Common System Voltages in Philippines

In the Philippine Electrical Code (PEC), the common voltage systems are similar to those used in other
countries, with specific configurations suited to local standards and practices. Here are the common
voltage systems as specified in the PEC:

Common Voltage Systems in the Philippine Electrical Code

Voltage System Description Typical Applications

220-230V Single Standard residential and small commercial Homes, small businesses, general-purpose
Phase voltage system outlets, and lighting
230/440V Three
Common three-phase system for industrial Large commercial buildings, industrial
Phase
and commercial use machinery, and HVAC systems
440/220V Three Older or alternative three-phase
Industrial applications, older installations
Phase configurations

Voltage System Details:

1. 220-230V Single Phase:
 Configuration: This system typically involves one hot wire and one neutral wire,
with the hot wire providing 220V relative to neutral.
 Usage: Commonly used for residential electrical systems and small commercial
buildings. It powers household appliances, lighting, and small equipment.

2. 220-230/380-440V Three Phase:

 Configuration: A three-phase system where 220V is the phase-to-neutral voltage
and 380-440V is the phase-to-phase voltage.
 Usage: Widely used in commercial and industrial applications for three-phase
motors, large equipment, and high-power systems.

3. 380-440/220-230V Three Phase:

 Configuration: This older or alternative system has 380-440V between phases
and 220V between any phase and neutral.
 Usage: Used in some industrial applications, especially in older installations
or specific regional practices.

GROUNDED AND UNGROUNDED CONDUCTORS

The grounded and ungrounded (neutral) conductors are necessary to complete an electrical circuit. They
provide a continuous path from the load to ground. Both conductors are connected to the earth (to
ground), but there are differences in the location and function of each of these conductors. These
differences are addressed in the following sections.

Grounded Conductor
In single-phase branch circuits (beyond the service equipment and any feeders and originating at the
panelboard), a grounded conductor serves as the grounded leg of the circuit. It completes the circuit by
connecting the ungrounded (hot) conductor to ground. Thus, in circuit design, the grounded conductor is
considered to be a current carrying conductor because it serves as a return path back to the circuit’s
power source. On a two-wire branch circuit (e.g., a 120 V circuit with one ungrounded conductor and one
grounded conductor), the grounded conductor carries current equal to the load. For example, if the
ungrounded (hot) conductor is feeding a load of 12 A, then the grounded conductor carries 12 A to ground.
As a result, the grounded conductor must be sized at the same ampacity as the ungrounded (hot)
conductor.

Neutral Conductor
A neutral conductor performs the function of a grounded conductor for at least two ungrounded (hot)
conductors that have sources from different voltage phases, such as on a multiwire branch circuit,
multiwire feeder, and the electrical service.
The conductors served by a neutral must measure voltage between the ungrounded conductors and be
protected by a double or triple-pole breaker or set of fuses. A neutral conductor cannot by definition serve
a single 120 V circuit because it has only one ungrounded conductor; a neutral conductor is a grounded
conductor that is shared between two or more ungrounded conductors. Thus, a neutral conductor is
frequently called a shared neutral or common neutral.
SYSTEM AND CIRCUIT GROUNDING
Grounding
In an electrical system, grounding is required to protect building occupants and electrical equipment.
Grounding an electrical system begins with a ground, an electrode in direct contact with the earth itself.
The grounding conductor is a continuous conductor that connects the ground to the neutral bus bar and
the grounding conductor bus bar in the service equipment/main panelboard. The grounding conductor
does not normally carry current. Instead, it links ground to the metal frames or housings of appliances and
motors and the metal boxes containing outlets and switches. If needed, the grounding conductor can
safely carry current to ground in the event of a lightning strike or in cases of damage or defect in the
circuiting, appliances, devices, or equipment.
Grounding of an electrical branch circuit enables current to take an alternate path back to the overcurrent
protection device if an electrical device or appliance short-circuits. It requires an additional, supplemental
wire, called the grounding conductor, which is connected to the appliance cabinet or housing and provides
an additional grounding path, in addition to the grounded conductor.

Without this additional grounding path, current could flow through a user that was touching a faulty
appliance. For example, assume a damaged ungrounded (hot) conductor of an appliance (i.e., refrigerator)
has contacted the appliance’s metal housing, making the housing hot. See Figure 19.8. Without a
grounding conductor connecting the appliance housing to ground, the appliance housing would remain
hot. This would expose the user to a hazardous condition and the possibility of electrical shock if the user
touched the live housing. As shown in Figure 19.9, with a grounding conductor connecting the appliance
housing to ground, a faulty but complete circuit is created and the circuit breaker or fuse protecting the
circuit would open, thereby shutting down power to the faulty appliance and eliminating occupant hazard.
Essentially, the grounding conductor provides an added safety feature to the wiring system.

System Grounding
System grounding is that part of a building electrical system that provides protection against electrical
shock, lightning, and fires. A lightning strike near the building or a high-voltage transmission line
contacting the service entrance conductors can introduce high voltage to a building electrical system. A
properly grounded electrical system reduces danger and minimizes damage to the wiring and appliances
from such an occurrence

Equipment Grounding
Equipment grounding refers to a grounding conductor or grounding path that connects the noncurrent-
carrying metal components of equipment. This may be accomplished by installing an additional grounding
conductor in all circuits or by permanently bonding (joining) metal components such as metallic conduit in
a circuit to form a good conductive path. Equipment grounding extends from the outlets to the neutral bus
bar at the service entrance equipment.
The equipment-grounding conductor is a bare conductor or a green-colored, insulated conductor that
connects (bonds) the outlet boxes, metallic raceways, other enclosures and frames on motors, appliances,
and other electrical equipment. All receptacles must be of the grounding type (with supplementary
grounding slot) and must be connected to the equipment grounding conductor. If properly bonded, a metal
raceway (conduit) or armored cable system can serve as a means of equipment grounding so an
equipment-grounding conductor is not actually needed.

Double Insulation
Double insulation of an appliance or power tool protects the user from electric shock by creating a
nonconducting barrier between the user and the electric components inside the appliance or tool. An
appliance or tool that is double insulated has two levels of insulating materials between the electrical parts
of the appliance and any parts on the outside that can be touched by the user. If the first layer of
insulation fails, the second layer provides protection. Small appliances and power tools with double
insulation are not required to have a grounding conductor—that is, they are allowed to have a two-prong
plug.
Residential Systems
Normally, a 120/240 V, three-wire, single-phase service entrance
serves a residence. In some cases where it is the only
service available, a 120/208 V, three-wire, single-phase service
entrance is used. Power from a ground- or pole-mounted utility
transformer located outside the building is brought to the building
service equipment through underground or overhead service
entrance lines. From a single panelboard rated from 100 to 200 A or more, power is distributed throughout
the residence through branch circuits.
These branch circuits originate at the panelboard, are protected by overcurrent protection in the
panelboard, and terminate at outlets serving appliances, equipment, and lighting. In large residences, a
set of feeders may extend from the main panelboard and bring power to one or more sub panelboards
located at a remote area of the building. Branch circuits originating at the sub panelboard feed outlets in
these outlying areas.
Multifamily Dwellings
In multifamily dwelling units (e.g., apartments, condominiums), power is brought from a utility transformer
to the building service equipment. It is then divided at a main distribution panel, passes through individual
meters, and is distributed to the individual dwelling units through feeders. Each dwelling unit is served by
a separate panelboard located in the dwelling unit. Branch circuits extend from a panelboard to feed
outlets within the unit. A house panelboard has branch circuits that serve common areas (e.g., corridors,
laundry rooms, lobbies, and so forth).