Chapter 1: General

Article 1.0 – Introduction

[Link] Purpose
• (A) Practical Safeguarding
• Protect people & property from hazards of electricity.
• Minimize risk of shock, fire, and explosion.
• Not a design manual for untrained persons.
• For use by skilled & knowledgeable individuals.
• (B) Adequacy
• Code = minimum safety requirements.
• Compliance + maintenance → essentially hazard-free.
• Does not guarantee efficiency, convenience, or future expansion.
• Hazards often from overloaded wiring (due to poor planning).
• Good practice: allow for future expansion.
• (C) Intention
• Intended as a design specification for qualified persons.
• Users: engineers, inspectors, practitioners, instructors.
• (D) Relation to Other International Standards
• Based on IEC 60364-1 (fundamental safety principles).
• PEC is aligned with NEC, modified for PH conditions & SI units.

[Link] Scope
• (A) Covered
• Installations of conductors, raceways, equipment, comms & fiber optics in:
• Buildings (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.)
• Plants, substations, railways, docks, vehicles, offshore facilities, etc.
• (B) Not Covered
• Installations in railway stock, aircraft, and motor vehicles.
• Railway systems used exclusively for rolling stock operation.
[Link] Authority
• Approved by Board of Electrical Engineering (PRC).
• Enforced by Local Building Officials (RA 7920 & PD 1096).
• BFP enforces Fire Code (RA 9514) regarding electrical hazards.

[Link] Enforcement
• Mandatory by Office of the Building Official/EE.
• BO/EE implements the Code.
• If new products not yet available → older Code edition may be used.
• Warning: Hiring unlicensed practitioners = fire & safety risks.

[Link] Rules & Explanatory Material

• (A) Mandatory Rules – shall / shall not → legally required.
• (B) Permissive Rules – shall be permitted / shall not be required → optional, not
mandatory.
• (C) Explanatory Material – Fine Print Notes (FPNs) → informational only, not
enforceable.
• (D) Appendices – Non-mandatory, for information only.

[Link] Interpretation
• By licensed practitioners.
• Hierarchy: Electricians → Engineers → PEC1 Committee → Board of EE.
[Link] Examination of Equipment for Safety
• Safety exams & factory testing avoid repetition.
• Listed equipment by qualified labs need no re-inspection unless altered/damaged.
• DTI-BPS oversees product certification → PS Mark / ICC Mark required.
• FPN: Consult licensed practitioners for safety in installations.

[Link] Wiring Planning

• (A) Future Expansion & Convenience
• Provide spare raceways, space in panels, accessible distribution centers.
• Plan for growth in both power & communication circuits.
• (B) Number of Circuits in Enclosures
• Limit circuits per enclosure → minimize effects of faults.
• Max 42 overcurrent devices in a lighting/appliance panelboard.

[Link] Units of Measurement

• (A) SI Units (metric system preferred).
• (B) Trade Sizes – use nominal “trade size” not actual dimension.
• (C) Extracted Material – edited for consistency, not to change context.
• FPN: SI conversions based on IEEE/ASTM SI-10-1997.

[Link] Apprenticeship
• RA 7920 requires apprenticeship → qualification for RME exam.
• Apprentice must train under a licensed electrical engineer/electrician.
[Link] Services of Licensed Electrical Practitioner
• Any decisions/actions involving electrical installations require a licensed
practitioner.

Key Takeaways
• PEC = minimum safety code, not a full design manual.
• Always consider future expansion in design.
• Rules are classified as mandatory (shall), permissive (shall be permitted),
or informational (FPNs).
• Enforcement is by Building Official/EE; BFP only ensures fire safety.
• Use of licensed practitioners is legally and practically required.
• SI units are standard in PEC 2017.
Article 1.2 - Permits And Inspection Certificates
1.2.1 Electrical Permits
• [Link] Electrical Permit Needed Before Work is Started
• Before starting any installation, alteration, repair or extension of any
electrical system, the owners, lessors, operators, occupants, or licensed
electrical practitioners shall obtain Electrical Permit for buildings, trailers,
mobile homes, or other premises from the Office of the Building Official
(OBO). For watercraft, from the maritime authority. [Link]
• Services of a licensed electrical practitioner required under Republic Act
7920 (National Electrical Engineering Law). [Link]
• [Link] Requirement for Electrical Permit: Signatures and submittals
• (A) The Electrical Permit shall include the following minimum information:
1. Applicant.
2. Professional Electrical Engineer who signed and sealed electrical
plans and specifications, with valid PTR and PRC license.
3. Licensed Electrical Practitioner in charge of electrical works, also
with PTR + PRC license.
4. Building Owner.
5. Lot Owner.
6. Building Official. [Link]
• (B) Five (5) sets of complete electrical plans and specifications, signed and
sealed by a Professional Electrical Engineer. [Link]

• [Link] Electrical Permit to Be Issued Immediately

• (A) Upon receipt, the local building official’s electrical engineer or
representative shall check the application for compliance; if it complies,
the permit shall be issued once the required electrical fees are
paid. [Link]
• (B) If the project is large/extensive and needs more time for checking, the
delay shall not exceed five (5) working days. After that, the application +
plans are considered compliant and the permit shall be issued
immediately thereafter. [Link]
• [Link] Posting of Electrical Permit
• Once issued, a copy of the Electrical Permit shall be posted at a
conspicuous location at the job site, and shall not be removed until final
inspection and approval of the work are completed. [Link]
• The licensed electrical practitioner in charge of design, and the one in
charge of installation, shall post their respective PRC identification cards
together with the permit at all times.
1.2.2 Electrical Inspection
• [Link] Application for Inspection
• An application for inspection shall be filed with the Office of the Building
Official (OBO) before a preliminary and/or final inspection is
done. [Link]
• [Link] Certificate of Inspection
• No electrical installation, alteration, and/or addition shall be connected or
reconnected to any power supply or other source of electrical
energy without a Certificate of Final Electrical
Inspection/Completion obtained from the Office of the Building Official
(OBO) / OBO-EE. [Link]
• Exception: a temporary Certificate of Inspection may be issued by OBO/EE
(or OBO/EFM) for the purpose of testing and commissioning installed
equipment. Such certificate must indicate its validity date. [Link]

1.2.3 Special
• [Link] Temporary Installation
• For temporary electrical installations, the same procedures (permit,
inspection) must be followed. At the end of the certificate’s valid period,
the temporary installation shall be removed. Extended use of the
temporary installation requires an extension or approval electrical permit
from the Office of the Building Official / OBO-EE. [Link]
• [Link] Special Permission Required
• If electrical equipment and wiring are not specifically covered or mentioned
elsewhere in this Code, they require special permission and written
approval of a licensed electrical practitioner under the enforcing
government authority, prior to installation. [Link]
• [Link] Reconnection of Disconnected Services
• If a service has been cut off for more than one (1) year, a new Certificate
of Final Electrical Inspection shall be required before reconnection.

Key Points / Things to Remember

• Always secure an electrical permit before starting any work. No exceptions,
except per special rules (like existing installations).
• The permit application must include properly signed/sealed plans by
a Professional Electrical Engineer, and the responsible Licensed Electrical
Practitioner.
• There is a maximum 5-working-day limit to issue the permit after application
(unless more checking needed).
• Permits and PRC ID cards must be posted on the jobsite whole time until final
approval.
• Inspection: no electrical system can be energized (or re-energized) without a
Certificate of Final Electrical Inspection. Temporary certificates allowed only for
testing/commissioning.
• Special cases (temporary installations, equipment not covered in the Code, long-
disconnected services) have additional/permitted procedures (permits, approvals,
reconnections).
Article 1.3 – Electrical Plans and Specifications

1.3.1 General
• [Link] Drawing Sheet Sizes.
• Electrical plans & drawings shall be drawn on standard sheet sizes:
• 760 mm × 1 000 mm
• 600 mm × 900 mm
• 500 mm × 760 mm [Link]
• For large projects, the Office of the Local Building Official may grant
an exemption from standard sizes. [Link]
• For small dwellings (≤ 50 m² floor area, total load not exceeding
3680 VA), A3 size (297 mm × 420 mm) may be permitted. Scribd+1
• [Link] Drawing Scale.
• Appropriate metric drawing scales shall be used. Scribd+1
• [Link] Graphic Scale.
• Because sheets might be reduced photographically, each drawing
sheet shall show a graphic scale. Scribd+1
• FPN: Graphic scale denotes nominal or average plan scale, and
remains true even when plans are reduced [Link]+1

1.3.2 Plans and Specifications

• [Link] Plan Requirements.
Plans or drawings need to include:

(A) Location and Site Plans – showing proposed structure, owner’s land,
and metric scale; also service drop, service equipment, nearest utility pole,
meter location, entrance wire sizes & clearances. Scribd+1

(B) Legend or Symbols – refer to standard symbols (often in Appendix

A). Scribd+1
 (C) General Notes and/or Specifications – such as type of service
(phases, wires, voltage, frequency), wiring method, feed-circuits, special
equipment (ratings, duty), grounding method, etc. Scribd+1

(D) Electrical Layout – separate plans for power, lighting & receptacle
loads, fire alarm circuits etc. Scribd+1

(E) Schedule of Loads – breakdown of motor loads, lighting & receptacle

loads, other loads. Scribd+1

(F) Design Analysis – must be included (either on drawings or separate

sheets). Components include:
(1) Branch circuits, sub-feeders, feeders, busways, service
entrance [Link]+1
(2) Types, rating, trip settings of overload protective
devices [Link]
(3) Calculation of voltage drops [Link]+1
(4) Calculation of short circuit current, for determining interrupting
capacity of overcurrent devices [Link]+1
(5) Protection coordination of overcurrent protective
devices [Link]+1
(6) Arc-Flash Hazard Analysis (for non-dwelling places) to determine
required PPE etc. [Link]

• [Link] Title Block.

• Plans shall have a title block with project details, scale, name of designer,
licensed engineer, etc. Scribd+1
• [Link] Other Details.
• Exposed conductors must be shown, equipment ratings & locations,
conductor/cable sizes, conduit types, etc. Scribd+1

⚠ Key Takeaways / Reminders

• Always use standard sheet sizes, unless exemption granted.
• Include both drawing scale and graphic scale to avoid scaling errors.
• Plans must show everything relevant: layout, load schedules, design analysis,
special equipment, grounding, etc.
• Design analysis is critical: without voltage drop, short circuit, overcurrent
protection, coordination, etc., plan likely rejected.
• Title block makes the plan official: must list licensed engineer, scale, project
identity.
Article 1.10 – Requirements for Electrical Installations

1.10.1 General
• [Link] Scope
Covers general requirements for:
• Examination & approval
• Installation & use
• Access to and spaces about electrical conductors & equipment
• Enclosures intended for personnel entry
• Tunnel installations [Link]
• [Link] Approval
Conductors and equipment required or permitted by the Code shall be
acceptable only if approved.
FPN: See section [Link] (Examination of Equipment for Safety), and section
[Link] (Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use of Equipment). Also, see
definitions of Approved, Identified, Labeled, and Listed. [Link]
• [Link] Examination, Identification, Installation, and Use of Equipment
Criteria for evaluating equipment include (A) Examination:
1. Suitability for installation & use in conformity with PEC provisions.
FPN 1: Equipment may be new, reconditioned, refurbished, or
remanufactured. [Link]
2. Mechanical strength & durability (including enclosures, parts that protect other
equipment) [Link]
3. Wire-bending and connection space [Link]
4. Electrical insulation [Link]
5. Heating effects under normal and abnormal conditions likely to arise in
service [Link]
6. Arcing effects [Link]
7. Classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity, and specific use [Link]
8. Other factors contributing to the practical safeguarding of persons using or likely
to come in contact with the equipment [Link]
• [Link] Voltage
• Throughout the Code, the voltage considered shall be that at which the
circuit operates.
• The voltage rating of electrical equipment shall not be less than the
nominal voltage of the circuit to which it is connected. Scribd+1
• [Link] Conductors
 • Conductors normally used to carry current shall be
of copper or aluminum unless otherwise specified.
• If conductor material is not specified, sizing given in the Code applies to
copper. If other materials are used, sizes are adjusted
accordingly. Studocu+2Scribd+2
• [Link] Conductor Sizes
• Expressed using the metric (SI) system. Studocu+1
• [Link] Wiring Integrity
• Completed wiring installations shall be free from short circuits and
from grounds other than as required or permitted in Article 2.50
(Grounding). Studocu+2Scribd+2
• [Link] Wiring Methods
• Only wiring methods recognized as suitable are included in the Code.
These recognized methods shall be permitted in any building or
occupancy, except where the Code provides otherwise.
• [Link] Interrupting Rating
• Equipment intended to interrupt current at fault levels shall have an
interrupting rating sufficient for the nominal circuit voltage, at least equal
to the available line terminal current.
• Equipment for other than fault-level interruptions must also have proper
interrupting rating relative to what they’ll face. Scribd+1
• [Link] Circuit Impedance, Short-Circuit Current Ratings, and Other
Characteristics
• Protective devices, equipment ratings, and circuit characteristics must be
selected/coordinated so that in a fault, protective devices will clear the
fault without excessive damage. Scribd+1
• [Link] Electrical Connections
• Termination and splicing: terminals and splices must be suitable for the
conductor material. Installation must ensure good connection without
damage. Scribd+2Scribd+2
• Temperature limitations: the rating of terminals, splices, etc., must be
coordinated so nothing in the connection is a weak point (i.e.
device/conductor rating does not exceed what the terminal can
handle) Scribd+2Scribd+2
1.10.2 Spaces About Electrical Equipment (1000 Volts or Less)
• Working space provisions: adequate clearances provided in front, sides, height to
allow safe access, operation, maintenance. [Link]+1
• Depths, widths, heights depend on conditions of exposure, whether live parts are
on one or both sides, whether there are grounded parts, etc. Scribd+1

1.10.3 Over 1000 Volts, Nominal

• Additional/stricter requirements for installations over 1000 volts.
• Enclosures/vaults/rooms controlling access, guards, warning signs,
structural strength. Scribd+1
• Minimum clearances, access door sizes, locked rooms, ventilation &
fencing where applicable. Scribd+1

1.10.4 Tunnel Installations (Over 1000 Volts Nominal)

• Requirements for conductors installed in tunnels: protection from environment,
overcurrent, bonding, grounding, guards, etc. Scribd+1

1.10.5 Manholes and Other Electric Enclosures Intended for Personnel Entry
• General: enclosures for personnel entry must be sufficiently sized to allow safe
work around equipment while energized, withdrawal of conductors without
damage to insulation, etc. Scribd+1
• Access dimensions: minimum sizes for access openings (e.g. manholes) Scribd+1
• Equipment work space: safe clearances about live parts within these enclosures
per voltage rating Scribd+1
Key Takeaways / What to Memorize
• Equipment & conductors must be approved, evaluated, and suitable for the
intended installation. Don’t assume everything off the shelf is okay.
• Voltage ratings: equipment must match or exceed circuit nominal voltage.
• Conductor material rules: copper or aluminum; adjustments if using special or
other materials.
• Connections (terminals, splices) are critical weak points—pay attention to
temperature rating, installation method.
• Clearances and working space differ for ≤ 1000 V vs > 1000 V setups.
• Enclosures/manholes for personnel entry have specific safety requirements (size,
access, guards).