Preface

This twenty-second 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 2011 meetings in Victoria, British Columbia. This twenty-second edition supersedes the previous editions, published in 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998, 1994, 1990, 1986, 1982, 1978, 1975, 1972, 1969, 1966, 1962, 1958, 1953, 1947, 1939, 1935, 1930, and 1927.

A new Section 64 was added to CSA C22.1-12 to cover requirements for renewable energy systems and major updates have been made to Section 50 -Solar photovoltaic systems-. Several new conductor types and wiring methods have been recognized and there are significant changes in the Rules and Tables governing ampacity calculations. Grounding and bonding requirements have been revised and new requirements have been added for tamper resistant receptacles and receptacles exposed to the weather. In several sections, rules were added or revised to recognize electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Substantial changes have also been made to requirements for hazardous locations and electric heating.

General arrangement

CSA C22.1-12 is divided into numbered Sections, each covering some main division of the work. Sections 0 to 16 and 26 are considered general sections, and the other sections supplement or amend the general sections. The Sections are divided into numbered Rules, with captions for easy reference, as follows:

CSA C22.1-12 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. Subdivision of Rules - Rules are subdivided in the manner illustrated by Rules 8-204 and 8-206, and the subdivisions are identified as follows: Reference to other Rules, etc. - Where reference is made to two or more Rules (e.g., Rules 10-200 to 10-206), 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 2009 edition of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, and this new edition published in 2012 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.

Scope

CSA C22.1-12 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:

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; equipment and facilities that are used in the operation of an electric railway and are supplied exclusively from circuits that supply the motive power; 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; aircraft; and electrical systems in ships that are regulated under Transport Canada.

For mines and quarry applications, see also CSA M421.

CSA C22.1-12 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.

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