Engr. HIPOLITO A. LEONCIO
Chairman, Electrical Safety and ESEA committee
ELECTRICAL INSPECTION STRATEGY AND
GUIDE
• Republic Act 7920
An act providing for a more responsive and
comprehensive regulation for the practice,
licensing, and regulation of electrical engineers
and electricians
STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS
The Philippine Electrical code
is used nationally as the
basis for safeguarding
persons, buildings and its
contents from hazards that
may arise from the use of
electricity.
This code contains provisions
which is considered
necessary for safety and thus
is used as basis for the legal
enforcement agency in the
government regarding
electrical installation
Electrical
Safety
Enforcement and
Awareness
ESEA Profile
February 10, 2011 – MOA Signing for
the 3-year Electrical Safety Enforcement
and Awareness (ESEA) Campaign Project
May 21, 2011 – Launching of ESEA at
the Institute of Integrated Electrical
Engineers of the Philippines, Inc Head
Office.
ESEA Profile
 June 27, 2011 – President Aquino signed
Proclamation No. 193 declaring the Month of
May of every year thereof as the Electrical
Safety Month.
 May 24, 2013 – Addendum to the MOA was
signed at Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City. This is
to continue the campaign on electrical Safety
PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION NO.
193
• DECLARING THE MONTH OF MAY
OF EVERY YEAR AS THE
ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH
WHEREAS, many lives and
properties are lost due to fires
and electrocution
PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION NO.
193
• WHEREAS, most of these
fires and incidents of
electrocution are attributed
to “faulty electrical wiring”
PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION NO.
193
• WHEREAS, economic
losses brought about by
fires contribute to
reduced productivity and
therefore affect the
economy of the country
PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION NO.
193
• WHEREAS, there is a real need
to increase public awareness on
electrical safety and educate our
people in the safe use of
electricity.
ESEA Profile
MISSION
-
To
ensure
ESEA
is
properly enforced through improving
local inspectors’ capacity and to
increase the public’s awareness on
electrical safety.
ESEA Profile
• VISION - To be a major
campaign that leads the
public towards an electrically
safe environment.
ESEA Profile
 Objectives
• designed to enhance the enforcement
of the Philippine Electrical Code
(PEC);
• provide capacity building to improve
the skills of local inspectors
• increase the awareness of and
educate the public on the importance
of electrical safety
ESEA Profile
• and strengthen the institutional
cooperation between government and
industry such as the local
government units, developers, and
contractors association, among
others.
 “Electrical
Safety Starts With
Me!” – ESEA Slogan
Electrical Safety Flyer
Prime on Electrical Inspection for residential Units
THIS PRIMER HAS FOLLOWED
THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE IIEE
INSPECTION GUIDE, WHEREIN
THE INSTITUTE HAS TAPPED
THE ELECTRICAL ENFORCING
AUTHORITIES IN ORDER TO
COME UP WITH A SERIES OF
PUBLICATIONS
THAT
IS
DESIGNED TO SUPPLEMENT
THE
LATEST
PHILIPPINE
ELECTRICAL CODE EDITION AND
PROVIDE
GUIDANCE
IN
APPLYING CODE PROVISIONS
THE PRIMER ON PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE PART 1
THIS MANUAL DO NOT
WISH TO FULLY INTERPRET
THE PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL
CODE, BUT HOPEFULLY
ATTEMPTS TO STANDARDIZE
THE INSPECTION
GUIDELINES ALL OVER THE
COUNTRY, AND EVENTUALLY
FOSTER A CULTURE OF
ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE
WORKPLACES.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY ENFORCEMENT AND
AWARENESS
This manual is
intended to inform
the general public
about the
importance of
Electrical Safety in
our daily lives.
Electrical Safety
Key Result Areas
• Compliance with
National/International
Standards
– Safety
– Workmanship
• Improve Power Quality
– Voltage Stability
– Arrest Surges
– Harmonics
• Attain Flexibility
– Reduce/Add Loads
• Maintain Reliability
– Interruption Frequency
– Interruption Duration
• Ensure Cost Effectiveness
– Effective Budget Cost
– Efficient Maintenance
Program/Enercon/man
– Energy Savings
Electricity - The Dangers
• About 5 workers are
electrocuted every week
• Causes 12% of young
worker/people/ workplace
deaths
• Takes very little electricity
to cause harm
• Significant risk of causing
fires
20
Electricity- The Dangers
• 12,301 Fires recorded nationwide- source BFP as of
2013
WHAT IS AN ELECTRICAL
INSPECTION & AUDIT?
• An electrical audit
is a thorough
survey/ inspection,
review and
evaluation of an
electrical system
which is already in
operation for
several years.
•
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN
ELECTRICAL INSPECTION &
The purpose of an AUDIT?
electrical safety
inspection or
audit is to identify
potentially
hazardous
electrical
situations and
provide corrective
actions for these
situation.
OBJECTIVES of ELECTRICAL
INSPECTION & AUDIT - 1
• # 1. Determine compliance of the electrical
system to electrical safety, viz-a-viz:
- Philippine Electrical Code (Part I & II)
- National Electrical Code
- NFPA 70E
- NFPA 70B
- OSHA 1910.331-335
- Other Electrical Codes (IEC)
OBJECTIVES OF AN ELECTRICAL
INSPECTION & AUDIT – 2,3,4
• #2. Review and provide corrective actions for
safe electrical work processes.
• # 3. Review and provide corrective measures
for electrical maintenance tools.
• # 4. Identify efficient measures and potential
cost savings through modifications/
improvements in the electrical system.
• So what would be the
samples of electrical
violations or errors that you
should be mindful of when
you do your electrical audit/
inspections?
1. THE USE OF HIGHER RATED CIRCUIT PROTECTION . . .
THIS IS A RAMPANT VIOLATION!
1-A. ANOTHER CASE OF USING VERY HIGH RATING OF PROTECTION..
THE IIEE ESC/ESEA VOLUNTEER TEAM IN 2012 REPLACED IT WITH 100-AMPERE FUSES.
AS INSPECTED IN 2011, THE SIZE OF THIS SERVICE ENTRANCE FEEDER IS 2 –
14 SQUARE MM IN A PVC CONDUIT, SO THAT THE ALLOWABLE AMPACITY IS
70 AMPERES BUT THE PROTECTION IS 200-AMPERE FUSES!
Ex.2.D UNINTENTIONALLY CREATING
STRAY CURRENTS/ localized heating
THIS WAS DISCOVERED JUST RECENTLY
ON A 40-STOREY TOWER ELSEWHERE . .
IN A CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT IN
METRO MANILA!
NOTE THE SAME PHASE CONDUCTORS
IN SAME RS CONDUIT. HOW COULD
THE SITE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
AND/OR ELECTRICAL FOREMAN MADE
THE OVERSIGHT!
3. INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT GROUNDING . .
WHAT WOULD BE THE MAXIMUM GROUNDING RESISTANCE? IS IT 25
OHMS?5 OHMS?1 OHM? THE LOWER THE VALUE, THE SAFER! WHY?
GROUND FAULT CURRENT SEEKS THE PATH OF LOWER RESISTANCE.
4. NOT USING GROUNDING TYPE CONVENIENCE
OUTLETS . . .
5. NOT USING GFCI DEVICE FOR CIRCUITS IN
DAMP LOCATIONS OR EXTERIOR AREAS . .
6. NOT CHECKING THE BUS BAR CAPACITY OF
THE PANEL BOARDS/ BUS BAR GUTTERS . .
7. FAILURE TO TEST COMPLETELY BEFORE
ENERGIZATION
• AFTER A PROLONGED SHUTDOWN OF A SWITCHGEAR, A
DANGEROUS ARC FLASH FAULT BETWEEN PHASES MAY RESULT
AFTER ENERGIZATION OF THE BUS BARS!
• THIS MAY HAPPEN WHEN THERE IS A FAILURE TO
DETERMINE THE INSULATION RESISTANCE OF THE ENCLOSED
BUS BARS.
• AFTER A PROLONGED SHUTDOWN ON A HUMID DAY,
MOISTURE MAY OCCUR DUE TO CONDENSATION INSIDE THE
SWITCHGEAR.
• WARNING: ALWAYS MEGGER TEST CIRCUIT BREAKERS, BUS
BARS, CABLE FEEDERS BEFORE ENERGIZATION!
• THE HIGHER THE MEGGER READING, THE SAFER!
8. USING
IMPROPER SPLICES
9. NOT USING SEAL FITTINGS IN HAZARDOUS
LOCATIONS…
NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO
TYPE “EYS” CONDULET SEAL
FITTINGS ON THE CONDUITS
WITHIN 150MM FROM THE
SWITCH BOXES.
IN CLASSIFIED LOCATIONS, THE
CONDUIT SEAL WOULD
PREVENT THE ENTRY OF
FLAMABLE GASES OR VAPORS
TO THE SWITCHES WHICH ARE
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF A
SPARK.
10. LACK OF SUPERVISION DURING
CONSTRUCTION. . .
THESE INAPPROPRIATELY/POORLY SPLICED WIRES INSIDE A BADLY
BURNT FLEXIBLE PVC CONDUIT. THE ELECTRICAL
SUPERVISOR/FOREMAN MISSED THIS.
11. TEMPORARY WIRING ALLOWED TO BECOME
TEMPORARY-PERMANENT
THE FLYING WIRES/CABLES WHICH INCLUDE POWER & COMMUNICA-TION LINES ARE
INSTALLED TEMPORARILY.. UNTIL AN UNTOWARD INCIDENT HAPPEN AGGRAVATING
MATTERS – ACCIDENTS.
12. NOT USING SEAL FITTINGS IN HAZARDOUS
LOCATIONS…
NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO TYPE
“EYS” CONDULET SEAL
FITTINGS ON THE CONDUITS
WITHIN 150MM FROM THE
SWITCH BOXES.
IN CLASSIFIED LOCATIONS, THE
CONDUIT SEAL WOULD
PREVENT THE ENTRY OF
FLAMABLE GASES OR VAPORS
TO THE SWITCHES WHICH ARE
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF A SPARK.
13.LACK OF SAFETY SENSE…
NOTICE THE SERVICE ENTRANCE WIRES, NO ENTRANCE CAP OR DRIP LOOP – THIS
ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER CONDUIT AND MAY EVEN REACH PANELBOARD INSIDE,
CAUSE DAMAGE, OR GROUND FAULT. THERE IS ALSO NO GROUND WIRE.
14.NOT USING BOLT-ON TYPE
MAINS
THE 60A PANEL MAIN CBs ARE
PLUG-IN TYPE, SHOULD BE BOLTON TYPE..
THE PLUG-IN MAINS WILL RESULT
TO LOOSE CONNECTION,
LOCALIZE HEATING..
15. LACK OF MAINTENANCE
REGULAR CLEANING
REQUIRED.
CABLE
TERMINATIONS
ARE VIOLATIONS.
COLOR CODING OF
WIRES MUST BE
FOLLOWED.
16. JUNCTION BOX COVER MISSING ..
THE ABSENCE OF THE COVER FOR THE JUNCTION BOX EXPOSES THE
CONDUCTORS NOT ONLY TO WATER BUT ALSO TO THE ULTRA-VIOLET (UV)
RAYS OF THE SUN, CAUSING THE DETERIORATION OF THE INSULATION OF
THE CONDUCTORS FASTER.
17. Panel Cover & Power CBs Not Fitted Properly…
In a big manufacturing plant, during
the retrofitting or replacement of the
main circuit breaker of the Low
Voltage Switchgear, the panel
opening is so big where in there is a
large clearance between the front
face of new power breaker and the
panel opening. This may allow
foreign bodies such as dust, and even
live creatures to possibly enter inside
the switchgear and cause a
shutdown. A control wire is even left
not tied properly.
18. Old Fused Disconnects Still in Use?
The use of old fused
disconnect switches where in
the load side feeder wires are
too small in their ampacities as
matched to the rating of the
fuses. The fuses may protect
the small wires from high
magnitude short circuit current
but not on an overload current
or during a low magnitude
line-to-ground fault. These
installations must be replaced
with bus bar type panel board
of power distribution to
various load circuits.
19. Cables Not Provided w/ Raceways..
Would you believe that this kind of cable installation still exists? If you are
the electrical practitioner assigned to supervise the electrical works, how
would you have provided for a better job?By providing flexible metallic
conduits?By a cable duct?Or by extending the cable trench?
20. POOR VENTILATION FOR HEAT GENERATING
EQUIPMENT
THE TRANSFORMER BELOW WHICH WAS INSTALLED INSIDE A CABINET THAT IS NOT
ADEQUATELY VENTILATED OR NOT PROVIDED WITH LOUVERS SHOWS SIGNS OF
EXCESSIVE HEAT BEING DISSIPATED. IT WAS SOON DAMAGED
AS-BUILT PLANS
• After your thorough electrical inspection & audit,
you will now prepare/ update your electrical
drawings:
* Lighting Layouts * Power Layouts * Panel
Arrangements * Single Line Diagram/ Riser Diagram *
Load Schedules and Computations * Service Entrance
* Substation * Meter Center * Grounding system *
Lightning Protection system * Other electrical details of
the electrical system
Note down all observations of non-compliance/
Code violations, unsafe situations, inefficient
system/ equipment, etc…
FIRE TRAGEDIES
When Would We Learn
FIRE OCCURRENCE NATIONWIDE
(2005-2010)
Origin/Causes
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
TOTAL
Unknown/Others
2334
1871
2485
3395
1966
2324
14,375
Electrical
Electrical
2249
2087
2087
2300
2300
2532
2532
2333
2333
2616
2616
14,117
14,117
Open Flames/Cooking 1598
1144
1726
2285
997
1280
9,030
Combustion/Bonfire
710
538
1094
1592
392
540
4,866
Cigarette Butts/
Smoking
324
257
349
355
132
199
1,616
7954
10159
5820
TOTAL
7215 5897
6959
2012 Total Fire Incidents in the Philippines –
8,798
5,470; 62%
2,861; 33%
Electrical Connections
Electrical Appliances
Electrical Machiniries
Others
396; 4%
71; 1%
Damage to Properties –
Php 3,373,240,786.16
• 37.8% causes of fire – due to electrical in nature such
as:
Defective Electrical Device, Sub-standard
electrical appliances and wires, circuit
overloading, short circuits, arcing,
overheating and malpractice of electricity.
• ‘Working together towards an electrical safety
conscious nation’ – 2013 Theme of Electrical Safety
Month
250 Civilians died
645 were injured
2 Firefighters died
and 100 were injured
Total of 252 fatalities
and 745 were injured
2013 Total Fire Incidents in the Philippines –
12,301
8,287; 67.3%
3,532; 28.7%
Electrical Connections
Electrical Appliances
Electrical Machineries
Others
74;
0.6%
408; 3.3%
Damage to Properties –
Php 5,465,832,497.74
• 32.6% causes of fire – due to electrical in nature such
as:
Defective Electrical Device, Sub-standard
electrical appliances and wires, circuit
overloading, short circuits, arcing,
overheating and malpractice of electricity.
• ‘Electrical Safety starts with me ’ – 2014 Theme of
Electrical Safety Month
244 Civilians died
697 were injured
No Firefighters died
but 77 were injured
Total of 244 fatalities
and 774 were injured
Big Fires: Causes?
Manor Hotel Fire Electrical Short Circuit
Location
:
Kamias Road, Quezon City
Date/Time
:
18 0412H August 2001
Cause of Fire:
Electrical Short Circuit
Casualty
:
75 persons
Injured
:
73 Persons
Est. Damages:
The Fire was put under control in one hour and 16 minutes after the
first firetruck has arrived. Most of the fatalities died of suffocation.
Fire exit at the 3rd Floor without stairs
Electrical
Malfunction
Ozone Disco Fire
(overloading)
Location
:
57-A Timog Ave., Quezon City
Date/Time
:
19 2405H March 1996
Cause of Fire:
Electrical Malfunction (overloading)
Casualty
:
162 persons
Injured
:
100 persons m/l
Est. Damages:
15 Million m/l
OZONE DISCO FIRE
Be electrically safe, not sorry!
For inquiries, please contact:
ESEA Secretariat
#41 Monte de Piedad St., Cubao, Quezon City
0905-375 8576 / 727 3552 loc 107 / 966 9462