Philippine Electrical Code – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key Philippine Electrical Code (PEC) definitions from Accessible to Location classifications.

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.

Accessible, Readily (Readily Accessible)

Capable of being reached quickly for operation, renewal, or inspection without climbing over or removing obstacles or using portable ladders.

Ampacity

The current, in amperes, that a conductor can carry continuously under the conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating.

Appliance

Equipment that uses energy for performing a task such as heating, cooling, or other utilization (definition implied from context).

Approved

Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

Askarel

A non-flammable synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbon used as an electrical insulating medium that can produce mainly non-combustible hydrogen chloride under arcing conditions.

Attachment Plug (Plug Cap, Plug)

A device that, by insertion in a receptacle, connects the conductors of a flexible cord to the conductors permanently connected to the receptacle.

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 such as current, pressure, or temperature change.

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 capacity to conduct any likely current safely.

Bonding Jumper

A reliable conductor to ensure the required electrical conductivity between metal parts required to be electrically connected.

Bonding Jumper, Equipment

The connection between two or more portions of the equipment grounding conductor.

Bonding Jumper, Main

The connection between the grounded circuit conductor and the equipment grounding conductor at the service.

Bonding Jumper, System

The connection between the grounded circuit conductor and the equipment grounding conductor at a separately derived system.

Branch Circuit

The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).

Branch Circuit, Appliance

A branch circuit supplying energy to one or more outlets for appliances and having no permanently connected luminaires that are not part of an appliance.

Branch Circuit, General-Purpose

A branch circuit that supplies two or more receptacles or outlets for lighting and appliances.

Branch Circuit, Individual

A branch circuit that supplies only one utilization equipment.

Branch Circuit, Multiwire

A branch circuit with two or more ungrounded conductors having voltage between them and a grounded conductor with equal voltage to each ungrounded conductor, connected to the system neutral.

Building

A structure that stands alone or is cut off from adjoining structures by fire walls with all openings therein protected by approved fire doors.

Nonadjustable (Circuit Breaker)

A qualifying term indicating the circuit breaker has no adjustment to alter its trip current or operating time.

Cabinet

An enclosure designed for surface or flush mounting, provided with a frame or trim in which a swinging door(s) can be hung.

Circuit Breaker

A device designed to open and close a circuit by nonautomatic means and to open automatically on a predetermined overcurrent without damage when properly rated.

Adjustable (Circuit Breaker)

A qualifying term indicating the circuit breaker can be set to trip at various current and/or time values within a predetermined range.

Instantaneous Trip (Circuit Breaker)

A qualifying term indicating a purposely introduced delay in tripping has NOT been provided; it trips without intentional delay.

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 building structure or finish; wires in concealed raceways are considered concealed even if withdrawable.

Conductor, Bare

A conductor having no covering or electrical insulation whatsoever.

Conductor, Covered

A conductor encased within material not recognized as electrical insulation.

Conductor, Insulated

A conductor encased within material of composition and thickness recognized as electrical insulation.

Conduit Body

A separate portion of a conduit or tubing system providing access to the interior at a junction or terminal point via a removable cover.

Connector, Pressure (Solderless)

A device that joins conductors to each other or to terminals by mechanical pressure without 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 governs, in a predetermined manner, the electric power delivered to connected apparatus.

Cooking Unit, Counter-Mounted

A cooking appliance designed for mounting in or on a counter, with heating elements, wiring, and controls.

Coordination (Selective)

Localization of an overcurrent condition to restrict outages to only the affected circuit or equipment by proper device selection and settings.

Copper-Clad Aluminum Conductors

Conductors drawn from a copper-clad aluminum rod with copper metallurgically bonded to an aluminum core, forming at least 10 % of the cross-sectional area.

Cutout Box

A surface-mounted enclosure with doors or covers secured directly to and telescoping with the box walls.

Dead Front

Without live parts exposed to a person on the operating side of the equipment.

Demand Factor

The ratio of the maximum demand of a system or part to the total connected load of that system or part.

Device

A unit of an electrical system intended to carry or control but not utilize electric energy.

Disconnecting Means

A device or group of devices by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from the source of supply.

Dusttight

Constructed so that dust will not enter the enclosure under specified test conditions.

Duty, Continuous

Operation at a substantially constant load for an indefinitely long time.

Duty, Intermittent

Operation for alternate intervals of load and no load, load and rest, or load, no load, and rest.

Duty, Periodic

Intermittent operation where 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 time intervals that may vary widely.

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.

Electric Sign

A fixed, stationary, or portable self-contained electrically illuminated equipment with words or symbols to convey information or attract attention.

Electrical Practitioner, Licensed

One who has training in electrical engineering and has complied with Republic Act 7920 (New Electrical Engineering Law).

Electrical Practitioner, Unlicensed

A practitioner not complying with RA 7920 but qualified by education and experience to perceive risks and avoid electrical hazards.

Enclosed

Surrounded by a case, housing, fence, or wall(s) that prevents accidental contact with energized parts.

Enclosure

The case or housing of apparatus, or fence or walls surrounding an installation, to prevent contact with energized parts or protect equipment from damage.

Energized

Electrically connected to a source of voltage.

Festoon Lighting

A string of outdoor lights suspended between two points.

Fitting

An accessory such as a locknut or bushing intended primarily for mechanical rather than electrical function in a wiring system.

Garage

A building or portion thereof for keeping, sale, storage, repair, or exhibition of self-propelled vehicles.

Equipment

A general term for material, fittings, devices, appliances, luminaires, apparatus, and the like used in an electrical installation.

Ground

A conducting connection, intentional or accidental, between an electrical circuit or equipment and the earth or a conducting body serving in its place.

Explosionproof Apparatus

Apparatus enclosed in a case capable of withstanding an internal explosion of a specified gas or vapor and preventing ignition of the surrounding atmosphere.

Grounded

Connected to earth or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth.

Exposed (Live Parts)

Capable of being inadvertently touched or approached nearer than a safe distance by a person; not suitably guarded, isolated, or insulated.

Exposed (Wiring Methods)

On or attached to the surface or behind panels designed to allow access.

Externally Operable

Capable of being operated without exposing the operator to contact with live parts.

Feeder

All circuit conductors between the service equipment or other power source and the final branch-circuit overcurrent device.

Grounded, Effectively

Intentionally connected to earth through a low-impedance path capable of carrying fault current to prevent hazardous voltages.

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 that de-energizes a circuit within a specified time when ground current exceeds Class A limits, for personnel protection.

Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment

A system that disconnects all ungrounded conductors of a faulted circuit at current levels less than those needed for conductor protection.

Grounding Conductor

A conductor used to connect equipment or the grounded circuit of a wiring system to a grounding electrode or electrodes.

Grounding Conductor, Equipment

The conductor that connects non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment to the system grounded conductor, grounding electrode conductor, or both.

Grounding Electrode

A device that establishes an electrical connection to earth.

Hoistway

A shaftway, hatchway, well hole, or other vertical opening in which an elevator or dumbwaiter operates.

Identified (Equipment)

Recognizable as suitable for a specific purpose, function, use, environment, or application as described by the Code.

In Sight From (Within Sight)

The specified equipment must be visible and not more than 15 m distant from the other equipment.

Grounding Electrode Conductor

The conductor that connects the grounding electrode(s) to the equipment grounding conductor, grounded conductor, or both.

Interrupting Rating

The highest current at rated voltage that a device is intended to interrupt under standard test conditions.

Guarded

Covered, shielded, fenced, enclosed, or otherwise protected to remove the likelihood of approach or contact to a point of danger.

Isolated (Location)

Not readily accessible to persons unless special means for access are used.

Guest Room

An accommodation combining living, sleeping, sanitary, and storage facilities within a compartment.

Guest Suite

An accommodation with two or more contiguous rooms providing living, sleeping, sanitary, and storage facilities, with or without doors between rooms.

Handhole Enclosure

An enclosure for underground systems, sized to allow personnel to reach in, but not enter, for installing or maintaining equipment or wiring.

Labeled

Equipment or materials with a label from an organization acceptable to the AHJ, indicating compliance with standards and subject to periodic inspection.

Lighting Outlet

An outlet intended for direct connection of a lampholder, luminaire, or pendant cord terminating in a lampholder.

Listed

Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by an organization acceptable to the AHJ, indicating suitability for a specified purpose.

Motor Control Center

An assembly of one or more enclosed sections having a common power bus and principally containing motor control units.

Multioutlet Assembly

A surface, flush, or freestanding raceway designed to hold conductors and receptacles, assembled in the field or factory.

Live Parts

Conductors or conductive parts intended to be energized in normal use.

Nonautomatic

Action requiring personal intervention for control; personal action is needed even if the controller itself is not necessarily manual.

Location, Damp

Locations protected from weather and not saturated with water but subject to moderate moisture, e.g., roofed open porches or certain basements.

Location, Dry

A location not normally subject to dampness or wetness but which may be temporarily damp, such as during construction.

Location, Wet

Installations underground or in slab or masonry in contact with earth, locations subject to saturation with water, or unprotected areas exposed to weather.