This is a series of articles where we shall be discussion the common violation on the Philippine Electrical Code. It is the assumption of this series of article that the Electrical installer are duly licensed by the Professional Regulations Commission, plans are checked, signed and sealed by a registered Professional Electrical Engineer, and all permits has been acquired prior to the installation.
The PEC includes provisions on labeling requirements for both new and reconditioned equipment. When labels are missing or illegible, maintenance personnel and other electrical professionals face challenges in troubleshooting electrical issues, as disconnecting equipment from the system becomes much more difficult.
In many facilities, the same electrical crew works for decades, installing and maintaining the electrical system over the years. But then the unexpected occurs: the maintenance team is gone. Some members have retired, others have had life-altering events that make them unavailable, and some have passed away. The vital knowledge they held either stayed in their heads or was recorded in files that were eventually discarded. Now, without a simple label, countless hours are wasted trying to understand how to isolate or disconnect electrical equipment.
Proper labeling is important to ensure that future electrical practitioners can work safely and efficiently on the electrical system. It only takes a few minutes longer to make a label or order one for the equipment.
Equipment Labeling
A labeled equipment as defined in the PEC is an equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of an organization that is concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled equipment or materials, and by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates compliance with appropriate standards or performance in a specified manner.
Sections of the PEC which requires equipment labeling:
- Section 1.3.2.1.(G).(3).a Identification and/or labeling of feeders and subfeeders
- Section 1.3.2.1.(G).(4).a Identification and/or labeling of load center showing type and rating of transformer, switches, circuit breaker and other related devices
Exception
Section 1.10.17.(B) Service Equipment