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The Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), Part I, published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) every four years, outlines the governing requirements for electrical installations and maintenance across Canada. As a standards development organization accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, CSA develops the CEC Part I, through a committee of regulatory authorities, fire marshals, manufacturers, designers, users and other interested stakeholders across Canada. During the standards development process, CSA functions as a neutral third party, providing a structure and a forum for developing the standard. CSA standards are created using a "balanced matrix" approach, which means that each committee is structured to capitalize on the combined strengths and expertise of its members — with no single group dominating.

The latest edition of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, available from CSA in January of 2002, will include a number of significant changes that will affect members of the electrical industry. The following is a list of the latest changes made to the CEC, and some of the explanations behind them.

Health Care Facility (Rule 24-002) replaces the previous definition "Hospital," to make the installation rules of this section broader in scope so they apply to any physical infrastructure elements that support the delivery of health-related activities.

Outdoor Transformer Installations (Subrule 26-242(3)). Working space requirements around transformers have been reduced, provided the transformer is protected by an internal current-limiting fuse and equipped with a pressure relief device. This decision was based on a research study showing that these new working space requirements are adequate because of the newly required pressure relief device feature.

Low Voltage Surge Protection (Rule 26-520). A new rule has been added to the CEC covering the location and installation requirements of low voltage surge protectors, requiring them to be as close to the equipment they protect as possible. Surge protectors are designed to handle common voltage surges that may arise in the transmission lines due to lightning or the switching of inductive circuits.

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (Subrules 26-722 (f) and (g)). This new rule requires that branch circuits to sleeping facilities in homes be protected by an arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). AFCIs are "smart-type" devices that recognize arcing faults and then quickly de-energize the circuit.

Motor-Controller Serving as a Starter and a Disconnect (Subrule 28-602(3)). This revised subrule requires across-the-line type motor-controllers to have a new marking: "Suitable for Motor Disconnect." A motor-controller not evaluated for this disconnection function may be a potential hazard. The CEC has added this required marking because it is not obvious by design.

Recessed Luminaires (Rules 30-900 to 30-910). A new set of rules has been included covering the proper installation for recessed luminaires. The CEC will now require luminaires to be marked type NON-IC if they are to be spaced at least 13 mm from thermal insulation or combustible material; and type IC if they can be installed in contact with thermal insulation or combustible material. Type IC and NON-IC recessed luminaires have inherent protection which is evaluated for this special purpose.

Outlet Boxes for Luminaires and Fixtures (Rules 30-302(4) and 62-110(5)). These subrules double the allowed luminaire or fixture load that may be directly supported from an outlet box to 23 kg. Larger loads must now be independently suspended from the building structure. It is interesting to note that these subrules do not require load marking on the outlet box for the installer since they are evaluated to more onerous load requirements.

Signs and Outline Lighting (Section 34). Due to changes in technology that have occurred over the past several years, this section has undergone a major rewrite. Virtually every rule in Section 34 has been modified to reflect these innovations. Among the changes is Rule 34-300 that requires magnetic neon supplies to have secondary-circuit ground-fault protection, in addition to electronic neon supplies.

Solar Photovoltaic System (Rules 50-002 and 50-022). These new rules and other changes address the trend of using solar photovoltaic systems to deliver power to a system, including a supply authority system. Photovoltaics, the application of generating electricity from sunlight, is growing in popularity as a non-polluting, renewable source of energy used to supplement conventional utility power. Section 50 applies to consumer-owned power generation equipment that is connected to and operating in parallel with a supply authority system.

These above mentioned rules address the "interconnection" concerns regarding any consumer solar photovoltaic power generator connected to the supply authority grid. The rules state that the generator cannot feed power to the grid whenever the system is out. The rule further states that personal solar photovoltaic power generators must maintain the recognized system power quality contained in Section 84 in the CE Code.

Wiring Methods (Subrule 66-400(5). This Section of the Code has undergone a major rewrite to include the installation of electrical equipment used in locations such as amusement parks, carnivals, film and TV sets. What is special about this subrule? The CEC was revised to allow 5-15R receptacles (rated 15 A) to be protected by 20 A fuse or circuit breaker. But the receptacle must be "hospital grade" and the loads are to be intermittent. Here the Code demands restrictions to overcome the potential risk of fire.

The new and revised rules of the 2002 Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, reflect the use of new technology, harmonization with US standards and increased knowledge regarding the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment in the prevention of fire and shock hazards. The CE Code, Parts I and II, are essential guides to help users stay current with the latest Municipal, Provincial and Federal legislated safety requirements and reduce installation risk.

Richard Cohen is an engineering project manager with CSA Group, an independent, not-for-profit membership association serving business, industry, government and consumers. CSA Group consists of three divisions: the Canadian Standards Association which develops standards and helps people understand and apply them through information products and seminars; CSA International which provides testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products; and QMI, North America’s leading registrar, which delivers client-focused management systems registration and training services.

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