1. travel
2. tourist destinations
3. canada

an annex Publishing & Printing inc. Publication • volume 50 • issue 11
november 2014
Also in this issue...
T&B_Cover_EB_May.indd 1
2014-04-10 9:43 AM
• Opportunityinthe
undergroundeconomy
•Newstandardforwind
turbineelectricalsystems
•Bonding,groundingand
neutralconductors
The
2015
PM # 40065710
CE Code
has
no Class
Nexans_EB_Nov.indd 1
EB_Nov2014.indd 1
2014-10-08 2:47 PM
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
ad elec bus apr jbox tab_Layout 1 3/18/2014 11:08 AM Page 1
What happens when you think
inside the box?
✓ Hand-close Fasteners
✓ Integrated Gasket
✓ Molded Mounting Feet
✓ Smooth Flat Cover
✓ Gridlines for drilling
To get the full picture go to
scepterinnovation.ca
Install Videos
Toll Free: 866-473-9462 | www.ipexelectrical.com
Free Sample
Enter to Win
3D Model
Tough Products for Tough Environments ®
Products are manufactured by IPEX Electrical Inc.
EB_Nov2014.indd 2
IpexTab_EB_April.indd 1
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
2014-03-19 3:22 PM
19 3:22 PM
from the guest editor
Fun in the electrical industry... fact or fiction?
EBMag is featuring
a different guest editor on this
page every issue during our
50th anniversary year. You
can always reach the editor
at acapkun@annexweb.com.
Thomas J. Brockway is an
Atlantic Canada entrepreneur
with a 40+ year career
spanning electrical contracting,
wholesaling and industrial
manufacturing, and starting
his own independent rep agency
26 years ago. He has served
in several executive positions
with CEMRA and EFC’s
Electrical Council.
W
hile I have travelled far and wide across several continents for business, I have spent my
entire career in the electrical industry in this
gem of a place called Atlantic Canada.
When you look at any industry segment in
Canada—politics, media, the arts, etc.—you’d be
hard-pressed not to come up with a household
name that originated from Prince Edward Island,
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia or Newfoundland &
Labrador. Names like Anne Murray, Stompin’ Tom,
Roch Voisine, Rick Mercer... and they talk pretty
grand now!
This being the case, why would anyone expect
the Atlantic electrical industry to bear any kind
of personality other than one of fun and good
humour? Oh yes, we do get serious from time to
time; we fulfil our commitments as required, and
we never take our relationships/partnerships for
granted, but we are able to see the bright side of
most any scenario.
Entering this industry some 40 years ago with
an electrical contractor in Corner Brook, Nfld.,
was a great platform for me to start. (That firm
continues going strong after 75 years in business,
and on its third-generation ownership.) During my
six or so years managing an electrical wholesaler
Contents
branch in Central Newfoundland, I recall several
road shows where manufacturers would visit and
travel the island with us... even in bad times. (I
don’t hesitate for a minute to think there could be a
few people across Canada reading this with a smile
on their faces as they call up their own memories
of our events.) Upon moving to Nova Scotia and
establishing a manufacturer’s regional office, I
quickly became that manufacturer participating in
those events.
Oh, yes, we did our work, but we had fun doing it.
Now, owning my own little business as an
independent manufacturers’ rep, I continue to see
the bright side of our industry in Atlantic Canada.
We have done many regional travelling events,
hosted Screech-Ins, got our tour bus to take detours
so first-time visitors (those from Upper Canada and
the States) could say they visited The Island, walked
the shoreline of the Bay of Fundy, saw the fog of
Peggy’s Cove, and so on.
Many glass half-empty people see the R-word
(recession) as a threat, and there may indeed be
a reason for concern and adjustment, but here in
Atlantic Canada we generally refer to the R-word
as a time to Rejoice our awesome industry and the
people therein.
dEPARTMEnTs
4
Stock Photo
8 Opportunity in the underground economy
On the Cover
and Page 12
The 2015 CE Code has
no Class
Hazardous Locations in the
Canadian Electrical Code
are taking one step closer
to the rest of the world, as
the 2015 edition replaces
the term Class with IEC’s
Zone system... and what’s
with the grain elevator?
Utility transmission lines and premises services,
feeders and branch circuits may be installed
underground as opposed to on aerial lines on towers,
poles or between buildings. While the subsurface option
is more costly, this price gap has narrowed due to
recent innovations, and the trend is likely to continue.
Industry news
19 Electrical safety 360
Making the case for Louisville
19 Calendar
20 Personalities
21 Products & solutions
22 Code File
The 2015 CE Code and AFCIs
10 New comprehensive standard for wind
turbine electrical systems
22 Code Conundrum
A new CsA Group standard claims to be the first to
cover all major electrical components for large and
small wind turbines, as well as the first standard of
its kind to provide requirements for the certification of
wind turbine electrical systems in one cover.
page 21
16 Bonding, grounding and neutral
conductors... does size really matter?
Confused about the differences between bonding,
grounding and neutral conductors? This article tries
to clarify the differences between these conductors;
different uses under the Rules of the Canadian
Electrical Code; and CE Code requirements for sizing
such conductors.
page 21
www.EBMag.com • November 2014 • 3
EB_Nov2014.indd 3
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
industry news
Merger in Quebec creates Laplante-Ricard & Associés
Marc and Paul Laplante (Laplante & Associates, www.laplante.co)—along with Denis Ricard (SLR
Marketing, www.slrinc.ca)—have announced the merger of their respective independent manufacturer
rep agencies, becoming Laplante-Ricard & Associés.
With a combined 90+ years of industry experience, the principals say this merger is an exciting
opportunity for their industry partners.
With a combined staff of 14, a business office and a warehouse in Montreal, Laplante-Ricard &
Associés says it is dedicated to ensuring representation throughout Quebec and the Ottawa valley that
is tailored to manufacturers’ and customers’ needs in this evolving market.
November 2014 • Volume 50 • Issue 11
ELEctRIcAL BUSINESS is the magazine
of the canadian electrical community.
It reports on the news and publishes articles in
a manner that is informative and constructive.
Editor
Anthony Capkun - acapkun@annexweb.com
Group Publisher
John MacPherson - jmacpherson@annexweb.com
Account Managers
Scott Hoy - shoy@annexweb.com
Melanie Kirk - mkirk@annexweb.com
Associate Editor
Alyssa Dalton - adalton@annexweb.com
Art Director
Svetlana Avrutin - savrutin@annexweb.com
Production Manager
Kathryn Nyenhuis - knyenhuis@annexweb.com
Subscriber Customer Service Representative
Marie Weiler - mweiler@annexweb.com
President
Mike Fredericks - mfredericks@annexweb.com
• Free Air Ampacity Rating in ABOVE and BELOW
GROUND Installations*
• Up to 8000 AMP / 600 V to 230 kV
• Reduced Power Losses
• Lowest Cost System
• Suppresses EMF’s
• Expandable Enclosure
• Quick & Easy Installation
• Underwater Installations
Published by Annex Publishing & Printing inc.
222 Edward Street, Aurora, Ontario L4G 1W6
Tel. 905-727-0077 • Fax 905-727-0017
Publication mail Agreement #40065710
Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses
to Circulation Department
P.O. Box 530, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5
e-mail: mweiler@annexweb.com
A
B
C
B
A
United States Second Class Postage
paid at Lewiston, NY
(USPS-741-470) US POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS,
P.O. Box 8145, Lewiston, NY 14092
C
B
A
C
B
A
C
N
N
Printed in Canada
ISSN 0013-4244
N
CIRCULATION: Marie Weiler
e-mail: mweiler@annexweb.com
Tel: 1-866-790-6070 • Fax: 1-877-624-1940
Mail: P.O. Box 530, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5
N
Trefoil Cable Configuration.
*Patent Pending
Replaces BUS DUCT, ARMOURED CABLE IN TRAY, UNDERGROUND
DUCT BANK, DIRECT BURIED and CONDUIT SYSTEMS
United Wire & Cable’s expertise in cable and enclosure design, manufacture and application
engineering ensures a reliable, versatile and cost effective MAXIAMP cable bus system.
For further information please email us at: sales@unitedwc.com
Tel: (905) 771-0099 or 1-800-265-8697 • Fax: (905) 771-1658 or 1 800-461-4689
Going to great lengths to serve you
Wire_EB_Mar.indd
4 •United
November
2014 1• www.EBMag.com
EB_Nov2014.indd 4
www.unitedwc.com
SuBSCRiPTiON RATES:
Canada: Single issue $7.00
12 issues: $35.00 (includes tax)
uSA: $59.00 (US)
international: $75.00 (US) per year
Occasionally, Electrical Business will mail information
on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and
services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer
not to receive this information, please contact our circulation
department in any of the four ways listed above.
The contents of Electrical Business are copyright ©2014
by Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. and may not be
reproduced in whole or part without written consent.
Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. disclaims any warranty
as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the
contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in
respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in
reliance upon information in this publication.
We acknowledge the financial support
of the Government of Canada
2014-02-27 11:02 AM
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
industry news
Nexans investing $15 million
on Fergus Low Voltage
expansion
Nexans North America
(www.nexans.ca) is investing
$15 million into expanding its
Low Voltage facility in Fergus,
Ont., saying this will add capacity
and enable the company “to better
service our customers needs”.
“We are focused on improving
our turnaround time, order fill
rate as well as the other valueadded services we offer, such as
parallel reels, pulling eyes and
custom-cutting lengths,” said
Dave Hawker, vice-president and
general manager, Energy Division,
North America.
As part of the expansion,
Nexans divested its Milton, Ont.,
distribution facility; expanding
Fergus allows the company
to streamline its logistics. In
addition, Nexans says it is
“making significant investments
into new equipment to increase
our capacity in the manufacturing
of low-voltage residential,
commercial and industrial cables”.
“In addition, we are fortunate
to have strong relationships
with distributors in the North
American market and, as the
demand for our products
continues to grow, we need to
invest in new equipment to have
the capacity to respond to this
demand,” said Hawker.
The expanded area will be
140,000 sf with several upgrades
to the facility’s logistical
technology and manufacturing
processes.
Canadian Solar completes
Good Light sale to BluEarth
Canadian Solar (www.
canadiansolar.com) reports that
its wholly owned subsidiary,
Canadian Solar Solutions, has
completed the sale of Good
Light—a $66-million, 10MW
solar power plant located in the
town of Kawartha Lakes, Ont.—to
a BluEarth Renewables subsidiary
(www.bluearthrenewables.com).
“We are pleased to announce
the closing of the second utilityscale solar power plant to
BluEarth Renewables, a private
independent renewable power
producer,” said Shawn Qu, chair
and CEO of Canadian Solar Inc.
“We look forward to continuing
our successful cooperation with
BluEarth on the remaining two
projects and beyond.”
Headquartered in Calgary, Alta.,
BluEarth is a private independent renewable power
producer focused on the acquisition, development,
construction and operation of wind, water and solar
projects in North America, with a primary focus
in Canada. BluEarth says its mission is to be the
Canadian renewable energy leader by “developing,
building and operating a portfolio that optimizes
people, planet and profit”.
Solutions for residential construction
Iberville LHTQ family.
Still the standard.
in installation efficiency.
®
™
Descendants of the original IBERVILLE® steel outlet box, the LHTQ™
device box family incorporates the same quality construction that Canadian
electrical contractors have trusted and asked for by name since 1920.
Whatever model you select, the LHTQ™ designation is your assurance of
increased cubic capacity and fast, accurate installations. In addition to
CSA-approved one-screw mounting up to 2-gang, all LHTQ models
include these practical and time-saving features:
Positioning guides for outside wall
and 1/2-inch drywall application
• Flatboxsidesformaximumstability
• Holdingprongsprovidingtemporarysupport,
leavinghandsfreetocompleteinstallation
• Includestwogroundscrews
• Positioningguidesforoutsidewall
and1/2-inchdrywallapplications
Retractable tabs for box positioning
on double 1/2-inch drywall installation
• Retractabletabssimplifyboxpositioning
fordouble1/2-inchdrywallinstallation
• CSA-Certifiedforsinglecenterscrewmounting
(on single and double gang boxes)
• Pre-ganged,precision-welded2-,3-and4-gang
BC2304-LHTQ™modelssavetimeandeffort
IBERVILLE ® LHTQ ™ – innovative design and quality manufacturing
are a family affair. Made in Canada, for Canadians. Check out our
installation video for more features and benefits at www.tnb.ca/video
Positioning guides
for outside wall applications
Thomas & Betts. Your best connection for innovative solutions.
Wire & Cable Management
•
Cable Protection Systems
•
Power Connection & Control
•
Safety Technology
w w w . t n b . c a
T&B_JR_EB_May.indd 1
EB_Nov2014.indd 5
“This addition is an important milestone for
BluEarth, bringing us one step closer to meeting our
target of having more than $600 million of highquality, long-term contracted hydro, solar and wind
assets online by the end of 2015,” said Kent Brown,
BluEarth president & CEO. “We look forward to
delivery of the remaining two Ontario projects and a
continued relationship with Canadian Solar.”
2014-04-10
9:41•AM
www.EBMag.com • November
2014
5
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
Willy Miranda convicted for FOURTH
time for illegal electrical work
Willy Miranda, operating as Miranda Electric,
has been convicted for a fourth time on
charges related to performing electrical work
illegally in two homes.
The Markham, Ont., court found him guilty
on two counts of performing electrical work
without an electrical contractor’s licence—the
same charge Miranda has been convicted of on
all previous occasions. The court imposed a total
fine of $12,500 for the most recent violations.
According to Ontario’s Electrical Safety
Authority (ESA, www.esasafe.com), numerous
hazards were found in both homes that
Miranda had completely rewired. The
investigation also found that Miranda
falsely obtained an electrical permit in the
homeowners name for completely rewiring a
home and changing the electrical panel. The
homeowner hired a general contractor who
then sub-contracted the work to Miranda.
The homeowner also hired the same general
contractor and Miranda at a second residence.
To address the safety issues, the homeowner
had to incur additional expense to hire a
Licensed Electrical Contractor to make repairs.
“This homeowner was the unfortunate
victim of an individual who circumvented
the law and ultimately put the safety of the
homeowner and others at risk. It also meant
the renovation took more time and money to
complete,” said Normand Breton, ESA general
manager, harm mitigation, who oversees its
electrical contractor licensing system.
“If a contractor can’t provide an electrical
permit or tells you take out the permit on
their behalf, this is an almost sure sign that the
contractor isn’t licensed.”
Wanted! Canada’s oldest pair of Klein
side-cutting pliers
Following up to its search for America’s
oldest Klein side-cutting pliers last year
(open to U.S. residents only), Klein Tools
(www.kleintools.com) has just launched a
search for the oldest pair of Klein side-cutting
pliers in Canada.
You can see whether your pliers are eligible
by determining if the tool is the standard
side-cutting type, bears the original Klein
trademark and has code markings that are
found inside the handle.
To enter, an online form must be completed
and a photo of the pliers uploaded to Klein’s
English or French contest website.
All photo entries must be uploaded by
November 30, 2014.
The winning pliers will be selected by
Klein Tools’ engineering team, and the tool’s
owner will receive $2500 CAD in cash.
(No purchase necessary. Offer valid for
Canadian residents only.)
Promoting stronger nuclear ties between
Canada and Korea
The Organization of Canadian Nuclear
Industries (OCI, www.oci-aic.org) has signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with the Korean Atomic Industrial Forum
(KAIF) that outlines several ways the two
will work together, including identifying
opportunities for cooperation at nuclear
projects in Korea, Canada or other countries.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Ron Oberth,
OCI president (left), and Mr. Kye-Hong Min
(right), KAIF executive vice-chair, during
the Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference in
Vancouver.
“OCI celebrates this MoU signing and
looks forward to building a strong working
relationship with the Korean nuclear
community,” said Oberth. “This relationship will
be further strengthened by a planned OCI-led
Nuclear Trade Mission to Korea in April 2015.”
The memorandum, according to OCI,
“supports and promotes innovation and
cooperation associated with joint development,
design, testing, licensing and construction of
pressurized Heavy-/Light-Water Reactors,
CEA urges stronger cross-border grid
connections with DoE
In conjunction with U.S. Secretary of Energy’s
Dr. Ernest Moniz’s visit to Ottawa last month,
the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) says
it is offering recommendations on how to further
enhance the benefits presented by the integration
of Canadian and U.S. electric power systems.
“Many of the challenges to ensuring safe
and reliable electricity supply and delivery
for future generations are unprecedented,”
said CEA president and CEO Jim Burpee.
“Annual requirements for new investment
in infrastructure are at all-time highs, while
customer expectations for a cleaner and more
innovative system continue to grow.”
Moniz’s trip will feature a dialogue with senior
government officials and energy stakeholders
from Canada and the States on the U.S.
Department of Energy’s (DoE) Quadrennial
Energy Review (QER), says CEA.
As part of the dialogue, CEA will highlight how
the cross-border relationship on electricity can be a
platform for addressing many of the “pressing challenges” to North America’s energy future, including the need for renewing electricity infrastructure
across the continent, and the imperative to transition to a lower-carbon economy.
“Fortunately, the long-standing partnership
between Canada and the United States on
electricity serves as a means to mitigate these
challenges and develop solutions collaboratively,
rather than in isolation,” continued Burpee.
The Canadian and U.S. transmission networks
are physically interconnected at over 30 points, says
CEA, adding that between 6% and 10% of Canada’s
generation is exported to the States each year.
CEA explored these themes in formal
comments on the QER filed today with DoE.
The submission examined how strengthened
bilateral integration can help advance the core
goals underlying the QER.
Photo coURtESy ocI.
industry news
and small modular reactors. OCI and KAIF
will organize seminars in both countries to
exchange information leading to enhanced
collaboration and, possibly, the creation of joint
ventures among OCI and KAIF companies.
Another objective of the MoU is to
encourage and facilitate cooperation among
Canadian and Korean nuclear research
institutes and universities on nuclear research,
development and education.
Visit bit.ly/1xWmLHw to read CEA’s
comments on the DoE’s QER.
GE declares wind can “substantially
enhance grid resiliency”
When equipped with the appropriate modern
plant controls, wind applications can substantially enhance grid resiliency. That’s the conclusion reached by GE’s Energy Consulting
business (www.geenergyconsulting.com), which
presented the findings of its frequency response
study on wind power and grid resiliency at
CIGRE 2014 (International Council on Large
Electric Systems) in Paris, France.
“The conclusions demonstrate that wind power
can be more effective in maintaining frequency
than thermal generation when wind farms are
equipped with grid-friendly controls,” said Nicholas Miller, lead author of the study and senior technical director for GE’s Energy Consulting business.
“These findings should show that the future of
wind energy is bright, and it will continue to play a
larger role in the power we consume.”
Questions about how the U.S. electrical systems would respond to a large-scale interruption of generation (e.g. multiple power plants
tripping offline) were the catalyst for the study,
explains GE. Sponsored by the U.S. National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the
GE study modelled the country’s Eastern
Interconnection.
The study explored how the grid could respond
to a major event and maintain its resiliency with
significant wind power added to the generation
mix. The conclusions of the study found that wind
can be more effective than thermal generation in
controlling frequency on the grid due to its ability
to respond more quickly.
“While GE’s study considered the impact of
wind power on the Eastern Interconnection of
the U.S., the lessons we’ve learned can be applied
in Europe and around the globe,” added Miller.
6 • November 2014 • www.EBMag.com
EB_Nov2014.indd 6
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
Did Britech build Canada’s longest
heating cable?
Britech Heating Cables & Controls (www.
britech.ca) says it has manufactured what may
be the longest heating cable ever built and
installed in Canada.
The cable was specially designed for a
600V underfloor heating application in
Toronto, Ont.—a concrete slab in an
underground parking area to keep condo
tenants warm in the winter months. The cable
is over 17,000 watts and extends 3454 feet—
about 1 kilometre.
“We often get interesting application
requests from contractors, engineers and end
users for other uses such as long line pipe
tracing, roof de-icing or tank heating,” said
Gerry Lemieux, president of Britech. “We
were pleased to have helped this contractor
with his electric heating cable application.”
These types of cables are normally never more
than 200-m to 300-m long, explains Britech,
but the client wanted to reduce the number of
circuits, ground fault interrupters and junction
boxes involved with the complex project.
Independence Day for
Philips Lighting business
“[The] time is right to take the next strategic
step for Philips, as we continue on our
transformation,” said Frans van Houten,
Royal Philips CEO (photo), as he explained
the company is combining its healthcare
and consumer lifestyle businesses into
one company. “At the same time, giving
independence to our Lighting solutions
business will better enable it to expand its
global leadership position and venture into
adjacent market opportunities.”
The Lighting solutions business
(www.philips.com), says Philips, will be better
positioned to capitalize on “the fundamental
changes taking place in the lighting industry,
in which the value is shifting from individual
products to systems and services”.
Untitled-5 1
EB_Nov2014.indd 7
Photo © PhILIPS
industry news
The creation of the Lighting solutions
company follows the recently announced
plan to combine Philips’ Lumileds (LED
components) and Automotive lighting
businesses into a stand-alone lighting
components company.
Philips will start the process of transitioning
its Lighting solutions business into a separate
legal structure, and consider various options
for alternative ownership structures with direct
access to capital markets. Each company will
have a “dedicated, focused and lean management
structure” as a result of the planned integration
of the relevant sectors and groups.
Bouygues concludes majority
acquisition of Plan Group
Bouygues Energies & Services—a subsidiary
of France-based Bouygues Construction—
has concluded its acquisition of a majority
shareholding in Plan Group, a Canadian
company specializing in electrical and
mechanical engineering (design, installation,
maintenance and technical services,
building automation systems and network
infrastructure).
“Canada currently offers high-yield, shortterm and long-term economic opportunities,”
said Jean-Philippe Trin, chair and CEO of
Bouygues Energies & Services. “Beyond
facilities management and mechanical &
electrical engineering, we would like to take
advantage of the excellent positioning of
Plan Group to deploy our expertise in HVAC
engineering, network infrastructures (highvoltage lines, substations, streetlighting,
broadband), solar and biomass power plants,
and more.”
After the financial close, Bouygues acquired
an 85% stake in Plan Group. The current
management team remains unchanged and
retains a 15% shareholding in the company.
Plan Group is based in Toronto, Ont., and
also has offices in Ottawa, Montreal and
Vancouver. It recorded sales of $361 million
in 2013 and employs about 1700 people.
This acquisition is in line with Bouygues
Construction’s international strategy, notes the
company, and illustrates the group’s “ambition
to continue its development in Canada in all
parts of the construction value chain”.
Nova Scotia clarifies Builders’ Lien Act
Recent amendments to Nova Scotia’s Builders’
Lien Act expand on changes made in 2013
and, according to the government, bring more
clarity and consistency to the act.
Previous amendments allow owners and
contractors to release holdback money to
subcontractors as stages of a large project are
completed. Before then, commercial builders
would hold back 10% of the total cost and
could not fully release the holdback until the
entire project was complete.
Minor amendments now being made include:
• Allowing an owner to continue to make
payments to a contractor, up to 90%, after
receiving notice of a lien.
• Requiring an owner to pay interest if they
do not make a payment within 65 days of
being permitted to, after a subcontract has
been certified complete.
• Allowing a holdback to be released if a lien
has been vacated or cancelled.
• Aligning language introduced in the 2013
amendments with the language of the act.
4/15/11 11:59:45 AM
www.EBMag.com • November 2014 • 7
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
Opportunity in the
underground economy
Getting into subsurface wiring work
The trench has been dug and it is time to lay the conduit. Notice
screened sand in the background, trucked into a convenient place
prior to excavation. The backhoe is 25-years old and going strong.
David Herres
U
tility transmission lines and premises services, feeders and branch
circuits may be installed underground, as opposed to aerial lines on
towers, poles or between buildings. While the subsurface option is
more costly, this price gap has narrowed due to recent innovations,
and the trend is likely to continue.
Whether at the residential level or for large utility-scale projects,
decision-makers should take a hard look at both alternatives. Underground
installations have palpable advantages, foremost being aesthetics. When the
excavation is backfilled and the surface graded, new vegetative cover will
emerge and the site—though impacted and modified—is far less intrusive
than when overhead lines are built. For high-voltage lines and sensitive
data installations, burial has the added benefit of providing high level
electromagnetic shielding (incoming and outgoing).
Powerline burial provides security against ideologues and inebriated or
texting motorists, and no amount of wind or ice will damage a buried electrical
line. While it is true that lightning can find its way into an underground line,
there is less exposure to this risk compared to an aerial line.
But while there is less likelihood of damage overall, the downside
is underground lines are more difficult to repair than those on poles.
Very accurate fault location and extensive documentation at the time of
installation are helpful in this regard so, increasingly, some decision-makers
are favouring subsurface lines for new work.
Nuances of underground
There is a lot to think about in utility-scale construction. Characteristic
impedance, temperature rise and difficult job estimates (because bedrock
can never be precisely anticipated) are all part of the equation. High-voltage
terminations are complex and require special equipment and expertise.
In residential construction, upscale subdivisions are increasingly
favouring underground utilities. Although it inflates the initial cost, it
enhances property values. Where local single-phase or three-phase street
lines are aerial, there is still the option for the individual home to boast an
underground service lateral, and there is much to be said for this. There
is no aerial service drop, with thick twisted triplex cable obstructing the
view, and the outside wall of the house has a less-cluttered appearance.
Instead of a masthead poking through the roof or concentric cable fastened
to the siding, there is the meter socket at eye level with a straight length
of conduit emerging from the ground to feed the meter, with a smaller
raceway running parallel for the grounding electrode conductor. In a backto-back entrance panel configuration, that’s all there is to it... very elegant.
When an underground service is installed, telephone and any data
services are usually buried in the same trench, so all of that becomes
simplified and, for the most part, invisible as well.
Many homeowners and building contractors are aware of these
advantages; those who are not can be easily convinced. All they have to do
is drive around any suburban neighbourhood and make comparisons.
Putting iron on the site
Independent electricians and small electrical contractors are not always
eager to jump into this type of work. The aerial service is quick and easy,
and you can be in and out in very few hours. But here’s an idea whose
time may have come for you: why not purchase a digging machine? We’ll
discuss various types, then look at business models and financing options.
Trenchers range from small walk-behind models to huge machines used
for utility-scale work. The initial price, operating and ongoing maintenance
costs are less than for conventional earth-moving equipment, and they have
minimal impact on the site, meaning less time required for backfill and
grading. The excavation is narrow and follow-up sitework is minimal.
The only problem is the trencher does not do well in rocky ground.
And, if even a small boulder is encountered, it will be necessary to call in
another type of machine. Moreover, the trencher is not at all versatile: it
digs underground electrical and other pipelines, and that’s about it.
An earthmoving machine that is noted for its high performance and
ease of operation in any terrain is the hydraulic excavator. With wide, lowimpact tracks, low centre of gravity and ability to rotate the boom 360
degrees, it can work difficult sites, make quick work of long runs, and leaves
a neat worksite. A good operator can push out of a difficult spot where
even a bulldozer would bog down. For residential work, you would want
a smaller machine that does not make an overly wide excavation but, for
maximum versatility, probably not the mini-excavator with rubber tracks.
The hydraulic excavator has a couple of disadvantages, one of which is the
initial cost: a small, top-of-the-line new Caterpillar excavator, for example,
will go well over $100,000. Then you will need a big truck and flatbed trailer
for hauling it around. Insurance and registration costs are prohibitive, unless
8 • November 2014 • www.EBMag.com
EB_Nov2014.indd 8
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
you have a high volume of work or can subcontract other jobs.
Since it cannot travel on the road, an excavator must be hauled on and
off the site, which adds at least $200 to the cost of every job, rendering
your machine non-competitive for small work. Track components are
metal-on-metal, so wear is inevitable and the bottom will need to be
rebuilt periodically—a costly exercise. During long northern winters, the
machine will sit idle unless called upon to deal with frozen ground on an
emergency basis.
Perhaps the best option for an electrical contractor looking to get into
underground residential service installation is the rubber-tired backhoe
with front-end loader. For versatility, long life and easy maintenance,
this machine is superb. It can be trailered or driven over the road. Figure
travel time as about double that for an automobile covering the same
distance along a typical suburban route. The wheel-type backhoe is
preferable for small jobs. For longer runs, or where it is necessary to go
unusually deep, it remains competitive because the hourly rate is lower.
The initial cost is perhaps 75% that of a medium-sized excavator.
If you or a co-worker is a skilled mechanic, a used machine that has
worked around 3000 hours is perfectly feasible. (Working a 40-hour week
with two weeks off will put 2000 hours on the meter.) To be competitive
in today’s work environment, you will want a four-wheel-drive model,
ideally with the extendable-boom option. Don’t bother with the side-shift
model. It is a high-maintenance alternative without significant advantages.
If your machine is new, you will be in much demand for the high-end
work in your community, because impressive iron on the site is a big plus
for the builder.
Advanced planning is key
Advanced planning is the key for a successful installation. Before
beginning any construction, schedule an onsite meeting with the utility
representative. It is not unusual for the engineer to visit the site two or
more times in advance so as to avoid dispatching the crew with a bucket
truck, only to find that the job cannot be completed as planned.
The utility will provide a book of specifications with diagrams including
wiring schematics of every conceivable service configuration: underground,
aerial, temporary, single- and three-phase, high-voltage, and so on. Size
and type of conduit, burial depth, terminations and grounding details are
included, along with lists of customer- and utility-supplied parts and labour.
Even where the cable is rated for direct burial, services are always
installed in conduit. Then, should there be a fault in the future, new cable
can be installed using the old cable as a pull rope, with no digging required.
Typically, the customer supplies the conduit, laid in place and containing
the pull rope, and the utility supplies the service lateral conductors
installed in the conduit. These wires are the property of the utility, and it
is their responsibility to maintain them in the event of lightning damage.
One reason they have charge of this line is that it wouldn’t do for the
electrician—without high-voltage training and aerial bucket experience—to
be making terminations at a pole-mounted transformer.
The professional way to proceed is to install the conduit as a finished
system connected at the meter socket prior to pulling the wire. At the
pole, finish the underground run with a sweep and expansion joint, leaving
a length of schedule 80 PVC on the site for the utility to use. Typically,
the utility completes the run to the top of the pole with a weather head
and drip loops at the transformer. The pull rope should be in place. PVC
is the conduit of choice, with steel sweeps at both ends.
Telephone and data conduit runs, also with pull ropes, are installed at
the same time at the opposite side of the trench. Then, the excavation is
backfilled and graded prior to conductor installation. Since the PVC is
cemented (actually, solvent is used, melting the mating surfaces so they
can bond), it is essential to move the pull rope back and forth periodically
during installation to ensure it does not get stuck in place.
The pull rope can be installed piece by piece along with the conduit. To
do this, tape the end of the pull rope to a piece of moulding a little longer
than the PCV pieces. An alternative is to blow the pull rope into place
using a mouse (piston).
Some homeowners and bystanders are reluctant to see the conduit
backfilled prior to pulling the conductors. They believe with absolute
conviction that the installation should be hooked up and tested before
it is covered, but the opposite is true. You want to know if the conduit
is crushed while backfilling before the wires have been pulled and
terminated. While backfilling, periodically check to see whether the pull
The electrician’s pull rope is nylon
for minimum friction. Care must be
taken because pipe solvent residue
will melt into the nylon and harden,
sticking it to the conduit.
Trench for residential service,
ready to lay power and
telephone conduits.
rope moves freely. (Typically, backfilling and finish grading take at least
twice as long as digging the initial trench.)
If the ground is at all rocky, the conduit should be bedded in screened
sand before backfill is completed. Then, place six inches of native material
by hand before completing backfill. Place the conduit to one side of the
trench, and push the fill in from that side to reduce the risk of damage.
Backfilling pipe should always be done with great care, and don’t forget to
lay marker ribbon above the conduit run.
Consider the business opportunity
If you make the decision go into this type of work, you will find it
worthwhile and probably lead to additional, seemingly unrelated
opportunities. The electrician is often one of the first trades on the
job because a temporary service is needed prior to starting concrete
work. At this time, the subject of permanent underground service can
be mentioned. A printed or web-based brochure with comparison
photographs will illustrate the benefits of going subsurface.
By forging relationships with other construction professionals—
including electricians who are unencumbered with a digging machine—
additional work can be leveraged.
The sticking point for many firms is the initial cost of the backhoe. This
is mitigated by the fact that most dealers—through the manufacturers—
offer financing on new and used machines. The terms of the loan are
generous, and most working firms or individuals qualify. A substantial down
payment will be required. If this is an impediment, there are workarounds,
such as beginning with an older machine. You may even have a surplus
truck or other redundant equipment that will facilitate a trade. After the
older machine has worked for a season, it should be possible to trade it in
on a newer model, eventually leveraging into a new machine.
Another strategy is to rent an almost-new machine with an option to
buy. All that is required is one month’s rental in advance, and the dealer
will deliver the machine to your worksite. You can line up two or three
jobs in advance, and you’re in business.
For the small electrical contractor, underground lines are highly profitable.
Your firm will realize the hourly rate for the digging machine, the hourly rate
for the electrician who is simultaneously installing the electrical equipment
and conduit at both ends, and the mark-up on all materials.
For experienced professionals, acquiring the expertise to do
underground feeders and services is not at all difficult. When times are
hard, this niche work will fill the gap and, when the economy turns
around and building accelerates, you will be positioned to experience the
good times.
A regular contributor to Electrical Business, David Herres is a Master
electrician and author of nearly 40 articles on electrical and telecom wiring.
He recently authored “2011 National Electrical Code: Chapter-by-Chapter”,
published by McGraw-Hill and available at Amazon.com.
www.EBMag.com • November 2014 • 9
EB_Nov2014.indd 9
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
Arling NO
Axle and generator in the
nacelle of a wind turbine.
A
fi
fa
in
re
•
•
•
Stock Photo
•
A
New comprehensive standard for
wind turbine electrical systems
Muktha Tumkur
C
SA Group has just published a new
standard for the wind energy industry,
CSA C22.2 No. 272 “Wind Turbine
Electrical System”. The standard is the
first to cover all major electrical components
for large and small wind turbines, and is the
first standard of its kind in the world providing
requirements for the certification of wind
turbine electrical systems all under one cover.
This consensus-based standard was
developed by a technical subcommittee
with input from a diverse group of wind
industry stakeholders, including regulators,
developers, original equipment manufacturers,
certification bodies, industry associations,
utilities consultants and academics.
About C22.2 No. 272
The CSA Wind Turbines Technical
Committee is harmonized with the Standards
Council of Canada (SCC) mirror committee
to IEC TC88, which has the mandate to
develop international standards for wind
turbines that convert wind energy into
electrical energy.
A number of wind energy stakeholders
identified the need for a Part II electrical
standard that could provide consistent and
enforceable regulatory requirements, and to
manage costs related to the approval of turbines.
The development of this standard was
initiated by the need to replace CAN/CSAF416-87 “Wind Energy Conversion Systems
(WECS): Safety, Design, and Operation
Criteria”, which did not reflect technological
advances in the industry and, so, has been
withdrawn. The new standard also attempts
to align electrical requirements with IEC
61400-1, “Wind turbines - Part 1: Design
Requirements”, and retain adherence to
Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.
A wind turbine is a complex structure
containing components manufactured all over
the world, and sub-assembled in the field
within the turbine. Commercial-scale, multimegawatt wind turbines consist of over 8000
individual components manufactured and
assembled in controlled settings.
The field construction of a wind turbine
consists of installing the foundation, raising
the tower (typically in three or more sections),
raising the nacelle, assembling the hub, cone
and blades and, finally, raising the completed
hub and blades into place.
While the nacelle contains many electrical
and mechanical components, it is delivered
to the field as a complete assembly. Prior
to the publication of CSA C22.2 No. 272,
developers, regulators and OEMs had to look
into hundreds of related component and design
standards for safe and well-designed turbines.
CSA C22.2 No. 272 covers all sizes of wind
turbines, and applies to complete wind turbine
electrical systems and associated electrical
equipment intended for connection at not
more than 46kV and for use in accordance
with CE Code-Part I. It should be noted that
products covered by the scope of this standard
are subject to the requirements of CAN/CSA
C22.2 No. 0. This standard does not apply to
performance with respect to grid codes or to
the power performance of wind turbines.
Since the Technical Committee comprises
members who are active in the international
forum, it was critical for stakeholders
that CSA C22.2 No. 272 meet their
needs while best maintaining harmonized
requirements with existing IEC (International
Electrotechnical Commission) standards. CSA
C22.2 No. 272 is based on an IEC standard
that covers electrical equipment of machinery,
and was augmented by wind turbine electrical
system standards development activity in the
United States.
International standards were considered for
key areas such as machine safety, functional safety
and insulation coordination. Topics reviewed
in-depth by the committee include working
space in front of equipment, ampacity of cables
within the turbine and safety-related control
systems. Within the standard, clear requirements
for wind turbine components are included,
making the document very user-friendly.
Muktha Tumkur is a project manager with CSA
Group. For more information on CSA C22.2
No. 272, contact the author at muktha.tumkur@
csagroup.org. CSA offers programs to augment
the requirements within the CSA C22.2 No. 272,
including training to occupational health and safety
(OH&S) regulations, and assessing wind turbines
for electrical safety.
A
10 • November 2014 • www.EBMag.com
EB_Nov2014.indd 10
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
Arlington_
Arling NOV 2014_ElecBus pg 10/9/14 4:45 PM Page 1
CSA/UL LISTED
ONE-PIECE
FIXTURE BOX
BOX EXTENDERS
! on
N EeW
ge
r Flan
Larg gang
Single
FOR ANY SIDING TYPE
Made in USA
EXTEND SET BACK ELECTRICAL BOXES UP TO 1-1/2 INCHES
Our UL/CSA Listed Box Extenders extend set back
metal or non-metallic electrical boxes up to 1-1/2".
Arlington’s ONE-PIECE
fixture box is the
fastest, easiest way to
install light fixtures or
receptacle on siding.
8141FGC
Made of heavy-duty, non-conductive plastic, they level and
support the wiring device. Plus, there’s no need to tape the
sides of a receptacle to prevent arcing in a metal box.
Patented
BE1X
• Ground clip for
fixture installations;
NM cable connector
Single
gang
w larger
flange
© 2007-2011 Arlington Industries, Inc.
• Easy to install before
or after siding
• UV rating for long
outdoor use
• Textured,
paintable finish
BE1
Oops...miscut opening
BE1X
Same
Cost 1
as BE
ONE-piece
No extra cover to
lose or store
Aahh...
larger
flange
covers it
Our newest box extender, the BE1X, has a slightly larger
flange that covers miscut wall material and accommodates
midi or maxi cover plates.
It costs the same as our
‘regular’ single gang BE1
so if you normally use a
midi plate this is the
box extender for you!
BE1X
BE1
• Complies with NEC 2014 (314.20) for set back boxes
• 2-hour fire rating – Single and
multiple gangs; and round for
round or octagonal boxes
View Video
Made in USA
Arlington
Arlington
800/233-4717 • www.aifittings.com
800/233-4717 • www.aifittings.com
© 2014 Arlington Industries, Inc.
SAVES TIME • LOOKS GREAT!
NON-METALLIC
MOUNTING
BRACKETS
™
Patented
Made in USA
RECESSED BOX
E X T R A D U T Y W E AT H E R P R O O F I N U S E COV E R • LOW P R O F I L E
FOR CLASS 2 LOW VOLTAGE WIRING
DHB1WGC
Nail-on
LVN1
New
Construction
LV1
for
Existing
Walls
for New Brick
in brown or white
LVMB2
for New & Existing Vinyl Siding
View
LV1
Video
for Textured Surfaces, Rigid Siding
for Retrofit Flat Surfaces
including brick
LVS1
Arlington’s non-metallic mounting brackets are the
best way to install Class 2 wiring! They seat wall
plates flush with the mounting surface – install faster
and cost less than metal!
In existing construction, centered mounting wing
screws pull bracket securely against the wall.
The LV series (LV1 and multiple gang brackets)
adjust to fit 1/4" to 1" wall thicknesses.
DBVS1CGC
All are available in one to four-gangs.
LV2
LVMB1
LVS2
Patented
Made in USA
Arlington
EB_Nov2014.indd 11
Arlington_EB_Nov.indd 1
800/233-4717 • www.aifittings.com
©2008-2011 Arlington Industries, Inc.
For new construction, the nail or screw-on LVN series
brackets attach to a wood stud. They cost less than
extension rings and install faster than mud rings.
For screw-on, steel stud installations, try the LVS or
LVMB series.
DBVM1CGC
DBVR1CGC
With IN BOX™ there are no extra parts to purchase or handle. You’ll save big on labor and materials.
One-piece IN BOX, the recessed electrical box for exterior use, eliminates installing multiple
pieces – an electrical box, bubble cover assembly and a siding block on siding. The job looks great
because IN BOX installs in the wall – so less shows outside. It’s that simple.
Scan for Info
Cost savings. Time savings. A great-looking job.
• Non-metallic, 22.0 cu. inch electrical box with
extra duty weatherproof-in-use clear or white cover
• Single and two-gang, vertical and horizontal, for
a variety of applications in new and old work
• Accepts single-gang devices no gaskets required
IN BOX meets 2012 CEC (Rule 26-702), NEMA 3R, NEC 406.8 (b)
Where a weatherproof in use cover is required for 15 or 20 amp receptacles installed outdoors.
Patented.
Arlington
800/233-4717 Scranton, PA 18517 www.aifittings.com
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
2014-10-15 8:45 AM
the 2015 ce code has no Class
Hazardous Locations are now in the Zone
Marty Cole
H
azardous Locations in the Canadian Electrical Code (CE Code) are
taking one step closer to the rest of the world, and one step further
from the U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC).
For decades, both the CE Code and NEC have used the term
Class to identify various types of hazardous materials. The 23rd edition of
the CE Code—due for release in January 2015—removes the term Class
from Section 18 and replaces it with IEC’s Zone system (International
Electrotechnical Commission).
Bit of background
The CE Code and NEC developed the Class system for hazardous locations
back in the 1930s. Despite many changes over time—and with some
differences in wiring methods—the two nation’s codes were quite similar:
• Class I dealt with Gases and Vapours
• Class II handled Combustible Dusts
• Class III was for Easily-Ignited Fibers and Flyings
How good is your grasp
of Hazardous Locations?
Regarding the grain elevator pictured
in this photo, how would
it have been classified:
a) Prior to CE Code-Part I 2015?
b) In CE Code-Part I 2015?
Stock Photo
a) Class II, Division 2, Group G
b) Zone 22, Group IIIB
12 • November 2014 • www.EBMag.com
EB_Nov2014.indd 12
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
A number of years after their
initial introduction, the Classes
were separated into two
Divisions, which were based
upon whether the material
in question was present in
sufficient quantities for an
explosion to occur.
• Division 1 was for areas where
the material was normally
expected to be present.
• Division 2 meant materials
were present only under
abnormal conditions.
Class I and Class II were
also separated Groups, which
identified the common explosive
properties of the materials.
Class I had four Groups—A,
B, C and D—with A being the
most hazardous. Class II had
three groups—E, F and G—
based on physical properties of
the material.
In the 1970s, IEC developed
a system for explosive gas
atmospheres that used 3 Zones
to define the probability of
the material being present
in sufficient quantities for an
explosion to occur.
• Zone 0, where the material
was present continuously or
for long periods
• Zone 1, where the material
was normally expected to be
present
• Zone 2, where the material
was present only under
abnormal conditions
IEC used 3 Groups to identify
the types of gases, and reversed
the letters to what was being
used in North America, where
Group IIC was the most
dangerous and Group IIA the
least. Later, IEC determined
this grouping had limitations;
a 4th Group was deemed
necessary, so IIB + Hydrogen
(or IIB + H2) was added.
IEC system intrudes on
North American codes
Despite the participation
of many North Americans
experts in the development of
IEC’s system, any suggestion
of actually adding it to North
American codes was met with
major opposition. Supporters
and opponents battled for many
years until a modified version of
the Zone system was eventually
added to NEC in 1996 and CE
Code in 1998.
THE TG165 SHOWS WHAT’S HOT
FOR INSTANT TROUBLESHOOTING.
The FLIR TG165 Imaging IR
Thermometer bridges the gap
between single spot infrared
thermometers and FLIR’s legendary
thermal cameras.
Check out the interactive simulator
to experience this groundbreaking
tool in action.
Speed & Accuracy
Stay Safe
Rugged & Reliable
V ISUALLY KNOW W H ERE TO TARGET
24:1 SPOT SI ZE RATI O
DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THE
HARSHEST ENVIRONMENTS
S E E T H E H E AT AT F L I R . C O M / T G 1 6 5 / E L E C T R I C A L
TG165_Ad
Electrical1 Business jrPg.indd 1
Flir_EB_Nov.indd
EB_Nov2014.indd 13
10/16/14
AM
2014-10-17
3:11
PM
www.EBMag.com • November
201411:09
• 13
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
ADDOREDIT
YOUR LISTING
TODAY!
ARE YOU A MANUFACTURER, DISTRIBUTOR,
ASSOCIATION, SERVICE PROVIDER OR
INDEPENDENT SALES REPRESENTATIVE?
prehensive
The only com
IDE
BUYERS’ GU
al and
for the electric s
communication
markets in
Canada
Available both in print and as an online
searchable directory, the BlueBook is
Canada’s buyers’ guide for the electrical
and datacom markets. To ensure
customers can find you when they are
looking for new suppliers, products
and services, set up your FREE listing
today! Listings can be created or edited
anytime throughout the year.
Set up your FREE
listing by visiting
www.EBmag.com
Click on BlueBook Search
on the menu bar, then click
Add Listing or Edit Listing
For enhanced listing options, please contact Scott Hoy 905-726-4224 • shoy@annexweb.com
or John MacPherson 905-713-4335 • jmacpherson@annexweb.com
While controversial at the time,
the differences between the Class
I Division and Zone systems
were fairly easy for users to
grasp. Class I, Division 1 basically
equated to the combination
of Zones 1 and 2, and Class I,
Division 2 basically the same as
Class I, Zone 2. The gas groups
did cause a bit more confusion,
but even this was overcome.
Both codes included the ability
to install Division equipment
in Zone locations, and Zone
equipment in Division locations.
The CE Code adoption
process was quite different to
that of the NEC. The CE Code
changed the Section 18 Rules
that dealt with Class I locations
to Zones and moved the
Division Rules to Annex J. While
existing facilities were permitted
to continue using the Division
system, it was mandatory that
all new construction use the
Zone System. NEC, meantime,
added Article 505 that allowed
users the option to use either
system. The result is that the
Zone System for explosive gas
atmospheres is used far more in
Canada than the U.S.
IEC continued its work to
develop a Zone system for
explosive dust atmospheres,
which was released in the late
1990s. The commission again
used a 3-Zone concept to identify
the level hazard (Zones 20, 21
and 22) versus two Divisions in
North America. The IEC System
combined what North America
defined as Class II and Class III
into a single category of explosive
dust atmospheres, and combined
the three Class II dust groups
into two, with Class III becoming
a third Group.
While the differences between
the IEC system for explosive
dust atmospheres and North
American Class system are far
greater than those for explosive
gases, its introduction into the
CE Code and NEC was met
with far less resistance from
industry and regulators.
In 2005, NEC added Article
506, which mirrors the IEC
system, making its use optional
(as was done with explosive
gases). Perhaps because it could
be completely ignored by users,
this addition passed into the NEC
with virtually no opposition.
The Class-less 2015 code
The CE Code adoption
approach was quite different
to NEC’s, and contained other
14 • November 2014 • www.EBMag.com
EB_Nov2014.indd 14
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
significant changes. While
combining Class II and Class
III into a single category of
explosive dusts will be difficult
for users to grasp, removing all
references to Class is bound to
cause a lot of confusion.
The 2015 CE Code defines
explosive gas atmospheres as
Zones 0, 1 and 2 and explosive
dust atmospheres as Zones 20,
21 and 22. A table is included
explaining the types of Division
equipment that can be used
in Zones, and vice versa.
New types of protection for
equipment were added, along
with equipment protection level
(EPL) to identify suitability for
the various locations.
Several rules for both gas
and dust locations were added,
revised or removed, and the
changes are not complete. The
following all need to be revised:
• Section 20, Flammable liquid
and gas dispensing and service
stations, garages, bulk storage
plants, finishing processes, and
aircraft hangars
• Appendix F, Recommended
installation practice for
intrinsically safe and nonincendive electrical equipment
and wiring
• Appendix H, Combustible gas
detection instruments for use
in Class I hazardous locations)
TECHSPAN TECK CONNECTORS
Choose from...
• Aluminum
• Nickel Plated Aluminum
• Stainless Steel
EXCLUSIVE
DESIGN
Spec Grade Aluminum Body & Nut
Also available in nickel-plated aluminum and
stainless steel
One-Piece Compact Design
Smaller than other similar connectors in
profile and width means easier installation
in tight spaces and close spacing of
connectors
PowR-LockTM Grounding Seal
This unique design features stainless steel tines that
ground the connector to the teck cable and provide
3600 strain relief and an environmental seal that
meets or exceeds CSA requirements.
So you need to get ready for
the 2015 CE Code edition.
Granted, it may take a year or
so for the individual provinces
and territories to adopt the new
code, but it cannot be ignored.
While it may be Class-less, the
new CE Code is mandatory
for new Hazardous Location
installations.
Marty Cole is manager, harsh
& hazardous industries (global
codes, standards and industry
specifications) at Hubbell Canada
LP. A graduate of Humber College
with a diploma in Explosives
Engineering Technology, Marty
is a member of the CE Code Part
I-Section 18 Subcommittee, and a
Part 4-OBIEC Stakeholder Advisory
Committee board member. He chairs
CSA’s Integrated Committee on
Hazardous Locations (ICHL) and
the Hazardous Location Products
subsection of EFC’s Wiring Products
Section. Marty has authored/
co-authored numerous papers and
articles on the subject of hazardous
locations and, in 2014, was awarded
CSA’s Award of Merit.
Compression Ring
Downward pressure ensures
uniform compression
Combination Tightening Surface
Provides a large wrenching area for easy installation.
Additional knurl surface provides extra gripping surface for
initial hand tightening
Available in 1/2``to
4`` hub sizes
Visit: www.techspan.ca
Call: 1-800-363-1588
Email: sales@techspan.ca
Techspan_EB_Nov.indd 1
EB_Nov2014.indd 15
Embedded Viton O-ring
Ensures a watertight and corrosionresistant termination seal
2014-10-15
AM
www.EBMag.com • November
20148:33
• 15
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
PhotoS coURtESy BERgERoN ELEctRIc
Neutral conductors and system grounding
conductor at the XO point.
Grounding, bonding and neutral conductors.
Bonding conductor.
Bonding, grounding
and neutral conductors...
does size really matter?
Ark Tsisserev
T
he subject of bonding and grounding is
perhaps the most confusing to users of
electrical installation codes. I routinely
receive e-mails and phone calls with
questions about differences between bonding,
grounding and neutral conductors; about
differences in use of these conductors under
the Rules of the Canadian Electrical Code;
and about differences in CE Code
requirements for sizing such conductors.
So let’s try to clarify these requirements.
Bonding conductor
Bonding and bonding conductor are defined in
the CE Code as follows:
Bonding - a low impedance path obtained
by permanently joining all non-current-carrying
metal parts to ensure electrical continuity and
having the capacity to conduct safely any
current likely to be imposed on it.
Bonding conductor - a conductor that
connects the non-current-carrying parts of
electrical equipment, raceways, or enclosures
to the service equipment or system grounding
conductor.
Based on these definitions, it is clear that
bonding is a low-impedance path that is
deliberately created between all non-currentcarrying metal parts of electrical equipment
to safely conduct any undesirable current
(leakage or fault current) that could be
inadvertently imposed on these metal parts
during the use of the equipment.
The bonding conductor actually connects
these normally non-current-carrying metal
parts of the electrical equipment (including
cable armour and sheath, and metal raceways)
with service equipment or with the system
grounding conductor.
For now, let’s hold off explaining the
connection between the bonding conductor
and the service equipment or system
grounding conductor, and concentrate instead
on selecting the size of the bonding conductor.
The bonding conductor is not considered
to be a circuit conductor, as circuit conductors
carry the circuit current under normal
operating conditions, and the ampacity of
circuit conductors is selected in accordance
with Rule 8-104 (or with other applicable
rules of the code depending on the types of
connected loads, such as motors, capacitors
or electric heating equipment). As a bonding
conductor is intended to carry only a fault
current, it must be sized so as to have
sufficient ampacity to carry the maximum
fault current that could be accidently imposed
on the non-current-carrying metal parts of
a specific electrical equipment (of a specific
connected load).
Choosing the bonding conductor’s size is
governed by Rule 10-814(1), which states:
The size of a bonding conductor shall be not
less than that given in Table 16, but in no
case does it need to be larger than the largest
ungrounded conductor in the circuit.
Table 16 offers CE Code users a criteria for
selecting the bonding conductor size based
on the ampacity of the largest ungrounded
conductor in the circuit. Appendix B “Note on
Rule 10-814” further clarifies this requirement
by explaining that metal raceways permitted
by the code to be used as bonding conductors
are deemed to be of adequate size to carry the
fault current.
This Appendix B Note also explains to users
that a bonding conductor—provided as an
integral component of a cable designed and
constructed in accordance with an applicable
safety standard (with one of the Part II
standards listed in Appendix A of the CE
Code)—is also deemed to be of adequate size
for the purpose of Rule 10-814(1) to carry the
maximum fault current that could be imposed
on the non-current-carrying metal parts
of electrical equipment connected by that
particular cable.
Appendix B Note on Rule 10-814(1) reads:
When a raceway or cable sheath enclosing the
circuit conductors is permitted to be used as
a bonding conductor for the equipment being
supplied, it is deemed to be of adequate size
for the purposes of this Rule. The bonding
conductor incorporated into a cable assembly
is sized in accordance with the relevant Part
II Standard. Typically, the bonding conductor
size in manufactured cables corresponds to
the requirements of this Rule, but in some
cases it may differ by one size, usually on
the larger side. In any case, the bonding
conductor incorporated into a cable assembly
is deemed to be of adequate size for the
purposes of this Rule.
So, for example, if three 3/0 AWG copper
conductors are selected from the 75C column
of Table 2 with ampacity of 200A, and
these conductors are installed in PVC for a
connection to, let’s say, a motor, then a copper
bonding conductor sized at not less than #6
AWG must be selected from Table 16, based
on the ampacity of such circuit conductors.
Were these three circuit conductors
installed in a rigid metal conduit, which is
16 • November 2014 • www.EBMag.com
EB_Nov2014.indd 16
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
used as a bonding conductor in
accordance with Rule 10-618,
then the rigid metal conduit
selected as per Table 6 of the
code is deemed to be of adequate
size to carry the maximum fault
current that could be imposed
on the metal enclosure of the
motor connected to the circuit
by these three #3/0 AWG copper
conductors.
Now is a good time to revisit
the CE Code’s definition of
bonding conductor, and review
the portion of this definition that
describes the connection of the
bonding conductor to the service
equipment or system grounding
conductor:
Bonding conductor - a
conductor that connects the
non-current-carrying parts of
electrical equipment, raceways,
or enclosures to the service
equipment or system grounding
conductor.
Let’s start with the connection
of a bonding conductor to a
grounding conductor. Before
we analyze the objective of this
portion of definition, we need to
clearly understand the meaning of
grounding conductor and grounding
electrode.
Grounding conductor
The CE Code defines grounding
conductor and grounding electrode
as follows:
Grounding conductor - the
conductor used to connect the
service equipment or system to
the grounding electrode.
It also means that, through
this connection to ground/
earth, all bonded non-currentcarrying metal parts of electrical
equipment are not only
connected together (i.e. not
only kept at the same potential),
but are also bonded to ground
(i.e. they are reliably kept at the
potential of ground). It means
that the purpose of a grounding
Q
&A
GOOD: SLEUTH
Standard HRG from
various suppliers
Grounding electrode - a buried
metal water-piping system or
metal object or device buried
in, or driven into, the ground to
which a grounding conductor
is electrically and mechanically
connected.
Based on these two definitions, it
should be clear that a grounding
conductor at service equipment
connects the service equipment
enclosure to the grounding
electrode and, via a grounding
electrode, to ground/earth. This
means that a service equipment
enclosure (to which all other
non-current-carrying metal
parts of electrical equipment
are connected by a bonding
conductor) is reliably connected
to ground/earth by means of
a grounding conductor and
grounding electrode.
transformer, or by a generator—a
neutral point of the system is
connected to ground via a system
grounding conductor and a
grounding electrode. This neutral
point is also permitted to be
connected to the enclosure of a
transformer or generator.
So how should the grounding
conductor be sized? The answer
to this question depends on the
Question: I have an ungrounded system and can’t find the
ground fault. Transient over-voltages are now destroying my
equipment. What can I do?
Answer: Converting to High-Resistance Grounding controls
transient over-voltages and by establishing a return path for
ground faults, you limit and control the fault, add pulsing
technology and you can locate the fault!
Question: Are all High-Resistance Grounding systems
the same?
Answer: No, at the basic level they all limit faults, ensure
process continuity even under single ground fault conditions
and with pulsing, assist fault location.
BETTER: SENTINEL
Advanced HRG,
exclusive to I-Gard
Critical feeder protection
ensures continuity even under
2nd fault
Feeder indication facilitates
faster and safer fault location
BEST: GARDIAN
Total System Protection,
exclusive to I-Gard
Critical feeder protection
ensures continuity even under
2nd fault
Feeder indication facilitates
faster and safer fault location
Arc mitigation technology that
lowers incident energy levels
Don’t compromise on safety & reliability with an unsafe, ungrounded system, upgrade
today, call I-Gard the HRG experts for technical support and application guidance
Phone: 905-673-1553
Toll Free: 1-888-737-4787
IGard_EB_Sept.indd 1
EB_Nov2014.indd 17
conductor between the service
enclosure and a grounding
electrode is to always keep the
equipotential plane established
by the equipment bonding at the
potential of the ground.
And what about a system
grounding conductor? In a typical,
solidly grounded system—usually
derived by the secondary of a
utility or a customer-owned
Fax: 905-673-8472
sales@i-gard.com
www.i-gard.com
2014-08-26
PM
www.EBMag.com • November
20142:05
• 17
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
answer to another question: does a grounding
conductor carry a fault current?
Let’s review the question. When a fault
current is imposed on a non-current-carrying
metal part of electrical equipment which
is bonded by a bonding conductor, this
fault current is brought back to the service
equipment by the bonding conductor sized
in accordance with Table 16. What will be
the effective path of a fault current back
to the electrical power supply source so as
to facilitate operation of the overcurrent
protection device (OCPD)? Will this path be
provided by a grounded service conductor
which connects the bonded enclosure of the
service equipment with the grounded neutral
point of the source (with the grounded neutral
point of the transformer or generator), or will
it be provided by a grounding conductor and
earth back to the neutral point of the source?
Of course, the effective ground fault current
path will be provided only via a grounded
service conductor, and for the purpose of
facilitating the OCPD’s operation, the fault
current will never reach the source via a
grounding conductor. This means that a
grounding conductor does not carry a fault
current for the purpose of facilitating the
operation of the OCPD. This is why Table
17 has been removed from the CE Code, and
Rule 10-812 states the following requirement
for a grounding conductor sizing:
The size of the grounding conductor
connected to a grounding electrode
conforming to Rule 10-700 shall be not smaller
than No. 6 AWG.
The Appendix B note on Rule 10-812 offers
the following clarification:
It is intended that the size of a grounding
conductor for a solidly grounded alternatingcurrent system connected to a grounding
electrode need not be larger than No. 6 AWG.
The majority of fault current will be taken
by the service grounded conductor of the
system back to the source, and a grounding
conductor sized not less than No. 6 AWG
would be sufficient to carry any portion of the
fault current that will flow through it.
Let’s now discuss the grounded service conductor
which will carry the fault current back to the
source from the bonded service equipment.
Usually, the grounded service conductor also
serves a role of a neutral conductor.
Neutral conductor
Neutral is defined in the CE Code as follows:
Neutral - the conductor (when one exists) of
a poly-phase circuit or single-phase, 3-wire
circuit that is intended to have a voltage
such that the voltage differences between
it and each of the other conductors are
approximately equal in magnitude and are
equally spaced in phase (see Appendix B).
Appendix B provides the following
clarification on this definition
Neutral - By definition, a neutral conductor
of a circuit requires at least three conductors
in that circuit. However, in the trade, the term
“neutral conductor” is commonly applied
to the conductor of a 2-wire circuit that is
connected to a conductor grounded at
the supply end. Care should therefore be
taken in the use of this term when applying
the Code.
Neutral is a circuit conductor. However,
neutral is an identified (i.e. grounded) circuit
conductor. In a 3-phase, 4-wire circuit or
in a single-phase, 3-wire circuit, the neutral
conductor carries only unbalanced current. In
a typical 2-wire circuit, the neutral (identified)
conductor carries a full load current.
In fact, Subrules (3) and (4) of Rule 4-004 of
the code help users understand the function of
a neutral conductor in a circuit as follows:
Rule 4-004(3) A neutral conductor that
carries only the unbalanced current from
other conductors, as in the case of normally
balanced circuits of three or more conductors,
shall not be counted in determining ampacities
as provided for in Subrules (1) and (2). Rule
4-004(4) When a load is connected between
a single-phase conductor and the neutral, or
between each of two phase conductors and
the neutral, of a three-phase, 4-wire system,
the common conductor carries a current
comparable to that in the phase conductors
and shall be counted in determining the
ampacities as provided for in Subrules (1)
and (2).
Rule 4-024 provides a guidance to the code
users regarding the minimum allowable size
selection of a neutral conductor:
Rule 4-024 Size of neutral conductor
(1) The neutral conductor shall have sufficient
ampacity to carry the unbalanced load.
(2) The maximum unbalanced load shall be
the maximum connected load between
the neutral and any one ungrounded
conductor as determined by Section 8
but subject to the following: (a) there shall
be no reduction in the size of the neutral
for that portion of the load that consists
of (i) electric-discharge lighting; or (ii) nonlinear loads supplied from a 3-phase,
4-wire system; and (b) except as required
otherwise by Item (a), a demand factor
of 70% shall be permitted to be applied
to that portion of the unbalanced load in
excess of 200 A.
(3) The size of a service neutral shall be not
smaller than the size of a neutral selected
in accordance with Subrule (1) and shall
(a) be not smaller than No. 10 AWG
copper or No. 8 AWG aluminum; and
(b) be sized not smaller than a grounded
conductor as required by Rule 10-204(2),
except in service entrance cable or where
the service conductors are No. 10 AWG
copper or No. 8 AWG aluminum.
(4) In determining the ampacity of an
uninsulated neutral conductor run in
a raceway, it shall be considered to
be insulated with insulation having a
temperature rating not higher than that of
the adjacent circuit conductors.
But which code requirement recognizes the
neutral conductor as a bonding conductor
when the neutral is installed between the
neutral point of a solidly grounded system at
the power supply source, and the grounded
enclosure of the service equipment? The
answer can be found in Rule 10-204(2):
Where the system is grounded at any point,
the grounded conductor shall:
(a) be run to each individual service;
(b) have a minimum size as specified for
bonding conductors in Table 16;
(c) also comply with Rule 4-024 where it
serves as the neutral.
This code Rule clearly recognizes the fact that
the grounded conductor installed between the
source of a solidly grounded supply system and
the service is actually a bonding conductor, as it
will carry the fault current between the bonded
service enclosure and the source [see paragraph
10-204(2)(b) above]. This rule also states that,
in addition to being a bonding conductor (and
being sized as per Table 16), this grounded
service conductor must be sized as per Rule
4-024 when it serves as a neutral conductor.
Rule 10-624(4) specifically recognizes
the fact that a grounded service conductor
(regardless whether it is used as a neutral or
just as a bonding conductor between the source
of the solidly grounded supply and the service
equipment) is permitted to bond the service
equipment, thus reinforcing its purpose of
carrying the fault current between the service
equipment and the source. This Rule states:
10-624(4) The grounded service conductor on
the supply side of the service disconnecting
means shall be permitted to be connected to
the metal meter mounting devices and service
equipment, and where the grounded service
conductor passes through the meter mounting
device it shall be bonded to the meter
mounting device.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this exercise of reviewing functions
of bonding, grounding and neutral conductors
and criteria for selecting appropriate sizes of
these unique conductors will help to further
clarify the subject. In every case of design and
installation, always consult your Authority
Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
Ark Tsisserev is president of EFS Engineering
Solutions Ltd. (www.efsengineering.ca), and
has been an electrical safety regulator for more
than 25 years (having retired from the City of
Vancouver as its chief electrical inspector). He has
been chairing the CE Code-Part I Committee for
15 years, and is a registered Professional Engineer
with a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
18 • November 2014 • www.EBMag.com
EB_Nov2014.indd 18
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
electrical safety 360
Mike Doherty
Making the case for Louisville
H
ave you made your business case to get to
the 22nd annual IEEE IAS Electrical
Safety Workshop, being held in Louisville,
Ky., January 27-30, 2015? After all, it is
unreasonable to expect your manager to approve
your attendance if you cannot make a strong business and financial case for going. It absolutely
needs to make sense to those who pay the bills, or
you won’t be going.
Sponsored by the Industry Applications Society
of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, the ESW was founded in 1991 as an international technical forum by the IAS Petroleum &
Chemical Industry Committee (PCIC). In 2012,
the IAS executive board approved the creation
of the IAS Electrical Safety Committee, moving
the responsibility for the ESW to them. Since
its founding, the Electrical Safety Workshop has
served to accelerate the dispersion of information
and knowledge impacting electrical safety.
The keynote speaker in 2015, for example,
will be David Wallis: an electrical engineer with
a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. He joined the U.S.’s
OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) in 1973 as a safety engineer in the office
responsible for writing electrical safety standards.
Over those 40 years he contributed heavily to
OSHA’s electrical standards-setting process.
Just imagine the changes he has seen over
the years!
The ESW’s mission is to accelerate the
application of improvements in human factors,
technology and managing systems that reduce
risk of electrical injuries; stimulate innovation in
overcoming barriers; and change and advance
the electrical safety culture to enable sustainable
improvements in the prevention of electrical
accidents and injuries.
The workshop goes about executing its mission by providing a forum for people to meet
and exchange ideas for preventing electrical accidents and injuries in the workplace; accelerating
advancements in the development and application of technology, work practices, standards and
regulations; and linking professionals and centres
of excellence in industry, engineering, government
and medicine.
As soon as you read this, approach those in your
workplace who hold the purse-strings to ensure
you have the resources and schedule to attend the
‘SuperBowl of Electrical Safety’.
Spending the time to document the business
reasons for attending is far more effective than
just asking a very busy manager in passing at
work. They need to know why it’s the right thing
to do... why it’s good for the safety of your workers and supervisors, and the health of the business.
The electricians or linemen in your organization can only benefit by immersing themselves
in a high-end culture of caring for worker safety.
The papers, presentations, tutorials and exhibits
that go on all week are the very best on the planet.
The 3-hour exhibition of the newest electrical
safety equipment, tools and PPE is a focused and
efficient use of everyone’s time.
The people you will meet come from many
different electrical sectors, and they will not
only share their experiences and challenges but,
often, will send you electrical policies, safe work
procedures, and maybe even electrical safety programs. One good connection may cover the cost
of the trip many times over. The ability to send
an email or pick up the phone to discuss an issue
with a new colleague is worth its weight in gold.
Just being among others who truly understand
what you face every day as you work to improve
electrical safety is incredibly empowering and
invigorating, and helps to recharge your motivational batteries (which are often beat down in the
daily grind of trying to make things better).
When you want to know where CSA Z462,
NFPA 70E, CAN/ULC S-801 and the National
Electrical Safety Code (NESC) are going or should
be going (as opposed to where they’ve been) then
the IEEE IAS Electrical Safety Workshop is the
place to find out.
Sit down and craft your message to your manager; let them know why it’s important. Have the
estimated costs for all your expenses documented,
and explain to them how it’s money in the bank.
Convince them how everyone will look and feel
very good after getting involved at this level; that
the workplace will be safer and more efficient
based on the new awareness and learning.
Mike Doherty is a health & safety manager/consultant with PowerTel Utilities Contractors Ltd. He is
a licensed electrician and an IEEE senior member.
Mike has served as the Technical Committee chair
for CSA Z462 since its inception in 2006. His
specialties include electrical safety and health &
safety management, consulting, training, auditing
and electrical incident investigations. Mike can be
reached at mdoherty@powertel.ca.
calendar
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
viDEO • “The top electrical
safety people in the world”
attend IEEE’s ESW, explained
Hugh Hoagland, chair of the
2015 IEEE IAS Electrical Safety
Workshop, as he noted organizers go above and beyond to
present experts who are on the leading edge of electrical
safety thinking. Visit bit.ly/1sRTr3E.
APPrO Canadian Power Conference
Assoc. of Power Producers of Ontario
November 18-19, Toronto, Ont.
Visit www.appro2014.com
WILL BE
THERE!
Home Connect Conference
November 20-21, Toronto, Ont.
Visit www.homeconnectcanada.com
WILL BE
THERE!
The Buildings Show
December 2-5, Toronto, Ont.
Visit www.thebuildingsshow.com
Solar Canada
Canadian Solar Industries
Association (CanSIA)
December 8-9, Toronto, Ont.
Visit www.cansia.ca
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
PHOTOS • Founded just a year ago, the Electric Elle
golf tournament continues to grow in numbers,
attracting women of all ages who work in all areas
of the electrical industry. Visit bit.ly/1rSe1ib.
iEEE iAS Electrical Safety
Workshop (ESW)
January 26-30, 2015,
Louisville, Ky.
Visit www.ewh.ieee.org/cmte/ias-esw/
index.html
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
NEMRA Annual Conference
January 28-31, 2015, San Diego, Calif.
Visit www.nemra.org/
Conference/2015-Conference.aspx
WILL BE
THERE!
THERE!
OCS State of the industry
& Outlook Conference
Ontario Construction Secretariat
March 3, 2015, Toronto, Ont.
Visit www.iciconstruction.com
WILL BE
THERE!
MCEE (Mécanex/Climatex/
Expolectriq/Éclairage)
April 22-23, 2015, Montreal, Que.
Visit www.mcee.ca
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
OEL Electrical industry Conference
April 29-May 2, 2015,
Huntsville, Ont.
Visit www.oel.org
LEDucation 9
March 5-6, 2015,
New York City, N.Y.
Visit www.leducation.org
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
EiAA Technical Conference
Electrical Inspectors
Association of Alberta
February 6-7, 2015,
Edmonton, Alta.
Visit www.eiaa2004.com
WILL BE
PHOTOS • EBMag recently attended Franklin
Empire’s 2nd Annual Customer Appreciation Day,
which featured loot bags, Caplansky’s Deli food
truck, top suppliers and more. Visit bit.ly/1CIYDYR.
WILL BE
THERE!
university of innovative
(industrial) Distribution
March 8-11, 2015,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Visit www.univid.org/aws/AEA/pt/sp/
uid_home
Lightfair
May 3-7, 2015, New York, N.Y.
Visit www.lightfair.com
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
Visit EBMag.com’s Upcoming
Events on the homepage to see an
extensive list of industry events.
www.EBMag.com • November 2014 • 19
EB_Nov2014.indd 19
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
WILL BE
THERE!
personalities
In an effort to “accelerate its
commitment to offer high quality and
high performance indoor LED lamps”,
Civilight (www.civilight-na.com)
announced several new appointments.
Michael Goldberg will serve as
northeast regional sales manager,
Preston Matthews covering eastern Canada from
Toronto, Ont., to Nova Scotia, as well as various U.S.
regions. Described as a “proven sales leader”, Preston
Matthews has been named western regional sales
manager for western Canada and U.S., while Sharon
Katz has joined as director of marketing.
Rexel Group (www.rexel.com) has appointed Brian
McNally to the newly created position of executive
vice-president and CEO of Rexel North America. He
becomes a member of Rexel’s Executive Committee,
and is in charge of both Canadian and U.S. businesses.
Rexel Group says this leadership change comes in
the wake of the previously announced decision by
EVP and CEO of Rexel Holdings USA, Christopher
Latest RoHs Technology
— Energy Efficient —
Environmentally Friendly
COMAC HAND DRYERS is introducing GSM
Technology to the hand dryer industry.
This new Technology will change the
whole perception of hand dryers and will
cut maintenance cost by over 50%.
SECHE-MAINS COMAC HAND DRYERS
4137 Boul. Industriel, Laval, QC. H7L 6G9
Tel: 1-855-550-0303 – Fax: 450-628-0909
www.comaccorporation.com
20 • November 2014 • www.EBMag.com
Comac_EB_Sept.indd 1
EB_Nov2014.indd 20
Franklin Empire (www.feinc.com)
announced it is the proud recipient of the
Carlo Gavazzi Outstanding Distributor
Achievement award for 2014.
Grainger has named
Dean Johnson president
of its Canadian business,
Acklands-Grainger (www.
acklandsgrainger.com).
Johnson assumes this role
from Eric Nowlin, who
Dean Johnson is returning to California.
He serves as a board member of the
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
(CCAB) and the Catalyst Canada Advisory
Board. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in
Mechanical Engineering, as well as a
Business Management Certificate, from the
University of Calgary.
Photo © kLEIN tooLS
Michael Anderson, president of the IAEI Canadian
Section (Int’l Association of Electrical Inspectors, www.
iaei.org) and Daniel Langlois, representative to the IAEI
int’l board, presented a cheque to association brass in
the amount of $5000 for the IAEI Capital Improvement
Campaign. The Canadian Section has committed to a
total $20,000 contribution over the next four years.
Photo © FRANkLIN EmPIRE
Photo A. cAPkUN
Hartmann, to leave the company, as well
as Jeff Hall’s decision to retire as senior VP
and CEO of Rexel Canada Electrical.
Klein Tools (www.
kleintools.com) announced
Mathias Klein III (Mat)
will retire as chair next
June—capping a 46-year
career with the company—
but will continue to serve
James Pultorak on the company’s board.
Current president Thomas R. Klein Sr.
(Tom) will succeed him as chair. Mark
Klein, VP domestic sales, and Thomas
Klein Jr. (Tom Jr.), general manager
of heavy infrastructure, will serve as
co-presidents of Klein Tools, effective
January 2015. James Pultorak has been
named VP manufacturing, where he will
replace Chris Hargan, current senior VP
manufacturing, who will retire later this year.
Panasonic Lighting
Americas (PESLA)—a
holding company for
Universal Lighting
Technologies (www.
unvlt.com) and Douglas
Lighting Controls (www.
Joseph Damiani douglaslightingcontrol.
com)—has promoted Joseph A. Damiani
to the position of executive vice-president
of sales & marketing. Damiani will lead
the Universal Lighting Technologies sales
& marketing divisions with more than 40
direct reports and 40 agents in all channels
of North America.
Lafert North America
(www.lafertna.com) has
added Matthew Temple,
B.Sc.Eng., to its outside
salesforce, where he will
focus on motor and gearing
solutions for wind turbines.
Matthew Temple He most recently served as
lead electrical designer for tunnel boring
machine projects for Caterpillar Corp.
The Lighting Science board (www.lsgc.com)
has appointed Edward Bednarcik as its chief
executive officer, describing him as a “talented
executive with experience developing and
commercializing technology across multiple
industries globally”. In his new role, he will
expand the company’s presence into new
market segments, it noted. He replaces
interim CEO Richard Davis, who will
continue to serve as a director on the board.
Jaime A. Irick has been appointed vicepresident of GE Lighting North America
Professional Solutions (www.gelighting.
com). Irick joined GE in 2003, and most
recently served as general manager of the
same business unit. Prior to joining GE,
Irick served as an officer for the U.S. Army.
Halco Lighting
Technologies (www.
halcolighting.com) welcomed
Ed Weaver to the position
of vice-president of sales.
Meanwhile, Lisa Johnson
is now serving in the newly
Ed Weaver
created role of sales operations
manager. Reporting to
Weaver, she will be “refining
sales processes, driving
technology initiatives to
improve reporting and sales
performance monitoring
for the sales organization as
Lisa Johnson
well as reviewing the agent
on-boarding process”, noted the company.
Tripp Smith is joining
EarthTronics (www.
earthtronics.com) as vicepresident of sales, bringing
with him more than 30 years
of experience in the lighting
industry. His responsibilities
Tripp Smith
will be to help develop and
execute new strategies to increase sales
opportunities and expand market share in
North America.
Priority Wire & Cable (www.prioritywire.
com)—a supplier of wire & cable—has
appointed Hugh Robertson to the
position of director, renewable energy.
2014-08-26 1:56 PM
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
lighting products
standard Products offers
2 x 4-ft LEd panels
Standard Products has
added dimmable 2 x 4-ft
LED panels to its Edge Lit
series, promising excellent
light quality and uniformity.
Available in 4000K colour
temperature, the cULus panel
promises lower electricity
consumption than the standard
fluorescent fixture. It can be
surface mounted or suspended.
STANDARD PRODUCTS
www.standardpro.com
Columbia redesigns website,
offers mobile app
Columbia Lighting has
refreshed its website and
added an LED lighting
mobile app for Apple and
Android devices. The
redesigned website boasts an
optimal viewing experience,
a straightforward four-tab
layout, an application gallery
with images, and interactive
tools and renderings. The
mobile app is an ideal tool
for professionals on the
move, says Columbia, adding
that users can enjoy an
interactive 360° panorama
view of installations or use the
3-D orbit feature to see the
different angles of a luminaire.
COLUMBIA LIGHTING
www.columbialighting.com
Osram Orios LEd lamps
a “win-win”
solution
Osram Sylvania
has released its
Orios LED series,
including A-line,
BR, R, PAR and
MR16 lamps,
describing it as a “win-win”
solution that is cost-effective
and delivers high-quality
light. Suitable for offices,
residences and restaurants,
the PAR LED lamp comes in
7W PAR20, 10W PAR30LN
and 11W PAR38 versions
with a 30° beam angle.
Meanwhile, the MR16 is a
6W replacement for 30W
halogen MR16 lamps narrow
flood (25°) and flood beam
(35°) angles. According
to Osram, the lamps offer
up to 88% energy savings
compared to traditional
incandescents.
OSRAM SYLVANIA
www.osram-americas.com
Having worked in
the industry for over
20 years, Fortica
Electric’s Marijan
Rozman says he
understands the “pain and
frustration” that comes with
the limitations of standard
protector plates, which is why
he invented the patent-pending
EZ-clip. The Canadian-made
product can be used on all types
of metal studs, as one size fits
all, and no screws are required.
Made from galvanized metal,
EZ-clip protects your wiring
run from pesky drywall screws.
To install, simply hook EZ-clip
to the inside of the stud, then
push it forward until it locks.
EZ CLIP
marijanr@rogers.com
victron Energy introduces
Easysolar all-in-one power
solution
Victron Energy has launched
EasySolar, an integrated all-inone solar power solution, that
combines a BlueSolar charge
Molded Case Circuit Breakers.
New & used, All Brands.
Motor Control & MCC.
Buckets in A&B, S.D. & W.H. & C.H.
Please call, email or fax with your list.
vALvO ELECTRiCAL SuPPLY LTD.
5838-87A St., Edmonton, Alberta
1-800-661-8892
780-466-8078 Fax 780-468-1181
email: dianne@valvo.ca
Cree unveils OsQ area
LEd luminaire
Cree describes its OSQ
area LED luminaire as
delivering an “unprecedented
combination of industryleading performance and lowprofile design”, along with
up to 70% energy savings.
The luminaire features a
3.8-in. housing, up to 100
lumens-per-watt, and 3000K,
4000K and 5700K colour
temperatures.
CREE
www.cree.com/lighting
Advertiser index
AdvErtisEr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE
AD Rewards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Arlington Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
BlueBook Source Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Canadian Standards Association . . . . . . . . . . 22
Comac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
FLIR Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
I-Gard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
IPEX Electrical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
products
Make your wiring run a Home
run with EZ-clip
WANTED
controller (MPPT),
an inverter/charger
and AC distribution.
Up to three strings
of solar panels can be
connected with three
sets of photovoltaic
(PV) connectors.
The MPPT charge
controller and the EasyPlus
inverter/charger share the DC
battery cables (included), which
can be charged with solar
power and/or with AC power
from the grid or a genset.
VICTRON ENERGY
www.victronenergy.com
Flir debuts tG165 imaging
ir thermometer
Flir says its
new TG165
imaging IR
thermometer
lets the user see
invisible heat
patterns, measure temperatures
accurately, and conveniently
store images and measurement
data. It promises to eliminate
the blind guesswork of
troubleshooting by combining
a single spot IR thermometer
with a thermal camera.
According to the company,
the TG165 represents a new
category that bridges the
gap between traditional spot
radiometers and more expensive
thermography cameras.
FLIR
www.flir.com
Mersen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Nexans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Northern Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Techspan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Thomas & Betts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 5
United Wire & Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Valvo Electrical Supply Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Greenlee’s PullCalc app now
available for iPhone
& Android
Now available
for download,
Greenlee’s PullCalc
mobile app claims
to be the only
pulling calculator
on the market that
finds the approximate pull force
needed to install electrical cable
inside conduit. The pull force
is calculated by “legs”—straight
runs of conduit followed by
a bend—and other various
factors, such as: wire size,
number of wires, conduit I.D.,
duct material and bend angle.
GREENLEE
www.greenlee.com
EB
s
Er
E
r
Ca
Looking for a new
career opportunity?
Visit EBMag.com and CLICK on Careers
More products
can be found online.
Visit us at
EBMag.com
www.EBMag.com • November 2014 • 21
EB_Nov2014.indd 21
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
code file
Nancy Hanna, P.Eng
The 2015 CE Code and AFCIs
I
n the March 2014 edition, I explored whether
it was time we expanded arc fault circuit
interruptor (AFCI) requirements in Canada
to provide more protection from arcing faults.
In fact, a proposal to expand AFCI requirements in dwelling units was accepted in the CE
Code-Part I Committee meeting in June 2014,
and will appear in the 2015 edition.
In addition to expanding protection from
arcing faults beyond the bedroom to other
general-use receptacles in dwelling units,
the proposal introduced three important
definitions that are fundamental in
understanding the new requirements:
the load current the conductor serves. The
series arcing current is typically very low,
hence it is known as low-arcing fault.
A parallel arc is between two conductors
(line-to-line, line-to-neutral or line-to-ground).
The arcing current here depends on the
available fault current, and can progress to a
short, hence the name high-level arcing fault.
and power-supply cords against the unwanted
effects of arcing and also provides series arc fault
protection to upstream branch circuit wiring.
A new product called an outlet branch circuit
AFCI provides complete protection from both
series and parallel arc faults downstream from
the receptacle. In addition, it provides only
series arc fault protection upstream from the
Combination type arc-fault circuit interrupter [is] device. As it does not provide parallel arc fault
a device that provides both series and parallel protection upstream from the device to the
arc fault protection to the entire branch circuit
branch circuit, it will be required to have the
wiring including cord sets, and power supply
wiring between the branch circuit overcurrent
cords connected to the outlets, against the
device and the outlet branch circuit AFCI
unwanted effects of arcing.
contained in a metal raceway, armoured cable
Arc fault protection [is] a means of recognizing
or non-metallic conduit or tubing.
characteristics unique to both series and
The branch circuit AFCI introduced into
Once the 2015 edition of the CE Code-Part
parallel arc faults and de-energizing the circuit
the 2002 CE Code provided parallel arc fault
I is published, each AHJ will consider when to
when an arc-fault is detected.
protection to the complete branch circuit,
adopt and enforce the new code. Until then,
but only limited series arc fault protection.
the expanded use of AFCI protection should be
This definition notes there are two types
Based on CE Code 2015 requirements, only
encouraged as a positive safety provision.
of arcing faults that must be interrupted by
combination-type AFCI circuit breakers
de-energizing the circuit to effectively mitigate
will be permitted.
Nancy Hanna, P.Eng., is the engineering manager for
residential fires: series and parallel a.k.a. lowCodes & Standards Department at Electrical Safety
Outlet branch circuit type arc-fault circuit
and high-level arcing faults, respectively.
Authority (ESA) where, among other things, she
interrupter [is] a device that provides both
A series arc is a fault along one conductor
participates in the development of bulletins, guidelines
series and parallel arc fault protection to
or could be the result of a loose connection.
and technical communication concerning code
downstream branch circuit wiring, cord sets,
Here, the arc current cannot be greater than
interpretation and consistency issues. She is a LEED
Accredited Professional, and is a member of several
CSA TSCs for CEC Part 1, including Sections 24, 32,
Questions and answers compiled by the Electrical safety Authority visit www.EsAsAFE.COM
46, 50 and 64. Nancy can be reached at
nancy.hanna@electricalsafety.on.ca.
Tackle The Code
Conundrum...
if you dare!
Answers to this month’s
questions in december’s
Electrical Business.
How did you do
with the last quiz?
are you a...
Master Electrician ? (3 of 3)
Journeyman ? (2 of 3)
Apprentice ? (1 of 3)
Plumber ?! (0 of 3)
Question 1
Answers: EBMag October 2014
A pressurized panel marked with “Gb.Ex, pz, IIC, T3” is
suitable for installation in:
a) Class I, Zone 0
b) Class I, Zone 1
c) Class I, Zone 2
d) Class I, division 1
Q-1: Where insulated neutrals are used, the
insulation on the neutral conductors shall
have a temperature rating not less than
the temperature rating of the insulation on
the ungrounded conductors.
a) True. Ref. Rule 4-022(2).
Question 2
Vertical clearance between a heating duct and the top of
a cable tray carrying 600V rated conductors is:
a) 150 mm c) 300 mm
b) 200 mm d) 600 mm
Q-2: Consumer’s service conduit connected
to an underground supply system shall be
sealed with a suitable compound to prevent
the entrance of moisture or gases.
a) True. Ref. Rule 6-300(4).
Question 3
The overload protection is not required for a 2 hp,
manually starting motor connected to a 240V branch
circuit with adequate overcurrent protection.
a) True b) False
Always consult the
electrical inspection authority
in your province/territory for
more specific interpretations.
Q-3: Luminaries installed in Class I Zone I
shall be:
d) All of the above. Ref. Rule 18-118.
2015 Canadian Electrical Code, Part I
is now available for Pre-Order
CANADIAN ELECTRICAL CODE, PART I
The 23rd edition contains more than 200 updates and revisions, including major changes
to sections on renewable energy, hazardous locations and electric heating. Pre-order the
2015 Canadian Electrical Code and receive a complimentary copy of the Electrical Quick
Reference Guide
Reserve your copy today
www.csagroup.org/CeCode
22 • November 2014 • www.EBMag.com
CSA_EB_Nov.indd 1
EB_Nov2014.indd 22
(855) 847-0452
2014-10-16 3:17 PM
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
Mersen_E
Reduce wire
installation
time up to
75%
Mersen USG Series
UltraSafeTM Fuseholders
Innovative UltraSafe class CC and midget
fuseholders with screw-less, spring pressure,
wire termination technology.
ep-ca.mersen.com
Ferraz Shawmut is Mersen
EB_Nov2014.indd 23
Mersen_EB_Sept.indd 1
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
2013-08-22 2:37 PM
With AD Rewards, customers are rewarded for purchasing participating suppliers’ products from an
AD Canada Distributor. You earn one point for every dollar spent(1) at any AD Rewards Distributor(2) across
Canada. You may already have points from purchases and not even know it. It’s the best
rewards program in the industry. Isn’t it time you started rewarding yourself today?
Browse our catalogue at ADRewards.ca to find something for everyone.
EXCLUSIVE PROMOS & GIVEAWAYS
NO CARDS, NO HASSELS
FAST DELIVERY
EASY ENROLLMENT
ADRewards.ca
(1) Points earned on purchases from participating AD Canada Distributors and participating suppliers only. (2) Rules on website apply.
EB_Nov2014.indd 24
AD_Rewards_EB_April.indd 1
2014-10-21 1:13 PM
2014-03-25 2:19 PM