Philippine Electrical Code – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards highlighting critical Philippine Electrical Code terms and definitions for exam review.

PEC Part I

Section of the Philippine Electrical Code covering electrical installations inside buildings.

PEC Part II

Section of the Philippine Electrical Code covering electrical installations outside buildings.

Mandatory Rule (PEC)

A code provision identified by the word “shall,” making compliance compulsory.

Advisory Rule (PEC)

A code provision identified by “should,” serving as a recommendation rather than a requirement.

R.A. 7920

The New Electrical Engineering Law regulating the practice, licensing, and registration of electrical engineers and electricians.

P.D. 1096

The National Building Code of the Philippines, a referral code for electrical work.

P.D. 1185

The Fire Code of the Philippines, referenced for electrical fire-safety requirements.

Office of the Building Official

Local government office that enforces PEC compliance within building projects.

Office of the City Electrician

City Electrical Supervising Engineer’s office responsible for PEC enforcement in cities.

Service (Electrical)

Conductors and equipment delivering energy from the supply system to a building’s wiring system.

Overhead Service-Drop Conductor

The overhead conductors from the last pole or support to the service-entrance conductors at a structure.

Underground Service-Lateral Conductor

The underground conductors from the street main or transformer to the first connection point of the service-entrance conductors.

Service Entrance

Portion of supply from the street main or transformer up to the service switch or switchboard of a building.

Overhead Service Entrance

Service entrance using overhead conductors supplied by the utility, typically limited to 30 m on private property.

Underground Service Entrance

Service entrance using buried raceway/conduit connected to the utility main; often employs USE cable.

Service-Entrance Conductors

Conductors between the service drop or lateral and the service-disconnecting means.

Service Equipment—Disconnecting Means

Switches or circuit breakers that can disconnect all service-entrance conductors to a building; limited to six per set.

Certificate of Electrical Inspection (CEI)

Document issued after inspection, certifying an electrical installation’s compliance with PEC.

DPWH Form No. 77-001-E

Standard application form for an electrical permit, signed by a licensed electrical practitioner.

Feeder

Conductors between the service equipment and branch-circuit overcurrent devices, often serving panels or floors.

Branch Circuit

Circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device and the outlets they supply.

Ampacity

The current-carrying capacity of a conductor under stated conditions.

Circuit Breaker

Switch-type overcurrent protective device that trips open automatically on overload or fault and can be reset.

Fuse

Overcurrent protective device with a fusible element that melts and must be replaced after operation.

Panelboard

Assembly containing buses and overcurrent devices, designed for mounting in or on a wall to control circuits.

Main (Electrical)

Feeder conductors extending from the service switch or generator bus to the main distribution point.

Grounding

Intentional connection of an electrical system or equipment to earth to establish a zero-voltage reference.

Armored Cable (Type AC)

Factory assembly of insulated conductors in a flexible metal sheath for exposed or concealed wiring.

Metal Clad Cable (Type MC)

Cable with individually insulated conductors inside an interlocking or corrugated metallic sheath; used for services, feeders, and branch circuits.

Mineral Insulated Cable (Type MI)

Copper-sheathed cable with compressed mineral insulation, suitable for very harsh or moist environments.

Nonmetallic Sheathed Cable (Types NM/NMC)

Two or more insulated conductors in a moisture-resistant, flame-retardant nonmetallic jacket, for dwellings up to three stories.

Service Entrance Cable (Types SE/USE)

Single or multiconductor assembly, with or without overall cover, primarily used for service conductors.

Underground Feeder Cable (Type UF)

Moisture-resistant cable approved for direct burial as feeders or branch circuits.

Power and Control Tray Cable (Type TC)

Multiconductor cable for installation in trays, raceways, or supported by a messenger.

Flat Cable Assembly (Type FC)

Parallel conductors formed with an insulating web, intended for installation in metal surface raceways.

Flat Conductor Cable (Type FCC)

Edge-to-edge flat conductors enclosed in insulation, used on hard floor surfaces for general-purpose circuits.

Medium Voltage Cable (MV)

Solid-dielectric insulated cable rated 2,001 V to 35 kV for medium-voltage power systems.

Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)

Heavy-wall steel conduit providing excellent mechanical protection for service and feeder conductors.

Intermediate Metallic Tubing (IMT)

Steel conduit with wall thickness between RMC and EMT, approved for service-entrance protection.

Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)

Thin-wall steel tubing used as a raceway for wiring in buildings.

Rigid Non-Metallic Conduit (RNMC)

PVC or similar nonmetallic conduit suitable for corrosive or underground locations.

Raceway

Any channel—conduit, tubing, trough, tray—designed to hold and protect wires, cables, or busbars.

Connector (Splicing Sleeve)

Metal sleeve slipped over and crimped to conductor ends to make a secure splice.

Outlet

Point in the wiring system where current is taken to supply utilization equipment.

Convenience Outlet

Attachment cap device that connects a cord plug to the wiring system; commonly called a receptacle.

Lighting Outlet

Outlet intended for direct connection of a lamp holder, lighting fixture, or pendant cord.

Receptacle Outlet

Outlet at which one or more receptacles are installed.

Type T Wire

Basic thermoplastic-insulated conductor approved only for dry locations.

Type TW Wire

Thermoplastic-insulated conductor usable in dry or wet locations.

Type THW Wire

Thermoplastic-insulated conductor with heat resistance; higher ampacity than TW.

Type THHN Wire

Thermoplastic high-heat-resistant, nylon-jacketed conductor for dry locations.

Type THWN Wire

Thermoplastic heat- and water-resistant, nylon-jacketed conductor for wet or dry locations.

Type XHHW Wire

Cross-linked synthetic polymer insulated conductor, thin wall, heat- and moisture-resistant, for wet or dry sites.

Damp Location

Partially protected area subject to moderate moisture, e.g., roofed porches or certain basements.

Dry Location

Area not normally subject to dampness or wetness, though may be temporarily so during construction.

Wet Location

Area in direct contact with earth or saturated with water, such as vehicle wash bays or outdoor exposures.

Hazardous Location

Location where fire or explosion risks exist due to flammable gases, vapors, dust, or fibers.

Class I Location

Hazardous area with flammable gases or vapors present in ignitible concentrations.

Class I, Division 1

Area where ignitible gas/vapor concentrations exist under normal conditions or frequently due to maintenance or leaks.

Class I, Division 2

Area where flammable gases/vapors are contained in closed systems and become hazardous only on abnormal release or ventilation failure.

Class II Location

Hazardous area due to presence of combustible dust.

Class II, Division 1

Area where combustible dust is airborne under normal operation in quantities sufficient to be explosive.

Class II, Division 2

Area where dust is normally not in suspension but may become so because of equipment malfunction.

Class III Location

Area hazardous because of easily combustible fibers or flyings, not generally airborne.

Class III, Division 1

Area where combustible fibers/flyings are handled or manufactured.

Class III, Division 2

Area where such fibers are stored or handled.

Overcurrent

Any current exceeding the rated ampacity of conductors or equipment, caused by overload, short circuit, or ground fault.

Service Drop—Minimum Copper Size

Not less than 8 mm² copper for overhead service-drop conductors.

Service Lateral—Minimum Copper Size

Not less than 5.5 mm² copper for underground service-lateral conductors.

Circular Mil

Unit of cross-sectional area equal to the area of a circle 1 mil in diameter; area = (diameter in mils)².

Square Mil

Area of a square with 1-mil sides; equal to 0.7854 circular mils.

Cold Water Main Grounding

Grounding method using a buried metallic water pipe to establish connection to earth.

Ground Rod

Rod or group of rods driven into earth to provide a grounding electrode.

Ground Plate

Buried metal plate used as a grounding electrode.

Single-Throw Knife Switch Position

Must be mounted so gravity cannot close it; inverted position requires a lock to keep blades open.

Double-Throw Knife Switch Position

May be mounted vertically or horizontally; vertical throws need a lock to hold blades open.

Standard Fuse/Circuit-Breaker Ratings

Series of standard ampere ratings from 15 A up to 6000 A specified by the PEC.

Panelboard Placement—Central Location

Good practice places panelboards near the load center (often kitchen/laundry) to shorten homeruns.

Seven Required Parts of Electrical Plan

General notes, legend & symbols, location plan, riser diagram, title block, lighting & power layout, load schedule.

Riser Diagram

Schematic showing service entrance, feeders, branch circuits with conductor and conduit sizes and protective devices.