Preface
This twentieth edition of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, was approved by the Committee on the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, and by the Regulatory Authority Committee at their June 2005 meetings in Kelowna, British Columbia. This twentieth edition supersedes the previous editions, published in 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986, 1982, 1978, 1975, 1972, 1969, 1966, 1962, 1958, 1953, 1947, 1939, 1935, 1930, and 1927.
Sections 0 to 16 and 26 are considered general sections, and the other sections supplement or amend the general sections. Various requirements were revised as a result of the continuing efforts toward harmonization. In addition, there are significant changes to Sections 2, 10, 18 (particularly in Appendices B and J), 26, and 32. Sections 74 and 84 have been revised considerably to reflect new technology and industry practices.
A new Subsection was added to Section 22 to include the requirements for Sewage Lift and Treatment Plants. A new Appendix I has been added listing the interpretations that have been approved since the last edition, in the cases where the Rule in question has not been clarified yet. A new Appendix K has been added giving the fundamental safety principles contained in IEC 60634-1.
General arrangement
The Code is divided into numbered Sections, each covering some main division of the work. The Sections are divided into numbered Rules, with captions for easy reference, as follows:
(a) Numbering system - With the exception of Section 38, even numbers have been used throughout to identify Sections and Rules. Rule numbers consist of the Section number separated by a hyphen from the 3- or 4-digit figure. The intention in general is that odd numbers may be used for new Rules required by interim revisions. Due to the introduction of some new Rules and the deletion of some existing Rules during the revision of each edition, the Rule numbers for any particular requirement are not always the same in successive editions.
(b) Subdivision of Rules - Rules are subdivided in the manner illustrated by Rules 8-204 and 8-206, and the subdivisions are identified as follows:
(c) Reference to other Rules, etc. - Where reference is made to two or more Rules, the first and last Rules mentioned are included in the reference. Where reference is made to a Subrule or Item in the same Rule, only the Subrule number and/or Item letter and the word Subrule or Item need be mentioned. If the reference is to another Rule or Section, then the Rule number and the word Rule shall be stated (e.g., Rule 10-200(3) and not Subrule (3) of Rule 10-200). The principal changes that have been made between the 2002 edition of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, and this new edition published in 2006 are marked in the text of the Code by the symbol delta in the margin. Where revisions to or deletions from the text have caused existing Rules to be renumbered, only the first renumbered Rule in the sequence is marked. Users of the Code are advised that the change markers in the text are not intended to be all-inclusive and are provided as a convenience only; such markers cannot constitute a comprehensive guide to the reorganization or revision of the Code. Care must therefore be taken not to rely on the change markers to determine the current requirements of the Code. As always, users of the Code must consider the entire Code and any local amendments.
Acknowledgement
Acknowledgement is made for the use of material contained in the National Electrical Code.
Object
The object of this Code is to establish safety standards for the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment. In its preparation, consideration has been given to the prevention of fire and shock hazards, as well as proper maintenance and operation.
Compliance with the requirements of this Code and proper maintenance will ensure an essentially safe installation. Safe installations may also be ensured by compliance with the objective-based fundamental safety principles of IEC 60364-1 (see Appendix K). Compliance with these objective-based installation criteria by industrial and similar users may be achieved through the implementation of specific quality management programs or equivalent programs acceptable to the authorities adopting and enforcing this Code. Wiring installations that do not make provision for the increasing use of electricity may be overloaded in the future, resulting in a hazardous condition. It is recommended that the initial installation have sufficient wiring capacity and that there be some provision made for wiring changes that might be required as a result of future load growth.
This Code is not intended as a design specification nor as an instruction manual for untrained persons. The requirements in this Code address the fundamental principles of protection for safety contained in Section 131 of IEC 60364-1, which encompasses protection against electric shock, thermal effects, overcurrent, fault currents, and overvoltage.
Scope
This Code covers all electrical work and electrical equipment operating or intended to operate at all voltages in electrical installations for buildings, structures, and premises, including factory-built relocatable and non-relocatable structures, and self-propelled marine vessels stationary for periods exceeding five months and connected to a shore supply of electricity continuously or from time to time, with the following exceptions:
(a) installations or equipment employed by an electric, communication, or community antenna distribution system utility in the exercise of its function as a utility, as recognized by the regulatory authority having jurisdiction, and located outdoors or in buildings or sections of buildings used for that purpose;
(b) equipment and facilities that are used in the operation of an electric railway and are supplied exclusively from circuits that supply the motive power;
(c) installations or equipment used for railway signalling and railway communication purposes, and located outdoors or in buildings or sections of buildings used exclusively for such installations;
(d) aircraft; and
(e) electrical systems in ships that are regulated under Transport Canada.
For mines and quarry applications, see also CAN/CSA-M421.
This Code and any standards referenced herein do not make or imply any assurance or guarantee by the authority adopting this Code with respect to life expectancy, durability, or operating performance of equipment and materials referenced herein.
Request Copyright Permissions
