CSA C22.1:21 - Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (25th edition), Safety Standard for Electrical Installations
Preface
This twenty-fifth 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 2020 meetings. This twenty-fifth edition supersedes the previous editions, published in 2018, 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986, 1982, 1978, 1975, 1972, 1969, 1966, 1962, 1958, 1953, 1947, 1939, 1935, 1930, and 1927.
This edition contains important revisions to many Sections. Section 64 features a new Subsection governing installation of energy storage systems and Rules for functionally-grounded renewable energy systems. Several important changes appear in Section 26, including a new requirement for ground fault circuit interrupter protection for all 15 A and 20 A receptacles located outdoors within 2.5 m of grade.
New requirements in support of climate change adaptation appear in several Sections of the Code. Section 22 now contains a new Subsection for farm buildings housing livestock, as well as revised Rules for equipment in Category 1 and 2 locations.
Other significant revisions in this edition include the following:
• redundant or out-of-date requirements, such as the Rules for open wiring, have been removed;
• the definition for “Voltage — Low voltage” has been revised in Section 0;
• clarification has been provided on impedance grounded system operation under fault condition in Section 10;
• new requirements for electrical equipment installed near roof decking systems have been added in Section 12;
• load calculations and equipment layout for recreational vehicle lots have been updated in Section 72;
• Table 19 has been completely reorganized, simplified, and shortened;
• Annexes A.1 and A.2 of Appendix A have been removed and are now hosted online; and
• Appendix E has been deleted.
Many of the changes in this edition were developed by cross-functional working groups. Their work is gratefully acknowledged.
Scope
This Code applies to 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 CSA M421.
This Code and any standards referenced in it 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 so referenced.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CSA C22.1HB:21 - Canadian Electrical Code Handbook - An Explanation of the Rules of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I
Preface
This is the tenth edition of CSA C22.1HB, the Canadian Electrical Code Handbook. It supersedes the previous editions published in 2018, 2015, 2012, 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, and 1990.
Significant changes since the previous edition include the following:
• Section 0 now contains definitions of the terms armour and sheath, as well as revised definitions of the terms cablebus, voltage — low voltage, and wireway;
• Section 2 has a new Rule for seismic restraint requirements;
• Section 4 has new allowances for the ampacity of wires and cables inside electrical equipment for the purposes of termination;
• Section 6 now prohibits service equipment from being installed below the flood elevation (newly defined term);
• Section 8 requirements for the number of branch circuit overcurrent devices in dwelling unit panelboards have been completely rewritten and simplified;
• Section 10 has a new Rule that applies to the installation of bonding conductors. In addition, clarification has been provided on impedance grounded system operation under fault condition;
• Section 12 has new requirements for the installation of cables and raceways in roof decking systems;
• Section 22 contains a new Subsection for farm buildings housing livestock, as well as revised Rules for equipment in Category 1 and 2 locations;
• Section 26 includes several important changes, including a new requirement for ground fault circuit interrupter protection for all 15 A and 20 A receptacles located outdoors within 2.5 m of grade;
• Section 64 features a new Subsection governing installation of energy storage systems and Rules for functionally-grounded renewable energy systems; and
• Section 72 includes updated load calculations and equipment layout for recreational vehicle lots.
Other revisions in this edition include the following:
• new requirements in support of climate change adaptation appear in several Sections of the Code;
• redundant or out-of-date requirements, such as the Rules for open wiring, have been removed; and
• the Index has been deleted in conformance with CSA Group’s drafting and editorial requirements.
CSA gratefully acknowledges the outstanding contribution of Ron Hiscock to the development and publication of the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code Handbook.
Introduction to the Canadian Electrical Code Handbook
This Handbook provides background information on the reasons behind the requirements in the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, and gives an explanation of the Rules in plain, easy-to-understand language. The Handbook is intended to provide a clearer understanding of the safety requirements of the Code.
The content of this Handbook is not meant to form a code of mandatory requirements. The mandatory language (shall) that is used in the CE Code, Part I, has not been used here. Care has been taken to ensure that the intent of the Code Rules is clear to the users of the Handbook. However, users of the Handbook must not under any circumstances rely on it to determine the current requirements of the Code. As always, reference must be made to the Code itself and any local amendments. Consult with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for specific Code interpretations. CSA Group does not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions resulting from the information contained in this Handbook.
The Rules in the CE Code, Part I, are divided into two groups. Sections 0 to 16 and 26 are considered general Sections, and the other Sections supplement or amend those general Sections. Therefore, a requirement in the supplementary Sections takes precedence over a general requirement. For example:
• Rule 12-1008 requires 3 threads to be engaged when making a threaded connection, whereas Rule 18-102 requires 5 threads to be engaged when making a threaded connection in a Zone 1 area.
• Section 4 permits the use of aluminum conductors, but Rule 32-100 does not allow aluminum conductors to be used in fire alarm systems.
