QuestionsQuestions (ERB Resolution NO. 95-21)
ERB Resolution No. 95-21 (adopted 3 August 1995) is titled “Standard Rules and Regulations Governing the Operation of Electrical Power Services.” It amends the earlier Revised Order No. 1 (approved 27 November 1941) to update rules for the operation of electric power services in light of changed economic and technological conditions.
It covers all electric power utilities under the supervision, control, and jurisdiction of the Energy Regulatory Board (as applicable). “Electric utility” includes any person (natural or juridical), their lessees/trustees/receivers, and municipalities/provinces/cities engaged in electric power service for hire or compensation, with general or limited clientele, permanent or occasional.
An electric utility must comply with: (1) its CPCN terms and conditions; (2) ERB rules, regulations, memoranda, orders, and circulars; (3) Philippine laws; (4) provincial resolutions and city/municipal ordinances; (5) other rules by competent authorities; and (6) if a franchise grantee, the franchise terms and conditions.
Every electric utility must operate, maintain, and provide safe, reliable, adequate, efficient, and continuous electric service.
Upon request, the utility must provide its customers (with copies furnished to the ERB) all information and assistance pertaining to its service to provide reliable, efficient, and economical service.
The utility must extend electric service after the customer fully complies with the utility’s requirements. Connection of the utility’s service lines and meters with the customer’s premises is free of charge. The point of service connection is designated by agreement between utility and consumer, and the relationship is governed by an application/service contract approved by the Board.
It prohibits undue preference or unjust discrimination in service.
No. It cannot adopt a commercial or business name without first securing ERB approval.
The utility may install only generating/producing units and/or distribution equipment authorized in its CPCN (or those later authorized by the Board). It cannot increase, substitute, or withdraw authorized equipment/machinery without prior Board authority.
It makes it unlawful for any electric utility to help/consent to fictitiously or surreptitiously registering equipment belonging to another, or to operate such equipment under the utility’s CPCN.
Construction/installation/operation/maintenance must follow the Philippine Electric Code and any ERB rules related to it. If no applicable Philippine Electric Code provisions exist, the U.S. Bureau of Standard National Electrical Safety Code applies.
Examples include: (1) watt-hour meters for energy generated; (2) watt-hour meters for energy purchased; (3) indicating/graphic wattmeters for load of each generating unit; (4) voltmeters for bus potentials; (5) ammeters for current in each generating unit and each feeder; (6) frequency meters for AC stations of more than 100 kW; (7) power factor/VAR meters for AC stations with generating units over 100 kVA; and/or (8) voltage regulators and specified protective relay/synchronizing devices.
At least once every two (2) years.
Utilities furnishing metered electric service must maintain at least one watt-hour meter standard to check customer meters, calibrated by the Board at least once a year.
Lighting service: voltage variation shall not exceed 5% plus/minus of nominal voltage, and voltage regulation shall not exceed 6%. For emergencies or areas where customers are widely scattered and the Board deems close regulation not justified, greater variation may be allowed.
Not violations if caused by: (1) operation of power apparatus on customers’ premises requiring large starting current; (2) action of the elements; and (3) infrequent and unavoidable short-duration fluctuations due to station operation.
Adopt 60 Hertz as standard frequency and maintain it reasonably constant so variation does not exceed one (1) Hertz above or below the standard frequency.
Including but not limited to: start/stop times of generating units; feeder switching times; daily watt-hour meter readings; quarter-hourly (during heavy-load three consecutive hours) and hourly readings of wattmeters/voltmeters/ammeter; daily station peak load time and magnitude; interruptions with time/duration/extent/cause; and daily consumption of lubrication oil and fuel waste.
No. No meter may be placed in service unless tested, certified, and sealed by the Board. The ERB seal is a warranty that (1) the meter is an acceptable/accepted type and (2) it operates within allowable tolerance limits.
Service may be discontinued for nonpayment as provided in Section 43, with a written 48-hour notice prior to disconnection. Disconnections cannot be made on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and official holidays. If the customer tenders payment at the moment of disconnection, the utility’s agent/employee must accept payment, issue a temporary receipt, and desist from disconnecting.