Electrical Page 1 of 3

ELECTRICAL

ABSORPTION-RESISTING: Incapable of taking up water (or any other

liquid deleterious to the material under consideration, to which
such material is liable to be exposed) sufficiently to affect electrical
or mechanical properties to an appreciable extent under conditions
of use.

ACCESSIBLE: (As applied to wiring methods) Not permanently closed in

by the structure or finish of the bldg; capable of being removed
without disturbing the building of finish.
(As applied to equipment) Admitting close approach because not
guarded by locked doors, elevators or other effective means.

ACCESSORIA TYPE BLDG: A building that has partitions from the first
floor up to the last floor with each bay or section intended for
different and independent occupants.

APPLIANCE: Appliances are current consuming equipment, fixed or

portable;

AIR CIRCUIT BREAKER: An air circuit breaker is one in which the

interruption occurs in air.

AIR TERMINAL: (For lightning protection) An air terminal is the

combination of elevation rod and brace, or footing placed on upper
portions of structures, together with tip or point if used.

AIR SWITCH: An air switch is one with contacts the separate in air.

ALIVE: means electrically connected to a source of potential difference, or

electrical charged so as to have a potential different from that of
the earth.

APPROVED: Acceptable to the authority enforcing this Code. When used

with reference to any particular electrical equipment means that
such equipment has been submitted for examination and test to
the Govt agency concerned and that formal approval has been
given to the effect that it conforms to the Standards established
under the provisions of this Code.

APPROVED FIREDOOR: a fire door and hardware of a type approved for

the class of service to which it is applied and labeled or certified by
competent and recognized authority.

ARC WELDING: arc welding is a group of welding processes wherein

coalescence is produced by heating with an electric arc or arcs,
with or without the application of pressure and with or without the
use of filler metal.

* ARC VOLTAGE: arc voltage is the voltage across the welding arc.

ARMOUR: a wrapping of galvanized interlocking steel strip forming an

integral part of the assembly of certain insulated cables, wires or
cords, which are capable of withstanding certain mechanical tests.

* ARMORED CABLE: (In interior wiring) An armored cable is a fabricated

assembly of insulated conductors and a flexible metallic covering.

ARMORED CABLE: (in interior wiring) Is a provided cable with a

wrapping of metal, usually steel wires or tapes, primarily for the
purpose of mechanical protection.

ASKAREL: A synthetic nonflammable insulating liquid which, when

decomposed parts included in an electric arc, evolves only nonexplosive gases.

ASSEMBLY: is a combination of all or of a portion of component parts

included in an electric apparatus, mounted on a supporting frame
or panel, and properly interwired.

ATTACHMENT PLAG: (Plug Cap) An attachment plug is a device which

by insertion in a receptacle, established connection between the
conductors or attached flexible cord and the conductors connected
permanently to the receptacle.

AUTHORIZED PERSON: A qualified person who by the nature of his

duties or occupation is obliged to approach or handle electrical
equipment; or a person who having been warned on the hazards
involved, has been instructed or authorized to do so by someone
in authority.

AUTOMATIC CONTROLLER: an electric controller in which the influence

directing the performance of its basic functions is automatic.

AUTOMATIC WELDING: is welding with equipment, which performs the

entire welding operation without constant observation and
adjustment or is controls by a person. The equipment may or may
not perform the loading and unloading of the work.

Auxiliary gutter: A sheet-metal enclosure for conductors, cables and bus

bars at switchboards, meter centers, distribution centers and
similar points.

B & S GAUGE: the Brown and Shaped (or American) wire Gauge as
applied to non ferrous conductors and non-ferrous sheet metal.

* BASE LOAD: Is the minimum load over a given period of time.

* BRACH CIRCUIT: A branch circuit is that portion of a wiring system

extending beyond the final over current device protecting the
circuit. A device not approved from branch circuit protection such
as thermal cutout or motor overload protective device, is not
considered as the overcurrent device protecting the circuit.

BRANCH CIRCUIT-APPLIANCE: is a circuit supplying energy to one or

more outlets to which appliances are to be connected; such circuits to
have no permanently connected lighting fixtures not a part of an
appliance.

BRANCH-CIRCUIT DISTRIBUTION CENTER: is a distribution center at

which branch circuits are supplied.

BRANCH-CIRCUIT GENERAL PURPOSE: a branch circuit that

supplies a number of outlets for lighting and appliances.

BRANCH-CIRCUIT INDIVIDUAL: A branch circuit that supplies only

one utilization equipment.

BREAKDOWN: (Puncture) A Breakdown is a disruptive discharge through

insulation.

BUILDING: a structure which stands alone or which is cut off from

adjoining structures by fire walls with all opening therein protected
by approved fire doors.

BUS: Is a conductor, or group of conductors, in switchgear assemblies,

which serves as a common connection for two or more circuits.

BUSWAY: An approved, completely assembled metal roughing and

fittings therefore containing bare conductors intended for use as
feeders, the conductors being suitably supported on insulators.

CABINET: an enclosure designed either for surface or flush mounting and

provided with a frame, mat or trim in which swinging doors are
hung.

CABLE: is either a stranded conductor with or without insulation and other

coverings, or a combination of conductors insulated from one
another.

CAGE: Is a system of conductors forming an essentially continuous

conducting network over the object protected and including any
conductors necessary for interconnection of the object protected
and an adequate ground.

CAPACITY FACTOR: The capacity factor is the ratio of the full load rating
to the average load on a machine or equipment for the period or
time considered.

CIRCUIT BREAKER: A device designed to open under abnormal

conditions a current carrying without injury to itself. The term
applies only to the automatic type designed to trip on a determined
overload of current.

CLEARANCE (Transmission & Distribution): clearance is the minimum

separation between two conductors, between conductors, and
supports, or other objects between conductors and ground.

CLEAT: is an assembly of two pieces of insulating material provided with

groovers for holding one or more conductors at a definite spacing
from the surface wired over and from each other, and with holes
for fastening in position.

CLIMBING SPACE: is the vertical space reserved along the side of a pole
or tower to give linemen ready access to equipment and
conductors installed thereon.

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COMBINED MECH & ELEC STRENGTH OF AN INSULATOR: the

combined mechanical and electrical strength of an insulator is the
loading in pounds at which the insulator fails to perform its function
either electrically or mechanically, voltage and mechanical stress
being applied simultaneously.

COMMUNICATON CIRCUIT: A circuit which is a part of a so called

central station system. Includes telephone , telegraph, fire and
burglar alarms, watchmen, and sprinkler supervisory circuits.

CONCEALED: Rendered inaccessibility by the structure circuits or finish

of the bldg. Wires in concealed raceways are considered
concealed, even though they may become accessible by
withdrawing them.

* CONDUCTOR: A conductor is a wire or combination of wires not insulated

from one another, suitable for carrying electric current.
BARE: a bare conductor is one having no covering or insulation.
COVERED: a covered conductor is one having one or more layers
of non-conducting materials that are not recognized as insulation.

CONDUIT FITTING: A conduit fitting is necessary which serves to

complete a conduit syStem, such as bushings and access fittings.

CONE OF PROTECTION: Is the space enclosed by a cone formed with its

apex at the highest point of a lightning rod or protecting tower, the
diameter of the base of the cone having a definite relation to the
height of the rod or tower.

CONNECTED LOAD: The connected load is the sum of the continuous

ratings of the load consuming apparatus connected to the system
or any part thereof.

CONNECTOR: (Splicing sleeve) is a metal sleeve, usually copper that is

slipped over and secured to the butted ends of the conductors in
making up a joint.

CONNECTOR, PRESSURE: (Splicing sleeve) a pressure wire connector

is a device which establishes the connection between two or more
conductors and a terminal by means of mechanical pressure and
without the use of soder.

CONTACT SURFACE: Contact surfaces are the surfaces which meet and
through which the current is transferred when the contacts are
closed.

CONTINUOUS CURRENT RATING: The continuous current which may

be carried for an unlimited period without causing any of the established
limitations to be exceeded.

CONTROL: is broadly the methods and means of governing in some

predetermined manner, the electric apparatus to which it is
connected.

COOKING UNITS, COUNTER MOUNTED: an assembly of one or more

domestic surface heating elements for cooking purposes designed

for flush mounting in or supported by a counter and which
assembly is complete with inherent or separately mountable
controls and internal wiring.

* CORONA: is luminous discharge due to ionization of the air surrounding a

conductor caused by a voltage gradient exceeding a certain critical
value.

CURRENT-PERMIT: written permission from the corresponding Govt.

electrical or inspection department to the electric power supply
company to the effect that electric energy may be supplied to a
particular installation.

CUTOUT BOX: An enclosure designed for surface or flush mounting and

having swinging doors or covers secured directly to the walls of the
box proper.

DUMP PLACE: any place in which moisture is present , either

permanently or impertinently, to such an extent that it would be
likely to impair the effectiveness of an installation conforming to the
minimum requirements for ordinary conditions.

DEAD: means free from any electric connections to a source of potential

difference from that of the earth. The term is used only with
reference to current-carrying parts which are sometimes alive.

DEAD-FRONT MOUNTING: is the method of mounting a circuit breaker or

switch with all exposed operating parts adequately insulated, so
that a protective grounded and/or insulated barrier is interposed
between all parts carrying electric current and the operator.

DEMAND FACTOR: demand factor of any system, or part of a system, is

the ratio of the maximum demand of the system, or parts of a
system, to the total connected load of the system, or of the part of
the system under consideration.

DEVICE: A unit of an electrical system, which is intended to carry but not

utilize electric energy.

DISCONNECTING MEANS: a device, or grp of devices, or other means

whereby the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from their
source of supply.

DISCONNECTING SWITCH: a disconnecting switch is the one used for

closing, opening or changing the connections in a circuit or
system, or for isolating purposes, and is intended to be operated
only after the circuit has been opened by some other means.

DISRUPTIVE DISCHARGE: is the sudden and large increase in current

through an insulating medium due to the complete failure of the
medium under electrostatic stress.
DISTRIBUTION CENTER: is a point at which energy is divided among
feeders or branch circuits or combinations of both, and where over
current devices are usually located.

DISTRIBUTOR DUCT: is a duct installed for occupancy of distribution

mains.

DIVERSITY FACTOR: is the ratio of the sum of the individual maximum

demands of the various subdivisions of a system to the maximum
demand of the whole system.

DRIP-PROOF: means so constructed or protected that successful

operation is not interfered with when falling drops of liquid or solid
particles strike the enclosure at any angle from 0 to 15 degrees
from the downward vertical unless otherwise specified.

DRIPTIGHT: means so constructed or protected that drops of liquid or

solid particles striking the enclosure at any angle from 0 to 15
degrees from the downward vertical unless otherwise specified,
cannot enter the enclosure either directly or by striking and running
along a horizontal or inwardly inclined surface.

* DUCT: is a single enclosed runway for conductors and cables.

DUMBWAITER: a hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car,

which moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction, the floor
area of which does not exceed 9sq ft, whose compartment height
does not exceed 3ft 6in, the capacity of which does not exceed
500lbs, and which is used exclusively for carrying freight.

DUST IGNITION PROOF MACHINES: is a totally enclosed machine

whose enclosure is designed and constructed in manner which will
exclude ignitable amounts of dusts or amounts of dust which might
affect performance with the Philippine Electrical Code.

DUSTPROOF: so constructed or protected that dust will not interfere with

successful operation.

DUST-TIGHT: so constructed or protected that dust will not enter the

enclosing case.

DUTY: Duty is the requirement of service which defines the degree of

regularity of the load.
CONTINUOUS: is a requirement of service that demands
operation for alternate intervals of (1) load and no load, or
(2) load and rest; or (3) load, no load and rest.
INTERMITTENT: is a requirement of service that demands operation at a
substantially constant load for an indefinitely long time.
PERIODIC: is a type of intermittent duty in which the load
conditions are regularly recurrent.
SHORT TIME: short time duty is a requirement of service that
demands operation at a substantially constant load for a
short and definitely specified time.
VARYING: is a requirement of service that demands operations at
loads and for intervals of time both of which may be subject
to wide variations.

ELECTRICAL METALLIC TUBING: metal pipe into which electric wires

may be drawn and which has a wall thinner than that of rigid
conduit with an outside diameter sufficiently different from that of

Electrical Page 3 of 3
rigid conduit to render it impracticable for anyone to thread it
standard pipe thead.

gas evolving or other arc extinguishing material in a manner which

enables it to interrupt power follow current.

ELECTRIC CONTROLLER: is a device or a group of devices, which

serves to govern, in some predetermined manner, the electric
power delivered to the apparatus to which it is connected.

ELECTRIC ELEVATOR: one which the motion of the car is obtained

through an electric motor directly applied to the elevator
machinery.

* ELECTRIC MOTOR: is a machine which transforms electric power into

mechanical power.

ELECRIC SIGN: a fixed or portable, self-contained electrically illuminated

appliance with words or symbols designed to convey information
or attract attention.

ELEVATOR: a hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car or

platform which moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction.

ELEVATOR MACHINE: The machinery and its equipment used in raising

and lowering the elevator car or platform.

ELEVATION ROD: (for lightning protection) an elevator is the vertical

portion of conductor in an air terminal by means of which it is
elevated above the object to be protected.

EMERGENCY LIGHTS: all lights, in a theatre, or other building used for

public assembly, which are kept lighted continuously while the
theatre or building is being used to provide safe exit and entry.

EMERGENCY SERVICE: is an additional service intended only for used

under emergency conditions, that is when the normal source of
power fails.

ENCLOSED: surrounded by a case which prevents a person from

accidentally contacting live parts.

EQUIPMENT: a general term including material, fitting, devices,

appliances, fixtures, apparatus and the like, used as a part of, or in
connection with, an electrical installation.

EXPLOSION-PROOF: enclosed in a case which is capable of

withstanding an explosion of a specified gas or vapor which occur
within it, and of preventing the ignition of a specified gas or vapor
surrounding the enclosure by sparks, flashes or explosion of the
gas or vapor within.

EXPOSED: (as applied to wiring method) exposed means that an object

or device can be inadvertently touched or approached nearer than
a safe distance by any person. It is applied to objects not suitably
guarded or isolated.
EXPULSION TYPE ARRESTER: is an arrester having a characteristic
element in which an arc is confined and brought in contact with

EXTENSION CORD: is an assembly of a flexible cord with an attachment

plug on one end and a connector on the other.

EXTERNALLY OPERABLE: capable of being operated without exposing

the operator to contact with live parts.

FEEDERS: is the circuit conductors between the service equipment, or

generator switchboard of an isolated plant, and the branch circuit
overcurrent device.

FIREPROOF: as applied to buildings or portions thereof, means that hey

are constructed of approved masonry, reinforced concrete or other
non-flammable materials.

FIXTURE: an integral, separate or self-contained unit which may contain

one or more bulbs or fluorescent tubes.

FLAME-RETARDANT: means so constructed or treated that it will not

readily burn or convey flame.

FLAMMABLE: applied to readily combustible or ignitable materials such

as straw, hay, wood shavings, light draperies, celluloid oils,
gasoline, etc.

FLASHOVER: is a disruptive discharge around or over the surface of a

solid or liquid insulator.

FLEXIBLE CONDUIT: non-rigid metal conduit into which conductors may

be drawn.

FLEXIBLE TUBING: non-metallic and non-rigid tubing commonly known

as loom, into which a conductor may be drawn.

FOOTCANDLE, FC: is the unit of illumination when the foot is taken as

the unit of length. It is the illumination on a surface one square foot
in area on which there is uniformly distributed flux of one lumen, or
the illumination produced at a surface all point of which are at a
distance of one foot from a uniform point source of one candle.

FOOTINGS: are structure set in the ground to support the bases of

towers, poles or other overhead structures.

FUSE: is an overcurrent protective device with a circuit-opening fusible

member which is heated and severed by the passage of
overcurrent through it.

FUSE CURRENT RATING: the current rating of a fuse is designed RMS

alternating, or direct current which will carry continuously under
stated conditions.

FUSE CUTOUT: is a form of use and its holder or enclosure characterized

by the ready and safe replace ability of the fuse unit.

FUSE HOLDER: is a device to support a fusible, link and to complete the

contact between the fusible link and the fuse clips.

FUSE VOLTAGE RATING: the voltage rating of a fuse is that RMS

alternating or direct voltage for which it is designated.

GAS-TIGHT: so constructed that gas cannot enter the enclosing case.

GENERAL-USE SWITCH: a switch intended for use in general distribution

and branch-circuits. It is rated in amperes and is capable of
interrupting its rated current at rated voltage.

GROUND: is a conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental,

between an electrical circuit or equipment and earth, or to some
conducting body which serves in place of the earth.

GROUNDED: means connected to earth or to some conducting body

which serves in place of the earth.

GROUNDED CIRCUIT: is a circuit in which one conductor or point is

intentionally grounded, either solidity or though a grounding
device. Usually the neutral conductor or neutral point of
transformer or generator windings.

GROUNDED-ELECTRODE: a buried metallic water-piping system, or

metal object or device buried in, or driven into, the ground to which
a grounding-conductor is electrically and mechanically connected.

GROUNDING CONDUCTOR: a conductor used to connect an equipment,

device or wiring system with a grounding electrode or electrodes.

GUARDED: Covered, shielded, fenced, enclosed or otherwise protected,

by means of suitable covers or casings barriers, rails or screens,
mats or platforms, to remove the liability of dangerous contact or
approach by persons or objects to a point of danger.

GUY: is a tension member usually galvanized wire, having one and

secured fixed object on the ground and the other end attached to a
pole, cross arm or other structural part which it supports.

GUY INSULATOR: is an insulating element, generally of elongated form

with traverse holes or slots for the purpose of insulating two
sections of a guy or provide insulation between structure and
anchor and also provide protection in case of broken wires falling
on the guy.