical
Safety).
 Rule 1210: Electrical Safety states “The Philippine Electrical Code is
hereby adopted & the standards contained therein shall be
considered safety standards.”

Engr. JDN 1/22/2024

3 Purpose of PEC
 The primary objective of the code is to establish basic materials
quality and electrical works standards for the safe use of
electricity for light, heat, power, communications, signalling and
for other purposes.
 The purpose of this Code is the practical safeguarding of persons
and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.
 This Code contains provisions that are considered minimum
requirements necessary for safety.
 This Code is intended for the exclusive use of licensed electrical
practitioners (PEE, REE, and RME). This Code is not intended as a
design specification nor an instruction manual for a non-licensed
electrical practitioner, unless under the supervision of a licensed
electrical practitioner.
Engr. JDN 1/22/2024
4 Scope of PEC
 This Code covers the installation of electrical conductors, equipment,
and raceways; signalling and communications conductors, equipment,
and raceways; and optical fibre cables and raceways installed within or
on, to or from
1. Public and private buildings, including but not limited to residential,
commercial, industrial, institutional, cultural, agricultural, agro-
industrial, planned unit development and all other
buildings/premises that may require practical safeguarding of
persons and property from the hazards arising from the use of
electricity.
2. Electric generating plants
3. Industrial plants
4. Transformer stations
5. Permanent and temporary substations, etc.
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5 Scope of PEC
 This Code covers the installation of electrical conductors, equipment,
and raceways; signalling and communications conductors, equipment,
and raceways; and optical fibre cables and raceways installed within or
on, to or from
6. Airfields
7. Railways switchyards.
8. Yards, carnival, parks, parking and other lots.
9. Quarries and mines
10. Watercraft
11. Dockyards
12. Trailers
13. Mobile homes and recreational vehicles
14.
Engr.Offshore
JDN facilities 1/22/2024
6 Scope of PEC
 This Code does not cover the following:
1. Installations in railway rolling stock, aircraft, or automotive vehicles.
2. Installations of railways for generation, transformation, transmission,
or distribution of power used exclusively for operation of rolling stock.

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7
Boundary between PEC Part 1 and Part 2

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8
Classification of Code Rules
 Wiring Design Rules
 Used to determine sizes and rating of circuit conductors
and devices.
Example:
1. Branch circuit conductors supplying a single motor
shall have an ampacity not less than 125% of the full-
load current. Section 4.30.2.2
2. The disconnecting means for motor circuits shall have
an ampere rating of at least 115% of the full-load
current of the motor. Section 4.30.2.2

Engr. JDN 1/22/2024

9
Classification of Code Rules
 Installation Rules
Example:
1. A disconnecting means shall be located within sight
from the motor controller. Section 4.30.102
2. In Class II Division I locations, motors, generators, and
other rotating electric machinery shall be dust ignition
proof or totally enclosed pipe ventilated and shall be
approved for class II locations. Section 5.02.8

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10
Classification of Code Rules
 Manufacturing Rules
Example: Section 4.30.1.7
A motor shall be marked with the following information:
1. Manufacturer’s name
2. Rated Volts and Full-load Amperes
3. Rated Frequency and Number of Phase, if an alternating
current motor, etc.
4. Rated full-load speed

Engr. JDN 1/22/2024

11
Classification of Code Rules

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12 Mandatory Rules vs Permissive Rules
 Mandatory Rules
Mandatory rules of this Code are those that identify
actions that are specifically required or prohibited and are
characterized by the use of the terms shall or shall not.
 Permissive Rules
Permissive rules of this Code are those that identify actions
that are allowed but not required, are normally used to
describe options or alternative methods, and are
characterized by the use of the terms shall be permitted or
shall not be required.

Engr. JDN 1/22/2024

13 Definition of Terms
 Accessible (as applied to equipment). Admitting close approach;
not guarded by locked doors, elevation, or other effective means.
 Accessible (as applied to wiring methods). Capable of being
removed or exposed without damaging the building structure or
finish or not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the
building
 Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible). Capable of being
reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspections without
requiring those to whom ready access is requisite to climb over or
remove obstacles or to resort to portable ladders, and so forth.
 Ampacity. The current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry
continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its
temperature rating.
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14 Definition of Terms
 Appliance. Utilization equipment, generally other than industrial,
that is normally built in standardized sizes or types and is installed or
connected as a unit to perform one or more functions such as
clothes washing, air conditioning, food mixing, deep frying, and so
forth.
 Approved. Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
 Askarel. A generic term for a group of non-flammable synthetic
chlorinated hydrocarbons used as electrical insulating media.
Askarels of various compositional types are used. Under arcing
conditions, the gases produced, while consisting predominantly of
non-combustible hydrogen chloride, can include varying amounts
of combustible gases, depending on the askarel type.

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15 Definition of Terms
 Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The organization, office, or
individual responsible for approving equipment, materials, an
installation, or a procedure.
 Automatic. Self-acting, operating by its own mechanism when
actuated by some impersonal influence, as, for example, a change
in current, pressure, temperature, or mechanical configuration.
 Bathroom. An area including a basin with one or more of the
following: a toilet, a tub, or a shower.
 Bonding (Bonded). The permanent joining of metallic parts to form
an electrically conductive path that ensures electrical continuity
and the capacity to conduct safely any current likely to be
imposed.
 Bonding Jumper. A reliable conductor to ensure the required
electrical conductivity between metal parts required to be
electrically
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connected. 1/22/2024
16 Definition of Terms
 Branch Circuit. The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent
device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).
 Building. A structure that stands alone or that is cut off from
adjoining structures by fire walls with all openings therein protected
by approved fire doors.
 Cabinet. An enclosure that is designed for either surface mounting
or flush mounting and is provided with a frame, mat, or trim in which
a swinging door or doors are or can be hung.
 Circuit Breaker. A device designed to open and close a circuit by
nonautomatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a
predetermined overcurrent without damage to itself when properly
applied within its rating.

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17 Definition of Terms
 Adjustable (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying term
indicating that the circuit breaker can be set to trip at various
values of current, time, or both, within a predetermined range.
 Instantaneous Trip (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying term
indicating that no delay is purposely introduced in the tripping
action of the circuit breaker.
 Inverse Time (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying term
indicating that there is purposely introduced a delay in the tripping
action of the circuit breaker, which delay decreases as the
magnitude of the current increases.
 Nonadjustable (as applied to circuit breakers). A qualifying term
indicating that the circuit breaker does not have any adjustment to
alter the value of current at which it will trip, or the time required for
its operation
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18 Definition of Terms
 Setting (of circuit breakers). The value of current, time, or both, at
which an adjustable circuit breaker is set to trip.
 Concealed. Rendered inaccessible by the structure or finish of the
building. Wires in concealed raceways are considered concealed,
even though they may become accessible by withdrawing them.
 Conductor, Bare. A conductor having no covering or electrical
insulation whatsoever.
 Conductor, Covered. A conductor encased within material of
composition or thickness that is not recognized by this Code as
electrical insulation.
 Conductor, Insulated. A conductor encased within material of
composition and thickness that is recognized by this Code as
electrical insulation.

Engr. JDN 1/22/2024

19 Definition of Terms
 Conduit Body. A separate portion of a conduit or tubing system that
provides access through a removable cover(s) to the interior of the
system at a junction of two or more sections of the system or at a
terminal point of the system.
 Connector, Pressure (Solderless). A device that establishes a
connection between two or more conductors or between one or
more conductors and a terminal by means of mechanical pressure
and without the use of solder.
 Continuous Load. A load where the maximum current is expected
to continue for 3 hours or more.
 Controller. A device or group of devices that serves to govern, in
some predetermined manner, the electric power delivered to the
apparatus to which it is connected.

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20 Definition of Terms
 Cooking Unit, Counter-Mounted. A cooking appliance designed for
mounting in or on a counter and consisting of one or more heating
elements, internal wiring, and built-in or mountable controls.
 Copper-Clad Aluminum Conductors. Conductors drawn from a
copper-clad aluminum rod with the copper metallurgically bonded
to an aluminum core. The copper forms a minimum of 10 percent of
the cross-sectional area of a solid conductor or each strand of a
stranded conductor
 Cutout Box. An enclosure designed for surface mounting that has
swinging doors or covers secured directly to and telescoping with
the walls of the box proper.
 Dead Front. Without live parts exposed to a person on the operating
side of the equipment.

Engr. JDN 1/22/2024

21 Definition of Terms
 Demand Factor. The ratio of the maximum demand of a
system, or part of a system, to the total connected load of
a system or the part of the system under consideration.
 Device. A unit of an electrical system that is intended to
carry or control but not utilize electric energy.
 Disconnecting Means. A device, or group of devices, or
other means by which the conductors of a circuit can be
disconnected from their source of supply.
 Dusttight. Constructed so that dust will not enter the
enclosing case under specified test conditions

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22 Definition of Terms
 Duty, Continuous. Operation at a substantially constant
load for an indefinitely long time.
 Duty, Intermittent. Operation for alternate intervals of (1)
load and no load; or (2) load and rest; or (3) load, no load,
and rest.
 Duty, Periodic. Intermittent operation in which the load
conditions are regularly recurrent.
 Duty, Short-Time. Operation at a substantially constant load
for a short and definite, specified time.
 Duty, Varying. Operation at loads, and for intervals of time,
both of which may be subject to wide variation.
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23 Definition of Terms
 Dwelling Unit. A single unit, providing complete and
independent living facilities for one or more persons,
including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking,
and sanitation.
 Dwelling, One-Family. A building that consists solely of one
dwelling unit.
 Dwelling, Two-Family. A building that consists solely of two
dwelling units.
 Dwelling, Multifamily. A building that contains three or
more dwelling units.

Engr. JDN 1/22/2024

24 Definition of Terms
 Enclosed. Surrounded by a case, housing, fence, or wall(s) that
between two points. prevents persons from accidentally
contacting energized parts.
 Enclosure. The case or housing of apparatus, or the fence or
walls surrounding an installation to prevent personnel from
accidentally contacting energized parts or to protect the
equipment from physical damage.
 Energized. Electrically connected to a source of voltage.
 Feeder. All circuit conductors between the service equipment,
the source of a separately derived system, or other power supply
source and the final branch-circuit overcurrent device.
 Festoon Lighting. A string of outdoor lights that is suspended
between two points.
Engr. JDN 1/22/2024
25 Definition of Terms
 Fitting. An accessory such as a locknut, bushing, or other part of a
wiring system that is intended primarily to perform a mechanical
rather than an electrical function.
 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.
 Grounded. Connected to earth or to some conducting body that
serves in place of the earth.
 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.

Engr. JDN 1/22/2024

26 Definition of Terms
 Grounded, Solidly. Connected to ground without inserting any
resistor or impedance device.
 Grounded Conductor. A system or circuit conductor that is
intentionally grounded.
 Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). A device intended for
the protection of personnel that functions to de-energize a
circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time
when a current to ground exceeds the values established for a
Class A device.
 Grounding Conductor. A conductor used to connect equipment
or the grounded circuit of a wiring system to a grounding
electrode or electrodes.
 Grounding Electrode. A device that establishes an electrical
connection
Engr. JDN
to the earth. 1/22/2024
27 Definition of Terms
 Hoistway. Any shaftway, hatchway, well hole, or other vertical
opening or space in which an elevator or dumbwaiter is
designed to operate.
 Interrupting Rating. The highest current at rated voltage that a
device is intended to interrupt under standard test conditions.
 Isolated (as applied to location). Not readily accessible to
persons unless special means for access are used.
 Lighting Outlet. An outlet intended for the direct connection of a
lamp holder, a luminaire (lighting fixture), or a pendant cord
terminating in a lamp holder.
 Live Parts. Conductor or conductive part intended to be
energized in normal use.

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28 Definition of Terms
 Location, Damp. Locations protected from weather and not subject
to saturation with water or other liquids but subject to moderate
degrees of moisture.
 Location, Dry. A location not normally subject to dampness or
wetness. A location classified as dry may be temporarily subject to
dampness or wetness, as in the case of a building under
construction.
 Location, Wet. Installations underground or in concrete slabs or
masonry in direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to
saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas;
and in unprotected locations exposed to weather.
 Luminaire. A complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps
together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position
and protect the lamps and ballast (where applicable), and to
connect
Engr. JDN the lamps to the power supply. 1/22/2024
29 Definition of Terms
 Nonautomatic. Action requiring personal intervention for its control. As
applied to an electric controller, nonautomatic control does not
necessarily imply a manual controller, but only that personal
intervention is necessary.
 Nonlinear Load. A load where the wave shape of the steady-state
current does not follow the wave shape of the applied voltage.
 Outlet. A point on the wiring system at which current is taken to supply
utilization equipment.
 Overcurrent. Any current in excess of the rated current of equipment or
the ampacity of a conductor. It may result from overload, short circuit,
or ground fault.
 Overload. Operation of equipment in excess of normal, full-load rating,
or of a conductor in excess of rated ampacity that, when it persists for
a sufficient length of time, would cause damage or dangerous
overheating.
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30 Definition of Terms
 Panelboard. A single panel or group of panel units designed for
assembly in the form of a single panel, including buses and 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 placed in or against a wall, partition, or other
support; and accessible only from the front.
 Raceway. An enclosed channel of metal or nonmetallic materials
designed expressly for holding wires, cables, or busbars, with additional
functions as permitted in this Code. Raceways include, but are not
limited to, rigid metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, intermediate
metal conduit, liquid tight flexible conduit, flexible metallic tubing,
flexible metal conduit, electrical nonmetallic tubing, electrical metallic
tubing, underfloor raceways, cellular concrete floor raceways, cellular
metal floor raceways, surface raceways, wireways, and busways

Engr. JDN 1/22/2024

31 Definition of Terms
 Receptacle. A receptacle is a contact device installed at the outlet for
the connection of an attachment plug.
 Receptacle Outlet. An outlet where one or more receptacles are
installed.
 Service. The conductors and equipment for delivering electric energy
from the serving utility to the wiring system of the premises served.
 Service Conductors. The conductors from the service point to the
service disconnecting means.
 Service Drop. The overhead service conductors from the last pole or
other aerial support to and including the splices, if any, connecting to
the service-entrance conductors at the building or other structure.
 Service-Entrance Conductors, Overhead System. 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
Engr. JDN 1/22/2024
32 Definition of Terms
 Service Equipment. The necessary equipment, usually consisting of a
circuit breaker(s) or switch(es) and fuse(s) and their accessories,
connected to the load end of service conductors to a building or other
structure, or an otherwise designated area, and intended to constitute
the main control and cutoff of the supply.
 Service Point. The point of connection between the facilities of the
serving utility and the premises wiring.
 Show Window. Any window used or designed to be used for the display
of goods or advertising material, whether it is fully or partly enclosed or
entirely open at the rear and whether or not it has a platform raised
higher than the street floor level.
 Switch, Transfer. An automatic or nonautomatic device for transferring
one or more load conductor connections from one power source to
another.
Engr. JDN 1/22/2024
33 Definition of Terms
 Switchboard. A large single panel, frame, or assembly of panels on
which are mounted on the face, back, or both, switches, overcurrent
and other protective devices, buses, and usually instruments.
Switchboards are generally accessible from the rear as well as from the
front and are not intended to be installed in cabinets.
 Thermally Protected (as applied to motors). The words Thermally
Protected appearing on the nameplate of a motor or motor-
compressor indicate that the motor is provided with a thermal
protector.
 Thermal Protector (as applied to motors). A protective device for
assembly as an integral part of a motor or motor-compressor that,
when properly applied, protects the motor against dangerous
overheating due to overload and failure to start.
 Utilization Equipment. Equipment that utilizes electric energy for
electronic, electromechanical, chemical, heating, lighting, or similar
Engr. JDN 1/22/2024
purposes.
34 Definition of Terms
 Ventilated. Provided with a means to permit circulation of air sufficient
to remove an excess of heat, fumes, or vapors.
 Voltage (of a circuit). The greatest root-mean-square (rms) (effective)
difference of potential between any two conductors of the circuit
concerned.
 Voltage, Nominal. A nominal value assigned to a circuit or system for
the purpose of conveniently designating its voltage class (e.g., 120/240
volts, 480Y/277 volts, 600 volts). The actual voltage at which a circuit
operates can vary from the nominal within a range that permits
satisfactory operation of equipment.
 Watertight. Constructed so that moisture will not enter the enclosure
under specified test conditions.
 Weatherproof. Constructed or protected so that exposure to the
weather will not interfere with successful operation.
Engr. JDN 1/22/2024