Sangalang, Jocel T.

September 18, 2020

CE-3103 BSD
ACTIVITY NO.4
ELECTRICAL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

1. LIGHTING LAYOUT
**Separate layout plan for Lighting and Convenience Outlet is not available, but rest
assured that the wirings for Lighting and Convenience outlet are separate and each do
have their own circuit breakers as specified in the riser diagram**
1. APPLICABLE PROVISIONS
2.10.3.21 Lighting Outlets Required. Lighting outlets shall be installed where specified in
2.10.3.21(a), (b), and (c).
(a) Dwelling Units. In dwelling units, lighting outlets shall be installed in accordance with
2.10.3.21(a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3).
(1) Habitable Rooms. At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every
habitable room and bathroom.
Exception No. 1: In other than kitchens and bathrooms, one or more receptacles
controlled by a wall switch shall be permitted in lieu of lighting outlets.
Exception No. 2: Lighting outlets shall be permitted to be controlled by occupancy
sensors that are (1) in addition to wall switches or (2) located at a customary wall
switch location and equipped with a manual override that will allow the sensor to
function as a wall switch.
(2) Additional Locations. Additional lighting outlets shall be installed in accordance with (a)(2)a,
(a)(2)b, and (a)(2)c.
a. At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in hallways, stairways,
attached garages, and detached garages with electric power.
b. For dwelling units, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power, at least one wall
switch–controlled lighting outlet shall be installed to provide illumination on the exterior side of
outdoor entrances or exits with grade level access. A vehicle door in a garage shall not be
considered as an outdoor entrance or exit.
c. Where one or more lighting outlet(s) are installed for interior stairways, there shall be a wall
switch at each floor level, and landing level that includes an entryway, to control the lighting
outlet(s) where the stairway between floor levels has six risers or more.

5.52.4.20 Outdoor Outlets, Fixtures, Including Luminaires, Air Cooling Equipment, and So
On.
(a) Listed for Outdoor Use. Outdoor fixtures, including luminaires, and equipment shall be listed
for outdoor use. Outdoor receptacle or convenience outlets shall be of a gasketed-cover type for
use in wet locations.

4.10.6 Wiring of Luminaires (Fixtures)

4.10.6.1 Luminaire (Fixture) Wiring — General. Wiring on or within fixtures shall be neatly
arranged and shall not be exposed to physical damage. Excess wiring shall be avoided. Conductors
shall be arranged so that they are not subjected to temperatures above those for which they are
rated.
4.10.6.3 Conductor Insulation. Luminaires (fixtures) shall be wired with conductors having
insulation suitable for the environmental conditions, current, voltage, and temperature to which
the conductors will be subjected.

2.20.2.3 Lighting Load for Specified Occupancies. A unit load of not less than that specified in
Table 2.20.2.3 for occupancies specified therein shall constitute the minimum lighting load. The
floor area for each floor shall be calculated from the outside dimensions of the building, dwelling
unit, or other area involved. For dwelling units, the calculated floor area shall not include open
porches, garages, or unused or unfinished spaces not adaptable for future use.
2.25.2.4 Maximum Number of Disconnects.
(a) General. The disconnecting means for each supply permitted by 2.25.2.1 shall consist of not
more than six switches or six circuit breakers mounted in a single enclosure, in a group of separate
enclosures, or in or on a switchboard. There shall be no more than six disconnects per supply
grouped in any one location.

1. ASSESSMENT
A total of eighteen (18) 220V lighting outlets are provided for the whole residential plan.
As per NECP Article 2.10.3.21, atleast one lighting outlet shall be provided for each habitable
room, garage, hallways and stairways. Upon checking the provided lighting layout, it can be
seen that all partitioned areas have atleast one lighting outlet so the plan is in compliance with
the said provision. In addition, NECP Article 4.10.6 specified that luminaire wirings shall be
neatly arranged and shall not be exposed to physical damage. In line with this, it is provided in
the plan’s general notes and specifications that all electrical wirings that run between ceiling, roof
and embedded in concrete and masonry block must be placed inside a PVC electrical pipe. Out of
eighteen (18) lighting outlets, three (3) of them are installed outdoors (under the roof eaves), these
lighting receptacles are designated to be water-tight and found to be in compliance with provisions
defined by Article 5.52.4.20.
In getting the total lighting load, NECP Article 2.20.2.3 provided a table showing the
General Lighting Loads by Type of Occupancy. In order to get the Unit Load (in VA) for a
dwelling unit, the closed floor area shall be multiplied by 33. In the plan’s case, the lighting
load to be used for circuit calculations should be (65 sq. m x 33) 2,145 VA, however only 1,300
VA was used in the given load schedule, therefore the plan does not comply with it.
For switch layout, it was mentioned in NECP Article 2.25.2.4 that there shall be no more
than six (6) disconnects per supply grouped in only one location. It can be seen from the layout
that a one-gang switch was mainly used and a maximum of only two (2) two-gang switches were
found installed next to each other so the layout for the switches complies with the provision.
Another thing to consider is the number of panel boards. One panel board is provided
in the plan and this is located on the ground floor with a designated elevation of 0” – 6’ above
floor level, this is wrong since two panel boards are needed for a two-storey dwelling (one for
ground floor and one for the 2 nd floor) for the convenience of fuse replacement in occurrence
of an overloading, as mentioned in the class discussion.
2. CONVENIENCE (RECEPTACLE) OUTLET
**Separate layout plan for Lighting and Convenience Outlet is not available, but rest
assured that the wirings for Lighting and Convenience outlet are separate and each do
have their own circuit breakers as specified in the riser diagram**
2. APPLICABLE PROVISIONS
2.10.3.3 Dwelling Unit Receptacle Outlets. This section provides requirements for 125-volt, 15-
and 20-ampere receptacle outlets. Receptacle outlets required by this section shall be in addition
to any receptacle that is part of a luminaire (lighting fixture) or appliance, located within cabinets
or cupboards, or located more than 1 700 mm above the floor. Permanently installed electric
baseboard heaters equipped with factory-installed receptacle outlets or outlets provided as a
separate assembly by the manufacturer shall be permitted as the required outlet or outlets for the
wall space utilized by such permanently installed heaters. Such receptacle outlets shall not be
connected to the heater circuits.
(a) General Provisions. In every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, parlor, library,
den, sunroom, bedroom, recreation room, or similar room or area of dwelling units, receptacle
outlets shall be installed in accordance with the general provisions specified in 2.10.3.3(a)(1)
through (a)(3).
(1) Spacing. Receptacles shall be installed so that no point measured horizontally along the floor
line in any wall space is more than 1 800 mm from a receptacle outlet.
(b) Small Appliances.
(1) Receptacle Outlets Served. In the kitchen, pantry, breakfast room, dining room, or similar area
of a dwelling unit, the two or more 20-ampere small-appliance branch circuits required by
2.10.1.11(c)(1) shall serve all wall and floor receptacle outlets covered by 2.10.3.3(a), all
countertop outlets covered by 2.10.3.3(c), and receptacle outlets for refrigeration equipment.
 Exception No. 1: In addition to the required receptacles specified by 2.10.3.3,
switched receptacles supplied from a general-purpose branch circuit as defined in
2.10.3.21(a)(1), Exception No. 1, shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: The receptacle outlet for refrigeration equipment shall be permitted
to be supplied from an individual branch circuit rated 15 amperes or greater.
(3) Kitchen Receptacle Requirements. Receptacles installed in a kitchen to serve countertop
surfaces shall be supplied by not fewer than two small-appliance branch circuits, either or both of
which shall also be permitted to supply receptacle outlets in the same kitchen and in other rooms
specified in 2.10.3.3(b)(1). Additional small-appliance branch circuits shall be permitted to supply
receptacle outlets in the kitchen and other rooms specified in 2.10.3.3(b)(1). No small appliance
branch circuit shall serve more than one kitchen.
(c) Countertops. In kitchens and dining rooms of dwelling units, receptacle outlets for counter
spaces shall be installed in accordance with 2.10.3.3(c)(1) through (c)(5).
(1) Wall Counter Spaces. A receptacle outlet shall be installed at each wall counter space that is
300 mm or wider. Receptacle outlets shall be installed so that no point along the wall line is more
than 600 mm measured horizontally from a receptacle outlet in that space.
(5) Receptacle Outlet Location. Receptacle outlets shall be located above, but not more than 500
mm above, the countertop. Receptacle outlets rendered not readily accessible by appliances
fastened in place, appliance garages, sinks, or rangetops as covered in 2.10.3.3(c)(1), Exception,
or appliances occupying dedicated space shall not be considered as these required outlets.

Figure 2.10.3.3 Determination of Area Behind Sink or Range.

(d) Bathrooms. In dwelling units, at least one receptacle outlet shall be installed in bathrooms
within 900 mm of the outside edge of each basin. The receptacle outlet shall be located on a wall
or partition that is adjacent to the basin or basin countertop.
Exception: The receptacle shall not be required to be mounted in the wall or partition where it is
installed on the side or face of the basin cabinet not more than 300 mm below the countertop.
(e) Outdoor Outlets. For a one-family dwelling and each unit of a two-family dwelling that is at
grade level, at least one receptacle outlet accessible at grade level and not more than 2 000 mm
above grade shall be installed at the front and back of the dwelling. For each dwelling unit of a
multifamily dwelling where the dwelling unit is located at grade level and provided with individual
exterior entrance/egress, at least one receptacle outlet accessible from grade level and not more
than 2 000 mm above grade shall be installed. See 2.10.1.8(a)(3).
(f) Laundry Areas. In dwelling units, at least one receptacle outlet shall be installed for the
laundry.
Exception No. 1: In a dwelling unit that is an apartment or living area in a multifamily building
where laundry facilities are provided on the premises and are available to all building occupants,
a laundry receptacle shall not be required.
Exception No. 2: In other than one-family dwellings where laundry facilities are not to be installed
or permitted, a laundry receptacle shall not be required.
(g) Basements and Garages. For a one-family dwelling, at least one receptacle outlet, in addition
to any provided for laundry equipment, shall be installed in each basement and in each attached
garage, and in each detached garage with electric power. See 2.10.1.8(a)(2) and (a)(5). Where a
portion of the basement is finished into one or more habitable rooms, each separate unfinished
portion shall have a receptacle outlet installed in accordance with this section.
(h) Hallways. In dwelling units, hallways of 3 000 mm or more in length shall have at least one
receptacle outlet. As used in this subsection, the hall length shall be considered the length along
the centerline of the hall without passing through a doorway.

4.8.3.9 Enclosure. Panelboards shall be mounted in cabinets, cutout boxes, or enclosures

designed for the purpose and shall be dead-front.

2.20.2 Branch Circuit Load Calculations

(i) Receptacle Outlets. Except as covered in 2.20.2.5(j) and (k), receptacle outlets shall be
calculated at not less than 180 volt-amperes for each single or for each multiple receptacle on one
yoke. A single piece of equipment consisting of a multiple receptacle comprised of four or more
receptacles shall be calculated at not less than 90 voltamperes per receptacle. This provision shall
not be applicable to the receptacle outlets specified in 2.10.1.11(c)(1) and (c)(2).
 2. ASSESSMENT
A total of fourteen (14) 220V convenience outlets connected to a 20A branch circuit of
2 -12 AWG TW wire and a spare 20A branch circuit with the same specification as the latter
was provided in the electrical plan. The number of receptacle and their locations are
enumerated below:
Ground floor: Second floor:
2 – Kitchen 2 - Bedroom1
2 – Dining 2 - Bedroom2
2 - Living Room 2 - Master’s Bedroom
1 – Garage 1 - Family area

Provisions stipulating the placement of receptacle outlets for dwelling units are covered in
NECP Article 2.10.3.3 (a) through (h). This article predominantly serves as the basis of this
assessment.
Spacing of receptacle outlets is tackled In Article 2.10.3.3 (a), it states that the receptacles
must be installed so that no point measured horizontally along the floor line in any wall space is
more than 1.8 meters from an outlet in that space. Since the maximum distance to a receptacle is
1.8 meters, the maximum distance between two receptacles is doubled. Therefore, the maximum
distance between receptacles shall be 3.6 meters. While spacing for receptacle outlets exclusively
located in countertop spaces of kitchen and dining shall not be installed more than 1.2m away
from each other as specified in the Article 2.10.33 (c). After inspecting the convenience outlet
layout, it was verified that no receptacle outlet spacing exceeds the 3.6m standard and no
countertop receptacle outlet spacing exceeds 1.2m. Therefore the placement of receptacle outlets
is said to be compliance with the code.
In a dwelling, two or more 20A branch circuit are required to serve all receptacle outlets
as mentioned in Article 2.10.3.3 (b). The electrical layout of the plan complies with this by
providing two 20A branch circuits for convenience outlets.
Article 2.10.3.3 (e) states that there shall be atleast two outdoor outlets (one in front and
one in back of the dwelling) which are accessible at grade level and installed not more than 2 m
above grade. However, there is no outdoor outlets found in the plan. For the garage, atleast one
receptacle outlet shall be provided as per Article 2.10.3.3 (g). Luckily, the plan is found to be in
compliant with this.
According to NECP Article 2.10.3.3(h), atleast one receptacle is needed if the length of a
hallway is 3m or more. Meanwhile after checking the plan, it is evident that there is no provided
convenience outlet in the 2nd floor hallway but it’s okay since the hallway has a length of 2.75m
only.
It was not specified in the plan, but the panelboard shall be mounted in cabinets or any
other enclosure as per Article 4.8.3.9.
Lastly for branch circuit calculations, Article 2.20.2 specifies that receptacle outlets
shall be calculated at not less than 180VA per receptacle. There are fourteen receptacles
installed so the load unit to be used for receptacle outlet branch circuit calculations shall be
2520 VA, however only 2000VA was used in the load schedule.