PROVINCE.OF BRITISH COLUMBIA ORDER OF THE LIEUTENANfelOVERNOR IN COUNCIL Order in Council No. 0640 Approved and Oidered a -1.1995 cieuisvunigott3mor Executive Council Chambers, Victoria On the recommendation of the undersigned, the Lieutenant Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, orders that, effective September I, 1995, (a) (b) B.C. Reg. 452/90, the B.C. Electrical Code Regulation, is repealed, and the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, Seventeenth Edition, Safety Standard for Electrical Installations, Canadian Standards Association standard C22.1-94, as available in printed form, including the Errata dated August 25, 1994, is adopted in whole as the B.C. Electrical Code Regulation, subject to the variations set out in the Schedule attached to this order. Minister Muntcpa/ Atkins Pnisiding Member ol Ort Eres:utive Council (Pus pare is for nuntstrunye purposes only and is not part of Ow Order ) Authority under which Order Is made: Act and section:- Other (specify1:- April 3, 1995 Electrical Safety A It, section 16 (2.1) a/ s 0 636 /94/3.7/sas
SCHEDULE Interpretation 1. In this Schedule, "electrical code" means the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I. 17th Edition, Canadian Standards Association Standard C22.1-94. Amendments 2. Section 0 of the electrical code is amended (a) by striking out the definition of "Electrical contractor" and substituting the following: Electrical contractor includes a person, not being the worker of the contractor, who does electrical work for another person, and includes a utility corporation that does electrical work for another person;, (b) by striking out the definition of "Electrical equipment" and substituting the following: Electrical equipment includes any machinery, plant, works, wires, pipes, poles, conduits, apparatus, appliance and equipment used or designed or intended for use for or in connection with the generation, transmission, supply, distribution, or use of electrical energy for any purpose;, (c) by striking out the definition of "Inspection department" and substituting the following: Inspection department means the regulatory authority;, (d) by striking out the definition of "Inspector" and substituting the following: Inspector means an invector as defined in the Electrical Safety Act;, and (e) by adding after the definition of "Multi-wire branch circuit" the following definition: National Building Code of Canada means the British Columbia Building Code and local building bylaws..3. Section 2 is amended by striking out Rules 2-000, 2-004, 2.006, 2-008, 2-012, 2-020, 2.022 and 2-028. 4. Section 6 is amended in Rule 6-206 (2) by striking out paragraph (c) and substituting the following:
(c) Locating the service box inside a separate building, room or enclosure, provided that in multiple occupancy buildings a main disconnecting means is provided at each occupancy panelboard. switchboard or distribution centre. 5. Section 8 is amended in Rule 8-200 (2) (a) by striking out "Subtitle ( I )" and substituting "Subrule (1) (a)". 6. Section 20 is amended in Rule 20-108 (2) by striking out "masonry" in the first line. 7. Section 26 is amended (a) by striking out Rule 26-252 and substituting the following: 26-252 Protection for Power and Distribution Transformers Rated Over 750 V (I) Where short circuit protection or overload protection, or both, is required by these rules, it shall be provided in each phase of the system. (2) Subject to Subrule (8), each transformer shall be protected by an individual short circuit device on the primary side consisting of: (a) A fuse with a continuous current rating of not more than 250% of the primary current of the transformer; or (b) A circuit breaker with a trip setting of not more than 250% of the primary current of the transformer. (3) Where transformers are connected in parallel or series to form a transformer hank operating as a unit, each transformer shall be protected individually. (4) If the maximum fuse size required by Subrule (3) cannot withstand the inrush current, then a circuit breaker with overcurrent relays shall be used. (5) When a primary short circuit device is part of the service entrance equipment, its rating shall be acceptable to the supply authority. (6) Each transformer located within a bu ;ding shall be protected by an overioad protection device capable of opening all ungrounded primary or secondary conductors. (7) The overload device prescribed by Subrule (6) shall consist of: (a) A device that will cause the circuit to open after the transformer has operated at a current greater than 135% of its rated full current load for a period of not more than 10 minutes; or (b) A temperature sensing device in the transformer that will cause the circuit to open when the hot spot temperature of the winding 2
exceeds 105% of the maximum design hot spot temperature in accordance with CSA Standard C9 and ANSI Standard C57. (8) Where two or more transformers are operated in parallel, and each of them has secondary overload devices referred to in Subrule (7), they shall not be required to have individual short circuit devices on the primary side if the primal)/ feeder short circuit device will open the circuit before damage would occur in any of those transformers in the event of a short circuit., (b) in Rule 26-700 by adding after Subrule (13) the following: (14) Where a receptacle, other than a ground fault circuit interrupter receptacle, is connected to a circuit that serves other outlets, the receptacle shall be installed in a manner that will permit it to be disconnected from the circuit conductors without interrupting their continuity., and (c) In Rule 26-702 (19) by striking out "single" in the first line. 8. Section 30 is amended in Rule 30-102 by striking out Subrule (2) and substituting the following: (2) In industrial and commercial establishments where a trained and qualified electrical maintenance staff is available, the voltage shall be permitted to exceed 150 volts-to-ground, but shall not exceed the voltage-to-ground of a nominal system voltage of 347/600Y. 9. Section 32 is amended in Rule 32-102 by adding after Subrule (5) the following: (6) Overhead conductors between buildings shall be installed in accordance with the rules of Section 12. 10. Section 34 is amended by adding after Rule 34-224 the following: Outdoor Portable Signs 34.300 Location. A portable outdoor sigr shall be permitted to be situated less than 2.2 m above grade if the location would normally prevent vehicles from coming into contact with either the sign or its connecting cord. 34-302 Power Supply. A receptacle supplying a portable outdoor sign shall be: (a) A Class A ground fault circuit interrupter type; or (b) If installed on a building be either a Class A ground fault circuit interrupter type or be on a circuit protected by a Class A ground fault circuit interrupter. 3
34-304 Cord Connection. The flexible cord used to connect from the receptacle to the sign plug cap attachment shall be of a type suitable for extra hard usage in wet locations as specified in Table I I. 11. Section 38 is amended (a) by striking out the title of the section and substituting the following: Section 38 - Elevating Devices (b) by striking out Rule 38-000 and substituting the following: 38-000 Scope. This section applies to the installation of electrical equipment for elevating devices and is supplementary to, or amendatory of, the general requirements of this Code., (c) by adding a new Rule 38-001: 38-001 Special Terminology. In this section the following definition shall apply: Elevating Device means a device meeting the definition of an elevating device in the Elevating Devices Safety Act, and includes passenger and freight elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators., (d) in Rule 38-012 (3) by striking out "elevator", and (e) in Rule 38-034 (i) in Subrule (1) (a) by striking out "elevator, dumbwaiter, and escalator" and substituting "elevating device", (ii) in Subrule (1) (b) by striking out "elevators, dumbwaiters, or escalators" and. ubstituting "elevating devices", and (iii) in Subrule (1) (c) by striking out "elevator" and substituting "elevating device". 12. Section 54 is amended by striking out Rule 54-106. 13. Section 56 is amended by striking out Rule 56-106. 14. Section 60 is amended (a) by striking out Rule 60-108, (h) in Rule 60-202 (4) by striking out "900 tn" and substituting "900 mm", and (c) in Rule 60.704 by striking out paragraph (a). 4
15. Section 62 is amended (a) in Rule 62-202, by renumbering the present rule as Subrule (1) and by adding the following: (2) Manually operable controls for electric heaters in bathrooms shall be located at least I m from the bathtub or shower stall, this distance being measured horizontally between the control and the bathtub or shower stall, without piercing a wall, partition, or similar obstacle., and (b) in Rule 62-208 by adding after Subrule (2) the following: (3) Each central unit shall be provided with a disconnecting means connected on the line side of the controller and unit, located within sight of and within 9 m of the controller and unit, provided that the disconnecting means shall be permitted to be omitted where the central unit is located in a dwelling unit and fed from within that dwelling unit. 16. Section 66 is amended by striking out the section and substituting tht following: 66-000 Scope Section 66 - Amusement Parks, Midways, Carnivals, Film Sets, T. V. Remotes and Travelling Shows Scope and Application ( I ) This Section applies to the installation of electrical equipment utilizing any source of power, including generator sets, used for amusement parks, midways, carnivals and other events of a temporary nature held indoors or outdoors, such as film sets, T. V. remotes, home shows, live theatre, travelling shows and tent meetings and is supplementary to, or amendatory of, the general requirements of this Code. (2) The installation of electrical equipment fonning part of an amusement ride shall comply with CSA Standard Z267-M1983, Safety Code for Amusement Rides. 66-002 Special Terminology. In this Section the following definitions appi Amusement ride means a device or combination of devices designated or intended to entertain or amuse people by physically moving them. Amusement park means a tract of land used as a temporary or permanent location for amusement rides and structures. Concession means a structure, or a combination of structures erected for the purpose of entertaining or amusing people with games or shows or for the dispensing of food, souvenirs and tickets by sale or for any other purpose. 5
General 66.100 Supporting of Conductors (I) Only decorative lighting, signal, communication, and control circuits shall be supported on structures that support amusement rides. (2) The decorative lighting and control circuits of one amusement ride shall not be installed on a supporting structure of another ride. (3) Overhead conductors shall have a vertical clearance to finished grade of not less than the following: (a) Across highways, streets, lanes and alleys 5.5 m; (b) Across areas accessible to vehicles 5 m; (c) Across areas accessible to pedestrians 3.5 m. 66-102 Protection of Electrical Equipment. Mechanical protection of electrical equipment shall be acceptable for the conditions of use for the particular location. Grounding 66-200 Grounding. The service and electrical distribution shall be grounded in accordance with Section 10 of this Code. 66-202 Equipment Bonding (I) Exposed lion-current-carrying metal parts of fixed electrical equipment such as motor frames, starters and switch boxes; parts of rides, conces sions and ticket booths and moving electrically operated equipment shall be bonded to ground by: (a) Means of the bonding conductor in the supply cord, or (b) Connection to a separate insulated flexible copper bonding conductor, sized in accordance with Table 16, and connected to the grounded circuit conductor at the service disconnect. (2) Cord connected operator controlled remote stations shall be bonded to ground. 66-300 Service Equipment Services and Distribution ( I ) Service equipment shall be of a size suitable for the connected load. (2) Where accessible to unauthorized persons enclosures for service equipment shall be lockable. (3) Generators shall not be accessible to unauthorized persons. 6
66-302 Mounting of Service Equipment. Service equipment shall be mounted on a solid backing and: (a) Be located so as to be protected from the weather; or (b) Be installed in a weatherproof enclosure; or (c) Be of weatherproof construction. 66-304 Distribution Equipment (I) Each concession and ride shall be provided with a fused disconnect switch or circuit breaker. (2) Where accessible to unauthorized persons, enclosures for switches, panelboards and splitters shall be lockable. Wiring Methods and Equipment 66-400 Wiring Methods (I) Except as permitted in Rules 66-450 to 66-458, wiring methods shall be in accordance with Section 12 and suitable for the condition of use. (2) Cords, cables, conduits and other electrical equipment shall be protected from physical damage. (3) Flexible supply cords shall be of the extra hard usage type and: (a) Provided with strain relief where they enter into enclosures and connectors; and (b) If exposed to the weather, be of a type suitable for outdoor use. (4) Terminations and connections for both multiconductor and singleconductor cables shall: (a) Be made using approved connectors and receptacles; and (b) Be rated in amperes and designed so that differently rated devices cannot be connected together; and (c) Have the female half attached to the load end of the power supply cord or cable; and (d) if ac iiiulticonductor, be polarized. (5) Notwithstanding Paragraph (4) (c), with special permission the grounded conductor and the bonding conductor shall be permitted to have the female half connected to the supply end of the power supply cord or cable. (6) With the exception of amusement parks, midways, carnivals, home shows, and tent meetings, receptacles rated 15 Amp, conforming to CSA configuration 5- I 5R rated 120 Volt, hospital grade and protected by a fuse or circuit breaker 7
rated not greater than 20 Amp, shall be permitted for temporary lighting installations within the scope of this Section of the Code, where the loads are of an intermittent nature and where the connected load is not greater than 2,000 Watts. (7) Refer to Rules 44-350, 44-352, and 44-356 for temporary wiring for portable stage equipment. 66-402 Equipment (I) Lighting streamers shall be made up of extra hard usage outdoor flexible cord with pin type sockets or with pig tail sockets attached to the cord by acceptable means. (2) Fluorescent fixtures shall not be mounted end-to-end unless they are marked for that purpose. (3) Incandescent lampholders shall be of the screw base type. (4) Utilization equipment shall only be installed in locations for which it is approved, unless suitable precautions are taken to protect it from inclement weather. Single-Conductor Cables 66-450 Single-Conductor Cables. Single-conductor cables shall be permitted in sizes No. 4 AWG and larger providing they are: (a) Of suitable voltage and of a type acceptable for this use; and (b) Of a matched set with the same length for all conductors of the circuit including the bonding conductor; and (c) Covered or guarded so as not to present a tripping hazard in pedestrian walkways or roadways. 66-452 Maximum Available Fault Current. Systems employing single-conductor cables shall have the available fault current limited to 10,000 Amps. 66-454 Free Air A m pacity (I) Single-conductor cables that are bundled or installed in close proximity to one another shall be rated as multi-conductor cables in accordance with Section 4. (2) Notwithstanding Subrule (1), for temporary installations free-airrated single-conductor cables of any one circuit shall be permitted to be installed without spacing if different circuits are separated by at least one cable bundle diameter. 8
66-456 Single-Conductor Cable Connections (1) Connections to single-conductor cables shall not be accessible to unqualified persons. (2) Plug-in connectors for single-conductor cables shall' (a) Incorporate a locking cam design; and (h) Incorporate a mechanical interlock to prevent wrong connections or be color coded. (3) Single-conductor cables shall not be connected in parallel except as a means of reducing voltage drop, and cables so connected shall have overcurrent protection sized to protect the cable s 'h the smallest ampacity as though it were used alone. 66-458 Bonding. Each circuit incorporating single-conductor cables shall include a bonding conductor which shall be nth with the circuit conductors. Motors 66-500 Motors. Motors, including protection and control, shall be installed in accordance with Section 28. 66-502 Location. Motors shall be installed only in dry locations unless they are of a type specifically marked for the location. 66-504 Portable Motors. Connections to portable motors shall be permitted to be made with flexible cord that shall have a serviceability not less than Type SOW for outdoor use. 17. Section 68 is amended (a) in Rule 68-400 by adding "and to pools and spas supplied by a common water circulating system" after "spas and hot tubs", and (b) in Rule 68-402 by striking out Subrule (3). 18. Section 84 is amended by striking out Rule 84-008. 19. Table 50 is repealed. 20. Appendix B is amended by striking out the note for Rule 2-128. 9