Winter 2023

Bond Bushings

When is a bond bushing required? There seems to be some frustration in the field, and we would like to clarify to help reduce extra costs for electrical installations.

A connector needs a bonding bushing when:

• the connector is on a metal conduit or cable with a metal sheath housing unfused service connector. This only needs to be on one end and is recommended to be on the grounded side of the cable. Located at 10-604 of the Canadian Electrical Code
• reducing bushings are used for the installation of the connector. This constitutes a loosely joined raceway. Located at 10-606 of the Canadian Electrical Code
• an armored cable/metal raceway enters a non-metallic box. Located at 10-614(3) of the Canadian Electrical Code

Armored Cable Terminations

There are more armored cable connections transitioning into a PVC conduit in the field lately. The cable armor needs to be mechanically and electrically connected to the electrical equipment it serves, and the electrical continuity of the armor is maintained throughout the run. Located at 10-608 of the Canadian Electrical Code.

When teck cable is ran, the inner sheath must extend past the connector a minimum of 5 mm or have an insulating bushing. Located at 12-610 (1) of the Canadian Electrical Code.

This should not be confused with the bushing requirement in the next subrule for conductors #8 AWG and larger.

Winter Wiring

Contractors should be mindful of the limitations found in 12-102 of the Canadian Electrical Code, and the notes to Appendix B. When the temperature is -10C or below, special precautions must be taken, such as:

• warming the insulated conductor or cable prior to handling and installation, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
• minimizing flexing of the insulated conductor or cable
• when flexing the insulated conductor or cable, bending the insulated conductor or cable slowly
• working with an increased minimum bend radius
• working with a reduced pulling speed; and
• applying other precautions recommended by the manufacturer.

Switching the Neutral in a Transfer Switch

This information is further to the Quarter 3 Bulletin with information added for your convenience. These rules are complicated and generate discussion on a regular basis.

To clarify this bulletin, the code rules will be clearly identified, the Appendix B notes located in the Canadian Electrical Code will be in italics.

If a generator is 12kw and greater, it must be grounded. If a backup generator is permanently connected, it is easy to determine what the requirements are, however, often a backup generator is brought to site when needed.

Canadian Electrical Code, Section 10-212 Grounding connections for solidly grounded separately derived ac systems (see Appendix B)

1) Except as permitted by Subrule 2), the grounded conductor of a solidly grounded separately derived ac system shall

a) be connected to the equipment bonding terminal by a system bonding jumper

i) at the source;

ii) at the first switch controlling the system; or

iii) at the tie point, where two or more systems terminate at a tie point;

b) be connected to a grounding conductor at the same point on the separately derived system where the system bonding jumper is connected; and

c) have no other connection to the non-current-carrying conductive parts of electrical equipment on the supply side or the load side of the grounding connection.

Rule 10-212 App B note:

See Rule 10-004 and the Note to Rule 10-004 in this Appendix for the definition of a separately derived system.

Separately derived system — an electrical system in which the circuit conductors have no direct connection to the circuit conductors of a supply authority system other than those established by grounding and bonding connections.

In addition to the supply authority system supplying a facility, one or more separate systems may be installed at the facility (e.g., a generator to supply emergency power, a transformer to supply a different voltage to parts of the facility).

In a separately derived system that is required to be solidly grounded, the circuit conductors (the grounded conductor and the ungrounded conductors) of the newly established system have no direct connection to circuit conductors of the supply authority system other than those established by grounding and bonding connections. The grounded conductor of a solidly grounded separately derived system is grounded at only one point, with no connection between the grounded conductor and the non-current-carrying conductive parts of electrical equipment on the supply side or on the load side of the grounding point.

Figure B10-9 from Appendix B of the Canadian Electrical Code shows 2 grounded systems with the neutral point grounded. In this case the neutral bus cannot be a common neutral but must be switched with the others. This will prevent any circulating currents that may travel through the neutral bus and onto the grounding and bonding conductors.

Diagram for rule 10-212

Diagram for rule 10-214

10-214 (1) A portable generator assembly shall not be required to be connected to a grounding electrode if the generator has the neutral bonded to the frame.

Rule 10-214 App B note:

CSA C22.2 No. 100 specifies the construction requirements for generators, including portable generator assemblies.

A portable generator assembly:

• consists of a prime mover, a generator, overcurrent devices, and output receptacles that are assembled and connected on a common machine frame; and
• is capable of being carried or moved about by personnel.

A portable generator assembly is rated at not more than 12 kW and not more than 240 V and is intended to be used as an isolated system for the supply of cord-connected electrical equipment.

As a condition of approval of certain types of electrical equipment, such as portable generators, the manufacturer supplies instructions pertaining to its installation and operation. It is important that the end-users closely follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer to fulfill the terms of the approval agreement.

Section 10 STANDATA for reference:

STANDATA 21-ECB-010(REV1)

Rule 10-214 Grounding connections for portable generator assemblies and vehicle-mounted or mobile generators

Neutral Connections

Portable generators are being used more often by homeowners as back-up or stand-by power. It is important the electrical system is properly grounded. Generators are available with the neutral bonded to the frame or without (floating neutral). The following is recommended:

Neutral bonded to frame

If the generator has a neutral bonded to the frame, the neutral should also be grounded to a grounding electrode and the transfer switch should have an extra pole to switch the neutral. Switching the neutral will ensure that, at any given time, the neutral is only grounded at one point (either the main switch or the generator).

Floating neutral

If the generator has a floating neutral, it should not be grounded to a grounding electrode, nor should it be switched in the transfer switch. The generator frame is bonded to ground because of the “equipment bonding” requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code and the neutral connection to the electrode is maintained at the main service via a solid neutral connection in the transfer switch.

Because of the variety of emergency and standby power systems, it is not always feasible to provide fixed recommended practices. Each installation should be evaluated and designed to satisfy specific load, customer, and code requirements. Furthermore, in situations where it may be necessary to remove bonding screws or jumpers in the service switch or at the generator, you should follow manufacturers’ instructions.

The manufacturer must state if the bond jumper can be removed. Removing a bond jumper from a generator without manufacturer approval voids the certification on the generator. Unlike a sub-panel, the neutral bond jumper is not necessarily rated to be removed. Failure to follow due diligence may result in costly delays and/or rework.

If there are any questions regarding the above Electrical information, please contact our office and speak with an Electrical Safety Codes Officer by emailing inspections@rmwb.ca or calling 780-743-7813.

This is the time for temporary heat on our construction sites and this comes with the need for Safety Codes permits.

The Safety Codes Act and The Permitting Regulation require a gas permit for construction heaters, piping of the heaters and propane tanks.

In the case of propane tanks, if the tank is larger then 454 L, 80 gallons, then a tank set permit is necessary. The regulations specify that if tanks are manifolded together and the total capacity exceeds 454L, then a tank set permit is necessary.

There are code clauses that restrict the length of construction hoses and the valves that are necessary when using hoses, please refer to the B149.1 & 2 of the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code noted below:

The new B149.1-20 of the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code speaks to using a furnace for temporary heat:

7.13.5
a) installed
i) on a finished concrete floor
ii) on a poured concrete slab that is at least 1} 4 in (100 mm} thick
2) 1 in (25 mm) in height above the height of the basement floor when complete; and
3) 6 in (150 mm) longer and wider than the base of the furnace; or
iii) by suspending it in a safe manner
b) piped in accordance with Clause 6
c) vented in accordance with Clause 8
d) fitted with a warm-air plenum and a return-air plenum, both of which are protected against an influx of waste or discarded material; and
e) provided with a thermostat that is installed on a solid bracket or wall and located in the furnace area or a location supplied with heat through ductwork from the furnace.

In addition to the above the furnace needs to be installed to the manufacturers instructions which take precedent over this code as long as it is not less than the code.

Section 7.18 (B149.1-20 of the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code) speaks to the use of construction heaters and should be referenced when installing them in residential or commercial sites.

Typically, the manufacturers adhesive instructions for ABS and PVC pipe restrict the temperatures on the low side, to approx. 4 C. In the winter months this restricts the use of adhesives to taking place in a temperature-controlled area that meets the minimum requirements of 4 C.

Failure to comply leads to failures of the joints which can lead to very expensive repairs.

The Safety Codes Department offers inspections on a 48 hour wait time schedule for inspections, Fort Chipewyan is the exception, as it is based on availability of flights.

Sea-Cans or Shipping Container – Safety Codes Permit Requirements

Increasingly, intermodal shipping containers or “Sea-Cans” as they are popularly called, are being repurposed as buildings or are being used in a manner that could be considered a building as defined in the Alberta Building Code.

Sea-cans originally were intended to be used for the transport of goods from one place to another. These containers are designed to be packed with goods and lifted, stacked, handled, and moved by one mode of transportation or another. However, their availability, capacity, and strength make them desirable for many other uses. While adapting a shipping container for use may seem like a convenient solution, once it’s no longer used for the transportation of goods from one place to another and is placed on land and given an occupancy, it is considered a building. A building as defined by the National Building Code (AE) or NBC (AE) means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy. National Building Code 2019 Alberta Edition

Development Permits

As with all development uses, the use of a Sea-Can as a building will require it to conform with both Safety Codes guidelines, Land Use Zoning, and all other Bylaws applicable in a Municipality, including the requirement for both Development and Safety Codes permits.

Safety Codes Permits

Shipping containers used for buildings may be intended to shelter equipment, tools, provide warehousing and at times provide shelter for workers who enter to perform specific tasks, for example maintaining or servicing of fixed equipment and when used in this way pose the same risks as any other building. There are structural concerns, risk of uplift or overturning, snow loads, improper storage of hazardous materials, and excessive settlement into the ground. For this reason, Sea-Cans used as buildings must comply with all aspects of the NBC (AE). Because Sea-Cans do not meet the prescriptive requirements found in the NBC(AE), the municipality may request an engineering review and submission of plans certified by a registered engineering professional prior to issuing a building permit.

Sea-Can use and Permit Requirements

• when a Sea-Can is placed anywhere in the urban service area or is an accessory to a building within the RMWB, both development and building permits are required.
• For all shipping containers that are modified, contain hazardous materials, or are occupied must meet both Building Code and Fire Code compliance.
• Subject to approval by the RMWB Planning Branch, unmodified shipping containers temporarily used outside the urban service area which are not accessory to a building may be exempted from building and development permit requirements. A review by a Development and Safety Codes Officer is required to confirm permit exemption.

If you have questions regarding the use of Sea-Cans or Shipping Containers, Planning and Development can provide more information in person at 9909 Franklin Avenue, by email at inspections@rmwb.ca or by calling 780-743-7813.