\t\t\t\tOntario Electrical Code Update – Please visit CSA’s website for exact rules for electrical codes in Canada<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2012 Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CEC)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Top Fifteen changes of the 2012 Code <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2009 CEC \u2013 Required in dwelling units<\/strong> Description:<\/em> Tamper resistant receptacles are identified by the mark \u201cTR\u201d or \u201cTamper Resistant\u201d.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2009 CEC \u2013 Electric vehicles covered by Section 86<\/strong>. Description:<\/em> 1) Tamper resistant receptacles. Unless otherwise specified at the time of construction, the garage in most homes is not 2009 CEC \u2013 No specific requirements. The expanding market for renewable energy systems led to a need for Code rules to <\/strong> Due to the increased electrical hazards associated with high voltage installations, 2009 CEC \u2013 Conductor ampacities determined by installation environment. Ontario Electrical Code Update – Please visit CSA’s website for exact rules for electrical codes in Canada 2012 Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CEC) Top Fifteen changes of the 2012 Code 2009 CEC \u2013 Required in dwelling units 2012 CEC \u2013 Expanded to child care facilities Description: First introduced in the 2009 CEC, the 2012 CEC […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1064","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-electrical","category-home-inspection"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Expanded to child care facilities<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nFirst introduced in the 2009 CEC, the 2012 CEC has now extended the requirement for
\ntamper resistant receptacles to child care facilities. This requirement intends to reduce
\nelectrical injuries to children who may try to insert objects into wall receptacles.
\nStatistics indicate that for children less than 20 years of age, roughly 2\/3 of electrical
\ninjuries were sustained by children aged 5 years or less and 44 percent of the injuries
\nwere sustained from the insertion of a conductive item or finger into a receptacle.
\nUnless otherwise defined by a regulatory authority having jurisdiction for child care
\nfacilities, the Code intends that this requirement apply to child care facilities in areas
\ndesigned to provide care to persons seven years of age or less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Section 86 revised and rules added to Sections 8 and 26<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAs electric vehicles become more commonplace, increased standardization has become
\ncritical to ensure that electric vehicle charging infrastructure is properly addressed in
\nterms of safety, capacity, and consistency. The 2012 CEC fulfills this need through new
\nand enhanced rules governing the safety, load calculation, and installation of electric
\nvehicle charging equipment.
\n2009 CEC \u2013 No specific requirement existed.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Rules added to require receptacle for garage door openers.<\/strong><\/span>
\nDescription:<\/em>
\n2) Electric vehicles.
\n3) Garage door openers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nprovided with an electric power door opener. However, it is common for homeowners to
\ninstall a garage door opener several years after the home was constructed. Since the
\ndoor opener was not installed during initial construction, it is highly unlikely that the
\nnecessary receptacle was provided. In this case, the homeowner will either have a
\ncontractor install a receptacle or connect the door opener to a wall receptacle with an
\nextension cord. The 2012 CEC requires that a receptacle be provided for each cord connected overhead garage door opener in residential garages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n2012 CEC \u2013 \u201cSplash pads\u201d added to definition of \u201cpool\u201d<\/strong><\/span>.
\nDescription:<\/em>
\n\u201cSplash pads\u201d are an increasingly popular form of outdoor water recreation found at
\nmany community centres and public parks. Unlike a traditional pool, splash pads do not
\ncontain any appreciable depth of water. However, they are used by persons with bare
\nfeet on wet surfaces, similar to decks around swimming pools. Accordingly, the 2012
\nCEC now classifies splash pads as pools and mandates protection such as ground fault
\ncircuit interrupters where applicable.
\n2009 CEC \u2013 Contained requirements for photovoltaic systems.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 New section added for renewable energy systems.<\/strong><\/span>
\nDescription:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nhelp ensure safety for consumers and a level playing field for installers. New CEC
\nSection 64 addresses the unique installation requirements for a variety of renewable
\nenergy systems including wind, hydrokinetic, micro-hydro and fuel cells. Existing
\nrequirements for solar power have been updated considerably to reflect new
\ntechnologies, techniques, and calculations.
\n2009 CEC \u2013 No requirements
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Receptacles for maintenance purposes required.<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDescription:
\nHealth and Safety, labour, and contractor associations identified a need for a roof-top
\nreceptacle in order for HVAC (heating ventilation and air-conditioning) technicians to
\nsafely maintain roof top equipment. The resulting Code rule will allow the technician to
\ndisconnect power to roof top equipment while having safe access to a nearby receptacle
\nfor purposes of illumination, test equipment, and power tools.
\n4) Splash pads.
\n5) Photovoltaic and Renewable energy systems.
\n6) Electrical facilities for maintenance of roof top equipment.Page 3 of 5
\n2009 CEC \u2013 Weather proof receptacle covers required.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Weatherproof receptacle covers required to be weatherproof \u201cin use\u201d. <\/strong><\/span>
\nDescription: <\/em>
\nWeatherproof receptacle covers provide protection from the weather when in the closed
\nposition. However, the cover must be open in order to plug in an appliance or other
\nequipment. When the cover is open, the same level of protection from the weather is not
\nachieved and the receptacle is exposed to potential corrosion or water damage. The
\nnew 2012 Code Rule requires that weatherproof covers provide protection from the
\nweather, even when an appliance is plugged in (when the receptacle is \u201cin use\u201d). Such
\nreceptacle covers are identified by the words \u201cwet locations\u201d.
\n2009 CEC \u2013 Not specifically recognized.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Requirements for installation added.<\/span>
\nDescription:<\/em>
\nTraditionally, switches and receptacles are installed in boxes that are installed during the
\n\u201crough-in\u201d stage of an electrical installation. \u201cSelf contained\u201d receptacles and switches
\nare manufactured with an integral box, meaning that a box is not required to be installed
\nduring rough-in. Such devices are commonly used in the manufactured home industry.
\n2009 CEC \u2013 Location of heat controls not specifically covered.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Specific requirements added to Section 62 of the Code.
\nDescription:
\nGiven the inherently wet environment in bathrooms, the Code contains specific
\nrequirements for the location of switches and receptacles, and includes provisions for
\nprotection by a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). The 2012 Code now extends
\nthese requirements to electric heat controls that are located within bathrooms.
\n2009 CEC \u2013 No specific requirements.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Requirements for ceiling fan outlet boxes added.<\/span>
\nDescription:<\/em>
\nCSA standard C22.2 No. 113, \u201cFans and Ventilators\u201d requires that ceiling fans be
\nprovided with #10 screws for mounting to a ceiling outlet box. Ceiling outlet boxes
\nspecifically designed for this purpose are available in the market and new Code Rules
\nwill help ensure that where used, such boxes are installed correctly.
\n8) Self-contained wiring devices.
\n9) Electric heat controls in bathrooms.
\n10) Outlet boxes for ceiling fans.
\n7) Protection of receptacles exposed to the weather.2009 CEC \u2013 Grounding conductors sized in accordance with Table 17.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Table 17 deleted.
\nDescription:
\nPrevious code editions required that the grounding conductor be based on the ampacity
\nof the service conductors. Based on further evaluation of the grounding conductor and
\nit\u2019s intended purpose, it was determined that the system grounded conductor would carry
\nthe majority of fault current and that a #6 AWG grounding conductor would sufficiently
\nfulfil the intended purpose during fault conditions.
\n2009 CEC \u2013 contained definitions for GFCI and ground fault protection<\/span>.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 contains new and expanded definitions.
\nDescription:
\nThe new code definitions clearly delineate differences between ground fault circuit
\ninterrupters intended to protect from shock (Class A type) and those that may be rated or
\nset at a ground fault current higher than that specified for Class A types. New definitions
\nalso cover equipment that is only intended to indicate or warn that a ground fault has
\nbeen detected, as well as equipment that is designed to protect equipment from
\ndamaging ground fault currents.
\n2009 CEC \u2013 Classified areas specified within the rules.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Classified areas set in table form and aligned with gas standard<\/span>.
\nDescription:
\nSimilar to gasoline dispensing stations, hazardous locations exist in the vicinity of
\ncompressed natural gas refuelling stations, compressors, and storage facilities. A new
\ntable has been added to the code to more clearly set out the area classification around
\nvarious components of such facilities. Values within the new table have also been
\nrevised to align with CSA standard B108, Natural Gas Fuelling Stations Installation
\nCode.
\n2009 CEC \u2013 Required contact visibility in open and closed positions.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Requires visibility in open position only<\/span>.
\nDescription:
\n<\/em>14) High voltage disconnecting means
\n13) Classification of hazardous areas around natural gas facilities
\n12) New terminology for ground fault detection and protection
\n<\/em><\/em>11) Grounding conductor size Page 5 of 5<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ndisconnecting means are required to have contacts that are visible when in the open
\nposition. In addition to other safety protocols, this feature provides operators with a
\nvisual confirmation that there is an air gap between the line and load contacts. By
\nmandating visibility only in the open position, the Code now permits greater application
\nof switching technologies employing new and innovative technologies for viewing the
\ncontacts. Such equipment is often more compact, resulting in a smaller footprint and an
\nincrease in revenue producing square footage within buildings.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em>
\n2009 CEC \u2013 Conductor ampacities determined by installation environment.
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Conductor ampacities determined by environment, equipment, and are<\/span>
\n correlated with NEC ampacities.<\/span>
\nDescription:<\/em>
\nThe Rules and Tables for determining conductor ampacities have undergone a major
\noverhaul and have been correlated with the US National Electrical Code. Depending on
\nthe individual installation, higher ampacities are permitted. However, the 2012 Code
\nalso recognizes that conductors act as a \u201cheat sink\u201d for overcurrent devices such as
\ncircuit breakers. Accordingly, new Rules may affect the ampacity of conductors
\nconnected to equipment marked with a maximum conductor termination temperature.
\n15) Conductor ampacities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n2012 CEC \u2013 Conductor ampacities determined by environment, equipment, and are<\/span>
\n correlated with NEC ampacities.<\/span>
\nDescription:<\/em>
\nThe Rules and Tables for determining conductor ampacities have undergone a major
\noverhaul and have been correlated with the US National Electrical Code. Depending on
\nthe individual installation, higher ampacities are permitted. However, the 2012 Code
\nalso recognizes that conductors act as a \u201cheat sink\u201d for overcurrent devices such as
\ncircuit breakers. Accordingly, new Rules may affect the ampacity of conductors
\nconnected to equipment marked with a maximum conductor termination temperature.\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"