After 90 years, CSA C22.1:21, The Canadian Commercial Wiring Codes, Part I, has been updated to keep pace with the challenges and developments in this electrical industry sector. 2021 was the time to present these new codes.

More than 320 volunteer experts made these code changes in 2021. Based on current life, they provided recommendations and best practices related to safety, construction, efficiency, new technologies, and the environment. The number of changes was more than 200. But what are the most critical changes and why?

The Commercial wiring codes update on Energy storage systems

According to National Resources Canada, 6.3% of Canada’s energy comes from renewables. Wind energy and solar photovoltaics are the fastest-growing sources of electricity in the industry. These industries rely on energy storage systems during times of low demand and provide energy during times of high need or low production. The experts updated Guidance on the installation and maintenance of energy storage to help support renewable electricity generation, infrastructure and safety.

The Commercial wiring codes update on Adaptation to climate change

In Canada alone, the World Resources Institute has projected the cost of flood damage to urban areas at US$6.6 billion by 2030. In previous versions of the Canadian Commercial Wiring Codes, there were no requirements for adaptation to climate change. The CSA Group and the National Research Council of Canada created a new initiative to adapt to climate change, and the code now includes new requirements. This code applies to commercial wiring and installations exposed to flood damage.

The Commercial wiring codes update on Livestock farms and warehouses

Buildings and equipment are destroyed for many reasons. Farmers suffer much damage from warehouse fires and may lose their livestock and stocks. According to data from the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management, there have been approximately 80 reported fires in animal housing, with an estimated loss of C$18.5 million. The main reason for 40% of warehouse fires is electricity, which causes ignition. The requirements of the 2021 regulations for buildings where livestock are kept will increase the safety of warehouses and livestock farms and reduce the risk of fire.

What are some of the changes in commercial wiring regulations?

The most obvious change is that we now have Part 8 to BS 7671, which deals with performance requirements. We have a new term, “prosumer,” which is both electricity consumer and supplier, or in other cases, a small-scale electricity producer.

Specialists updated the reconnection requirements to specify that an external conductive part that enters the building and can create a dangerous potential difference must be connected to the primary protective bonding system. Although this requirement has been with us for some time, the update determines that electrical installations entering the building on a non-conductive pipe unlikely to require a primary protective connection.

Arc fault detection devices, recommended by BS 7671:2018, are now available. It led some to cut back on what they needed, while others welcomed the definitive Guidance.

Arc fault detection devices following BS EN 62606 shall be provided for single-phase AC final circuits supplying socket outlets not exceeding 32 A in:

• Higher Risk Residential Buildings (HRRB).
• Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO)
• Purpose-built student accommodation
• Care homes
• For other locations, we recommend using AFDDs for single-phase AC final circuits that do not supply outlets exceeding 32 amps.

Now fire and difficult evacuation conditions have caused parts of Section 422 to disappear, replaced by requirements for protected escape routes. Including fire safety-related electrical planning professionals in the fire safety management plan makes sense.

They have also changed the transient voltages caused by indirect lightning strikes a second time. The facility owner can declare that protection is not required due to losses or tolerable damage to the equipment.

The proliferation of labels attached to the cover of a consumer unit is too revealing. It is optional to affix RCD test notices to domestic consumer units if there is evidence that the client of the work has been informed of the requirements. Similarly, they have introduced appropriate requirements for brands to warn about surge protection devices, with similar warnings for households and similar settings.

If you are looking for cable rating factors in thermal insulation materials, wait to read Part 5 to find it anymore because it has been moved to Appendix 4. Appendix 4 lists many other details when determining the required current carrying capacity.

The Commercial wiring codes update on Conductors and cables

Now you can only use AC-type RCDs to serve fixed equipment where it is clear that the load current does not include DC components. We have discussed this for years, but BS 7671 does not approve it.

When considering the cross-section of a principal protective bonding conductor for a site with multiple buildings, the updated commercial wiring codes now explain selecting the bonding conductor based on the supply to that building rather than the supply to the site.

Specialists in inspection, testing, and certification/reporting need to be updated, but experienced testers will struggle a bit.

Of course, you can see a difference in changing the proximity of the outlet to the bathroom or shower. They have also slightly changed the installations and particular locations. But this code update is a minor deal for those aware of the last changes and additions.

The new Chapter 8 in BS 7671 covers energy efficiency measures, intelligent grid interface, power consumption management, renewable power resource management and energy storage. This area is complex, and KCS Group only mentions some essential requirements regarding customers’ electrical installations (PEI).

If you are looking for an update to the code on additional measures and recommendations for the design, installation and approval of all low-voltage (LV) electrical installations, read Chapter 82 Requirements. With active energy management, the end users must be able to monitor and control their electricity consumption and production constantly.

Experts have also developed the PEI concept for using renewable energy sources (such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbines) and energy storage. There are different types of PEI which include:

• Individual PEIs
• Collective PEIs and
• Shared PEI.

Individual PEIs are electrical installations (for example, private houses or workshops) that can generate or consume electrical energy.

We consider three operating modes for individual PEIs.

• Direct power mode (where the installation is supplied from the mains or grid)
• Island mode (where the installation is powered by its generator) and Reverse feed mode (where the utility supplies power to the grid or network).
• Collective PEIs are several consumer electrical installations connected to a public distribution network and share a standard set of local power supplies and energy storage equipment.

Contact our top consultants at KCS Group or follow our blog to learn more about the Canadian Commercial Wiring Codes update.