PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE 10.

Airfields

PEC I - Electrical installation inside buildings. 11. Quarries and mines

PEC II - Electrical installation outside buildings. 12. Mobile homes, travel trailers and recreational vehicles

* PEC consists of rules which are intended to make use of 13. Offshore facilities
electricity safe for person and property.
14. Other premises which requires electrical installation except
* Two (2) categories of PEC rules * to those which are done in;

1. Mandatory Rules - characterized by the use of the word a) Aircraft b) motor vehicles c) railway rolling stocks
“SHALL’’.
PERMITS AND INSPECTION CERTIFICATES
2. Advisory Rules - characterized by the use of the word
“SHOULD” or are stated as recommendations of that which is A permit is required before undertaking any electrical
advised but not required. installation. An inspection is also required after which
certificate of electrical inspection (CEI) is issued by the
* OBJECTIVES * authority.

a) Safe Use of Electricity - to establish basic materials quality *EXCEPTIONS*

and electrical work standards for the safe use of electricity for
light, heat, power, communications, signaling and for other A permit is not required for;
purposes. 1. the installation of electrical portable equipment rated not
b) Adequacy - Strict compliance with the provisions of this more than 1,200 VA.
Code will ensure safety in electrical installation and 2. reconnection of disconnected service due to non-payment of
construction, but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or electric bill or change of occupants for a period of one year.
adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical use.
Requirements for Electrical Permit
* The use of PEC is mandated by R.A. 7920 ( formerly R.A.
184 ), also known as the New Electrical Engineering Law. a) An application form (DPWH form No. 77-001-E) shall be
Likewise, referral codes are also used which are mandated by accomplished, signed and submitted by a duly registered
their corresponding laws. Professional Electrical Engineer. However, if the installation
does not exceed 20 lighting and/or receptacle outlets or 4000
1. P.D. 1096 - National Building Code volt-amperes, 230 volts, the application may be prepared,
2. P.D. 1185 - Fire Code of the Philippines signed and submitted by a duly registered electrical engineer
or master electrician.
3. Structural Code R.A. 7920 - is an act providing for a more
responsive and comprehensive regulation for the practice, b) The application shall include additionally, the name and
licensing, and registration of electrical engineers and signature and seal of the electrical practitioner who will take
electricians. charge of the installations as well as the signature of the owner
or his authorized representative.
* Government Authorities who implement PEC *
c) Five (5) sets of plans and specifications bearing the
1. Office of the Building Official signature and seal of the responsible Professional Electrical
Engineer shall be submitted together with the application.
2. Office of the City Electrician ( City Electrical Supervising However, if the installation does not exceed 20 lighting and or
Engineer ) receptacle outlets or 4,000 VA, 230 V; five (5) sets of sketches
3. Office of the Municipal Electrician ( Municipal Electrical and bill of materials may be prepared signed and submitted by
Supervising Engineer) the responsible Registered Electrical Engineer or Master
Electrician. According to P.D. 1096, no plans is required for
4. Regional Office of the DOLE building made of indigenous materials or which cost is not
more than P15,000.00.
* SCOPE OF THE PEC *
ELECTRIC CIRCUITS IN BUILDING
PEC covers the electric conductors including optical fiber
cable and installed within or on, to or from: * SERVICES *
1. Public and private buildings No. of Service
2. Electrical generating plants A building or other structure served shall be supplied by only
one service.
3. Temporary and permanent substations
*EXCEPTIONS*
4. Industrial plants
1. For fire pump where a separate service is required.
5. Transformer stations

6. Railway switchyards

7. Yards, carnival, parking, etc.

2. For emergency electrical system where a separate service is

required.

3. Multiple-Occupancy building

4. Capacity Requirements. Two or more services shall be

8. Watercraft permitted:

9. Dockyards a) Where the capacity requirements are in excess of 2,000

amperes at a supply voltage of 600 volts or less; or
b) Where the load requirements of a single-phase installation d) Aluminum or copper-clad aluminum without insulation or
are greater than the serving agency normally supplies through covering where part of a cable assembly identified for
one service; or underground use in a raceway or for direct burial.

5. Building of Large Area ( 10,000 m2 or more Total Area ). SIZE AND RATING

6. For different voltage characteristics, such as for different a) General. Service lateral conductors shall have sufficient
voltage, frequencies, or phases, or for different uses, such as ampacity to carry the current for the load and shall have
for different rate schedules. adequate mechanical strength.

THE OVERHEAD SERVICE-DROP CONDUCTOR b) Minimum Size. The conductors shall not be smaller than
5.5 mm2copper or 8.0 mm2 aluminum or copper-clad
This is the overhead service conductor from the last pole or aluminum.
other aerial support to and including the splices if any,
connecting the service entrance conductors at the building or Where two to six service disconnecting means in separate
other structure. enclosures supply separate loads from one service drop or
lateral, one set of service entrance conductors shall be
SIZE AND RATING: permitted to supply each or several such service equipment
a) General. Service drop shall have sufficient ampacity to enclosures.
carry the load without a temperature rise detrimental to the EXCEPTION: For installations to supply only limited loads of
covering or insulation ofthe conductors and shall have a single branch circuit such as small polyphase power,
adequate mechanical strength. controlled water heaters and the like, they shall not be smaller
b) Minimum Size. The conductors shall not be smaller than 8 than 3.5 mm2 copper or 5.0 mm2aluminum or copper-clad
mm2copper, 14 mm2 aluminum or copperclad aluminum. aluminum.

CLEARANCES: SERVICE ENTRANCE

a) Above Roofs. Conductors shall have a vertical clearance of Service is defined as the portion of the supply which extends
not less than 2,500 mm from the roof surface. from the street main duct or transformer to the service switch
or switchboard of the building supply.
b) Vertical Clearance from Ground.
-it is the conductor and equipment for delivering energy from
3,100 mm - at the electric service entrance to buildings, or at the electricity supply system to the wiring system of the
the drip loop of the building electric entrance, or above areas premises served.
or sidewalks
TYPES:
3,700 mm - for those areas listed in the 4,600 mm
classification when the voltage is limited to 600 volts to 1. Overhead Service Entrance
ground. The most common type of service entrance employed by the
4,600 mm - over residential property and driveways, and those power companies supplying electricity which is either a 2, 3 or
commercial areas not subject to truck traffic. 4-wire connection. Generally, the overhead service cable
between the building property line and the supply point is
5,500 mm - over public streets, alleys, roads, parking areas supplied by electric company to a limit of 30 meters.
subject to truck traffic, driveways on other than residential
property, and other land transversed by vehicles such as 2. The Underground Service Entrance
cultivated, grazing, forest, and orchard. The underground service entrance consists of a raceway
UNDERGROUND SERVICE-LATERAL CONDUCTOR: conduit extending from the building to the property line where
This is the underground service conductor between the street it is tapped to the main. The type of cable recommended is the
main, including any risers at a pole or other structure or from underground service entrance cable commonly referred to as
transformers, and the first point of any connection to the USE.
service-entrance conductors in a terminal box or meter or SERVICE - ENTRANCE CONDUCTORS
other enclosure with adequate space, inside or outside the
building wall. No. of Service-Entrance Conductor Sets

INSULATION. Each service drop or lateral shall supply only one set of
service-entrance conductors.
Service-lateral conductor shall withstand exposure to
atmospheric and other conditions of use without detrimental
leakage of current.

*EXCEPTIONS:
*EXCEPTIONS*
1. Buildings with more than one occupancy.
A grounded conductor shall be permitted to be uninsulated as
follows: 2. Where two to six service disconnecting means in a separate
enclosures are grouped at one location and supply separate
a) Bare copper used in a raceway. loads from one service drop or lateral.

b) Bare copper for direct burial where bare copper is judged to SIZE AND RATING:
be suitable for the soil conditions.
Service entrance conductors shall be of sufficient size to carry
c) Bare copper for direct burial without regard to soil the computed loads.
conditions where part of cable assembly identified for
underground use. Ungrounded conductors shall not be smaller than:

1. 100 A ---- For one family dwelling with six or more 2-wire
branchcircuits.
2. 60 A ---- For one family dwelling with an initial computed RATING: The service disconnecting means shall have a rating
load of 10 kVA above. of not less than the load to be carried. In no case shall the
rating be lower than specified through:
3. 40 A ---- For other loads.
1. One circuit installation -- The service disconnecting means
EXCEPTIONS: shall have a rating of not less than 15 amperes. 2. Two circuit
1. For loads consisting of not more than 2 - wire branch installation -- The service disconnecting means shall have a
circuits, 5.5 mm2copper or 8.0 mm2 aluminum or copper-clad rating of not less than 30 amperes. 3. One family dwelling --
aluminum. The service disconnecting means shall have a rating of: 60 A --
where the initial computed loads is 10 kVA or more 100 A --
2. By special permission, for loads limited by demand or by where the initial installations consist of six or more 2-wire
the source of supply, 5.5 mm2 copper or 8.0 mm2 aluminum branch circuit.
or copper-clad aluminum.
4. Others -- For all other installations, the service
3. For limited loads of single branch circuit, 3.5 mm2 copper disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than 40
or 5.5 mm2aluminum or copper-clad aluminum. amperes.
INSTALLATION OF SERVICE CONDUCTORS: Service NOTES:
entrance conductors shall be installed in accordance with the
applicable requirements of this Code covering the type of The service disconnecting means shall simultaneously
wiring method used and limited to the following methods: disconnect all ungrounded conductors and shall be capable of
being closed on a fault equal to or greater than the maximum
1. Open-wiring on insulators available short-circuit current.
2. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) Service entrance conductor shall have a short-circuit
protective device in each ungrounded conductors.
3. Intermediate Metallic Tubing (IMT)
Fuses shall have an Interrupting Rating no less than the
4. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
maximum available short circuit current in the circuit at their
5. Service-Entrance Cables supply terminals. Circuit breakers shall be free to open in case
the circuit is closed on an overload.
6. Wireways
Circuit breakers shall have an interrupting rating not less than
7. Busways the maximum available short-circuit current at its supply
terminals.
8. Auxiliary gutters
FEEDERS AND MAIN
9. Rigid Non-Metallic Conduit (RNMC)
Essential considerations being adapted or followed.
10. Cable Bus
1. On large installation, one feeder is provided for each floor.
11. Mineral-Insulated Metal-Sheated Cable
2. In small installations, one or two feeders is satisfactory.
12. Type MC Cables
3. Feeder for motor must be separate and independent from the
PROTECTION:
light circuits.
Service entrance conductors subjected to physical damage
4. Feeders requiring more than 50 mm diameter conduit
shall be protected in any of the following ways or methods:
should not be used.
1. By RMC
5. Feeders should be subdivided if there are several bends or
2. By IMC offsets because a 50 mm conduit is the largest that could be
economically used.
3. By RNMC suitable for the location

4. By EMT

5. Type MC cable or other approved means

6. Feeders radiating from the distributing panel should be
provided each with a properly rated switch and circuit breaker.

7. Good practice dictates that feeders and main shall be

installed inside a conduit pipe as it carries high voltage that
THE SERVICE EQUIPMENT-DISCONNECTING
should be well protected.
MEANS
7 REQUIRED PARTS OF A STANDARD ELECTRICAL
GENERAL:
PLAN
The service-disconnecting means shall be provided to
A. GENERAL NOTES / SPECIFICATION
disconnect all conductors in a building or other structures from
the service-entrance conductor. Specification written on electrical plan should indicate :
NUMBER OF DISCONNECTING MEANS: The service 1. That the design is done in accordance with the P.E.C. and all
disconnecting means for each set or each subset of service electrical works shall comply with the provisions of all
entrance conductor shall consist of not more than six switches authorities having juris- diction on the use of electrical power.
or six circuit breakers mounted in a single enclosure, or in a
switchboard. 2. The nature of the service including voltage, phase and
frequency.
LOCATION: The service disconnecting means shall be
installed either inside or outside the building or other structure 3. The type of approved wiring to used in installing service
at a readily accessible location nearest the point of entrance of entrance, feeders, sub-feeders, branch circuit conductors,
the service entrance conductor remote control system, fire protection, signal and
communication system.
4. All other aspects and details that the designer and the owner 2. Name, signature and address of owner/manager/operator;
would want to be done in the actual construction of the
project. 3. Title of sheet and sheet number;

EXAMPLE : 4. Scale used;

1. Works here under shall comply with the latest edition of the 5. Name, signature and dry seal of professional electrical
P.E.C, thenational building code, municipal or city ordinances, engineer together with registration number, Professional Tax
office of the municipal or city electrician, & Meralco. Receipt (PTR) and Tax Identification Number (TIN);

2. Type of services shall be 230 volts, 1 phase, 2 wire system, 6. Initial of draftsman; and
60 hertz and there shall be only one service drop to the 7. Date drawn or revised.
building.
F. ELECTRICAL LIGHTING AND POWER LAYOUT:
3. Method of wiring shall be EMT both exposed and Electrical layout for each floor of the building shall indicate
embedded work with proper fitting and supports. In cases the location of:
where concealed conduits wiring is impracticable to use, metal
moulding may be applied. 1. Location of lighting outlets.

4. All materials and equipment shall be new and approved type 2. Location of convenience outlets.
for both location and purpose intended.
3. Location of switches with their corresponding symbols.
5. All lighting and convenience outlet circuit homeruns shall
4. Location of outlets for air conditioning units.
be wired with no less than 2 sq. mm and 3.5 sq. mm
respectively, unless otherwise indicated on the plan. 5. Location of telephone, intercom and master antenna
television outlets.
6. Lighting and power panel board shall be circuit breaker type
surface or flushed mounted or as indicated on the plan; door 6. Location of service equipment and/or disconnecting means.
shall be provided with locked and milled key, a line circuit
directory card and holder shall be provided in innerface or 7. Location of service kilowatthour meter.
door.

7. Whenever required and necessary, full boxes and junction

boxes of proper sizes shall be installed at convenient and
inconspicuous locations although such boxes are not shown on
the plans nor mentioned in the specification.

8. All outdoor installation shall be weather proof type.

9. All electrical work shall be done under the direct and

immediate supervision of a duly licensed Electrical Engineer. G. SCHEDULE OF LOADS AND COMPUTATIONS:
Schedule of loads in tabulated form shall indicate:

A. MOTOR LOADS:

1. Motor as numbered or identified in power layout.

2. Type of motor
B. LEGEND AND SYMBOLS: The legend or symbols shall
show symbols or configurations and figures of devices and 3. HP/kW/kVA rating
equipment used. Standard Electrical symbols can be obtained
4. Voltage rating
from the appendix - a of the Philippine Electrical Code.
5. Full load current rating
C. LOCATION PLAN: Location or site plan with proposed
structures and owner’s land drawn to appropriate metric scale 6. Frequency rating
shall show:
7. Number of phases
1. Bordering areas showing public or well known streets.
B. LIGHTING AND POWER LOADS:
2. Location of service drop, service equipment and nearest
pole of the utility company furnishing electrical energy. 1. Panel as numbered in the riser diagram.

3. Clearance of the path or run of service drops and service 2. Circuit designation number.
structure wires to adjacent existing or proposed structures. 3. Number and lightning outlets in each circuits.
D. RISER DIAGRAM: The riser diagram consists of the 4. Number of switches in each circuit.
schematic diagram of service entrance, feeders and branch
circuits. This indicates: 5. Number of convinience outlet

1. The number of branch circuits, the size of conductors, size 6. Voltage circuit
of conduit and protection for each branch circuit.
7. Fuse rating or trip rating of circuit protective device.
2. The sizes of feeders, its conduit and feeder’s protection.
C. OTHER LOADS
3. The type of service, size of service entrance conductor,
conduits and main protective device. 1. Designation number on plan

E. TITLE BLOCK: Title block or nameplate of plans and 2. Description loads

drawings shall be a standard strip of 40 mm high at the bottom 3. Classification of service duty
of each sheet. It shall contain the following:
4. Rating in kilovolt ampere (KVA) or kilowatt (KW)
1. Name and location of proposed installation, project, or
watercraft; 5. Phase loading indicating full load line current
6. Voltage rating 1. Overload in the equipment conductors.

DESIGN COMPUTATION: Where necessary shall be 2. Short circuit or ground fault

included on the drawings or may be submitted on separate
sheets of uniform size paper, shall allow : As per PEC requirement, conductors shall be protected against
overcurrent in accordance with their ampacities (Art. 4.5.1.3)
1. Illumination design computations and tabulated lighting
levels in lux critical areas in institutional, Industrial Ampacity - is the current-carrying capacity of an electric
recreational & commercial building. conductor.

2. Feed lines and protective devices of motors, electrical THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND THE FUSE:
equipment and appliances indicating types and ratings. A circuit breaker is an overcurrent protective device also
3. Sizes of branch circuit wires, Feeders and busbars including designed to function as a switch. It is equipped with an
protective devices. automatic tripping device to protect the branch circuit from
overload and ground fault.
4. Size and type of service entrance wires, race ways and
equipment. A fuse is also an overcurrent protective device with a circuit
opening fusible element which opens when there is an
5. Setting / ratingsof over current devices. overcurrent in the circuit. It is considered as the simplest and
the most common circuit protective device used into the house
GROUNDING PROTECTION: A ground is an electrical wiring connection. Advantages of circuit breaker over a fuse.
connection which may either be intentional or accidental
between an electric circuit or equipment and the earth, or to 1. The circuit breaker acts as a switch aside from its being an
some conducting body that serves in place of the earth. The overcurrent device.
purpose of grounding a circuit is to fix permanently a zero
voltage point in the system. The grounded line of a circuit
should not be broken nor fused to maintain a solid and
uninterrupted connection to the ground.

2. When there is an overcurrent, the circuit breaker trips

automatically and after correcting the fault, it is ready to be
switched on again, unlike the fuse which has to be discarded
and replaced after it is busted.

Advantages of fuse over a circuit breaker

Grounding could be accomplished in the following manner:
1. One of its major advantage is its reliability and stability. It
1. Connection to a buried cold water main. can stay on its position for years and act when called on to act
as designed, unlike the circuit breaker which requires proper
2. Connection to a rod or group of rods. maintenance and periodic testing to keep it into a tip-top
3. Connection to a buried ground plate. condition.

THE PANELBOARD: A panelboard is a single panel or 2. The cost of a fuse is less than that of a circuit breaker.
group of panel units designed for assembly in the form of a Standard Ampere Ratings of Fuses and Inverse time circuit
single panel. This includes buses, automatic overcurrent breakers
protective devices, and with or without switches for the
control of light, heat or power circuit. It is designed to be 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 45, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 125, 150, 200,
placed in a cabinet or cutout box placed in or against a wall or 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 600, 700, 800, 1000, 1200,
partition and accessible only from the front. 1600, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000

Principles applied in installing panel board Fuses, circuit breakers or combinations shall not be connected
in parallel.
1. The approach should be accessible and convenient.
Exception: Circuit breakers or fuses, factory assembled in
2. The panelboard must be centrally located to shorten the parallel, and approved as a unit.
home wiring runs.
Position of Knife Switches
3. It must be installed near the load center. As in most cases,
panelboard is installed near the kitchen and the laundry where a) Single-throw Knife Switches. Single-throw knife switches
heavy loads are expected. shall be so placed that gravity will not tend to close them.
Single-throw knife switches, approved for use in the inverted
MAIN- is the feeder interior wiring extending from service position, shall be provided with a locking device that will
switch, generator bus, or converter bus to the main ensure that the blades remain in the open position when so set.
distribution.
b) Double-throw Knife Switches. Double-throw knife switches
BRANCH CIRCUIT- is defined as the circuit conductors shall be permitted to be mounted so that the throw will be
between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and either vertical or horizontal. Where the throw is vertical, a
the outlets. This means that the branch circuit is only the locking device shall be provided to hold the blades in the open
wiring between the circuit overcurrent protection device such position when so set.
as fuses or circuit breaker and the outlets. However, it is a
common knowledge and practice that the branch circuit RECEPTACLES AND WIRING DEVICES
comprises the entire circuit including the outlet receptacles
and other wiring devices. ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS

PROTECTION OF THE BRANCH CIRCUIT: Any current Electrical Conductors are substances that offer a very low
in excess of the rated current capacity of the equipment or the resistance to current flow.
rated ampacity of the conductor is called overcurrent. Insulators are substances that offer a very high resistance to
The causes of overcurrent are: current flow.
List of some good electrical conductors 8. Power and Control Tray Cable. Type TC cable is a factory
assembly of two or more insulated conductors with or without
1. Silver 6. Zinc 2. Copper 7. Platinum 3. Aluminum 8. Iron 4. associated bare or covered grounding under a metallic sheath.
Nickel 9. Tin 5. Brass 10. Lead This is used for installation in cable trays, raceways or where
List of some insulating materials supported by a messenger wire.

1. Rubber 8. Asbestos 2. Porcelain 9. Thermoplastics 3. 9. Flat Cable Assemblies. This is an assembly of parallel
Varnish 10. Paper 4. Slate 11. Oils 5. Glass 12. Wax 6. Mica conductors formed integrally with an insulating material web
13. Dry air 7. Latex designed specifically for field installation in metal surface
raceway. Cables of this type are the types FC.
WIRES AND CABLES: Wires are those electrical
conductors which are 8 mm2 (AWG no. 8) or smaller, while
cables are those larger than the wires. They are either solid or
stranded.

Stranded wire - consists of a group of wires twisted to form

metallic string. The total circular-mil area of a stranded wire is
found by multiplying the circular mil area of each strand by
the total number of strand.
10. Flat Conductor Cable. This type of cable, type FCC
consists of three or more flat conductors placed edge to edge,
separated and enclosed within an insulating assembly. This
used for general purpose, appliance branch circuits and for
individual branch circuits specifically on hard, smooth,
Cord is the term given to an insulated stranded wire. continuous floor surfaces, etc.

CIRCULAR MIL. This is the unit of cross section in the 12.Medium Voltage Cables. MV cable is a single or
American wire gauge. The term “mil” means onethousandth of multiconductor solid dielectric insulated cable rated 2,001
an inch (0.001 in.). It is the area of a circular wire having a volts or higher and is used for power systems up to 35,000
diameter of one mil. To find the number of circular mils in a volts. The MV cables are of different types and characteristics.
circle of a given diameter, we have to square the number of RACEWAYS; Raceways are channels designed for holding
mils in the diameter. wires, cables or bus-bars, which are either made of metal or
Area in circular mil = ( diameter in mils )2 insulating materials. The common types of raceways in
household wiring are the a) conduits, b) connectors, and c)
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CABLES others.
1. Armored Cable. This type of cable, the type AC is a A) CONDUITS
fabricated assembly of insulated conductors enclosed in
flexible metalsheath. Armored cable is used in both exposed Conduits, pipes or tubings are the most common electrical
and concealed work. raceway.

2. Metal Clad Cable. Cable of the type MC is a factory According to the type of materials used, conduit maybe
assembled cable of one or more conductors, each individually classified as either metallic such as steel pipes or nonmetallic
insulated and enclosed in a metallic sheath of interlocking such as PVC, and the like.
tape, or a smooth or corrugated tube. This type is used According to its make, conduits maybe classified as: rigid
specifically for services, feeders, branch circuits, either metal, flexible metal, rigid nonmetal and flexible nonmetal.
exposed or concealed and for indoor or outdoor work.
b) Connectors: A connector is a metal sleeve usually made of
3. Mineral Insulated Cable. This type of cable, type MI, is a copper that is slipped over and secured to the butted ends of
factory assembly of one or more conductors insulated with a conductors in making joint. A connector is also called a
highly compressed refractory mineral insulation and enclosed splicing sleeve.
in liquid-tight and gastight continuous copper sheath. The type
MI is used in dry, wet or continuously moist location as c) Other Raceways: Aside from the conduits and connectors
service, feeders or branch circuit. there are still numerous types and kinds of raceways, among
these are the a) conduit couplings, elbows and other fittings; b)
4. Nonmetallic Sheathed Cable. Types NM and NMC are conduit supports, such as clamps, hangers,etc; c) cable trays,
factory assembled two or more insulated conductors having a cablebus; d) metal raceways;e) nonmetal raceways.
moisture-resistant outer sheath, flame-retardant and non-
metallic material. These types are used specifically for one or OUTLETS, RECEPTACLES and other WIRING
two dwelling not exceeding 3 storey buildings. DEVICES

5. Shielded Nonmetallic Sheathed Cable. This type of cable, OUTLETS: An outlet is a point in the wiring system at which
the type SNM, is a factory assembly of two or more insulated current is taken to supply utilization equipment. The kinds of
conductors in an extruded core or moisture-resistant and outlets are: convenience outlet or attachment cap, lighting
flame-retardant material, covered with an overlapping spiral outlet, and receptacle outlet.
metal tape. This type is used in hazardous locations and in
cable trays or in raceways. A convenience outlet or attachment cap is a device which by
insertion in a receptacle, establishes connection between the
6. Service Entrance Cable. This is a single conductor or conductor of the flexible cord and the conductors connected
multiconductor assembly provided with or without an over-all permanently to the receptacle.
covering, primarily used for services and of the types SE and
USE. A lighting outlet is an outlet intended for direct connection of
a lampholder, a lighting fixture, or a pendant cord terminating
7. Underground Feeder and Brach Circuit Cables. This type of in a lampholder.
cable, the type UF cable is a moistureresistant cable used for
underground, including direct burial in the ground, as feeder or A receptacle outlet is an outlet where one or more receptacles
branch circuit. are installed.
TYPES OF WIRES gases or vapors can exist under normal operating conditions;
or
A. TYPES T, TW, THW: The most ordinary type of plastic
insulated wire is the “type T”. It may be used only in dry
locations. Some manufactures no longer make the ordinary
Type T, instead produce Type TW, which is identical in
appearance, but may be used in wet or dry locations. Also
available is Type THW, is similar to Type TW but withstand a
greater degree of heat, and consequently has a higher ampacity
rating in the larger sizes.
ii) in which ignitible concentrations of such gas vapors may
exist frequently because of repair or maintenance operations or
because of leakage; or iii) in which breakdown or faulty
operation of equipment or processes might release ignitible
B. TYPES THHN, THWN: These are comparatively new concentrations of flammable gases or vapors, and might also
types of wire, consisting of the basic Type THH and THW but cause simultaneous failure of electric equipment.
with less thermoplastic insulation, and with a final extruded b) Class I, Division 2. A Class I, Division 2 location is a
jacket of nylon. Nylon has exceptional insulating qualities and location: I) in which volatile flammable liquids or flammable
great mechanical strength, all of which results in a wire which gases are handled, processes, or used, but in which the liquids,
is smaller in diameter than ordinary Types T, TW, TW of vapors, or gases will normally be confines within closed
corresponding size. containers or closed systems from which they can escape only
C. TYPE XHHW: In appearance, it resembles Types T, TW, in case of accidental rupture or breakdown of such containers
THW but because of somewhat thinner layer of insulation, the or systems, or in case of abnormal operation of equipment; or
over-all diameter is smaller. The insulation is “cross-linked ii) in which ignitible concentrations of gases or vapors are
synthetic polymer,” which has an extraordinary properties as normally prevented by positive mechanical ventilation, and
to insulating value, heat resistance, and moisture resistance. It which might become hazardous through failure or abnormal
may be used in dry or wet locations. While at present, it is an operation of the ventilating equipment; iii) that is adjacent to
expensive wire, it would be no surprise if in due course of Class I, Division 1 location, and to which ignitible
time, this one single type will replace all the many types and concentrations of gases or vapors might occasionally be
subtypes of Type T or R now recognized by the Code. communicated unless such communication is prevented by
adequate positive ventilation from a source of clean air, and
D. RUBBER-COVERED WIRE: It consists of copper effective safeguards against ventilation failure are provided.
conductor, tinned to make it easier to remove the insulation,
and for easy soldering. Over the copper is a layer of rubber, Class II Locations. Class II locations are those that are
the thickness of which depends on the size of the wire. Then hazardous because of the presence of combustible dust.
follows an outer fabric braid which is saturated with moisture- a) Class II, Division 1. A class II, Division 1 location is a
and-fire-resistant compounds; if it is set on fire with a location: I) in which combustible dust is in the air normal
blowtorch, the flame dies out when the torch is removed. operating conditions in quantities sufficient to produce
E. OTHER TYPES: Other types such as the basic Type R, explosive or ignitible mixtures; or ii) where mechanical failure
which is suitable for only in dry locations, is no longer being or abnormal operation of machinery or equipment might cause
made. The most ordinary kind is Type RHW, which may be such explosive or ignitible mixtures to be produced, and might
used for dry or wet locations. Types RH and RHH have also provide a source of ignition through simultaneous failure
insulation which withstands more heat and therefore have a of electric equipment, operation devices, or from other causes;
higher ampacity in the larger size. They may be used only in or iii) in which combustible dusts of an electrically conductive
dry locations. nature may be present in hazardous quantities.

KINDS OF LOCATIONS b) Class II, Division 2. A Class II, Division 2 location is a

location where combustible dust is not normally in the air in
DAMP LOCATION: Partially protected locations under quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitible mixtures,
canopies, marquees, roofed open porches, and like locations, and dust accumulations are normally insufficient to interfere
and interior locations subjected to moderate degree of with the normal operation of electrical equipment or other
moisture, such as some basements, some barns, and some apparatus, but combustible dust may be in suspension in the
cold-storage warehouses. air as a result of infrequent malfunctioning of handling or
processing equipment and where combustible dust
DRY LOCATION: A location not normally subject to accumulations on, in, or in the vicinity of the electrical
dampness or wetness. A location classified as dry may be equipment may be sufficient to interfere with the safe
temporarily subject to dampness or wetness, as in the case of a dissipation of heat from electrical equipment or may be
building under construction. ignitible by abnormal operation or failure of electrical
WET LOCATION: Installations underground or in concrete equipment.
slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth, and location
subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as
vehicle washing areas, and locations exposed to weather and
unprotected.

HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS: Locations

where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable
gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or
ignitible fibers or flyings.

1. Class I Locations. Class I locations are those in which

flammable gases or vapors are or may be present in the air in
quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitible mixtures.
a) Class I, Division 1. A Class I, Division 1 location is a
location: I) in which igntible concentrations of flammable
3. Class III Locations. Class III locations are those that are
hazardous because of the presence of easily combustible fibers
or flyings, but in which such fibers or flyings are not likely to
be in suspension in the air in quantities sufficient to produce
ignitible mixtures.

a) Class III, Division 1. A Class III, Divisions 1 location is a

location in which easily ignitible fibers or materials producing
combustible flyings are handled, manufactured, or used.

b) Class III, Division 2. A Class III, Division 2 location is a

location in which easily ignitible fibers are stored or handled