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Philippine Electronics Code - Volume 1 Safety

GENERAL ELECTRICAL PROTECTION AND GROUNDING REQUIREMENTS
Section 1 - Electrical Hazards
1. an electrical discharge which occurs between clouds and also from cloud to earth...
Answer: Lightning
2. Power contact / induction
3. results from abnormally high sound level, the physical effects of which may vary from minor discomfort to serious injury...
Answer: Acoustic Shock
4. current through the body rather than voltage of the circuit determines electric shock intensity. Voltage is significant only in so far as it is one of the factors determining the magnitude of current...
Answer: Electric Shock
a. The average resistance of a dry adult human body is approximately 1000 ohms. Wet or damaged skin reduces this figure and 1500 ohms is a conservative figure representing the body resistance for safety calculations...
b. Ventricular fibrillation is likely to occur when a 60Hz rms current of 30 milli amperes and above passes through ones chest cavity. Because of this, any circuit from which in excess of 30 milli ampere rms AC or 90 milli ampere DC can be drawn through a 1500 ohm resistor (45V RMS AC OR 135V DC) shall be classified as
hazardous...
c. The potential difference at any time between any exposed structure (Equipment cabinets, Housings, Supports, etc.) to ground (Floor, Earth, etc.) or between any exposed structure within the reach of an adult person (Approx. 1.5 meters) shall be no greater than 45 volts rms AC or 135 volts DC
d. The potential difference at any time between two points on the floor or earth surface separated by a distance of one pace, or about one meter, in the direction of maximum potential gradient shall be no greater than 45 volts rms AC or 135 volts DC

Section 2 - Protection Methods

1. it is the provision of a grounded electrical conducting material located such that foreign potential will be intercepted and surge currents diverted to ground with the least damage to plant equipment possible...
Answer: Shielding
2. prevents development of hazardous potential difference in communication plant by direct bonding, when permissible or by use of surge arresters, discharge gaps, diodes, etc. which operate under abnormal voltage condition...
Answer: Voltage Limiting
3. current in a circuit can be kept from rising above a predetermined value by the use of a fuse in series with a circuit. When current flows through a fuse for a specified time with a magnitude greater than its rating, the fuse will interrupt the current...
Answer: Current Limiting and Interrupting
4. used to divert undesired currents before they reach the equipment being protected and often are installed both at and some distance away from the protected equipment...
Answer: Grounding and Bonding
a. it is the resistance path of a ground connection which includes the ground wire and its connection to ground electrode. The ground electrode, the contact between the electrode and the earth and the surrounding soil. This value should NEVER EXCEED 5.0 OHMS FOR
EQUIPMENT LOCATIONS, ANTENNA TOWERS, AND ALL ALLIED INSTALLATIONS, AND 25 OHMS FOR OUTSIDE PLANT TELEPHONE POLES AND MANHOLES AS WELL AS CUSTOMER PREMISES...
Answer: Ground Resistance
b. it is an electrode buried in the ground for the purpose of establishing a low resistance electrical contact with the earth. Example: driven rods, driven pipes, buried plates, buried cones, or other similar devices placed in the ground...
Answer: Made Ground
Section 3 - Methods and Materials
1. is a metal strip or rod, usually of copper or similar conductive material, designed to protect tall or isolated structures (such as the roof of a building or the mast of a vessel) from lightning damage...
Answer: Lightning Rods
2. a device used in electrical systems to protect against excessive current...
Answer: Fuses and Current Interrupting
3. these are normally open circuited devices and pass no significant current at normal operating potentials...
Answer: Surge Arresters
4. provides certain level of safety to humans and property in case of equipment damages...
Answer: Grounding and Bonding
Section 4 Measurements
1. measurement procedures that is simple and straight forward and the instruments are mostly direct reading...
Answer: Ground Resistance Test Methods
Methods for Ground Resistance Measurements
a. Direct Method or two terminal test the simplest way to make an earth resistance test
b. The fall of potential method or three terminal test
c. Voltmeter-Ammeter Method
d. Triangulation Method
2. it is the resistance of parallel faces of a one cubic centimeter of soil. Expressed in ohm-centimeter...
Answer: Earth Resistivity
3. Determining Good Electrode Location
Bullet 1: Drive rods in various locations to such depths as may be required and measure the resistances while the rods are being driven...
Bullet 2: Measure the earth resistivity before driving ground rods then calculate the number and length of rods required...
4. How to Improve Grounds
Bullet 1: Lengthen the ground-electrode in the earth...
Bullet 2: Use multiple rods
Bullet 3: Treat the soil when 1 & 2 are not feasible
Section 5 - Maintenance and Inspection
1. Grounding system requirements from year to year can change depending on the following factors :
a. A plant or facility can expand in size or change its operation...
b. As more non-metallic pipes and conduits are installed underground, such installation becomes less and less dependable as effective low-resistance ground connections...
c. In many locations, the water table is gradually falling, and grounds formerly effective may end up uneffective...
d. Ground resistance shall be tested when installed and periodically afterwards, at least once a year during the dry or non-rainy months and ALL VALUES OBTAINED SHALL BE NO GREATER THAN THE RULE REQUIRED. (See protection method).

2. All ground connections, be it solderless or soldered, shall be checked at least once a year to be sure they are tight. Physical damage to ground wires shall be checked at the same time and damages rectified or damaged conductors replaced.
3. Do not test grounds during thunderstorm days.
4. Never take hold of two wires or a wire or rod or probe in such a way that you complete a circuit through yourself.
5. Stray earth currents, accidental contacts or ground faults in the power system may produce an undeterminable difference of potential between two points, so use rubber gloves and handle ground wires under test as if they are energized.

Section 6 - GENERAL STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS

1. Heavy Loading Zone this loading shall be taken as the resultant stress due to wind and dead weight for 240 kph wind velocity.
2. Medium Loading Zone - this loading shall be taken as the resultant stress due to wind and dead weight for 200 kph wind velocity.
3. Light Loading Zone - this loading shall be taken as the resultant stress due to wind and dead weight for 160 kph wind velocity.
Section 7 - POWER SOURCES
Storage Batteries and Chargers
1. Batteries should be located where temperatures range between 15.5 and 32.2 degrees Celsius (60 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit). Higher temperature will shorten battery life and lower temperature will decrease the ampere-hour capacity and may damage the battery by freezing especially when the
batteries are in low state of charge.
2. Lead acid or similar gas emitting battery installations where the aggregate power (ampere-hour rating, at the 8-hour rate to 1.75 volts per cell multiplied by the battery voltage) exceeds 5 kilowatts shall be located in a properly ventilated room separated from the equipment room or location where people
are staying.
3. Explosion resistant vents shall be provided for all lead acid or similar gas emitting batteries above 10 ampere-hour capacity and ascertained by periodic inspection that the vents are free from obstruction.
4. Ventilation of the battery room is very important especially during high charging and discharging condition. Although the battery is fitted with an explosion proof vent, an enclosed room could develop a sufficiently high concentration of an explosive gaseous mixture which could be ignited by sparks from adjacent
electrical or electronic equipment as well as accidental sparks or open flame introduced by personnel. All air moved by ventilation in the battery room orarea should be exhausted into the outside atmosphere and should not be allowed to recirculate into other confined areas.
5. Smoking and storing of inflammable materials is prohibited in battery rooms and NO SMOKING signs should be posted in conspicuous locations inside and before entering battery rooms.
6. Batteries, where the corrosive electrolyte maybe added in the field or customer location, transported by air or boat shall be shipped dry charged. They may be transported with electrolyte via land transportation provided electrolyte leakage or spillage are contained with its crate or carton and
proper markers regarding handling precautions are clearly marked on its crate or carton.
7. Batteries on racks shall be provided with earthquake bracings which hold the sides of the batteries and prevent them from falling off the rack.
8. For noise consideration, grounds may have to be separated as one of the various possible means to help meet noise objectives and, in such case, the grounds may be insulated from each other except at the final point of earth connection at the master ground bar or earth electrode.
9. Power cables are sized to limit the voltage drop due to resistance of the cable and hole heating of the cables to a safe limit. The limits of minimum voltage are critical to the operation of the equipment; therefore, it is important that voltage drops in the cabling be carefully controlled.
10. Attempt should be made to limit the overall voltage drop from the battery to the working equipment to a maximum of one volt. The final selection of cable size should be generous since the calculation makes no allowance for voltage drop due to items such as fuses, switches, etc.
11. Various battery voltage may be derived by connecting a number of cells in series and in all cases the rule required is not violated. (See Electrical Hazards).
12. Frames of battery chargers, battery enclosures if provided, and all exposed metallic structures shall be bonded together and grounded, meeting the required rule. (See Electrical Hazards).
13. Caustic soda or either acid neutralizing agents should be stored and available in battery rooms for use in accidental electrolyte or acid spillage.

Section 8 - DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. a point of entry or a means of entry into a circuit...
Answer: Access
2. admitting close approach because not guarded by locked doors, elevation or other effective means...
Answer: Accessible
3. a part so located that it can be contacted by a person, either directly or by menas of a probe or tool, or that is not recessed the required distance behind an opening...
Answer: Accessible part
4. devices that perform a secondary or minor duty as an adjunct or refinement to the primary or major duty of a unit of equipment...
Answer: Accessories
5. the science of sound
Answer: Acoustics
6. the physical pain, dizziness and sometimes nausea caused by hearing a sudden very loud sound. The threshold of pain is about 120 dBm...
Answer: Acoustic Shock
7. the change in properties of a material with time...
Answer: Aging
8. a separating space between two magnetic materials or conductors...
Answer: Air Gap
9. a visual or audible signal which alerts personnel to the existence of an abnormal condition
Answer: Alarm
10. to have an electrical potential or charge different from that of the earth...
Answer: Alive
11. a type of telephone cable sheath featuring a corrugated aluminum tape applied longitudinally and a polyethylene jacket overall...
Answer: Alpeth
12. a scale of cross sectional measurement for nonferrous (copper, bronze, aluminium, etc.) wires
Answer: American Wire Gauge
13. the quantity of electricity represented by a current of one ampere that flows for one hour...
Answer: Ampere-Hour
14. any device which holds something secure; a device buried in the ground to which anchor rods and guys are fastened...
Answer: Anchor
15. dry; containing no water. A means for radiating or receiving radio waves...
Answer: Anhydrous Antenna
16. any device that uses or needs electricity or usually an alectric current supply to perform a certain function or operation; any equipment, usually complete in itself, that transforms electric energy into another form usually, visual, heat, or motion at the point of utilization...
Answer: Appliance
17. device which diverts high transient voltage to ground and away from the equipment thus protected; the voltage limiting portion of a protector...
Answer: Arrester
18. protector consisting of opposing spaced metal electrodes within a sealed tube or enclosure filled with gas such as neon or argon...
Answer: Arrester Gas-Filled
19. a grouping of components to accomplish a particular function
Answer: Assembly
20. air holding in suspension dust, metal particles or flammable gas in such proportions that may ignite explosively
Answer: Atmosphere, Explosive
21. all of the plant elements (cables, cross-arms, brackets, etc) which are fastened to a supporting structure such as a pole...
Answer: Attachments
22. pertaining to frequencies which can be heard by the human ear...
Answer: Audio
23. describing the actions of a device or equipment which are taken without human supervision in response to certain pre-determined conditions...
Answer: Automatic
24. the main system route, usually the route carrying the majority of the traffic, and often the longest series of cascaded hops...
Answer: Backbone

25. range of frequencies of a device, within which its performance, in respect to some characteristics conform to specified limits; the difference between the upper and lower limits of the operating frequency of the device...
Answer: Bandwith
26. band of frequencies occupied by the aggregate of all the information signals used to modulate a carrier...
Answer: Baseband
27. a group of two or more cells connected together to furnish current by conversion of chemical, thermal, solar or nuclear energy into electrical energy...
Answer: Battery
28. a low resistance electrical connection between two cable sheaths, between two ground connections or between similar parts of two circuits...
Answer: Bond
29. a conductor or group of conductors, that serve as a common connection for two or more circuits...
Answer: Bus
30. assembly of insulated conductors into a compact form which is covered by a flexible, waterproof, protective covering...
Answer: Cable
31. the complete electrical path between terminals over which telecommunications are provided...
Answer: Circuit
32. the vertical space reserved along the side of a pole or tower to permit ready access for linemen to equipment and conductors located thereon...
Answer: Climbing Space
33. anything such as a wire or cable which is suitable for the carrying of an electric current...
Answer: Conductor
34. transmitting and or receiving of information signals, or messages between two or more points...
Answer: Communication
35. abbreviation for decibel which is one-tenth of a bel. A unit expressing the ratio of two voltages, currents or powers. It is equal to 20 times the common logarithm of the ratio of the two voltages or two currents and 10 times the common logarithm of the ratio of the two powers...
Answer: dB
36. insulated wires, used to run a subscribers line from the terminal on the pole to the protector at the house or building...
Answer: Dropwire
37. the branch of science and technology which deals with the control and utilization of electron flow...
Answer: Electronics
38. the selective interconnection of channels of communication by means consisting essentially if not entirely of electronic circuitry and circuit elements...
Answer: Electronic Switching
39. one that is designed and constructed to withstand an explosion og a gas or vapour that may occur within it or in its immediate vicinity and to prevent the ignition of the gas or vapour surrounding or within its enclosure...
Answer: Explosion proof
40. a part which can be inadvertently touched or approached nearer than a safe distance...
Answer: Exposed Part
41. anything used or available for use in the furnishing of communication service...
Answer: Facility
42. the elements used or available for use in the furnishing of communication service, such as radio facilities, outside plant facilities, indoor plant facilities, etc...
Answer: Facilities
43. a physical condition that causes a device, a component or a element to fail to perform in a required manner...
Answer: Fault
44. a current that flows from one conductor to ground or to another conductor owing to any abnormal connection (including an arc) between the two...
Answer: Fault current
45. apparatus so treated such that it will not maintain a flame or will not be injured readily when subjected to flame...
Answer: Flame Proof
46. property of materials or structures such that they will not convey flame or continue to burn for longer times than specified in the appropriate flame test...
Answer: Flame Retarding
47. a discharge through air, around or over the surface of solid, liquid or other insulation, between parts of different potential of polarity, produced by the application of voltage such that the breakdown path becomes sufficiently ionized to maintain an electric arc...
Answer: Flashover
48. a device used for protection against excessive currents. Consisting of a short length of fusible metal strip which melts when the current through it exceeds the rated amount for a definite time...
Answer: Fuse
49. a conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, by which an electric circuit or equipment is connected to earth, or to some conducting body of relatively large extent that serves in place of the earth...
Answer: Ground
50. a bus to which the grounds from individual pieces of equipment are connected, and, that, in turn, is connected to ground at one or more points...
Answer: Ground Bus
51. a configuration of grounding conductors arrange around a structure such as building, tower footing, tower guy anchor etc. normally connected to an earth ground at one or more points
Answer: Ground Ring
52. a tension member (of solid or stranded wires) used to withstand an otherwise unbalanced force on a pole or other overhead line structures...
Answer: Guy
53. a guy extending from a pole or structure or tree and is sometimes called a span guy...
Answer: Guy, Overhead
54. a guy which has its lower anchorage in the earth...
Answer: Guy, Anchor
55. a guy which has any part less than 2.5 meters from the vertical plane of any electric power conductor of more than 250 volts...
Answer: Guy Exposed
56. a guy which has any part within a vertical distance of less than 2.5 meters from the level of power conductors and a radial distance of less than 1.8 meters from the surface of a wooden pole or structure...
Answer: Guy in Proximity
57. covered, shielded, fenced, enclosed, or otherwise protected by means of suitable covers or casings, barrier rails or screens, or platform to remove the likelihood of dangerous contact with or approach by persons or objects to a point of danger...
Answer: Guarded
58. an opening in an underground run or system into which workers reach, but do not enter. A subsurface box having a cover flush with the ground...
Answer: Handhole
59. any condition which imperils life, limb and property...
Answer: Hazard
60. separated from other conducting surfaces by a dielectric substance or air space permanently offering a high resistance to the passage of current and to disruptive discharge through the substance or space. When anyobject is said to be insulated, it is understood to be insulated in suitable manner for
conditions to which it is subjected. Otherwise, it is, within the purpose of this code, uninsulated...
Answer: Insulated
61. occupancy of poles or structures by two or more different entities by mutual agreement...
Answer: Joint Use
62. a device designed to protect apparatus from high transient voltage, by diverting surge current to ground and capable of repeating this function as specified...
Answer: Lightning Arrester
63. the channels or conductors and their supporting or containing components or structures usually located outdoors which are used for transmission/reception of information/intelligence in communication service (telephone, telegraph, data telemetering, video, etc.)...
Answer: Lines, Communication
64. the conductors and their supporting or containing structures which are located outdoors used for transmitting a supply of electrical energy...
Answer: Lines, Power
65. all of the work required to keep the plant, circuits, lines, facilities, systems and services up to standards. This includes testing, trouble clearing, repairing, and replacing defective elements...
Answer: Maintenance
66. a subsurface chamber, large enough for a person to enter, in the route of one or more conduit runs, and affording facilities for placing and maintaining in the runs, conductors, cables and any associated apparatus...
Answer: Manhole
67. operated by mechanical force, applied directly by personal intervention...
Answer: Manual
68. stranded steel wires in a group which generally is not a part of the conducting system, its primary function being to support wires or cables of the system...
Answer: Messenger
69. any unwanted disturbance in a communication system which tends to obscure the clarity and validity of a signal in relation to its intended end use...
Answer: Noise
70. a control, usually a knob, pushbutton or lever, provided to enable the user to cause the appliance to perform its intended function, without the use of tools, when the appliance is in normal operating condition...
Answer: Operating Control

the

71. a general term applied to the whole or portion of the physical property of a communication company which contributes to the furnishing of communication service...
Answer: Plant
72. all plant which is inside of buildings...
Answer: Plant, Inside
73. all plant which is out of doors not in buildings, such as poles, conduits, cables, etc. installed overhead or underground...
Answer: Plant, Outside
74. capable of being accomplished by reasonably available and economic means...
Answer: Practicable
75. a device which provides protection from overvoltage and or over-current...
Answer: Protector
76. a protector whose voltage limiting element utilizes carbon blocks...
Answer: Protector, Carbon Block
77. a protector whose voltage limiting element employs electrodes in a gas filled (neon, argon, etc.) envelope...
Answer: Protector, Gas Tube
78. persons trained and authorized for the construction, maintenance and operation of the apparatus, circuit or system and responsible for the safety precautions involved...
Answer: Qualified
79. any energy which radiated in the form of radio waves, infrared (heat) waves, light waves, x-rays. etc...
Answer: Radiant Energy
80. the spreading out of radiant energy
Answer: Radiate
81. a metallic rod, driven into the ground to provide an electrical connection to the earth...
Answer: Rod, Ground
82. a metallic rod carried above the highest point of a pole or structure and connected to earth by a heavy copper conductor intended to carry lightning currents directly to earth...
Answer: Rod, Lightning
83. that work which in any way changes the identity of the plant or station or portions thereof...
Answer: Reconstruction
84. the installation from the terminal on the pole to the protector at the customers premises...
Answer: Service Drop
85. the maximum departure, measured vertically, of a wire or cable in a given span from a straight line between the two points of support of the span at 60 degrees Celsius and no wind loading...
Answer: Sag
86. the horizontal distance between two adjacent supporting points of a cable or wire...
Answer: Span
87. the branch circuit supplying electrical energy to the equipment or appliance...
Answer: Supply Circuit
88. a configuration or arrangement of one or more electronic equipment producing the desired performance...
Answer: System, Electronic
89. any transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, visual or other electromagnetic system or such other system that may in the future become known or developed...
Answer: Telecommunication
90. the pulling stress required to break a material, such as a wire, expressed in kilograms of stress per cross-sectional area...
Answer: Tensile Strength
91. mechanical stress caused by forces which tend to stretch or severe the material stressed...
Answer: Tension
92. one-half of the tensile strength for messengers Allowable guys, etc. and one-fourth of the tensile strength for communication cables and wires...
Answer: Tension, Maximum
93. the horizontal displacement of a point on the tower axis from its no-wind load position at that elevation...
Answer: Tower Displacement
94. tower sway at any specified elevation shall be defined as the angular displacement of a tangent to the tower axis at the elevation from its no-wind load position at that elevation...
Answer: Tower Sway
95. the horizontal angular displacement of the tower from its no-wind position at that elevation...
Answer: Tower Twist
96. describing communication facilities installed below the surface of the earth...
Answer: Underground
97. the space extending laterally from the climbing space, reserved for working below, above and between conductor levels; the space surrounding a device or equipment...
Answer: Working Space