SECTION 2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

SECTION

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2.0 SCOPE
This Section covers general requirements for the examination and approval, installation and use, access to
and spaces about electrical conductors and equipment; enclosures intended for personnel entry; and tunnel
installations.

2.1 ADMINISTRATIVE
(1) Enforcement
(a) This Code is intended to be suitable for mandatory application by governmental bodies that
exercise legal jurisdiction over electrical installations, including signaling and communications
systems, and for use by insurance inspectors.
(b) The authority having jurisdiction for enforcement of the Code has the responsibility for making
interpretations of the rules, for deciding on the approval of equipment and materials, and for
granting the special permission contemplated in a number of the rules.
(c) By special permission, the authority having jurisdiction may waive specific requirements in this
Code or permit alternative methods where it is assured that equivalent objectives can be achieved
by establishing and maintaining effective safety.
(d) This Code may require new products, constructions, or materials that may not yet be available at
the time the Code is adopted. In such event, the authority having jurisdiction may permit the use
of the products, constructions, or materials that comply with the most recent previous edition of
this Code adopted by the jurisdiction.
(2) Mandatory Rules and Permissive Rules
(a) Mandatory Rules. Mandatory rules of this Code are those that identify actions that are
specifically required or prohibited and are characterized by the use of the terms shall or shall not.
(b) Permissive Rules. Permissive rules of this Code are those that identify actions that are allowed
but not required, are normally used to describe options or alternative methods, and are characterized by
the use of the terms shall be permitted or shall not be required.

2.1.1 Authority for Rules

(1) By virtue of the authority vested in the Authority having jurisdiction, this Code has been adopted and
hereby orders and directs its observance.
ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD

EBCS-10: 2013

SECTION 2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1.2 Permit
(1) Electrical contractors or others responsible for the carrying out of the work shall obtain a permit from
the Authority having jurisdiction before commencing work with respect to installation, alteration, repair,
or extension of any electrical equipment.

2.1.3 Application for Inspection

(1) An application for inspection shall be fixed with the Authority having jurisdiction on a form provided
by the latter at the time the permit is obtained;

2.1.4 Posting of Permit

(1) A copy of the permit shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the site of the work and shall not be
removed until the inspection is completed.

2.1.5 Notification Re-inspection

(1) The Authority having jurisdiction shall be notified in writing by the electrical contractor at work is
ready for inspection at such time or times as will permit inspection being made before any work or
portion thereof is commenced.

2.1.6 Plans and Specifications

(1) Plans and specifications in duplicate or in greater number if required by the Authority having
jurisdiction one copy to be retained by the Authority, shall be submitted by the owner or his agent to, and
acceptance obtained from, the Authority before work is commenced on:
a)

Wiring installations of public buildings, industrial establishments, factories, and other

buildings in which public safety is involved:

b)

Large light and power installations and the installation or apparatus such as generators,
transformers, switchboards, large storage batteries:

c)

Such other installations as may be prescribed by the Authority having jurisdiction.

2.1.7 Connection Authorization

(1) Where any electrical installation or part thereof to which electrical power or energy has not previously
been supplied is made in or upon any land building or premises, where any electrical installation or part
thereof has been disconnected or cut off from any service or other source of supply under this Code, no
supply authority, contractor or other person shall connect or reconnect the installation or part thereof to
any service or other source of supply unless:
a) The installation and all work in respect thereof have been inspected by an inspector; and
b) a connection authorization has been issued by the Authority having jurisdiction in respect of the
installation.

ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD

EBCS-10: 2013

SECTION 2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1.8 Re-inspection
(1) The Authority having jurisdiction reserves the right to re-inspect at any time electrical installation
notwithstanding any previous inspection and acceptance, if and when it considers such action to be
necessary.

2.1.9 Renovation of Existing Installation

(1) The Authority having jurisdiction may require such changes as may be necessary to be made to
existing installations where, through hard usage, wear and tear, or as a result of alteration or extensions,
dangerous conditions have developed.

2.1.10 Use of Approved Equipment

(1) No one shall use any electrical equipment other than approved electrical equipment of a kind or type
and rating approved for the specific purpose for which it is to be employed.
(2) In judging equipment, considerations such as the following shall be evaluated:
(a) Suitability for installation and use in conformity with the provisions of this Code
(b) Mechanical strength and durability, including, for parts designed to enclose and protect other
equipment, the adequacy of the protection thus provided
(c) Wire-bending and connection space
(d) Electrical insulation
(e) Heating effects under normal conditions of use and also under abnormal conditions likely to
arise in service
(f) Arcing effects
(g) Classification by type, size, voltage, current capacity, and specific use
(h) Other factors that contribute to the practical safeguarding of persons using or likely to come in
contact with the equipment
(3) Conductors. Conductors normally used to carry current shall be of copper unless otherwise provided
in this Code. Where the conductor material is not specified, the material and the sizes given in this
Code shall apply to copper conductors. Where other materials are used, the size shall be changed
accordingly.
(4) Deteriorating Agents. Unless identified for use in the operating environment, no conductors or
equipment gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, or other agents that have a deteriorating effect on the conductors
or equipment; or where exposed to excessive temperatures. Equipment identified only as dry locations,
or indoor use only shall be protected against permanent damage from the weather during building
construction.

2.1.11 Deviation or Postponement

(1) In any case where deviation or postponement of this Code may be necessary, special permission shall
be obtained before proceeding with the work, but this special permission shall apply only to the particular
installation for which it is given.

ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD

EBCS-10: 2013

SECTION 2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1.12 Powers of Rejection

(1) Even though approval has previously been granted, the Authority having jurisdiction may reject, at
any time, any electrical equipment under any of the following conditions:
a)

If the equipment is substandard with respect to the sample' on which approval was granted.

b)

If the conditions of use indicate that the equipment is not suitable.

c)

If the terms of the approval agreement are not being carried out.

2.1.13 Installation of Electrical Equipment

(1) Electrical equipment shall be installed as to ensure that, after installation, there is ready access to
nameplates and access to parts requiring maintenance.

2.1.14 Damage and Interference

(1) No person shall interfere with any electrical installation or component thereof except when, in the
course of alterations or repairs to non-electrical equipment or structures, it may be necessary to disconnect
or move components of an electrical installations.
(2) It shall be the responsibility of the person carrying out the alterations or repairs to ensure that the
electrical installation is restored to a safe operating condition as soon as the progress of the alterations or
repair will permit.

2.1 TECHNICAL
2.2.1 Conventional Symbols and Measurement units
(A) Conventional Symbols
(1) Graphical symbols that are to be used in all drawings, wiring plans, etc for electrical installations of
buildings shall be as indicated in Section 26? of this Code.
(B) Measurement units
(1) For the purpose of this Code, metric units of measurement are in accordance with the modernized
metric system known as the International System of Units (SI).
(2) Permitted Uses of Conversion from inch pound system to SI units
(a) Trade Sizes. Where the actual measured size of a product is not the same as the nominal size,
trade size designators shall be used rather than dimensions. Trade practices shall be followed in
all cases.
(b) Industry Practice. Where industry practice is to express units in inch-pound units, the
inclusion of SI units shall not be required.
ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD

EBCS-10: 2013

SECTION 2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

(c) Compliance Compliance with the numbers shown in either the SI system or the inch-pound
system shall be permitted to be an approximate conversion and shall constitute compliance
with this Code.

2.2.2 Coordination
(1) Proper coordination and collaboration between the architect, building engineer and the electrical
engineer shall be effected from the planning stage of the installation.
(2) The provisions that will be needed for tile accommodation of substation, transformer, switch room, lift
wells and other appurtenant rooms, service cable ducts, rising mains and distribution cables subdistribution boards, openings and chases in floor and walls for all required electrical installation, etc, shall
be specified in advance.

2.2.3 Location and Requirement of Substation

(1) The ideal location of an electrical substation for a group of buildings would be at the load centre and
shall be located on the ground floor.
(2) In multi-storeyed buildings, the substation shall preferably be installed on the lowest floor level, but
direct access from the street for installation or removal of the equipment shall be provided. The floor level
of the substation or switch room shall above the highest flood level of the locality. 'In this case, the load
centre would be somewhere between the geometrical centre and the air-conditioning plant room.
(3) The availability of power lines nearby may also be kept in view while deciding the location of the
substation.

2.2.4 Rooms (Spaces) Required

(1) In allocating area of a substation, it shall be noted that the flow of electric power is from supply
company's room to high tension room, then to transformer and finally to the low voltage switchgear room.
The layout of rooms shall be in accordance with this flow.
(2) The following rooms are required in a substation:
a) Switchgear Room - Supply company's switchgear room and/or space for meters.
b) Transformer Rooms - The number and size of transformer rooms shall be ascertained from the
total power requirement of the consumer.
c) Low-Voltage Switch Rooms - The floor area requirement in respect of low voltage switchgear
room shall be ascertained from the number of feeders.
d) Stand-by Generators. A room space not less than 6.0m x 9.0m may be provided for housing a
stand-by generator.
e) Location of Switch Rooms - In large installations other than where a substation is provided, a
separate switch room shall be provided; this shall be located as closely as possible to the
ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD

EBCS-10: 2013

SECTION 2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

electrical load centre and suitable ducts shall be laid with minimum number of bends from the
point of entry of the supply to the position of the main switchgear. The switch room shall also
be placed in such a position that rising ducts may readily be provided there from to the upper
floors of the building in one straight vertical run In larger buildings, more than one rising duct
and horizontal ducts may also be required for running cable from the switch room to the foot of
each rising main. Such cable ducts shall be reserved for .the electrical services only which may,
however, include medium and low voltage installation, such as call-bell systems; telephone
installations should be suitably segregated.

2.2.5 Location and Requirements of Distribution Boards

(1) The electrical control gear distribution boards and other apparatus, which are required on each floor,
may conveniently be mounted adjacent to the rising mains, and adequate space should be provided at each
floor for this purpose.

2.2.6 Location and Requirements of PBX/PABX Rooms

(1) Information regarding provision for and location of PBX/PABX shall be obtained from the relevant
authority and adequate space should be provided for installation of the boards.

2.3 PLANNING AND DESIGNING

2.3.1 General
(1) The design and planning of an electrical installation shall take into account all the prevailing
conditions which may include some or all of the following:
a)

Type of supply.

b)

Envisaged load having regard to the requirements of the owner or occupant.

c)

The probable modifications and future extensions/expansions to provide ample space and
capacity.

d)

The degree of electrical and mechanical protection necessary.

e)

The probable operation and maintenance cost taking into account the electricity supply tariffs
available.

f)

The relative cost of various alternative methods.

g)

The need for radio and telecommunication interference abatement.

2.3.2 Layout and Installation Drawing

(1) The electrical layout should be considered after proper locations of all outlets for lamps, fans,
appliances - both fixed and transportable, motors, etc, have been selected and best methods of wiring
determined.
(2) All runs of wiring and exact positions of all points of switch-boxes and other outlets shall be first
marked on the plans of the building and approved by the engineer in charge or the owner before the actual
commencement of the work.
ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD

EBCS-10: 2013

SECTION 2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.3.3 Design
(1) The design of electrical installation shall ensure:
a)

the protection of persons, livestock and property;

b)

the proper functioning of the electrical installation for the intended use.

(2) The information required as a basis for design shall be:

a) Nature of current: a.c. and/or d.c.
b)

nature and number of conductors:

i) for a.c.:

phase conductor(s);
neutral conductor;
Protective conductor.

ii) for d.c.

Conductors equivalent to' those listed above.

c)

Voltage and voltage tolerances;

d)

Frequency and frequency tolerance;

e)

Maximum current allowable;

f)

Prospective short-circuit current;

g)

Nature of demand;

h)

Emergency supply or supplies;

i)

Environmental conditions.

(3) The design shall comply with the requirements of this Code.

2.4 MARKING OF EQUIPMENT

2.4.1 General
(1) Each piece of electrical equipment shall bear such of the following markings as may be necessary to
identify the equipment and ensure that it is suitable for the particular installation:
a)

The maker's name, trademark, or other recognized symbol of identification.

b)

Catalogue number or type.

c)

Voltage.

ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD

EBCS-10: 2013

SECTION 2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

d)

Rated load amperes.

e)

Watts, volt-amperes, or horsepower.

f)

Whether for a.c., d.c., or both.

g)

Number of phases.

h)

Frequency in Hertz.

i)

Rated load speed in revolution per minute.

Designation of terminals.

k)

Whether for continuous or intermittent duty.

1)

Evidence of approval.

m) Such other marking as may be necessary to ensure safe and proper operation.

(2) Each service box, at the time of installation, shall be marked in a conspicuous, legible, and permanent
manner to indicate clearly the maximum rating of the over current device which may be used for this
installation.
(3) At each distribution point, circuit breakers, fuses, and switches shall be marked, adjacent thereto, in a
conspicuous and legible manner to indicate clearly:
a) Which installation or portion of installation they protect or control;
b) The maximum rating of over current device that is permitted.

2.4.2 Workmanship and Materials

(1) Careful attention shall be paid to the mechanical execution of the work in connection with any
electrical installation.
(2) Any installation that has been badly arranged or poorly executed, either generally or in any particular
way, will not be accepted by the Authority having jurisdiction.
(3) Electrical Connections
(a) Because of different characteristics of dissimilar metals, devices such as pressure terminal or
pressure splicing connectors and soldering lugs shall be identified for the material of the
conductor and shall be properly installed and used.
(b) Conductors of dissimilar metals shall not be intermixed in a terminal or splicing connector
where physical contact occurs between dissimilar conductors (such as copper and aluminum,
copper and copper-clad aluminum, or aluminum and copper-clad aluminum), unless the device
is identified for the purpose and conditions of use.

ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD

EBCS-10: 2013

SECTION 2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

(c) Materials such as solder, fluxes, inhibitors, and compounds, where employed, shall be suitable
for the use and shall be of a type that will not adversely affect the conductors, installation, or
equipment.
(4) Terminals
(a) Connection of conductors to terminal parts shall ensure a thoroughly good connection without
damaging the conductors and shall be made by means of pressure connectors (including set-screw
type), solder lugs, or splices to flexible leads.
(b) Connection by means of wire-binding screws or studs and nuts that have upturned lugs or the
equivalent shall be permitted for 10 AWG ( xx mm2) or smaller conductors.
(c) Terminals for more than one conductor and terminals used to connect aluminum shall be so
identified.
(5) Splices
(a) Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing,
welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy.
(b) Soldered splices shall first be spliced or joined so as to be mechanically and electrically secure
without solder and then be soldered.
(c) All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation
equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose.

2.4.3 Material for Anchoring to Masonry and Concrete

(1) Wood or other similar materials shall not be used as an anchor into masonry or concrete for the
support of any electrical equipment.

2.4.4 Protection of Persons and Property

(1) Electrical equipment shall be installed and guarded so that adequate provision is made for the safety of
persons and property and for the protection of the electrical equipment from mechanical or other injury to
which it is liable to be exposed.

2.4.5 Maintainability
(1)An assessment shall be made of the frequency and quality of maintenance the installation can
reasonably be expected to receive during its intended life.
(2) Where an authority is to be responsible for the operation of the installation, that authority shall be
consulted.

ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD

EBCS-10: 2013

SECTION 2: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

(3) The following characteristics are to be taken into account in applying the requirements of this Code,
having regard to the frequency and quality of maintenance expected:
a)

Any periodic inspection and testing and maintenance and repairs likely to be necessary
during the intended .life can be readily and safely carried out.

b)

The effectiveness of the protective measures for safety during the intended life is ensured.

c)

The reliability of equipment for proper functioning of the installation is appropriate to the
intended life.

2.4.6 Enclosures
(1) Degree of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment shall be in accordance with
IEC 60529.

ETHIOPIAN BUILDING CODE STANDARD

EBCS-10: 2013