ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING LAWS

Prepared by:

Engr. Arnold L. Alburo

 EE 326: EE LAW, CODES AND
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
• Course Description: The course is designed to prepare electrical engineering
students for professional practice. Topics include educationm and practice of
the New Electrical Engineering Law and other laws governing the profession ,
Philippine Grid Code, Philippine Distribution Code, Basic Contracts and
Ethics in relation to the practice of the electrical engineering profession.
• Number of Units: 2 units lecture ; Number of Hours per week: 2 hours lec.
• Prerequisite: Ethics
 COURSE OUTCOME
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
1. Discuss the existing laws, codes, and guidelines in the practice of the
electrical engineering profession;
2. Explain the basic concept of contracts and obligations and ethical
standards in the practice of the electrical engineering profession; and
3. Analyze and present case studies related to Electrical Engineering Laws,
NBC, PGC, PDC, PFPC, Contracts and Ethics.
 Course Outline
1. The New Electrical Engineering Law (RA 7920) of 1995
2. Anti-Electricity Pilferage Act (RA 7832) of 1994
3. EPIRA Law (RA 9136) of 2001
4. Code of Ethics for EE
5. Basic Contracts and Obligations
6. Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumer
7. Warranties, Liabilities, Patents, Bids, and Insurance
8. Philippine Grid Code (PGC)
9. Philippine Distribution Code (PDC)
10. National Building Code (NBC)
11. Philippines Fire Protection Code (PFPC)
12. Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)
13. Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) Rules
14. Performance Base Rate (PBR)
15. Power Supple Agreement
16. Feed in Tariff (FIT)
17. Guidelines for Energy Conserving Design of Buildings and
Utility Systems
18. Other relevant laws, codes and standards in the energy and power
industry.
DEFINITION OF LAW
LAW

• The term “law” denotes different kinds of rules and principles. Law is an
instrument which regulates human conduct/behavior. (Jurisprudence –
Law, University of Kashmir)
• Law means Rules of Court, Decrees, Judgment, Orders of Courts, and
Injunctions from the point of view of Judges. (Jurisprudence –Law,
University of Kashmir)
• Law – is a rule of conduct developed by the government or society over a
certain territory. (www.toppr.com)
 A rule of action to which men are obliged to make their
conduct conformable, a command, enforced by some
sanctions, to acts and forbearances of class
 A principle of conduct observed habitually by an individual
or a class
 In its widest sense. Law is an aggregate of rules
enforceable by judicial means in a given country.
Jowitt on Dictionary of Englis Law, 2nd Edition
Mitra’s Legal and Commercial Dictionary
RULE

• Rule - a legal precept or doctrine. (Merriam

Webster Dictionary)* Precept - a general rule
intended to regulate behavior or thought.
• Rule – a regulation or bylaw governing procedure
or controlling conduct. (Merriam Webster
Dictionary)
 Rule shall mean a rule made in exercise of power
conferred by any enactment and shall include a
regulation made as a rule under any enactment.
General Clause Act of 1897 and 1956 Section 3 (47).
 Rule of Law - the mechanism, process, institution,
practice, or norm that supports the equality of all
citizens before the law, secures a nonarbitrary form of
government, and more generally prevents the arbitrary
use of power. (Britannica.com)
 IMPORTANCE OF LAW

• The law represents society’s norm and what is

good, equal and fair as per the society. Each
society has its own rules, but with the
modification in society’s norm, these rules
alter. In society, law is needed for major
reasons:
 To govern the behavior of people in accordance
with society’s norms including contract of laws,
regulatory law, prohibition laws, personal laws,
etc.
 To balance the damage done by the victim against
a person and society in general.
 Gathering and extracting profits from the masses
by using taxation laws.
 “IGNORANCE OF LAW EXCUSES NO ONE”

The legal principle of ignorantia juris non excusat (ignorance of

the law excuses not) or ignorantia legis neminem excusat
(ignorance of law excuse no one) is derived from Roman law.

Essentially, it means that if someone breaks the law, he or she is

still liable even if they had no knowledge of the law being broken.
DEFINITION OF A CODE
 WHAT IS A CODE?

• A code is a set of rules that serve as generally accepted

guidelines recommended for the industry to follow. They
exist for the purpose of safety, quality or other benefit.
• For example, electrical codes exist to ensure system
reliability and that building occupants are safe from shock
risks.
On its own, a code is not a law that must be
followed, but can be adopted into a law or included
in a business contract.
Each code specifies the minimum acceptable
requirements for an electrical process or for the
performance of the final system itself. Codes may
incorporate or refer to existing standards or
specification.
DEFINITON OF A STANDRAD
 WHAT IS A STANDARD?

• A standard is a set of technical definitions and

guidelines, “how to” instructions for designers,
manufacturers and users. Standards promote safety,
reliability, productivity, and efficiency in almost every
industry that relies on engineering components or
equipmwnt.
• A code tells you what you need to do, and a standard
tells you how to do it.
 Voluntary standards. One type of voluntary standard is established by
a private-sector body and made available to persons or organizations,
whether private or public. Also considered voluntary standards are
those known as “ industry standards” or “consensus standards.” The
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), for
example, may make voluntary standard mandatory as a result of its use,
reference or adoption in its regulation or when invoked in contracts,
purchase orders or other commercial instruments.
 Mandatory Standards. A mandatory standard requires compliance
because of a government statute or regulation, an organization internal
policy or contractual requirement. Failure to comply with a mandatory
standard’s guidelines can cause a legal repercussions.
DEFINITION OF A REGULATION
 WHAT IS A REGULATION?

• A regulation is mandated by a government body and

requires that – by law – those in the industry comply.
The regulation can incorporate codes or standards, or be
created completely on its own. Unlike a code or standard,
a regulation does not necessarily require any industry
consensus or knowledgeable body to put in affect.
DEFINITION OF SPECIFICATION
 WHAT IS A SPECIFICATION?

• Unlike a code or standard, which can apply broadly to an

industry and region, specifications outline the requirements of
a specific company or product. A specification provides
specific requirements for the materials, components, or
services used in an application. Sometimes, a specification
will also dictate a standard installation or design layout of those
components. Specification requirements may go above and
beyond code or standard requirements.
 A SUMMARY OF CODES, STANDARDS,
SPECIFICATIONS AND REGULATIONS

• When it comes to facility electrical protection, it’s important to follow the codes,
standards, specifications and regulations that are either recommended or required
by law.
• Codes are generally accepted sets of rules that tell you what you need to do.
• Standards provide the “how to” of executing codes.
• Specifications, unlike codes or standards, outline the requirements of a specific of
a company or product.
• Regulations, which can incorporate codes and standards, are mandated by a
government body and required, by law, to be complied with.
THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY!
THANK YOU..