Last edit: 04/06/2023
The CE Code, or Canadian Electrical Code Part I, or CSA C22.1 is the reference standard for the electrical installations in Canada. In Italy the equivalent standard is derived from IEC 60364 and is called CEI 64-8. Based upon the CE Code, each canadian province publishes its own electrial standard or Amendments to that main reference.
It is revewed every 3 years and the new edition was published in January 2021, a year after the NEC (or, like they say in Canada, “two years ahead”).
Despite there are specific standards for the Electrical Equipment of Machineries, the CE Code remains an important reference, expecially for the cabling and components outside the control panel and in particular for large Machineries.
The Canadin Electrica Code (CSA C22) is structured in 5 parts:
- Part I (CSA C22.1) details the general rules for the installation and maintenance of the Electrical Installations (CE Code);
- Part II of the Canadian Electrical Code is focused on evaluating electrical equipment. CSA C22.1-2018 actually specifies that electrical products are approved to a standard document in Part II and, Part II includes not just a single standard like, but hundreds of them.
- Part III is focused on power distribution safety.
- Part IV was published for the first time in 2009 due to industry demand to create an objective-based industrial code. It is intended for an authorized user. In other terms “an organization recognized by the authority having jurisdiction and responsible for establishing, documenting, implementing, and maintaining the requirements of this Code and continually improving its effectiveness”. It contains one document: CSA C22.4 NO. 1 and NO. 2-09 package – Objective-based industrial electrical code.
- Part VI is focused on performing electrical inspections of existing residential buildings. It is also comprised of only one standard: CSA C22.6 No. 1-2011 (R2015): Electrical inspection code for existing residential occupancies.
The CE Code requires warning labels to be displayed on the Machine Control Panel. The languase should be the official one in the province and in general, all safety signs sould be in both English and French. Examples of warning labels are the one for the Arc Flash, required in Rule 2-306 and the one for dangerous voltages (Rule 36-006).
One of the important changes in the 2021 edition is a further allignment with the IEC 60079 standards, expecially in terms of equipment suitable for the different classified Locations. Table 18 was added and it is derived from the IEC 60079 standards.
Another update in the 2021 edition is a new definition of Cable and Conductor. Pls refer to the separate article on our site.
In the new CE Code, Rule 2-100 has two changes:
- First is the addition of short-circuit current rating or withstand rating to the list of equipment marking requirements in Subrule (1).
- The second change is the addition of a new inserted Subrule (4) that reads:
“(4) Where the maximum continuous load allowed on a fused switch or circuit breaker as determined in accordance with Rule 8-104 (5) and (6) is less than the continuous operating marking of the fused switch or circuit breaker, a permanent, legible caution marking shall be field applied adjacent to the fused switch or circuit breaker nameplate to indicate the maximum continuous loading permitted for connection to the fused switch or circuit breaker.” There are many installations where it is difficult to confirm the size of the installed conductors without a system shutdown; this new field marking is intended to provide clear notification of the limited loading capabilities for the installation.
If, after reading the article 3 times, you still do not understand what it means, pls contact us, we may help you as well on any electrical application for machinery you are planning to do in Canada.