What's New in the 2021 CEC and the 2021 OESC?

There are so many changes in the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code and the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. Here is a list of just a few of those changes.

· New definitions such as "ampacity", “cable tray”, “ flood elevation zone", "voltage” “ low voltage" has been increased to 1000 volts, and "wireway."

· Service equipment not allowed to be installed below the flood elevation zone

· Requirement for number of branch circuit overcurrent devices in dwelling unit panels has been clarified

· New Rules have been added for the installation of bonding conductors.

· New requirements for the installation of cables and raceways in roof decking systems harmonized with the OESC.

· New Rules for installation of armoured cable supports.

· New requirement for ground fault circuit interrupter protection for all 15A and 20A receptacles located outdoors within 2.5 m of grade.

· Table 1-4 now has a column for each conductor square area in mm² referenced to Table D5.

· Tables 6, 9, and 19 have been totally reorganized and revised using new simplified calculation and reading methods.

· Table 39 has been deleted in the CEC and has been updated in the OESC.

In Ontario, the 2021 Ontario Electrical Safety Code comes into effect as of May 5, 2022. If you take all the Ontario amendments to the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code and organize the pages back-to-back you will end up with 124 pages in total. So, there are a substantial number of amending rules. We can talk more about those amendments in an upcoming blog.

The most important reason for Code users to get a new Code book is that there are always specific rule changes and modifications that lead to a more precise and therefore much easier, understanding of the Code . This is evident by comparing the 25th edition 2021 CEC to the 24th edition 2018 CEC but if you go all the way back to the CEC 11th edition from 1972, it is easy to understand how generality can lead to a blurred vision of what the Code is trying to communicate.

I'd like to illustrate a simple example. There is now a specific new definition for ampacity.

The key to understanding the intent and rationale behind this precision is that ampacity now only refers to conductors whether bare or insulated. This definition does not apply when discussing electrical equipment such as, but not limited to, motors, panels, and switches.

What does this mean to us and what difference does it even make? Well, whenever we see the word “ampacity”, we know that word refers specifically only to conductors. This would then be one of the clue words, one of the keywords in a question on any electrical exam such as the Master Electrician or C of Q exam that is guiding us and telling us what that question is about- not to mention the blueprints and Specifications

Electricians are typically very visual people who are given just a few instructions and then get right to work. Caution therefore is required when reading and interpreting all trade terminology.