Electrical Industry Canada: Arc Flash, Shock Hazard, & Fire Safety - 16

" Typically these systems we have been seeing, for the most part, are
binary (on and off) if it does have technology - and I know technology
is evolving all the time on this - that is able to throttle it back, that
might be an option in the future. Right now, we can just follow
Section 8, " explained Brown.
Rationale:
Section 8, specifically 8-104, limits the loading of equipment such as
overcurrent protection and conductors for continuous loads to 80%
of the defined value. EVSE is defined in 86-302 as a continuous load.
The loading of 50A circuit is limited to 40A.
In complex residential properties, for example, 18 room
student housing, what are some of the options available for
providing smoke alarms as required by the building code?
Manufacturer's instructions and Rule 8-304 may not permit interconnection
of a large number of Smoke Alarms. The Ontario Fire Code
should be consulted for other options such as a fire alarm system.
" This is an interesting question, " said Brown, " because what we're
talking about is the number of smoke alarms that I can put on a
circuit. Some of the manufacturer's instrcutions limit the amount of
smoke alarms that can be interconnected together, in addition Rule
8-304 may not permit interconnection of a large number of smoke
alarms. In this case, 18. In order to really answer the question, the
Ontario Fire Code should be consulted and perhaps there are other
options such as fire alarm systems. But it's not something ESA can
really tell you, in terms of what sort of system you can put in. "
Rationale:
8-304 3) limits the maximum number of outlets on a branch circuit to
12 unless all outlets are connected loads and there are no convenience
outlets like receptacles. Combination strobe/smoke alarms
typically have a load of 1A or more and 32-200 a) prescribes that the
smoke alarm circuit is at minimum required to have one light on the
circuit which would reduce the number of smoke alarms by that load.
This would, as a rule of thumb, limit the circuit to 11 smoke alarms.
Bulletin 8-3-* further clarifies this type of installation and the design
limits.
ELECTRICAL INDUS TRY CANADA
Why is it required to have an identified conductor (oſten people
call it a neutral) when installing switches for 347V lighting installations?
Rule
4-022 2) requires the identified conductor be installed at each
location of a manual or automatic control device for the control of
permanently installed luminaires at a branch circuit outlet. (This is not
limited to any one voltage).
Brown noted this was a change in the 2018 edition of the code.
Rationale:
The rule was revised to acknowledge that the common toggle switch is
oſten being replaces with more advanced technology as they become
available and more cost effective. Without the identified conductor
available, the cost of replacing switches would be exponentially
increased or some installer may utilize the bonding system, creating
hazards in the process. Bulletin 4015-* provides an option to not include
the identified conductor when a raceway is used in lieu of a cable.
" We're seeing a lot more smart devices, web activated switches, motion
sensors that require an identified conductor to work, so there was a
change in the National Electrical Code that also did this, that required
the identified conductor to be installed, and there was a proposal in the
Canadian code harmonized with this, " Brown added.
" This is to prevent people from, when they hook up the switch later, they
don't have the identified conductor there, and they may just end up
thinking they can get away with connecting the white wire to the back of
the box. So, we see the technology going that way and it's providing an
option for in the future. "
When replacing an existing non-GCFI split receptacle located in a
kitchen, is a GFCI protected receptacle required to be installed as
a replacement?
No. Notwithstanding Rule 26-704, GFCI protection shall not be
required, as Split receptacles are not available with GFCI protection.
However, it is recommended that Split receptacles be replaced with
GFCI protected receptacles, as per the Bulletin 26-29-*. Flash notice
19-28-FL provides additional details.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6
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Electrical Industry Canada: Arc Flash, Shock Hazard, & Fire Safety

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