Electrical engineers set confab

MANILA, Philippines - Leading companies in electrical, electronics and energy industries here and abroad will showcase their products and services at the 36th Annual National Convention of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) on Nov. 22 to 26, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on Roxas Blvd.

Armando R. Diaz, IIEE national president, said the week-long convention will have for its theme “Economic Development Through Clean and Affordable Electricity.”

To focus national attention on the importance of the electrical engineering profession and highlight its role in nation-building, President Aquino has earlier issued Proclamation No. 171 declaring Nov. 20 to 26, as “Electrical Engineering Week under the auspices of the IIEE.”

“We will be expecting a big number of product exhibitors from here and abroad. As of to date, over a hundred companies engaged in electrical, electronics and energy, electrical equipment, machinery, appliances and personal devices, have already signified their intention to participate in the exhibit,” Diaz said.

He said among the products and services to be showcased are energy drives and turbines, generators and transformers, power cables and high voltage installation, arresters and lightning protections, poles and transmission towers, electrical lighting and luminaries, wiring devices and accessories, circuit protection, meters, wires and cables, fire protection devices, electronics, computers and appliances.

The IIEE is the only professional organization of Filipino licensed electrical practitioners which has over 30,000 members composing 77 chapters nationwide and eight abroad.

To develop and reinforce consciousness on electrical safety, President Aquino has likewise issued last June Proclamation No. 193, declaring the month of May of every year as the Electrical Safety Month.”

In the said proclamation, the President noted that “many lives and properties are lost due to fires and electrocution and that most of these fires and incidents of electrocution are attributed to ‘faulty wiring.’”

“The main reason for the occurrences of fires and electrocution from electrical causes is not faulty wiring but ignorance in the use of electrical appliances and gadgets such as overheating of electrical outlets and the use of counterfeit electrical products such as circuit breakers, power strips, extension cords, batteries and holiday lights that can cause fires, explosions, shocks, and electrocutions,” the President said.

Diaz, a noted professional electrical engineer, said his group has launched a nationwide campaign last May to generate public awareness on electrical safety. It will be an ongoing project of IIEE, he added.