Wrapped Joints and Philippine Electrical Code

• Wrapped Tap or Tee Joints are employed on large solid conductors where wrapping heavy tap wire around the main wire is challenging.

Tools and Materials

• Wire strippers are used for insulation removal.
• Lineman’s pliers are utilized for twisting and securing wires.
• Electrical tape or heat shrink tubing provides insulation.
• Soldering iron and solder wire are used for permanent connections.

Philippine Electrical Code (PEC)

• The PEC is a set of standards and regulations for safe electrical systems in the Philippines.
• It offers guidelines for design, wiring, equipment, grounding, protection, and other electrical aspects.
• The aim is to ensure electrical safety and efficiency.
• PEC establishes quality and work standards for electricity use in various applications.

Splicing and Jointing

• Splicing connects two or more electrical wires.
• Jointing joins cables or wires using specific techniques for reliable connections.
• Proper splicing and jointing ensures continuous electrical flow and prevents hazards.
• It also enhances wire durability and safety.

Types of Splices and Joints

• Rat-tail (Pig-tail) Splice: Used to join conductors inside a junction box, suitable for service.
• Y-Splice: Used on small, flexible cables for single-operation wrapping.
• Knotted Tap: Used where the tap wire is under heavy tensile stress.

Types of Tap Joints

• Plain Tap Joint: Used where the tap wire is under considerable tensile stress.
• Aerial Tap: A temporary tap for construction sites that allows tap wire movement.
• Duplex Cross Joint: Two-tap wires turned simultaneously, used where the tap wire is under heavy tensile strength.
• Western Union Short Tie Splice: Widely used for interior wiring to extend wire length.
• Western Union Long Tie Splice: Extensively used for outside wiring to extend wire length.
• Cross Joint: A combination of two plain tap joints placed side by side.

Adequacy in Electrical Installation

• Compliance with PEC ensures safety in electrical installation and construction.
• PEC is mandated by RA 7920, also known as the Electrical Engineering Law.
• Other related laws include P.D. 1096 (National Building Code) and P.D. 1185 (Fire Code of the Philippines).
• RA 7920 regulates the practice, licensing, and registration of electrical engineers and electricians.

Government Authorities Implementing PEC

• Office of the Building Official
• Office of the City Electrician
• Office of the Municipal Electrician
• Regional Office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

Building Officials

• Building Officials enforce the PEC, as indicated in RA 7920, Sec. 29, and BP 1096, Sections 103 and 301.

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

• The BFP enforces the Fire Code regarding electrical systems, particularly Section 7.A.1, but lacks legal authority on electrical system design.
• A permit is required prior to any electrical installation.
• An inspection is required, and a Certificate of Final Electrical Inspection is issued once installations pass inspection.

Electronic Assembly

• Proper component mounting ensures circuit functionality through either:
• Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
• Through-Hole Technology (THT)

Surface Mount Technology (SMT)

• SMT components are very small compared to traditional components.
• SMT is designed for maximum circuit integration and miniaturization.

Advantages of Surface Mount Technology (SMT) in Design

• Smaller in size and lighter in weight.
• Can be mounted on a PCB without through-hole insertion.
• Can be mounted on both sides of a PCB.

Disadvantages of Surface Mount Technology (SMT)

• Higher cost compared to through-hole components.
• Manual assembly is more difficult.
• Requires high accuracy in PCB artwork.
• More complex layout design.
• Prone to thermal issues due to high packaging density.
• Electronic circuits with SMT are more complex.

Through-Hole Technology (THT) Mounting

• THT involves inserting components with leads through drilled holes in PCBs.
• Hand soldering or wave soldering is typically used with it.

Advantages of Through-Hole Technology (THT)

• Higher speed for operation.
• High package density.
• Requires low storage area and volume, making it compact.
• High resistance to shock and vibrations.

Feature Comparison: Surface Mount vs. Through-Hole

SMT

• Smaller, compact component size
• Placement directly on PCB face
• Automated, efficient assembly
• Common in mobile devices

THT

• Larger component size requiring drilled holes
• Components inserted through PCB holes
• Manual assembly, more secure
• Common in prototypes, and for industrial applications

Soldering Principles

• Clean surface is required.
• Application of proper heat.
• Sufficient solder flow is needed.
• Secure connection

Lead vs. Lead-Free Solder

• Lead solder (Sn-Pb) is easier to use and has a lower melting point.
• Lead-free solder (Sn-Ag-Cu) is environmentally friendly but has a higher melting point.

Common Soldering Mistakes

• Cold joints
• Excess solder
• Insufficient solder
• Overheating components

Summary

• Proper mounting and soldering guarantee reliable circuit function.
• Soldering and assembly skills are crucial for robotics and electronics careers
• Practice is required to improve soldering.