electrical safety and strategic solutions

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

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

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

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


WHEREAS, economic losses brought about by

fires contribute to

reduced productivity and

therefore affect the

economy of the country



WHEREAS, there is a real need to increase public awareness on

electrical safety and educate our

people in the safe use of

electricity.

MISSION - To ensure ESEA is

properly enforced through improving

local inspectors capacity and to

increase the publics 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

ESEA Profile

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 &

AUDIT? The purpose of an 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..

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!

THE IIEE ESC/ESEA VOLUNTEER TEAM IN 2012 REPLACED IT WITH 100-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 BOLT-ON 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

When Would We Learn

FIRE TRAGEDIES

Electrical

Unknown/Others

Open Flames/Cooking

Combustion/Bonfire

Cigarette Butts/

Smoking

Origin/Causes 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 TOTAL

FIRE OCCURRENCE NATIONWIDE (2005-2010)

2249 2087 2300 2532 2333 2616 14,117

2334 1871 2485 3395 1966 2324 14,375

1598 1144 1726 2285 997 1280 9,030

710 538 1094 1592 392 540 4,866

324 257 349 355 132 199 1,616

Electrical 2249 2087 2300 2532 2333 2616 14,117

TOTAL 7215 5897 7954 10159 5820 6959

2005

2,861; 33%

396; 4%

71; 1%

5,470; 62%

2012 Total Fire Incidents in the Philippines 8,798

Electrical Connections

Electrical Appliances

Electrical Machiniries

Others

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


3,532; 28.7%

408; 3.3% 74;

0.6%

8,287; 67.3%

2013 Total Fire Incidents in the Philippines 12,301

Electrical Connections

Electrical Appliances

Electrical Machineries

Others

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


Big Fires: Causes?

Manor Hotel Fire

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.

Electrical Short Circuit

Fire exit at the 3rd Floor without stairs

Ozone Disco Fire

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

Electrical Malfunction

(overloading)

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

electrical safety and strategic solutions

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