Don’t be that kite labrat that Franklin toasted in the lightning.
Ever since the discovery of electricity from lightning by Franklin up to the first successful invention of modern power grid, many have taken part in innovating the emergence of electrical power. It led to the creation of electricians, electrical contractors, and eventually and association. But even up to this day and age, while electricity provides, it shouldn’t be forgotten that this is one of the most dangerous killer. There are specific conditions on where and how to contain them. This is when the Electrical Code was born.
The Electrical Code has sets of rules and regulations on how to ensure safety to the people and the property. From the safety measures to be taken up by the electricians up to the building users, everyone should be wary of the hazards brought upon by the use of electricity. Every country has its own Electrical Code and sometimes most are being adopted by the one being used internationally, tweaking some parts when it doesn’t suit the current conditions of the specific country.
Included in the code are safety precautions such as the minimum load a certain electrical outlet could have, protection coat for wirings, and even standard measurements to and from the wirings and the parts of the buildings. Some are things that could be useful on my thesis.
Receptacle outlets. According to the code, every dwelling unit shall have receptacle outlets. It even has a minimum requirement of spacing which is that an outlet shall not be more than 1800mm away from the other receptacle outlet. Floor receptacles are not counted as a required number unless it’s 450mm away from the wall. Floor receptacles on my project will be counted as one because some electronic devices are found in the middle of the space which could be 450mm or more away from the certain space’s wall.
Outlet Boxes. Outlet boxes shall be not less than 13mm in internal depth.
Service Drops. Currently, there is an existing service pole along my site. It’s 5.5 meters high as per the CPDO. And it’s a minimum as per the electrical code that service poles shall have a clearance of 5500mm-6000mm over public streets or roads which are subject to vehicular traffics and driveways.
Meter Enclosures. As for electric meters, it is highly favorable that each lessee should have their own meter. It is favorable to not be installed in damp, wet, and combustible locations.
Those are just pieces of the many many many provisions within the code. Hopefully, before we do anything electrical related in our homes, we have at least read the electrical code or seek a professional like an electrician for safety reasons.
Prevention of danger is always better than curing the aftermath.
Photo courtesy of the author.
