Preface  

This is the twelfth edition of CSA C22.2 No. 31, Switchgear assemblies . It supersedes previous editions, published in 2018, 2014, 2010, 2004, 1989, 1983, 1977, 1972, 1965, 1958, and 1939.  The major changes to this edition include  a) scope revision for clarification;  b) clarification of grounding and bonding;  c) addition of automatic transfer switch requirements to high voltage switchgear assemblies;  d) addition of expulsion type fuse testing requirements; and  e) revisions to Annex F.  It is one of a series of Standards issued by CSA Group under Part II of the Canadian Electrical Code. For general information on the Standards of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part II, see the Preface of CSA C22.2 No. 0.  This Standard is considered suitable for use for conformity assessment within the stated scope of the Standard.  This Standard was prepared by the Integrated Committee on Switchgear Products, under the jurisdiction of the Technical Committee on Industrial Products, and the Strategic Steering Committee on Requirements for Electrical Safety and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.  This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. 

Scope  

1.1  This Standard applies to deadfront indoor enclosed and outdoor enclosed assemblies of switchgear devices such as  a) switches;  b) interrupting devices;  c) air circuit breakers;  d) power circuit breakers; and  e) control, metering, protective, and regulating equipment with associated interconnections and supporting structures.  

1.2  This Standard covers equipment with a nominal voltage of 46 kV or less that is intended to be used  a) in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I;  b) in non-hazardous locations;  c) for controlling and protecting the power from generators or other sources; and  d) for supplying electrical energy to power and lighting circuits.  

1.3  This Standard does not apply to a) switchboards for power distribution (see CSA C22.2 No. 244);  b) switchboards for communication circuits;  c) panelboards (see CSA C22.2 No. 29);  d) industrial control equipment (see CSA C22.2 No. 14);  e) low-voltage assemblies consisting of separately supported enclosed switches;  f) enclosed circuit breakers (see CSA C22.2 No. 5);  g) service meters with interconnection between them enclosed in raceways; and  h) individual low-voltage switchgear and controlgear switching devices such as contactors or proximity switches (see CSA C22.2 No. 60947 series and Note 2 below).  Notes:  1) Manufacturers and installers of switchgear assemblies approved under this Standard should take due note of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, with respect to the location of switchgear devices in areas where certain components might not be acceptable.  2) The terms “switchgear” and “switchgear assemblies” used within the content of this Standard refer to assemblies primarily intended to provide protection and control of either low- or high-voltage feeder and sub-feeder circuits in connection with the generation, transmission, distribution, and conversion of electric power. These terms should not be confused with the IEC terms “switchgear” and “controlgear” used within the context of the CSA C22.2 No. 60947 series of standards which cover individual or combinations of individual low-voltage switching devices intended for the control, measurement, or regulation of energy-consuming equipment. 

1.4  Clauses 2 to 6 apply to all switchgear assemblies and are supplemented and amended by  a) Clause 7 for low-voltage switchgear assemblies; and  b) Clause 8 for high-voltage switchgear assemblies.  Note: See Annex F for additional requirements applicable for pressurized gas insulated switchgear.  

1.5  In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.  Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.  Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.  Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application.