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VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

CONTENTS

“Knowing more
about storm surges
is one way of
understanding
such calamities,
and subsequently,
preparing for them.”

15
THE TRUTH ABOUT
ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS
Leaving toddlers without the supervision of an adult is
always an unsafe practice because children may play with an
electrical outlet with a stick or with his or her fingers.

17
THE SCIENCE
OF STORM SURGES
Storm surges are perhaps the most dangerous threats to
residents of coastal areas during typhoons.

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS IN THE BLADE

PERFORMANCE OF A HORIZONTAL
AXIS WIND TURBINE FOR LOW
VOLTAGE APPLICATION
Will we be able to produce a blade with an output in accordance
to ideal curves? Will we be able to successfully design and
construct a functional blade?

THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTNING

VERY, VERY FRIGHT’NING? PART 1 OF 2:
LIGHTNING PROTECTION OF
TALL STRUCTURES
The protection of tall structures against direct lightning strikes
is usually provided by the installation of a lightning rod of the
determined height on the top of the structure.
VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 1
 WIRES & CABLE ACCESSORIES • BOXES & ENCLOSURES • PIPES & FITTINGS

GERMANY AUSTRALIA SOUTH KOREA

• CONTROL CABLES • INSTRUMENTATION CABLES • LOW VOLTAGE ARMORED

• DATA CABLES POWER CABLES
• VFD MOTOR CABLES • MEDIUM VOLTAGE POWER
• FIBER OPTIC CABLES CABLES
• HEAT-RESISTANT CABLES
• POWER CABLES
• RUBBER SHEATHED CABLES

FINLAND
GERMANY
U.K.

• MARINE CABLES FOR • CABLE GLANDS FOR • WEATHERPROOF BOXES

POWER, CONTROL INDUSTRIAL AND • PLASTIC CABLE GLANDS
& DATA APPLICATIONS HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS
• REDUCER / ADAPTOR AND
OTHER ACCESSORIES

U.S.A.
GERMANY

• ENCLOSURES FOR • RIGID STEEL CONDUIT • TERMINAL LUGS

HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS (RSC) PIPES • MECHANICAL AND CRIMP
• CONDUIT BODIES & COVERS TYPE CONNECTORS
• FITTINGS • COMPRESSION TOOLS

2/F Le Mar Ben II Bldg. 747 San Bernardo St., Sta. Cruz, Manila 1003 Philippines
Tel: +(632) 734 5344/46/48 | +(632) 736 1654
Fax: +(632) 733 6454
Your Perfect Connection to Quality Products www.zenithwire.com

30
SURF SESH AURORA
32
FACTS ABOUT ELECTRIC SHOCK
Sabang Beach is the main hub for visitors and locals,
but also nearby (a 30-minute trike or 45 min walk) is
the infamous beach break, Charlie’s Point.

03
CONTRIBUTORS
08
THE FUTURE IS NOW, ARE WE COMPETITIVE?:
THE IIEE MID-YEAR NATIONAL CONVENTION

05
LETTERS 09
BE RECOGNIZED AS A GLOBALLY COMPETENT

06
ASEAN CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
(ACPE)

IIEE-STATE OF QATAR CHAPTER CONDUCTS

TECHNICAL SEMINAR 12
07
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT

NORTHERN LUZON REGION PREPARES

FOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH 14
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
FOR TECHNICAL AFFAIRS

2 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

ANA BESA likes to dig deeper when she stumbles upon DR. MARK DRABKIN has made significant contributions in
topics she finds interesting, confident that there are always lightning strike prevention technology. He was a member
two sides to every story. She tries to convince people that of the power team in Rocketdine/Boeing Corporation for
there is a good reason her desk is always messy: She says design of the power system of the International Space
the mess inspires her to be more creative, or something. Station. He has developed new methods and technology for
*cough-Albert-Einstein-cough* lightning and transient protection for power, broadcasting,
signal and data processing equipment and has published
more than 50 scientific and technical papers.
JOSEPH REIHART R. CARPIO, STEPHANIE P.
ESTARIS AND ANDREA MAYE T. FRISNEDI are BS
Electrical Engineering (BSEE) students from the Mapua MICHAEL C. PACIS is a registered electrical engineer with a
Institute of Technology. Their research interest includes BSEE and a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering
power system design and protection. (MSEE), major in power systems, from Mapua. At present,
he teaches electrical engineering and is pursuing his PhD
in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, major in power
GLENN V. MAGWILI is a registered electrical engineer with systems, at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
a BSEE and an MSEE, major in control systems, from Mapua. His research interests include power system protection,
At present, he is a full time electronics and computer renewable energy sources, distributed generation,
engineering teacher and his research interests include microcontroller-based projects, and smart grids.
renewable energy sources, microcontroller based projects,
and control systems.
GELYN LEE loves to conjure into existence the things she
imagines. She spends the day experimenting on the
NINJ REYES-ABAY took up Fine Arts in college; now computer that she forgets to comb her hair. “That’s life,”
teaches Art Appreciation and Literature subjects to she says. “We only gain from it.”
collegiate seminarians aside from writing a parenting
column. She and her husband are homeschooling parents to
their 12-year old son. NORMAN RAMIREZ is an artist and educator. He is
beginning to grow suspicious of gluten, having learned
on Wikipedia that it is “the composite of a gliadin and a
JOSEPH MANAYAN loves traveling and learning the glutenin, which is conjoined with starch in the endosperm of
customs and traditions of the places he visits. He considers various grass-related grains.”
his trusty camera his ticket to the world.

ANDREI MUI is the chief executive officer of Hitachi Critical

ENGR. ON LAI MUN has over eight years of experience in Facilities Protection Pte Ltd. He was trained in the U.S. in the
conducting audit services and undertaking projects reacted field of lightning protection engineering and has since been
to lightning protection, surge protection, and grounding. involved in the lightning protection industry for 15 years
She was awarded the status of Associate ASEAN Engineer now. He is a recognized lecturer on the subject of lightning
by the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organization. and lightning protection in South East Asia.
She has published several technical papers for international
conferences.

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 3

 ABOUT
THE COVER

INTEGRITY. INNOVATION. EMPOWERMENT. EXCELLENCE.

2014 THEME
CONTINUOUSLY ENHANCING ELECTRICAL PRACTITIONERS’ COMPETITIVENESS
TOWARDS GLOBAL EXCELLENCE

THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER EDITORIAL BOARD

CHAIRMAN FLORIGO C. VARONA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ROLITO C. GUALVEZ
ASSOCIATE EDITOR RONALD VINCENT M. SANTIAGO
TECHNICAL CONSULTANT ALLAN C. NERVES
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER RAMON P. AYATON

EDITORIAL STAFF
CONSULTING TEAM LEADER ARIEL ROSELO
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT KRIS LACABA
LAYOUT ARTIST JON DELOS REYES
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ANA KRISTINA CEZELE B. BESA
GELYN O. LEE
Don’t be shocked by our cover.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ANDREI MUI, DR. MARK DRABKIN,
ENGR. ON LAI MUN, NINJ REYES-ABAY, We just want to invite you to
JOSEPH REIHART R. CARPIO, sit down and enjoy the new
STEPHANIE P. ESTARIS, ANDREA Electrical Engineer magazine.
MAYE T. FRISNEDI, MICHAEL C. PACIS,
GLENN V. MAGWILI, AND CHRIS FRIAS
COVER PHOTO: JOSEPH MANAYAN
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JOSEPH MANAYAN, JOSEPH T.
MODEL: CAITLYN JOLIE MANAYAN
GONZALES, AND CHRIS FRIAS

CONTRIBUTING ARTIST NORMAN RAMIREZ

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN ROLITO C. GUALVEZ
VOLUME XLIII
VICE CHAIRMAN RONALD VINCENT M. SANTIAGO 2ND QUARTER 2014
MEMBERS ALLAN C. NERVES
CYRUS V. CANTO
ERLINDO C. TACNENG JR.
KRISTIAN CARLO B. VICTORIO
MARVIN H. CASEDA
OVERSEER FLORIGO C. VARONA
MISSION
ADVERTISING AND MARKETING To deliver high-quality products and services
in order to instill excellence in the Electrical
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE MARY GRAZELLEN C. JOSE
MARKETING SUPPORT APPLE JUNE P. UBAY-UBAY Practitioner, and to enhance the technical
profession to enable it to make positive
2014 IIEE BOARD OF GOVERNORS contributions to national development.
NATIONAL PRESIDENT ALEX C. CABUGAO
VP-INTERNAL AFFAIRS MA. SHEILA C. CABARABAN VISION
VP-EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LARRY C. CRUZ To be the best and most prestigious
VP-TECHNICAL AFFAIRS FLORIGO C. VARONA
NATIONAL SECRETARY JOEBE B. PANHILASON professional technical organization in the
NATIONAL TREASURER FLORENCIO D. BERENGUEL Philippines.
NATIONAL AUDITOR VIRGILIO S. LUZARES
GOVERNOR-NORTHERN LUZON JUAN R. AGTARAP II
GOVERNOR-CENTRAL LUZON YOLANDA S. POSADAS-JUDAN
GOVERNOR-METRO MANILA ARIEL P. DURAN
GOVERNOR-SOUTHERN LUZON ELMER O. CASAO PRINTING BY: LEX MEDIA DIGITAL
GOVERNOR-BICOL AMANDO D. LANUZA
GOVERNOR-WESTERN VISAYAS ROGEN B. DELOS REYES
GOVERNOR-EASTERN/CENTRAL VISAYAS WILFREDO P. CAÑIZARES
GOVERNOR-NORTHERN MINDANAO RAMIL L. OMBINA
GOVERNOR-SOUTHERN MINDANAO GEORGE R. BALILI The views and opinions expressed by
GOVERNOR-WESTERN MINDANAO ALVIN P. MIGUEL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RAMON P. AYATON
the contributors of The Electrical Engineer
magazine do not necessarily reflect the views
IIEE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT DEPARTMENT HEADS the editors and publishers of the magazine or
ADMINISTRATIVE-OIC MARY ANN B. GUILLEN of Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of
TECHNICAL MA. ELENA U. LIONGSON
MARKETING ALLEN M. PIDO the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE). IIEE and the editorial
MEMBERSHIP MARJORIE AGUINALDO-MUÑOZ board carry no responsibility for the opinions
FINANCE-OIC EMEE F. SULIT
expressed in the magazine.

The Electrical Engineer is published quarterly by the Institute of Integrated Articles or visual materials may not be
Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE), with editorial and business offices at
reproduced without written consent from the
#41 Monte de Piedad St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.
Tel Nos. (632) 722-7383, 727- 3552, 412-5772, 414-5626, Fax Nos. (632) 721-6442 & 410-1899. publisher. The publisher reserves the right to
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For an e-copy, you may visit our website, www.iiee.org.ph publication. Articles, reactions, and feedback
from readers may be sent through email at
The present circulation of the magazine is 35,000 copies per issue to members and industry stakeholders.
eemagazine@iiee.org.ph.

4 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

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T. Le Mar • 733-3408
Ben II Bldg.,
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Emergency & exit lighting
Obstruction &
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Wires & cables
Obstruction lights
Industrial plugs & sockets
Wires & cables
Connectors,
Industrial lugs,
plugs and tools
& sockets
ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Electrical distribution
Connectors, lugs, andequipment
tools Naderev Saño, the Philippines’ Commissioner for the
Control units
Electrical distribution equipment Climate Change Commission, pleaded with developing
Lightning
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units countries to agree to do something about this problem
Channels & support &
Lightning protection systems
grounding system
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questions, and photos.

YOUR
Climate Change, which obligates industrialized countries to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Likewise, Canada
withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol in 2011.
Please send your letters
Thailand to eemagazine@iiee.org.ph.
Exothermic Welding U.S.A.
If the industrially advanced countries cannot reach an Thailand
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Grounding System,
Welding U.S.A. & Extension Rings
Metallic Boxes, Covers,
agreement on climate change, developing countries &Lightning
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System, & Extension Rings
Lightning Protection Metallic Boxes, Covers,
(including the Philippines) cannot do anything about climate The Electrical Engineer magazine reserves the right to refuse
change. publication or to edit letters for clarity and brevity.

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 5

NEWS

IIEE-STATE OF QATAR
CHAPTER CONDUCTS
TECHNICAL SEMINAR
Holds General Membership Meeting

T
TEXT BY AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF IIIEE STATE OF QATAR CHAPTER

he Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers Hon. Kristine F.

State of Qatar Chapter (IIEE-SQC) conducted Bautista, third
the 1st IIEE-SQC Technical Seminar and secretary and
General Membership Meeting on April 4, vice consul from
2014, at the Copthorne Hotel Doha, State the Philippine
of Qatar. There were 115 participants (73 Embassy, delivered
IIEE members, 28 non-members, and 14 her inspirational
guests) including honorable guests from the message. Her
Philippine Embassy and Philippine Overseas speech highlighted
Labor Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration the accreditation
(POLO/OWWA). of Philippine
universities and
The theme of the seminar, “Continuous Enhancing Electrical colleges by
Practitioners’ Competitiveness towards Global Excellence,” the Supreme
coincided with the IIEE theme for the period. The seminar Education Council
tackled the topic of registration with the Urban Planning of Qatar.
and Development Authority (UPDA) in Qatar, which is a
requirement when working with companies in the country. In Bautista assured
Qatar, all professionals must be registered with the Ministry that the Philippine
of Municipality and Urban Planning. Embassy, through
our Philippine
The resource speaker on this topic was Engr. Robert M. Ambassador,
Villanueva, professional electrical engineer (PEE), IIEE-SQC is closely
former chapter president. coordinating with
the Commission on
During the presentation, Engr. Villanueva shared his Higher Education
experience on how to become a Registered Grade “A” of the Philippines
Electrical Engineer at the UPDA. The UPDA, the counterpart (CHED) to ensure
of Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines, that all accredited
is the authorized government agency of Qatar to issue the universities and
Certificate of Professional Registration. colleges in the
Philippines are included in the list.
Engr. Villanueva expressed his thanks to IIEE-SQC because
the UPDA has honored his certificate of participation to the Engr. Edgardo E. Estebal, the current IIEE-SQC vice-
technical seminars conducted by IIEE-SQC as his trainings president for technical affairs, gave a report on the chapter’s
and seminar references. financial statement for the first quarter of the year on behalf
of the chapter treasurer. As presented, the total generated
IIEE-SQC also invited various Philippine Government funds as of March 31 was QAR 32,617 less incurred
accredited agencies in Qatar, such as the Pag-ibig Fund expenses of QAR 19,282. The total cash at hand as of March
and Social Security System (SSS), to assist our electrical 31 was QAR 13,336.00.
practitioners. Norlyn Acosta of Pag-ibig Fund and Michael
Ingal of SSS assisted our attendees in the facilitation and Engr. Arnulfo D. Surigao, vice-president for internal affairs,
verification of their membership as well as in updating their presented a report on behalf of the chapter president,
contributions. Engr. Christoper M. Cadiente. Engr. Surigao highlighted
the accomplishments of the chapter for the first quarter
Hon. Amelia Empaynado, POLO/OWWA welfare officer, of the year as well as other activities of the chapter for
gave updated information for Special Professional Licensure 2014. Surigao, who was also the overall activity chairman,
Board Examinations 2014. She explained that additional awarded a plaque of appreciation to Mercipina N. Monforte.
professional licensure examinations will be conducted by the Monforte was the technical speaker who gave a talk on the
Professional Regulation Commission on October 3, 4, and 5. latest trends in videoconferencing. The live broadcast and
The tests will be for dentists (written), electronic technicians, website technology was powered by My Video Talk.
master plumbers, and professional teachers.

6 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

 NEWS

NORTHERN LUZON REGION

PREPARES FOR ELECTRICAL
SAFETY MONTH
WRITTEN BY JUAN R. AGTARAP II, IIEE NORTHERN LUZON GOVERNOR
PHOTOS COURTESY OF IIEE NORTH LUZON CHAPTER

I
nstitute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines-Northern Luzon Chapter inspected six schools in April to
determine materials needed for Brigada Eskwela, in preparation for the Electrical Safety Enforcement and Awareness
campaign for Electrical Safety Month in May.

The Northern Luzon Chapter coordinated with the local government of the municipality of Bauang, La Union. In a
meeting with Bauang Mayor Martin P. De Guzman III in March, the organization sought permission to conduct an
electrical safety seminar in the barangays.

The Department of Labor and Employment-Region 1 invited IIEE join their planning meeting, electrical inspection, and
seminar on Basic Occupational Safety and Health scheduled in June.

Finally, the organization also coordinated with the Central Ilocandia College of Science and Technology (which is accredited
by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) to conduct a welding certification program as part of IIEE’s
livelihood program.

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 7

NEWS

THE FUTURE IS NOW,

ARE WE COMPETITIVE?
The IIEE National Mid-Year Convention

WRITTEN BY GELYN LEE

T
he Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers and awareness. “It is often misinformed through the media
of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) held a national the unacceptable cause of fire being faulty electrical
mid-year convention from May 23 to 24, wiring,” Leoncio said. “The fact is, electrical safety starts
hosted by North Cebu chapter at Radisson with me.”
Blu Hotel, Cebu City.
Engr. Noel T. Fernandez, former IIEE Region 7 governor,
The IIEE theme for the convention once gave a lecture on reliability engineering in industrial plants.
again, was “Continuously Enhancing the The lecture talked about the interconnected factors and
Electrical Practitioners Competitiveness issues that contribute to the reliability of electrical systems in
Towards Global Excellence.” Its essence comes with the industrial plants.
questions, “where are we now? What have we achieved?”
“As the probability of failures is 24/7, how are power
The resource speaker, Engr. Oscar P. Pasilan, president and substations protected?” Engr. Wille P. Canizares, the 2014
general manager of JBR Electro-Mechanical Services, Inc. IIEE Central/Eatern Visayas Region governor, asked in his
in Cebu city, tackled the neutral grounding system of AC seminar on power substation protection system.
generators. On the third day, Engr. Erwin J. Salvador led the first
technical seminar, with his discussions on the importance
Engr. Rod Picolera, Professional Technical Development and analysis of fault calculations.
Committee chair, led a presentation on professional training
and development. Ms. Shiela Cabaraban, IIEE national Engr. Dominico A. Amora discussed the American National
vice-president-internal gave a presentation on the 1989 Standards Institute/Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Washington Accord, an agreement among countries on Engineers method in sizing medium-voltage circuit breakers.
accrediting professional engineering degree programs. Engr. Meleusipo E. Fonollera, former IIEE national president,
followed with a talk about renewable energy power plant
Engr. Francis V. Mapile, a former IIEE president, gave technologies. Engr. Noel T. Fernandez, in his presentation,
a presentation on issues and experiences in wholesale talked about powering the world.
electricity spot market. Engr. Jaime V. Mendoza gave
updates on Board of Electrical Engineering discussed in the Lastly, the 2014 chairman of the IIEE professional practice
last presentation. committee, Engr. Joebe B. Panhilason, discussed the salient
provisions of Philippine Electrical Code 2009, part 1, vol. 1.
Engr. Dominico A. Zamora gave a technical lecture on
arc-flash hazard analysis on the second day of the mid-year Emmanuel Decena, Magna Cum Laude from the Cebu
convention. An arc flash, a type of electrical explosion, can Institute of Technology University received a cash prize
injure a person standing in its path, he said. amounting to PHP 10,000 from IIEE, handed over by the
National President, Alex C. Cabugao and Eastern/Central
Engr. Hipolito A. Leoncio, a former IIEE national president, Visayas regional governor, Engr. Wilfredo P. Cañizares,
in his lecture, talked about electrical safety enforcement during National Mid-Year Convention.

8 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

Enhancing Electrical Practitioner’s Competitiveness:
BE RECOGNIZED AS
A GLOBALLY COMPETENT
ASEAN CHARTERED
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER (ACPE)

SO AS TO FACILITATE MOBILITY OF ENGINEERING committee will review the application to determine if

SERVICES PROFESSIONALS and to exchange information the requirements have been complied with;
in order to promote adoption of best practices on standards 3. The committee will interview the applicant to assess his
and qualifications, the Governments of Member Countries of or her experience as a professional electrical engineer.
the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have The committee will inform the applicant of the date,
agreed on ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE). time, and venue of the interview, which may fall on any
of the IIEE regional conferences, mid-year, or national
Under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement conventions.
(MRA) on Engineering Services, signed at the 11th ASEAN 4. The committee will prepare and submit its
Summit on December 9, 2005, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, recommendations to the IIEE Board of Governors.
a professional engineer or practitioner who is a national an 5. The IIEE Board of Governors will endorse successful
ASEAN member country and who possesses the following applications to the corresponding National Monitoring
qualifications and conditions may apply to be registered Committee for evaluation.
on the ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineers Register
(ACPER) and accorded the title of ASEAN Chartered
Professional Engineer (ACPE):
ASEAN AND
a. Possesses a current and valid professional registration
or licensing certificate to practice engineering works in ASIA PACIFIC
the Philippines by the PRC; ENGINEER
b. Has acquired experience of not less than seven (7) years
of active practice; and REGISTRY (AAPER)
c. Has complied in Continuing Professional Education
(CPE) or Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
COMMITTEE
d. Has confirmed signature of compliance with code of
ethics Engr. Cirilo C. Calibjo
Chairman
2012 Regional Governor, Western Visayas Region
An application for registration as an ACPE shall be made in
the format prescribed in figure 1 to the AMCESP. Engr. Ma. Sheila C. Cabaraban
Member
A person who has received the title of ACPE will have IIEE, National Vice President, Internal Affairs
an opportunity to have their professional standing Engr. Larry C. Cruz
recognized within the ASEAN region and will have a mutual Member
exemption from assessment for the purpose of working as a IIEE, National Vice President, External Affairs
professional engineer.
Engr. Florigo C. Varona
Member
There are other advantages. An electrical practitioner who IIEE, National Vice President, Technical Affairs
works abroad could receive higher compensation if he or
Engr. Rogelio M. Avenido
she has the title of ACPE. Member
Member, Council of National Presidents/
A preliminary evaluation will be conducted at the IIEE 1986 IIEE National President
National Office before the applicant is endorsed to the
Engr. Hipolito A. Leoncio
Professional Regulatory Commission. Member
Member, Council of National Presidents/
The following are the steps for the preliminary evaluation: 2008 IIEE National President

Engr. Angel V. De Vera, Jr.

1. The applicant must submit a completed application with Member
the other requirements (listed in figure 3) at the IIEE IIEE Committee Chairman, Reseach
National Office; & Development (R&D)
2. The ASEAN and Asia Pacific Engineer Registry

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 9

 FIGURE 2. THE STEPS INVOLVED
IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS

FIGURE 1. APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION

10 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

FIGURE 3. THE APPLICANT’S CHECKLIST

ACPER APPROVED
APPLICATIONS –
PROFESSIONAL
REGULATORY
COMMISSION
1. Engr. Jaime V. Mendoza
2. Engr. Francis V. Mapile
3. Engr. Armando R. Diaz
4. Engr. Cirilo C. Calibjo
5. Engr. Angel V. De Vera, Jr.
6. Engr. Larry C. Cruz
7. Engr. Florigo C. Varona
8. Engr. Rogelio M. Avenido
9. Engr. Greogorio R. Cayetano
10. Engr. Raymond A. Marquez
11. Engr. Rodolfo R. Penalosa

FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES,

Contact IIEE National Office
41 Monte de Piedad St., Cubao 1111, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Tel. Nos. (632) 722 7383, 727 3552, 412 5772, 414 5626
Fax Nos. (632) 727 3545, 410 1899
E-mail: iiee@iiee.org.ph
Website: www.iiee.org.ph

BRING YOUR APPLICATION FORMS AND DOCUMENTS ALONG

WITH THE NON-REFUNDABLE PROCESSING FEE AT:
The Professional Regulation Commission,
International Affairs Division,
APEC/ASEAN/ACPE MRA Secretariat
P. Paredes corner Morayta Sts., Sampaloc, Manila
Tel. no.: + 63 2 310-0019
Email address: prc.iad.mra@gmail.com
Website: www.prc.gov.ph

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 11

 FROM THE OFFICE
OF THE NATIONAL
PRESIDENT
ALEX C. CABUGAO

W
armest greetings to my fellow electrical practitioners and to the avid readers of
The Electrical Engineer!

The second-quarter issue of The Electrical Engineer magazine marks the progressive months for
the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE), following the development from management
down to the membership services, and from national level to the chapter level. We encouraged the
participation of the chapters in the institute’s endeavors, therefore allowing them to experience its
success and growth.

Let me give you a glimpse of IIEE’s achievements from April to June, 2014.

layout. It also features lifestyle content.

2. FINANCIAL GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY

At the beginning of the year, members of the
IIEE executive committee and board of governors
developed an effective financial planning strategy to
optimize the allotted budget and maximize the use of
resources, which will lead to a projected surplus at the
end of the year.

3. CORPORATE IMAGE
IIEE participated in the Unity Walk, initiated by the
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in celebration of
Fire Prevention Month, with the theme “Isulong ang
1. CHAPTER AND MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Kaunlaran, Sunog ay Iwasan, Kaalaman at Pag-iingat
For the convenience of members, IIEE continuously
ang Kailangan.” Simultaneous electrical safety activities
issues electronic cards (e-cards) to the members,
were conducted by the institute through the IIEE-
allowing them to register online without any difficulty.
Electrical Safety Enforcement and Awareness (ESEA).
As of June, 1,477 e-cards were issued to the members.
The activities included a radio interview of the Electrical
On the other hand, IIEE encourages officers and
Safety Committee on DZRH and KTV Channel 4; IIEE
members to apply to the ASEAN Chartered Professional
and BFP Unity Walk held at Araneta Center, Cubao,
Engineers Registry (ACPER), in preparation for
Quezon City, to promote electrical safety month
ASEAN integration, which will take effect next year.
with the theme “Electrical Safety Starts with Me”;
Currently, there are 16 applicants to ACPER—10 have
and a barangay information drive with Meralco, the
already complied with the requirements set by the
Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Product
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), two have
Standards, and International Copper Association
been interviewed—will proceed to the next step in the
Southeast Asia (ICASEA).
process.
4. OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
For the satisfaction of IIEE members, the publications
AND PROCESS INNOVATION
committee teamed up with a group of professionals
To further professionalism and assure IIEE members
to enhance The Electrical Engineer magazine with a
of quality services, the IIEE secretariat utilizes balance
relatively modern and relevant magazine design and

12 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

 scorecards (BSC) to monitor the performance of professional competence and leadership, officers and
departments and employees. This year, we are focusing members of chapters are encouraged to participate
on workload balancing and individual performance in all the endeavors in preparation for leadership
evaluation, as we already assessed the performance of succession.
all departments in the previous year.
3. Alignment of strategic goals and advocacy. We focus
5. PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY on the top-down and bottom-up approach, in which
Recognized by the PRC as the sole accredited IIEE is open to collaborating with and receiving support
professional organization (APO) for electrical engineers, from its valued stakeholders.
IIEE, as represented by the board of governors,
informed Hon. Alfredo B. Benitez (chairman, Committee 4. Participative leadership. Considering the advantage of
on Housing and Urban Development in Congress) of new technologies, IIEE appointed three virtual members
its presence during Congress hearings regarding the for each committee, coming from chapter presidents
proposed amendment of the National Building Code. representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

IIEE, contributing to the country’s progress, in partnership 5. Training and development. To cope with the
with several organizations, supported the following projects: fast-changing demand in the power industry, the
professional training and development committee
A. EU-SWITCH ASIA PROJECT: (PTDC), chaired by Engr. Rodrigo T. Pecolera, offers
HIGH EFFICIENCY MOTORS (HEMS). training and seminars that aim to further develop the
This is a four-year project with the objective of skills and competence of electrical practitioners.
increasing the deployment of more efficient electric
motors and drive systems in Philippine industries 6. Employment, livelihood, and entrepreneurship.
through the design of model investment and financing Aiming to provide members and non-members with
schemes, implementation of replicable pilot projects, better opportunities, IIEE welcomes job postings from
and mobilization of key stakeholders, including its valued partners in the university and private sectors.
government authorities, industries, and the private
financing sector. It was officially launched on April 3 at 7. Rewards and recognition program. The 2014 board
the Dusit Thani Hotel Manila. Considering that sugar of governors approved the bestowal of plaques of
milling is a major industry in our country, the program recognition to the graduating EE students with honors
is working with three sugar mills for its pilot projects at (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude)
the Central Azucarera de Tarlac, Central Azucarera dela to recognize outstanding students throughout the
Carlota, and Lopez Sugar Corporation. country. Board top-notchers from different Council of
Student Chapters-affiliated schools will be recognized
B. ASIA POWER QUALITY INITIATIVE PHILIPPINES. as well.
Its primary objective is to raise awareness through
power quality seminars conducted during regional
conferences. OTHER ACTIVITIES

C. EU-SWITCH ASIA PROJECT 2014 Regional Conferences and National Midyear

This is a project funded by the European Union and Convention
managed by ICASEA. IIEE is a partner in increasing
the market share of highly efficient air-conditioners in 1. Metro Manila Conference. A two-day conference
ASEAN through harmonization of test methods and attended by electrical practitioners in Metro Manila
energy efficiency standards, adoption of common and nearby provinces. There were 16 technical topics
Minimum Energy Performance Standards, and changing discussed by distinguished speakers.
consumer purchasing attitudes in favor of energy-

I
efficient air conditioners. 2. Western Visayas Regional Conference. This was
held from April 25 to 26 at Casa Pilar Beach and
n order to feel the success and growth of IIEE, Resort, Boracay Island, Aklan. There were 19 technical
this administration focuses on the basic unit of the presentations during the said conference.
Institute—none other than the chapter. This year,
we will be guided by the C-H-A-P-T-E-R acronym to 3. National Midyear Convention. Electrical practitioners
further enhance services being offered to members. from across the country attended the two-day
CHAPTER is as follows: convention. Former and present officers were also
present.

1. Communication. IIEE utilizes all forms of 4. General Membership Meeting and Technical Seminar
communication in order to reach members all over the (IIEE-SQC). The one-day event was held on June 6 at
country and those who are working overseas. It also the Oryx Rotana Hotel, Doha, State of Qatar.
focuses on the enhancement of the official website and
other accounts in social media (e.g. Facebook). 5. Southern Luzon Regional Conference. A two-day
conference conducted from June 20 to 21 at the Aziza
2. Harnessing chapter talents. To further enhance Paradise Hotel, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 13

 FROM THE
OFFICE OF THE
VICE-PRESIDENT
FOR TECHNICAL
AFFAIRS
FLORIGO C. VARONA

I
t is no big surprise how, for many people,
social media has recently overtaken the paper It is a matter worthy of
industry as a source of information and news as
they happen. News stories prudently crafted by
becoming a trending topic
writers, submitted to canny editors, printed, and on the Internet and around
distributed take time to reach readers.
the world because of the
For the board of editors here, the new Electrical
Engineer magazine is rather an exemption to this global
everyday hazards that
decline of the print publishing industry. Time has made us people are exposed to.
turn the tides on EE magazine to be more valuable for its
readers, electrical engineers and engineering enthusiasts
alike.
Adding to these technical features, the magazine will be
venturing into other important topics, including travel, state-
A complete magazine revamp will be expected by member-
of-the-art machinery, food, etc.
subscribers on the second-quarter issue of the magazine,
on IIEE’s 39th year. What you’ll see will be no ordinary
We at the brainstorming room would like to encourage IIEE’s
publication. Apart from the new visually appealing look,
constituents to share their ideas for this new incarnation of
the readers just might appreciate a new kind of learning
the magazine.
experience perusing the articles. We hope to have you
nodding frequently in agreement as you read the magazine.
We would love to listen to your stories so do not hesitate
to drop us a line or tap on our windows. It would stir up
This quarter gives us the theme of “Electrical Safety” to
a monumental involvement if we get to head into one
ponder. Every bit of knowledge that has to do with safety is
direction and realize success together.
vital. It is a matter worthy of becoming a trending topic on
the Internet and around the world because of the everyday
Kudos to safety-living! Kudos to IIEE!
hazards that people are exposed to.

14 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

 COVE R ST O RY

THE TRUTH ABOUT

ACCIDENTS FROM IMPROPER USE OF ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

WRITTEN BY ANA BESA PHOTO BY JOSEPH MANAYAN

C A N C A U S E G R U E S O M E D E AT H S. C A N T H E S E B E AV O I D E D ?

ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS
IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR, more than From the IIEE manual entitled, “Electrical Safety At Home,
400 fire incidents have been recorded in Metro Manila School, Office, and Workplace”, the four stages of fire are as
alone. follows:

Electrical appliances and equipment, if used incorrectly, 1. INCIPIENT STAGE – no visible smoke or flame;
could lead to fires. They could cause terrible injuries and 2. SMOLDERING STAGE – there is no smoke but no
fatal accidents. flame;

The presence of electricity alone will not cause fire to erupt.

But ungrounded sockets and outlets on the wall could slowly
heat up flammable materials.

An electrical fire begins from energized electrical

equipment, wiring, fuses, and appliances. Water is never
used to put out this kind of fire to avoid fatal electrocution.

It is extinguished by a non-conductive dry powder, carbon

dioxide or vaporizing liquid.

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 15

 1.0 electrical wiring but also electrocute him or her.

0.5 Severe Burns Children should be taught to follow safety precautions:

Breathing Stops
0.2
• Do not play near power lines.
DEATH • Do not throw anything at power lines.
0.1 • Stay away from fallen power lines.
Current Flow Through the Body in Amperes

Very Difficult Breathing • Do not break insulators or electrical equipment.

Labored Breathing
Severe Shock
• Do not use any electrical appliance when wet, have wet
0.05 hands, or when standing near water.
Paralysis
Cannot Release
Painful Sensation CHECKLISTS
0.02
Mild Sensation Check for the following to ensure safety:
0.01
• Outlets
0.005 • Cords
• Plugs
Slight Sensation • Light bulbs
0.002
• Circuit breakers/fuses
• Appliances
• Halogen floor lamps
0.001 • Receptacles and switches
• Extension cords
GRAPH: Electric Shock Versus Body Sensation
Treating a victim of electric shock
1. Safely remove the victim from contact with the source
3. FLAME STAGE – actual fire exists and heat builds up; of electricity.
and 2. Call for assistance.
4. HEAT STAGE – uncontrollable spread of fire through 3. Check victim’s breathing and heartbeat.
superheated materials. 4. Administer first aid for shock and burns as necessary.
5. Always continue treatment but only within your ability
Aside from fires, electrocutions are also one of the leading until medical help arrives.
causes of industrial fatalities. Electricity that flows through
the body can cause shock, involuntary muscle reaction, as to
paralyze the muscles, burn tissues and organs, and worse,

“ELECTRICAL
could cause death. Internal electrical burns can occur even
if a current does not pass through vital organs or nerve

SAFETY STARTS
centers. These burns can either be at the skin surface or in
deeper layers.

The current that passes through the body could cause three
types of injuries:
WITH ME”
1. Burns;
The Electrical Safety campaign of the Institute
2. Physical injuries such as broken bones, falls, and muscle
damage; and of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) of the
3. Nervous system effects such as fibrillation (causing the Philippines, Inc. observes annually Presidential
twitching of the heart while no blood flow to the body). Proclamation 193, stating the month of May as
the Electrical Safety Month.
According to the manual, even a small night-light bulb
can cause fatal injuries. The Proclamation states that “the main reason
for the occurrence of fires and electrocution
The amount of current flow through the body and the body from electrical causes is not faulty wiring but
sensation that corresponds to it during electric shock is ignorance in the use of electrical appliances
identified in the graph above. and gadgets such as overloading of electrical
outlets and the use of counterfeit electrical
Violations of the Philippine Electrical Code (PEC), which products such as circuit breakers, power strips,
is nationally used as the basis for safeguarding persons, extension cords, batteries and holiday lights
buildings and its contents from hazards that may arise from that can cause fires, explosions, shocks, and
the use of electricity, present dangerous arrangements. The electrocutions.”
Code sets the minimum requirements necessary for safety.
IIEE is keen on pursuing the electrical safety
ELECTRICAL SAFETY FOR CHILDREN campaign, carrying a slogan, “Electrical safety
starts with me.” Encouraging the general
Leaving toddlers without the supervision of an adult is public to carry out safety practices, different
always an unsafe practice because children may play with an activities are being held conforming to the
electrical outlet with a stick or with his or her fingers. This organization’s advocacy.
will not only result in causing a short circuit in the home’s

16 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

 F E AT U R E

THE SCIENCE
This effect is best exemplified when you use a straw to drink.
When you sip through it, the air pressure is decreased inside

OF STORM
the straw leaving it deflated while there is high pressure that
pushes down the rest of the drink also pushes the liquid up.

THE STRONGER THE WIND

SURGES
According to the US National Weather Service, the swelling
of water mainly comes from the wind thus, the stronger the
wind brought by a typhoon, the higher the flooding.
In the case of Typhoon Yolanda, extreme high winds of 315
WRITTEN BY NINJ REYES-ABAY
kilometers per hour were recorded by the Joint Typhoon
ILLUSTRATION BY NORMAN RAMIREZ
Warning Center. Another crucial factor that greatly affects
a storm surge is the size of the typhoon itself. Naturally, the
bigger the typhoon, the longer its impact will be felt on an
area as it moves along. Hence, size has a direct correlation
There was much discussion on the with the duration of a storm surge.
causes of the storm surge and what
Tropical Cyclone Mahina, which ravaged through Bathurst
we could have done in the wake of Bay in Australia in March 1899, holds the record for
the devastation. But what exactly the worst storm surge ever. The cyclone brought in an

W
is a storm surge? unbelievable amount of water, causing a surge that was
varyingly listed from 13 to 14.6 meters in height.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical

When Typhoon Yolanda (better known as Haiyan Services Administration (PAGASA) puts the storm surge
internationally) hit the Eastern part of the Visayas region in in the Leyte-Samar area during Typhoon Yolanda at 5 to
November 2013, a new term was added to the Pinoy’s ever 6 meters or approximately the height of an average two-
growing vocabulary: “storm surge.” storey house.

Because we are a country that suffers some of the worst The barrage of water furiously crashing through was a
weather conditions—whether during the dry or wet nightmare. A storm surge that strong was sure to drown and
season—we are already familiar with terms that are obliterate almost everything in sight, and that was exactly
connected with our climate like LPA, monsoon, La Niña, El what happened. Even sturdy structures like Tacloban’s
Niño, to name a few. terminal airport building were not spared when a 5-meter-
high storm surge slammed through it.
So what exactly is a storm surge?
Studies show that there was another element that
It is an unnatural rise of water from the ocean caused by a contributed to the height of storm surges aside from the
weather disturbance such as a storm or a typhoon over and typhoon’s wind speed and size. Coastal geography or
beyond the predicted and normal high tide mark. In simpler location also influenced how far storm surges went inland.
terms, it is the change that occurs in the water level due to
the presence of a storm as it makes a landfall. There were areas, for instance, whose surrounding coastlines
acted as funnels that coursed the gush of incoming water
A storm surge is caused primarily by the strong winds into narrower and smaller regions. With that, the massive
brought about by a tropical storm. What happened in volume of water that was enclosed naturally spilled out and
Tacloban on that fateful day in November was this: winds engulfed the surrounding land.
pushed enough seawater from San Pedro and San Pablo Bay
to turn the city into a river in just a matter of minutes. Weather researchers said that this scenario likely happened
in Tacloban when Typhoon Yolanda forced the ocean water
How do winds create a storm surge? from San Pablo and San Pedro Bay into San Juanico Strait,
its narrowest section.
During a storm, its edges have the highest air pressure
while the center is low. With a speed of over 120 kilometers Coastal areas like Tacloban were particularly vulnerable to
per hour, the air flows to fill that low-pressure area. This storm surges. And being an archipelago we sure have a lot
heightens the surge where the center of the storm makes of similar coastlines all over the country.
landfall. As the winds of the storm spiral, they push water
into a mound at the storm’s center. This mound becomes Some areas are more prone to storm surges than others, like
dangerous when the storm reaches land. Storm surges take those that gradually slope out to sea. On the other hand,
place where winds blow onshore. The highest surge are areas that abruptly drop off or those with steep ocean floors
likely to occur where the strongest winds of the hurricane are less likely to experience upsurges.
occur. Wave action also further boosts the effect by adding
even more height to a storm surge as the waves from the What’s more, flooding becomes even more catastrophic
sea pile up on top of the next. These waves have nowhere when heavy rainfall and storm surges combine.
else to go but up and on land since the storm carries it
landward. NOT THE LAST
In the United States, Superstorm Sandy, which battered its

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 17

 F E AT U R E

eastern coast in 2012, also resulted in unprecedented heavy kind like mangroves, forests and wetlands will act as first
floods caused by a storm surge recorded at 4.2 meters high. defense against surges.
Experts say that this would not be a rare incident but will be
repeated in coming decades due in part to a combination of A lesser storm surge happened in 2011 brought about by
local geography, extensive coastal development (especially Typhoon Pedring.
in highly urbanized areas) and a rise in sea-level as a result of
climate change. Roxas Boulevard which is located beside Manila Bay was
inundated with water by up to 1.2 meters. Establishments
If the weather bureau can make forecasts about typhoons, in the area like the Hotel Sofitel and Aristocrat were not
can it also predict storm surges? spared. Experts said that the surges would have been higher
if not for the breakwaters and seawall in the area.
In the U.S., The National Hurricane Center is one of the few
facilities in the world that has a Storm Surge Unit, which After Typhoon Yolanda’s massive devastation, the
offers multiple predictions of such occurrences. It bases Department of Science and Technology came up with
its projections on the amount of water that will physically a protocol to warn people against the effects brought
move atop land which is called the “wet” line above sea about by typhoons like storm surges, floods, or landslides.
level. Of course, these predictions can only go so far since According to the proposed protocol, the public (especially
the parameters that influence storm surge constantly those who live in coastal areas) should be advised of a
change hourly. These include the precise location of landfall, possible storm surge 48 hours before it hits any area. Under
strength of the winds, the angle of approach to the coast, the proposal, SSA (storm surge advisory) number 1 is for
the speed of the storm as it moves, its size, among others. a storm surge of up to two meters high, SSA number 2
indicates a height of up to five meters high and SSA number
Weather experts have predicted that the storm surge 3 means a storm surge of more than five meters high.
brought about by Typhoon Yolanda won’t be the last. Since
the Philippines is visited by at least 20 typhoons a year, we Storm surges are perhaps the most dangerous threats to
are advised to prepare for these eventualities. residents of coastal areas during typhoons. Homes and
other structures, trees, power lines, animals, and human
THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND lives are all at risk of being obliterated by this weather
Barriers can help block a deluge of water to a certain extent. phenomenon. Knowing more about storm surges is one
Barriers in the form of man-made infrastructure like seawalls, way of understanding such calamities, and subsequently,
flood walls, levee and breakwaters or those of the natural preparing for them.

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 19

 DESIGN AND ANALYSIS IN THE
BLADE
PERFORMANCE
OF A HORIZONTAL
AXIS WIND
TURBINE
FOR LOW VOLTAGE APPLICATION

S
BY JOSEPH REIHART R. CARPIO, Segmenting the blades of a horizontal axis wind turbine
STEPHANIE P. ESTARIS, (HAWT) is one of many ways to innovate. We analyzed
ANDREA MAYE T. FRISNEDI, the rotor blades and its design. We used simulations and
MICHAEL C. PACIS, AND algorithms to determine the design and performance of
GLENN V. MAGWILI, the blades when it was divided into sections and connected
SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL, as one blade, which will be used for small-scale voltage
ELECTRONICS AND applications. After the simulation, we fabricated the actual
COMPUTER ENGINEERING, blade and did tests in an actual environment.
MAPUA INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY Will we be able to produce a blade with an output in
accordance to ideal curves? Will we be able to successfully
design and construct a functional blade?

INTRODUCTION:
A SECTIONED BLADE
VERSUS A SOLID BLADE
The use of wind energy for human needs entails the
conversion of the kinetic energy, which is intermittently
produced by wind, into mechanical energy, usually in the
form of rotation of a shaft. From there, the energy can be
used for mechanical work or converted to electricity using a
generator.

A number of basic ideas and concepts have to be well

understood before a rotor is designed. So we would like to
ask for the reader’s patience as we discuss lift, drag, rotor
characteristics, etc. Those who are not familiar with the
basic concepts we urge to go on and not to be afraid of the

20 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

formulas and graphs presented here. The horizontal-axis turbine’s inherently taller tower base
enables unobstructed access to stronger winds, significantly
A few things should be noted. First, in the selection of a increasing blade speed collection, resulting in higher power
rotor type, in terms of design speed and radius, the load output.[1] Horizontal-axis wind turbines have blades that
characteristics and wind availability must be taken into are positioned perpendicular to the direction of wind. This
account, the researchers have seen various good rotors efficient design increases wind power throughout the entire
coupled with wrong types of loads or to too high loads. rotation. In contrast, vertical-axis wind turbines require airfoil
Although it is possible to change the number of revolutions surfaces to backtrack against the wind for part of the cycle
per minute with a transmission, this will not solve the in a less efficient manner.[3]
problems that may arise when the selected design figures
are basically incorrect. Therefore horizontal-axis machines are more efficient than
vertical-axis machines.
Second, rotors can be very dangerous. No strength
calculations are given in this research, but remember that WIND TURBINE POWER
the centrifugal forces can make a rotor explode if the rotor is CALCULATION
not strong enough. Also, touching a rotor during operation
will lead to serious injury. The availability of certain materials We, the researchers, would like to emphasize that the
and technologies can be taken into account in the earliest design procedure is simple. Good engineering models
stages of the design. The researchers therefore hope that for predicting wind turbine performance can be obtained
the reader will be able to design a rotor that can be used for from some simple assumptions plus a few equations from
different blade types for comparison. elementary physics.

Our main objective is to design and analyze the By considering energy, momentum, and mass conservation
performance of a sectioned rotor blade in a horizontal laws, aerodynamicists in the mid-nineteenth century
axis wind turbine (HAWT) for low voltage applications. established the axial momentum theory for analysis of
Specifically, we will address the simulation of the design of airplane propellers. One of the results is the expression
the rotor blade of a HAWT. for the flux of kinetic energy of the wind or any other fluid
through an area normal to that fluid flow, which is
After simulating, we will build a small-scale prototype
of the HAWT. The output performance of a HAWT in an
uncontrolled environment using the selected number of
sections of the blade must be analyzed and verified by the
blade performance results gathered using characteristics
and performance curves. where Pw is total wind power in watts, ρ is air density in
kilograms per cubic meter, A is a mathematical area in
When we are done, we will know the output performance square meters normal to the wind, and Vw is the wind speed
of the horizontal wind axis turbine using a sectioned rotor passing through that area in meters per second.
blade in an actual environment. Also, we will know if a The cubed velocity is plausible because each air mass
sectioned blade performs better than a solid blade, if it element carries kinetic energy proportional to velocity
costs less, and if it has a longer life span. squared, and the rate of passage of each element being
directly proportional to velocity yields the third velocity
We hope future researchers can use this paper as reference factor [4].
for further research to improve the prototype.
Although the previous power expression shows that power
The study will only focus on the design and analysis of should be proportional to the cube of the wind speed,
the rotor blade in the horizontal axis wind turbine using typical wind machine power rises more slowly and levels off
galvanized steel materials only. We won’t be discussing at higher wind speed. This is because the power coefficient,
other blade materials. We also won’t be discussing humidity C p, is not a constant. To account for the effect of rotor
and temperature of the location where we conducted our speed on the power coefficient, it is useful to define a
tests. dimensionless quantity called tip-speed ratio—sometimes
abbreviated TSR or lambda (λ).
DESIGN LAYOUT:
MORE EFFICIENT THAN
VERTICAL-AXIS MACHINES

Some people object to the large blade area of horizontal-
axis machines. The blade span of horizontal wind turbines is where R is the radius of the circle swept by the rotor, ω is
larger than vertical axis machines, which limits placement in the rotor angular speed in radians per second, and V w is
confined spaces. the wind speed. Note that the TSR can be thought of as the
linear speed of a rotor blade tip measured in units of the
But horizontal-axis turbines offer the ability to adjust the existing wind speed. Thus, for a TSR of seven, the blade tip
pitch of the blades to catch the wind at just the right angle is traveling seven times faster than the wind at that instant
to collect the maximum amount of wind energy depending [4].
on the time of day and season.
Table 1 gives these design values for several airfoils. Note

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 21

 Advantages:
geometrical • Horizontal-axis turbines offer
airfoil name (Cd/C1min.) α o
C1
description the ability to adjust the pitch of the
c/3 blades to catch the wind at just the
right angle to collect the maximum
sail and pole c/10 0.1 5 0.8 amount of wind energy for the time
C
of day and season.
flat steel plate 0.1 4 0.4 • Horizontal-axis wind turbines
have blades that are designed
perpendicular to the direction of
wind. This efficient design increases
arched steel plate f
wind power throughout the entire
f/c=0.07 0.02 4 0.9 rotation. In contrast, vertical-axis
f/c=0.1 0.02 3 1.25 wind turbines require airfoil surfaces
to backtrack against the wind for part
of the cycle in a less efficient manner.
arched steel plate with • The horizontal-axis turbine’s
tube on concave side d f/c=0.07 0.05 5 0.9 inherently taller tower base enables
d<0.1c f/c=0.1 0.05 4 1.1 unobstructed access to stronger
winds, significantly increasing blade
arched steel plate with speed collection and resulting in
tube on convex side f/c=0.1 0.2 14 1.25 higher power output [3]

cloth or sail
sail wing c/10 0.05 2 1.0 METHODOLOGY:
tube steel cable A. Research of horizontal axis wind
turbine

We will discuss background of the

sail trouser f 0.1 4 1.0 horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT)

P = ½pACpVw3 watts
cloth or sail
as well as other factors that affect the
f/c=0.1 d =0.6f c/4
tube design of the wind turbine.

NACA 4412 see appendix II 0.01 4 0.8 B. Wind profiling

NACA 23015 see Lit(1) in appendix 1 0.01 4 0.8 The wind speed at the location was
gathered using an anemometer to

λ = RωlV
TABLE 1. DESIGN VALUES OF AIRFOILS be used in designing the rotor such
that it can withstand the speed of
w the wind. The location selected is an
offshore location that has wind speed
that it is not important for the behavior of the airfoil whether that can rotate the turbine at good rates. The time of testing
it is standing still in an airflow with velocity W or that it is and condition of the weather are also considered. It should
moving with velocity W in air that is at rest; what matters be at night when the wind speed is greater than of at day.
is the relative velocity that is “seen”
by the airfoil. [5] A blade element of a
windmill rotor “sees” a relative velocity
that results from the wind velocity in tangential velocity rotor plane
combination with the velocity with which
the blade element moves itself. φ
ω
Φ is the angle between the relative
velocity W and the rotor plane. air velocity
LIMITATIONS AND FIGURE 1. RELATIVE VELOCITY ON
ADVANTAGES OF HAWTS ROTOR BLADE

Limitations: The prototype should also be tested on a normal weather

• HAWTs located at lower ground harvest lower power condition.
than that of wind turbines located at higher grounds.
• Taller towers and longer blades are very expensive to C. Simulation and construction of the design of blade
transport and install. POWER (P) 10 Watts
• Maintenance of the HAWT is difficult to perform since After knowing the wind speed at the location and with the
the gearbox; generator and rotor are placed at the top
of the tower.
VELOCITY (V)research on how to create a HAWT, the number of blades
3.5 m/s
was set and the measure of the lengths of the chords of the
blade was computed as well for the other parameters of
AIR DENSITY (p) 1.225 kg/m^3

22 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2NDNO. OF 2014

QUARTER 5
CROSS SECTION
 w

POWER (P) 10 Watts

VELOCITY (V) 3.5 m/s

Vw3 watts AIR DENSITY (p) 1.225 kg/m^3 tangential velocity rotor plane

NO. OF φ
CROSS SECTION 5 ω

NO. OF BLADES (B)

P = ½pACpVw3 FORMULAS
watts
3 air velocity

λ = RωlVw
rotor plane

ω λo B FLAT STEEL PLATE

POWER (P) 10 Watts
Torque Coefficient:
air velocity 1
tangential velocity
6-20 rotor plane VELOCITY (V)
2P
3.5 m/s

(Cd/C1)min= 0.02 R=
table 2.1
φ
T ω
πpV3Cpmax1.225 kg/m^3
CT = 2 4-12 AIR DENSITY (p)
½pAV³∞ air velocity
where: P = set rated output of wind turbine
3 3-6 f/c= NO. OF
0 air density
CROSS SECTION
p = given table 2.15

α=
where
10 Watts P = output mechanical power of the WT V =BLADES
NO. OF wind velocity
(B) of vicinity
3
4
3.5 m/s T = output torque of the WT
2-4 4 table 2.1
p = POWER
air density
(P) 10 Watts F I G U R E 2 . S I M U L A T I O N O F
5-8 2-3 Cl= 8π x0.4 table 2.1
THE BLADE DESIGN
1.225 kg/m^3
A = rotor swept area 3.5 m/s
VELOCITY (V)
r(m)
R =Coefficient:
rotor nominal radius c(m) = (1-cos )
8-15 1-21.225 kg/m^3 λa=
5
Torque B x 5
Cl table 3.1
AIR DENSITY (p)

B) 3 V = NO. free-stream
OF wind speed
∞ CROSS SECTIONTorque Coefficient:

λo
5
Torque Coefficient: 2P
D E S NO.
I G NOF PT
TABLE 2. SELECTION OF

AlsoCVT == mean wind speed (short or long term) Cpmax=

T IBLADES
SPEE (B)
D RATIO 3 R=
0.477418188 πpV3Cpmax B 2P FLAT STE
½pAV³ T R= 2P
σv = standard deviation ∞ CT = of wind speed T 1
where:Coefficient:
Power P = set rated 6-20 output of wind turbine R 3 =
πpV Cpmax 3
πpV Cpmax
CT =
(short or long term) ½pAV³ ∞ ½pAV³ R= p = given 0.503872284m
air density
B where P = output mechanical power of the WT ∞ 2V = windP velocity
where: P
4-12 ofp vicinity
= set rated
where: P = set (Cd/C1)min=
output of wind
rated output turbine
of wi
T FLAT STEEL PLATE = given air density
λo torque
= output B Pof=the WT FLAT STEEL PLATE CP = p = given air density
-20 where output
where
p = air 1density6-20 T = output torque of the WT P mechanical
= output power of
mechanical the WT
power
R
of the 3
O T O R R A D I U S ½pAV³
WT FORMULA
3-6
∞
V = wind velocity
V f/c=
= wind ofvelocity
vicinity of vicinit
(Cd/C1)min= 0.02 T(Cd/C1)min=
=table
output 2.1torque0.02
of the WT
α=
4-12 A = rotor 2 swept areap = air density table 2.1 8π x r(m)
c(m) = 4 2-4
4-12
R =f/c= rotor nominal radius0 swept p = air density (1-cos )
3-6 3-6 A = rotor table
f/c= area2.1 0 table
β = 2.1
- α B x Cl λ
8π =xλr(m)
(r(m) /
3
V∞ = free-stream wind speed A = rotor swept area c(m) = Tc(m)o = 8π xR)
(1-cos r(m))
2-4 α= 4 2-4 R = rotor
4 Rα= nominal
=table radius
rotor 2.1nominal radius
4 table 5-8
2.1 2-3 B x Cl Cl= (1-cos )
V∞ = free-stream wind speed BLADE ANGLE B x Cl
Vor =long
free-stream wind speed
λa=
IN DEGREES
2-3 Also V =Cl= mean
5-8 wind2-3
Cpmax speed (short
= tip 0.4 loss x
∞Cl= term)
blade
table 2.1 drag0.4 table 2.1
FORMULA
8-15 C1-2
HORD LENGTH FORMULA

σv = standard deviation
Also of
1-2 V = mean wind wind speedspeedwind(short or5long Power
term) Coefficient:
8-15 λa= table 3.1
10λa=
1-2 Also V = mean speed (short or long term)
Blade (short Drag or long=σterm) (16/27)(wake
5
= standard table 3.1-of(Cd/Cl)
=deviation
σvCpmax= wind speed
standard deviation
x (n))
of wind speedCoefficient: Power Coefficient:
60
Cpmax=
v
(short or long term) 0.477418188Torque P Power Coefficient:
9 Cpmax=
Wake = e 0.477418188
-0.3538/n1.2946 50
(short or long term) C =
Power (mW)

8 R= 0.503872284m P
½pAV³
40
P R=
R=Tip loss = (1-(1.386)(sin 0.503872284m T ∞ CP 30 = P
7 (Ø/2 / B)) 2 C T
=
20
C
½pAV³P
=
∞ ½pAV³
½pAV³∞ ∞
O6
= (2/3)tan (1/n)
FIGURE 3. CONSTANT VALUES
-1 10
Current (ma)

Ø β α 0λT = λo (r(m) / R)
F STEEL PLATE

5
= -
Voltage (V) where P = output mechanical β = - α 0βpower of1 the WTλ2 = λ (r(m) 3
4
T = output torque of the WT = - α
Angular Speed T o
(rad/s) λT =/ R
λ
3 Cpmax = tip loss
where: n = tip speed ratio x blade drag
p = air density
tip loss x blade dragDrag =B(16/27)(wake
Blade
2 = number - (Cd/Cl) x (n))
of blades to be used A = rotor swept area
10 Wake = e-0.3538/n1.2946
Cpmax rotor = tip loss
radiusx blade drag
60
1
(16/27)(wake -9 (Cd/Cl) x (n)) R = nominal 0.025
Tip loss = (1-(1.386)(sin 10 (Ø/2 / B)) 2
V∞ = free-stream wind
50
0.02 speed 60
e-0.3538/n1.2946 08 10
Power (mW)

Blade Drag = (16/27)(wake - (Cd/Cl) x

50(n))
40 60
-1 Ø = (2/3)tan 9 -1
(1/n)9 0.015
30
50
Power (mW)

(1-(1.386)(sin 7(Ø/20/ B))2 2 8 4 6 8 Also V = mean wind-0.3538/n1.2946 speed (short or long term)
Power (mW)

40

σWake = edeviation 0.01 40

8 20
(2/3)tan-1 (1/n)6 where: n = tip speed 7 ratioVoltage (V) = standard of wind speed 30 30
0.00510
Current (ma)

v
B = number of blades to7be used 20
5 6 Tip loss = (1-(1.386)(sin
(short or long term)
0
(Ø/2 / B))202 10
Current (ma)

CPMAX FORMULA 6 Voltage (V) 0 0 1 2 103

Current (ma)

tip speed ratio 4

Ø = (2/3)tan (1/n)
5 -1 0 1 3 20
5 -1 Angular Speed (rad/s) 0
number of blades to Voltage (V) 0 1
3 be0.6used 4 Voltage (V) 0
4 vs λ (TSR)
CP Angular Sp
2 3
0.4 3 0.025
1 2 2
where: n = tip speed
0.025
ratio
Cp

0 0.2 1 1 B = number of blades to 0.025

0.02
0.02
be used
VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 230.025
-1 0.015
2 0
0.015 0.02
0 4 0 6 8 0.02
 FIGURE 4. FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 5. FIGURE 7. FIGURE 8. FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 10. FIGURE 11.

EQUIPMENT USED: assembly attached to the motor. The

speed of motor is counted in terms of
controlled gain preconditions the
signal. A digital multimeter displays
Figure 7. Anemometer rotations of the shaft per minute and the quantity measured as a number,
An anemometer is a device for is termed as RPM. The gear assembly which eliminates parallax errors.
measuring wind speed, and is a helps in increasing the torque and
common weather condition instrument. reducing the speed. Using the correct A charge controller limits the rate
combination of gears in a gear motor, at which electric current is added
Figure 8. Digital Tachometer its speed can be reduced to any to or drawn from electric batteries.
A tachometer is an instrument desirable figure. This concept where It prevents overcharging and may
designed to measure the rotation gears reduce the speed of the vehicle prevent overvoltage, which can reduce
speed of an object, such as a gauge but increase its torque is known as battery performance or lifespan, and
in an automobile that measures the gear reduction. may pose a safety risk. It may also
revolutions per minute (RPMs) of the prevent completely draining (“deep
engine’s crankshaft. Figure 10. Two digital multimeters discharging”) a battery, or perform
for measuring the DC Current and controlled discharges, depending on
Figure 9. DC geared Voltage the battery.
generator (12 volts) In a digital multimeter, the signal
A geared DC motor has a gear under test is converted to a voltage Figure 11. Two DC Rechargeable
and an amplifier with electronically Batteries

24 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

 10
9
60
8
7 50

Power (mW)
6 40
Current (ma)

5 30
Voltage (V)
4
20
3
10
2
0
1
0 1 2 3
0
-1 Angular Speed (rad/s)
0 2 4 6 8
Voltage (V)

FIGURE 12. VOLTAGE VS. CURRENT (FULL LOAD) FIGURE 13. ANGULAR SPEED VS. TORQUE (FULL LOAD)

0.025
0.025
0.02
0.02

0.015 0.015

0.01 0.01
0.005
0.005
0
-1 0 1 2 3 0
-1 0 1 2 3

FIGURE 14. ANGULAR SPEED VS. POWER (FULL LOAD) FIGURE 15. TORQUE CHARACTERISTIC CURVE OF
LOW SPEED WIND TURBINE FOR 3 BLADED HAWT

60 0.6
50 CP vs λ (TSR)
Power (mW)

40 0.4
30
Cp

20 0.2
10
0 0
0 1 2 3 0 5 10 15 20

Angular Speed (rad/s) Tip Speed Ratio

FIGURE 16. POWER CHARACTERISTIC CURVE LOW SPEED FIGURE 17. MAXIMUM POWER COEFFICIENT
WIND TURBINE FOR 3 BLADED HAWT VS. TIP SPEED RATIO
(THEORETICAL-LEFT AND ACTUAL-RIGHT)

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 25

the blade. Multiple sections of the blades were constructed
and put together. We considered the cost and time of From the data we gathered, we were able to graph the
construction so we could finish the prototype on time. torque characteristic curve for low-speed wind turbine.

We input the parameters needed for the design of blade. Figure 20 shows that the actual graph matches the
We set the power output, wind speed/velocity, air density, theoretical graph.
number of cross section, and the number of blades to be
considered. Figure 21 shows the power characteristic curves.

We selected the type of material of the blade to be used Figure 14 shows torque characteristic curve of low-speed
by referring to Table 1. We used flat steel plates and used wind turbine for three-bladed HAWT (theoretical on the left
the corresponding Cd/ Cl and f/c coefficients. The angle of and actual on the right). The two graphs shown above is not
attack (α) and the design lift coefficient (Cl) were also set perfect because of the imperfections of the design and due
for the design values of airfoils. We set design tip speed to the fast changing values of the output measuring devices.
ratio (λo) which is shown in Table 2. Based on the number of The wind speed used in the simulation of the design is 3.5
blades chosed, the tip speed ratio can be obtained. m/s that is based on the wind profile done before simulating
it (see Appendix A). Due to the fast changing weather in the
Using iteration, we selected the maximum power coefficient Philippines, the data obtained from the table results to a
(Cpmax), which can be obtained using the following wind velocity lower than the value used in the simulation.
formulas, (Cpmax Formula)
Torque is power over the angular speed. Based on the data,
Cpmax was to be the highest value of Cp in the iteration. All the power and the angular speed we tested were too small
the values varied when the number of blades was changed. so the torque resulted in a low value.
Once Cpmax was selected, we set the number of sections of
the blade to be divided. We calculated for the rotor radius. The graph shown above shows the highest power coefficient
(Rotor Radius Formula) Cp is for a given windmill that was designed for a certain
tip-speed ratio. From Figure 3.4, the highest Cpmax is equal
Divide the total radius of the single blade to the number of to 0.4774.
sections to set the radius, r(m) and set the radius of each
section. In each section, set the local speed ratio (λT) using CONCLUSION:
the formula, λT = λ0 (r(m) / R). The velocity angle is computed A SUCCESSFUL
using a developed algorithm. BLADE DESIGN
If the local speed ration is not equal in the table, iterate to The different angles of each segment of the blade gives
get the corresponding velocity angle. Calculate the blade different angles of attack. The angular speed versus the
angle (β) in degrees: torque produced is of the same form in the ideal curve in
Calculate the chord length using the formula. reference to Figure 14 for a low-speed windmill torque
characteristic curve, as well as the angular speed versus
D. Testing of the Blade Design the output power of the wind turbine is in the same form
as in Figure 15, which shows the low-speed windmill power
After installing the blades, we tested to see if the HAWT characteristic curve.
rotated smoothly and if it was able to provide the required
data. If it did not, we would again simulate the design of Because the blade produced an output in accordance to the
the blade and would make the necessary adjustments in its ideal curves, we consider the design of the blade a success.
construction. (Figure 6: Testing by the bay at night)
The simulation and the actual construction of the blade
E. Gathering the required data for the HAWT using the showed its functionality. The actual blade showed that
designed blade the simulated blade design is feasible and can perform
accurately.
After the designed blade was working properly in the
HAWT, we gathered and analyzed the data using the Endnotes
designed blade in the HAWT. Testing of blade design was
composed of 3 trials with no load and full load. Each trial [1] K. Pope, I. Dincer, and G.F. Naterer. Energy and energy efficiency
had a one-minute interval for 60 minutes of testing. comparison of horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines. 2010
[2] Microfiche Reference Library, Jack Park. “Simplified Wind Power
Systems for Experimenters.” Brownsville , CA 95919 USA, 1983.
We conducted the tests at Manila Bay (in front of Oceana
[3] Ibrahim Al-Bahadly. “Building a wind turbine for rural home.” 2010.
Restaurant) from 11 p.m. to 12 midnight. [4] Donald G. Fink and H. Wayne Beaty. Standard Handbook of Electrical
Engineers. McGraw Hill, 2007.
F. Verify the blade performance results [5] W.A.M. Jansen and P.T. Smulders. Rotor Design For Horizontal Axis
Wind Windmills,. May 1977.
We then analyzed the data we gathered using the load [6] Alexander Bolonkin. Control of Regional and Global Weather. NY
performance curves described in the next section. 11229 USA, 2007.
[7] Glenn Elert. Density of Air. 2006.
RESULTS:
THE TORQUE
CHARACTERISTIC CURVE FOR LOW-SPEED
WIND TURBINE

26 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

 LIGHTNING PROTECTION OF TALL STRUCTURES

THUNDERBOLT
AND
VERY VERY FRIGHT’NING?
PART 1 OF 2

BY DRABKIN M.M., MUI C.Y.A., AND ONG LAI MUN

OF HITACHI CRITICAL FACILITIES PROTECTION PTE. LTD. SINGAPORE

THUNDERBOLTS CAN STRIKE BUILDINGS AND

ENDANGER LIVES AND DAMAGE PROPERT Y. IN THE
FIRST OF TWO PARTS, THIS ARTICLE SHOWS HOW
YOU CAN POTENTIALLY SAVE LIVES, USING
A SYSTEM YOU CAN USE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER
OF LIGHTNING STRIKES TO TALL STRUCTURES.

T
The protection of tall structures against direct lightning
strikes is usually provided by the installation of a lightning
rod of the determined height on the top of the structure.
The tip of the rod instead of the top of the structure
becomes the point of initiation of upward lightning or
intercepts downward lightning. The installed lightning rod
does not decrease, even slightly increases, the number of
lightning incidents to the protected structure.

However, there is another alternative lightning protected

system, which is being installed instead of the lightning rod.
It reduces significantly the number of lightning strikes to a
structure. This system consists typically of a hemisphere of
a large radius with an array of many thin metal splines with
sharpened tips distributed evenly over the hemisphere’s
surface (LPAS or lightning protection array system). Such
LPAS is usually installed on the top of the structure to be
protected.

It is obvious that without the upward-moving leader, the

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 27

number of lightning strikes into a tall structure will be strikes to the ground or grounded objects rather than by
reduced significantly. Theoretical study of non-stationary the slow charge buildup in the process of the thundercloud
corona in free air established that the two most important electrification. A lightning rod installed on top of a tall
parameters of the influence on the initiation of the lightning structure as protection against direct lightning strikes
leader from the structure were the corona current from the increases the total height of the protected object, improving
individual point and the voltage drop along the first meters the conditions for initiating the upward lightning.
of the air gap between the structure and thunderstorm
cloud. The corona current from the individual points of the Installation of the lightning rod on top of a tall structure
LPAS must exceed the critical value required for transition provides the passive type of protection. The tip of the
of the glow corona to the corona with streamers. The grounded rod, instead of the top of the structure, becomes
intensification of streamers under the growing electric field the point of the initiation of upward lightning or intercepts
eventually creates the plasma channel-lightning leader when the downward lightning. The installed lightning rod has no
voltage drops on the first meter of the streamer length from means of controlling the process of lightning discharge. The
the structure exceeds the critical value. number of lightning strikes to a tall structure protected by
the lightning rod will be even slightly bigger than without
The LPAS installed on the top of the tall structure injects the the rod, but in this case the rod will be hit instead of the
space charge developed under the influence of the electric structure.
field originated by charges in the thunderstorm cloud into
the gap thundercloud cell -the structure. The total corona The known methods of controlling the process of lightning
current from the properly designed LPAS is distributed discharge consist of, in general, the means of influence
evenly among the individual splines (points). As a result, a on the initiation and development of an upward-moving
higher value of the electrical field will be required in order leader. The earlier start of the upward leader may result in
to initiate the streamer-free corona transition to the corona a more reliable interception of a downward stepped leader.
with streamer flashes for the LPAS in comparison with the The delay in development or even total suppression of the
lightning rod. initiation of an upward leader leads to substantial decrease
of lightning incidents.
Propagation of the corona space charge toward the
thunderstorm cloud smoothes the potential distribution There is an alternative system to the lightning rod,
across the air gap between the cloud and the structure. performance of which is based on the suppression or delay
Again, the larger value of the electrical field will be required in the development of an upward leader, improving the
to develop the voltage across initial meters of the already efficiency of the protection against direct lightning strikes to
developed streamers to initiate the lightning leader. Total the protected structure.
delay in developing the upward-moving leader in most cases
results in the lightning discharge which occurred into some Such a system—the Lightning Protection Array System
other place but not into the protected structure. (LPAS)—consists of a hemisphere of a large radius with many
thin metal splines with sharpened tips distributed evenly
INTRODUCTION over the hemisphere’s surface. The LPAS is mounted on the
top of the structure to be protected (Fig. 1).
The mechanism of lightning strikes to tall structures is, in
general, quite different from the strikes to the ground and
low height objects. Structures lower than 100-meters tall
are assumed to be struck by downward lightning and the
structures with 500-meters tall or taller are almost always
initiate the upward lightning. The structures with height in
range 100 to 500 meters have both downward and upward
lightning strikes with the incidents of upward lightning
increasing with the increase of the object’s height. [1]

The downward flashes are initiated by stepped leaders

originating from the thunderstorm cloud. The charge on the
stepped leader rapidly approaching the ground enhances
the electric field at the top of a grounded object. When the
electric field exceeds the breakdown value of air, one or
more upward-moving connecting leaders are initiated. The
strike occurs when such a connecting leader reaches the
stepped leader or one of its branches. FIGURE 1. THE LPAS INSTALLED ON THE ANTENNA TOWER.

In the case of tall structures, the electric field required for The multitude of the LPAS splines with sharpened tips
the initiation of the upward lightning is created typically produces the corona space charge under the influence
by in—or inter-cloud discharges—or by nearby lightning of the electric field originated by the charges in the

28 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

thunderstorm cloud. The careful choice of the height of the REFERENCES
splines and the distance between adjacent splines in the
array of the LPAS provides the enhancement of local electric [I] V.A.Rakov, M.A.Uman, “Lightning Physics and Effects”, University
field and leads to the earlier start of corona current from the Press, Cambridge, UK, 2003
[2] N.L.Aleksandrov, E.M.Bazelyan, R.BJr. Carpenter, M.M.Drabkin and
tips of the splines. The thundercloud electric field is doubly
YU.P.Raizer, “The effect of Coronae on Leader Initiation and Development
enhanced. Firstly, the average field on the hemisphere
Under Thunderstorm Condition and in Long Air Gaps” Journal of Physics
surface is higher than the thundercloud electric field at D: Applied Physics, , pp. 3256-3266, lOP Publishing Ltd, UK, 200 I
the ground level by a factor of hlro, where hand ro are the [3] N.L.Aleksandrov, E.M.Bazelyan, R.BJr. Carpenter, M.M.Drabkin and
height and radius of the hemisphere. Secondly, the electric Yu.P.Raizer, “Initiationof Leader in Long Gaps at Qusi-Steady Corona
field near the spline tips is higher than the electric field on near Stressed Electrode”, Proceedings of 91h International Symposium on
the hemisphere surface by a factor of hsp/r” where hspl and Gaseous Dielectrics, Maryland, USA, May, 2001
r, are the splines height and tip’s radius. [4] N.L.Aleksandrov, E.M.Bazelyan, R.BJr. Carpenter, M.M.Drabkin
and YU.P.Raizer, “Corona Discharge at the Tip of High Grounded Object
The presence of the thick space charge injected into the in the Electric Field of Thundercloud,” Proceedings of \21h International
gap structure-cloud from the well developed hemisphere Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Bangalore, India, August, 2001
surface with thousands of sharp points makes the noticeable [5] N.L.Aleksandrov, E.M.Bazelyan, R.BJr. Carpenter, M.M.Drabkin
changes in the process of the development of the lightning and YU.P.Raizer, “Prospects for Reliability Improvement of Lightning
Protection Owing to Long-Duration Injection of Space Charge into
strike comparing to the process of lightning discharge to the
Atmosphere”, Proceedings of 261h International Conference on Lightning
lightning rod.
Protection, Cracow, Poland, September, 2002
[6] N.L.Aleksandrov, E.M.Bazelyan, R.BJr. Carpenter, M.M.Drabkin
The effect of the presence of that space charge in the gap and YU.P.Raizer, “Corona from Tall Objects in the Electric field of
is clearly demonstrated by comparing the frequency of the Thundercloud”, Phisics of Plazma, 28, N211, pp 1032-1043, 2002.
initiation of an upward leader from a grounding structure [7] N.L.Aleksandrov, E.M.Bazelyan, R.BJr. Carpenter, M.M.Drabkin and
and from the ascending rocket with grounded-wire triggered YU.P.Raizer, “A Method to Calculate the Number of Lightning Strikes to
lightning. A rocket gaining altitude in excess of 200 meters a High Object Taking into Account Gas Discharge Process Near its 271h
within a few seconds has a good chance of triggering Tip,” Proceeding of International Conference on Lightning Protection,
lightning by initiating the upward leader. The corona has no Avignon, France, September, 2004.
time to develop the space in front of the ascending rocket [8] R.H.Golde, “Lightning”, voL I ,2, Academic Press, New York, 1977.
but develops a thick layer of the space charge with the [9] E.M. Bazelyan and YU.P.Raizer, “Spark Discharge”, Boca Raton,
FJ.,CRS Press, 1998.
radius of tens of meters around the top of the structure.
[10] E.M. Bazelyan and Yu.P.Raizer, “Lightning Physics and Lightning
Lightning strike to the structure of the similar height appears
Protection”, lOP Publishing Ltd., Bristol, UK, 2000.
to be a very rare event, may be once or twice in a year.

VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 29

T R AVE L

SURF SESH AURORA

Find out where to ride
the wild surf in Baler and the rest of Aurora.
WORDS BY CHRIS FRIAS PHOTOS BY JOSEPH T. GONZALES & CHRIS FRIAS

W
When I came to the Philippines this time, my main objective
was to finally check out the surf it had to offer. Surfers I’ve
met all around the world knew very little about the the
country.

Sure, Cloud 9 in Siargao is a fairly known spot, but with

7,000 plus islands and the entire east coast facing the Pacific
Ocean, the Philippines has to have good waves all over.
After networking with a few surfers from Manila, the same
Just around the corner is Cemento where you’ll find Cobra
Reef. When a big swell comes in and the tide is low, take a
30-minute tricycle ride, trek through some mangroves, and
be ready to get tubed! Never mind the shallow jagged reef,
you won’t be thinking about it once you’re riding this bad
boy.

FUN FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BALER:

Sabang Beach is the main hub for visitors and locals, but also
recommendation kept coming up, Baler. nearby (a 30-minute trike or 45 min walk) is the infamous
beach break, Charlie’s Point. This is the where Baler’s (and
SABANG’S SURFER HAVEN possibly the Philippines’) surfing culture all began.
I arrived at a small town with a long stretch of beach breaks
catering to both regular and goofy footers. A place where, It is where Francis Ford Coppola filmed many scenes of
even if there are weekend crowds, there are still plenty of the 1979 epic American war movie, Apocalypse Now. If
spots to choose from. For longboarders and shortboarders, you recall the insane surfing scene as guns were firing and
beginners and experienced, Baler’s Sabang Beach is a surfer bombs were being dropped, that’s Charlie’s Point.
haven.
The Hollywood film crew not only showed the Baler locals
Barangay Sabang is a chilled-out, non-commercialized what surfing was, they left their boards with them to help
town, but with a growing number of hotels and resorts (take spark what is now a rapidly growing surf culture in the
advantage of it while you can!). It’s a place where there’s not Philippines.
much to do, but surf, surf, and surf.
As far as Baler surfing history goes, American GIs already
As I got settled in with my board and guitar, I befriended an had this place on their radar during the Vietnam War era,
amazing group of local surfers on the first day. They treated and Australian surfers in the early 1980s only enhanced more
me with hospitality as if I grew up there with them. I knew interest nationwide. Surprisingly, this spot is still a peaceful
right then that this would be my new home for a while. getaway from crowds or buildings. There’s only a home
Stoked, I hung up my hammock and prepared myself for the tucked in the jungle next to the river mouth; the spot is
Baler life. typically a bit bigger than Sabang.

Want to get barreled too?

30 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014

A ROAD TRIP FOR THE BOOKS
As I quickly became closer to the local surfers, I was invited
to join them on a road trip up the Aurora coast towards
the Northern town of Dilasag. Along with a steady flow of
lambanog shots and and a lot of mouth watering Cobra Reef
- Cemento, Baler fresh fish, we explored remote white sand
beaches and surfed waves all by ourselves.

It was a hidden paradise within a paradise. It was a trip to

remember as 13 of us crammed into a junky old van with our
boards stacked up on the roof.

Sometimes we would barely make it through the sections of

unpaved roads. But even after pushing the van out of mud a
couple of times, we knew nothing was going to stop us from GETTING THERE
reaching our destination. If you aren’t driving your own car, Genesis buses
are the only public transportation to and from
The long journey was worth it when we were greeted with Baler. From Cubao, take an AC bus for PHP 450.
a left reef break curling as high as double overhead...and Running from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. every hour (6 to 8
a sweet karaoke machine. I couldn’t ask for a better group hours).
to be with as we surfed, blasted music, sang, and laughed
together. Little did I know that more road trips would lead Or splurge a little bit more and reserve a seat on
me to even better break: clean glassy waves with gorgeous their luxury Joy Bus line for PHP 700, leaving at 12
backdrops of what reminded me of Hawaii’s North Shore. midnight and 1am non-stop direct (5 hours). Great
for weekend warriors wanting to get right in the
A boat trip took us to an unknown cove that looked like water at sunrise. (Schedules, prices, and availabil-
a scene from the movie The Beach, plus a sketchy coal ity may vary depending on the season).
reef break. In the end, I learned something from these
adventures: I realized that Aurora has a whole coastline of Joy Bus Reservations: (02)7090545 / 4416834
potential surf spots to be discovered.

All it takes is a bit of time, a good car to handle some of the

WHERE TO STAY
AMIHAN APLAYA
rough roads, or even better, a boat. And it probably doesn’t
Located right on the beach around the quieter
hurt to make friends with a few of the locals either (Hint:
north end of Sabang. This small beachfront conve-
there are many “secret spots”).
niently offers a small sari-sari store, an outdoor
communal area, parking, use of kitchen, extreme-
ly friendly staff, and heaps of spots to hang your
hammock. Basic fan rooms from PHP 500 to PHP
600.
Contact number: 0948-9586090

ALIYA
Located right next to Amihan Aplaya, they also
DINIOG, DILASAG have quick access to Sabang’s beach breaks. A
Other Notable Surf Spots in Aurora: fairly new three-story hotel that’s become a pop-
Lobbot (Dipaculao) ular hangout spot for the younger surfer crowd.
Dalugan (Casiguran)
Offers a billiards table, bar, surf lessons/rental,
Best time to go: and live music on the weekends. AC rooms from
October – March PHP 2,100 to PHP 4,900.
Contact number: 0939-9390929
BECOMING “LOCALIZED” WHERE TO EAT
How do I go home when I already feel at home?
THE ROLLING STORES
My time in Baler was an incredible mix of surf
safaris, guitar jam sessions, birthday parties, Head into town proper, to the 24-hour rolling
skateboarding, pulutan, and what seemed like stores where you’ll get the best bang for your
endless nights of lambanog shots. buck. Just a quick twominute trike ride away,
there are multiple stalls to satisfy your food trip.
My stay in Baler has become one of my most Choose from all types of ready-to-go Filipino
memorable times in the Philippines. As I write this dishes like adobo, Bicol express, lechon paksiw,
while lying on my beachside hammock, I realize and sinigang. PHP 45 to PHP 65.
that I’ve been here for over a month now. Baler
has become my new home and every day, I feel
like I’m becoming more and more a Baler local. KUSINA LUNTIAN
I’m becoming “localized.” Be sure to try my local favorite, the new Kusina
Luntian. Get close and personal with the locals
“All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and by visiting this surfer’s nipa hut home just a few
I’m fine” minutes‘ walk from the beach. There, they’ll cook
- Jeff Spicoli you a traditional meal wrapped in a banana leaf.
Be ready to eat with your hands. PHP 65 to 85.
They also deliver! Open from Friday to Sunday
only.
VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING 31
 FACTS
ABOUT
ELECTRIC TREATING
A VICTIM

SHOCK
OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK
COMPILED BY GELYN LEE

Safely remove the victim from contact with

the source of electricity
DID YOU Turn off the electricity by means of a switch or circuit breaker or cut cables
KNOW? or wires by means of a wood-handled or insulated cutter if available. (Do
not touch the electrical circuit or the victim unless the power is off or you
are insulated!)
Use a dry stick or any other non-conductor of electricity to separate
the victim from the electrical circuit. (This must be done quickly. After 5
The danger of electrical shock does minutes, the chances of saving an individual will greatly decrease.)
not depend on voltage but on
the amount of current flowing
through the body. Human body Call for Assistance
resistance will influence current: Others in the area may be more knowledgeable than you about treating
higher body resistence means less the victim
current will flow through the body
(less dangerous); lower body Another person can call for professional help while you administer first aid.
resistance means more current will
flow through the body
(more dangerous.)
Check victim’s breathing and heartbeat
Human body resistance varies from If pulse is detectable, but breathing has stopped, administer mouth-to-
about 500,000 OHMS when dry to mouth resuscitation until medical help arrives.
about 300 OHMS when wet.
Because of this, voltages as low as If heartbeat has stopped, administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but
30 VOLTS could cause fatal shock only if you have been trained in proper procedure.
if the skin is wet. If both heartbeat and breathing has stopped, alternate between
cardiopulmonary resuscitation and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but again
Any circuit with a potential only if you have been trained in this technique
of at least 30 VOLTS must be
considered dangerous.
Administer first aid for shock and burns
as necessary
Use blankets or coats to help keep the victim as warm and comfortable
as possible while waiting for help.

Raise victim’s legs slightly above head level to help prevent shock.

If the victim suffered burns:

• cover your mouth and nostrils with gauze or a clean handkerchief to
prevent breathing germs while treating the burns.
• wrap burned area firmly with sterile gauze or clean linen or clean
towels.

SOURCE: ELECTRICAL SAFETY AT HOME, SCHOOL, OFFICE,

AND WORKPLACE MANUAL BY INSTITUTE OF INTEGRATED
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC.

32 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING VOLUME XLIII 2ND QUARTER 2014