Field Evaluations: Canadian Requirements

The requirements for safety of wiring and electrical installations are contained in the Canadian Electric Code (CEC). The object of this code is to establish safety standards for the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment. In its preparation, consideration has been given to the prevention of fire and shock hazards, as well as proper maintenance and operation. Compliance with the requirements of this code and proper maintenance will ensure an essentially safe installation.

CEC Rule 2-024 - Electrical equipment used in electrical installations within the jurisdiction of the inspection department shall be approved and shall be of a kind, or type and rating, approved for the specific purpose for which it is to be employed.

Approved - as applied to electrical equipment, means that:

• A certification organization accredited by the Standards Council of Canada
  has certified such equipment in accordance with the requirements of:
  • CSA standards; or
  • Other recognized documents, where such CSA standards do not exist or are not applicable; or
• Such equipment conforms to the requirements of the regulatory authority.
  

The SCC, or Standards Council of Canada, is responsible for promoting efficient and effective standardization. Only SCC-certified organizations can develop standards or provide testing and certification services. TÜV America is accredited by the SCC and can provide testing and certification services to numerous standards. Click here to view TÜV America's full scope.

Local Requirements
All electrical products sold, displayed, or connected to a source of power must be approved by a recognized certification agency in the relative province. Approved products have been assessed to ensure that they meet the safety requirements of the provincial Electrical Safety Code. Electrical products that do not bear the mark of a recognized certification agency may be unsafe, and could pose serious electrical shock and/or fire hazards.

Approvals
The Model Code SPE-1000 has been developed to standardize the field evaluation process and is based upon guidelines for special inspections. These guidelines have been in effect for 20 years with a positive safety record. The Canadian Advisory Council on Electrical Safety strongly supports the continuation of special inspections of electrical products, with the stipulation that the requirements be formally published.

The special inspections service is offered on behalf of participating provinces and authorities by a certification organization, or an inspection agency recognized by the regulatory authority. The service provides the means for evaluating products on location and, if found in compliance with stated technical requirements, such products may be marked with a special inspection service label.

Typically, the electrical inspection authorities base their official acceptance of electrical products upon a certification by an independent agency conforming that the equipment conforms to the applicable standards. The independent certification organization bases its certification upon inspection and testing of a typical unit or sample of the equipment as manufactured. The conformity of a typical unit to the applicable standards is a prerequisite for certification of the equipment.

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