ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE NC2

TITLE: WIRING METHODS AND REGULATIONS

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the discussion, the trainees should be able to:
1. Explain the difference between NEC and PEC and their purposes.
2. Identify the different wiring methods approved by PEC.

THEORIES/PRINCIPLES:
Wiring methods approved and applied to houses and buildings must conform to regulations of the National
Electrical Code (NEC) or Philippine Electrical Code (PEC) the Philippine Bureau of standards, and the Local/Municipal
ordinances and the utility company supplying energy. The minimum requirements of these agencies are standards specially to
ensure safety and protection of the public from hazards. The regulations/provisions should only be used as guide and not as a
basis for good design if an efficient wiring installation is to be deserved.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE (NEC)
The first nationally recommended electrical code in the U.S. was published by the National Board of Fire Under-
writers in 1895. With this code as a basis, the National Electrical Code was drafted in 1897. Various companies’ electrical,
architectural, and allied interest through the National Conference on Standard Electrical Rules and delegates from various
national associations unanimously voted to recommend it to their respective associations for approval or adoption. Since that
time on, various amendments and additions have been made in the code.

PHILIPPINE ELECTRICAL CODE (PEC)

The Philippine Electrical Code, part I, includes all revisions and additions which have been approved by the Code
Committee and endorsed by the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE)and approved by the Board of Electrical
Engineering, Professional Regulation Commission. This 2000 edition supersedes all other previous editions published in
1961, 1969, 1976, 1980, 1985 and 1992.
Purposes of NEC/PEC

1. The practical safeguarding of persons, buildings, and their contents from hazards arising from
the use of electricity.
2. The code contains basic minimum provisions necessary for safety. Compliance with these
provisions will result in an installation free from hazards but not necessarily efficient and
convenient, or adequate for good service.
3. The code is neither intended as a design specifications nor an instruction manual for untrained
person.

Scope of the Code

It covers installed wiring and equipment on public and private buildings, electric generating plants,
industrial plants, transformer stations, permanent and temporary substation, airfields, railway switchyards,
yards, carnival, parking lots, quarries and mines, watercraft, dockyards, trailers, mobile homes and recreational
vehicles and offshore facilities.

PHILIPPINE BUREAU of STANDARDS

The Bureau of Standards sets the standard as a basis for the manufacturer of tools, materials, and equipment in the
Philippines to minimize accidents during installation of equipment.

LOCAL CODE REGULATIONS

Municipality or city ordinances concerning wiring and installation are enforced by the Municipality or City
Engineer’s Office and the Local Fire Department to safeguard the lives and properties of the people in the municipality or
city from accidents caused by electricity. These ordinances aim to modify the provisions of NEC/PEC to adapt locally
manufactured materials to existing conditions.
UTILITY COMPANY REGULATIONS

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The utility company rules and regulations are intended to present in concise form, the general requirements relative
to the methods, facilities and equipment approved or required on the customer’s premises for connection to the electrical
distribution system of the company and the safe use of electricity supplied from its facilities. It intends to cover the points
where the customer, architects, engineers, contractors, and the company have mutual interest, the knowledge of which will
serve to expedite the establishment of electrical service to customers. These rules and regulations are not intended to replace
Local Government Regulations, NEC/PEC, and do not cover the details of interior wiring.
Approved Wiring Methods Authorized by the Local Code Regulations
Applicable to Philippine Conditions
A. RACEWAY METHODS

1. Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)

The conduit is a metal raceway of circular cross section with integral
or associated couplings, connectors, and fittings approved for the
installation of electrical conductors.

2. Rigid Metallic Conduit/Rigid Steel Conduit (RSC)

The conduit is a steel pipe (either galvanized or cadmium plated) or
aluminum. It may be embedded in concrete or exposed when
installed.

3. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)

The tubing has the same inside diameter as the RSC but has thinner
wall and made of higher quality steel.

4. Rigid non-Metallic Conduit (PVC Pipe)

The conduit is made of polyvinyl chloride material. It is commonly
used in industrial plants where corrosive liquids are present. It
simplifies the conduit layout when obstacles are encountered.

5. Electrical Non-Metallic Tubing (ENT)

Sometimes called Flexible Hose or Corrugated PVC Tubing. Used as
substitute to PVC pipe where flexibility is needed.
6. Flexible Metallic Tubing (FMT)/Liquid-tight FMT
The tubing is used instead of rigid conduits where numerous elbows,
offsets, and limited working space are required.

7. Surface Metal Raceway (Metal Molding)

The molding is used to install additional outlets in buildings where
concealment of conductors is difficult.

8. Surface non-Metallic Raceway

(Wood Molding/Plastic Molding)
The molding is made of dry lumber/hardwood or PVC.

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Under-floor Raceway Wireways Busways (busbar)

B. CODUCTORS-ON-INSULATORS METHODS
1. Open Wiring on Insulators
Exposed wiring method using cleats, knobs, tubes, and flexible
tubing for the protection and support of single insulated
conductor run in or on building, and not concealed by the
building structure.

2. Concealed Knob-and-Tube Wiring

Wiring method similar to open wiring except that the
conductors are concealed in hollow spaces of walls and ceilings
of buildings.

C. CABLE WIRING METHODS

1. Armored Cable
A fabricated assembly of insulated conductors in a flexible
metallic enclosure.

2. Non-metallic Sheathed Cable

A factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors, having
an outer sheath of moisture-resistant flame-retardant non-metallic
mineral.

3. Mineral-insulated Metal Sheathed Cable

Consists of one or more insulated conductors inside a metallic
tubing with high mineral insulation that is liquid tight and gas
tight.

SELF-CHECK

I. Write the meaning of the following:

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PVC

PEC

RMC

ENT

FMT

IMC

EMT

NEC

RSC

II. Identify the following:

Municipality or city ordinances concerning wiring and installation enforced by the

. 1. Municipality or City Engineer’s Office and the Local Fire Department to safeguard the lives
and properties of the people in the municipality or city from accidents caused by electricity.

These rules are intended to present in concise form, the general requirements relative to the
methods, facilities and equipment approved or required on the customer’s premises for
. 2. connection to the electrical distribution system of the company and the safe use of electricity
supplied from its facilities.

It sets the standard as a basis for the manufacturer of tools, materials, and equipment in the
. 3. Philippines to minimize accidents during installation of equipment.

It contains basic minimum provisions necessary for the practical safeguarding of persons,
. 4. buildings, and their contents from hazards arising from the use of electricity.

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