newsletter (plugged in) spring 2012

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WWW.ESASAFE.COM 1-877-ESA-SAFE

Spring 2012News, Views and Updates from the Electrical Safety Authority

Electric Vehicles and the Ontario Electrical Safety Code

Plug in Safely Campaign Update

Ontario Electrical Safety Awards

Training and Workshops on 2012 OESC2 5 7What’s

Inside

Connect Safely

Plug in Safely Campaign Update

Electric Vehiclesand the OESC

TechnicallySpeaking

Ontario Electrical Safety Awards

Scores + Stats

Safety Alerts + Recalls

Training and Workshops on the 2012 OESC

what’s new


Our Mission: To improve electrical safety for the well-being of the people of Ontario.

Our Vision: An Ontario free of electrical fatalities and serious injury, damage or loss.

Cover Photo: Owen Webster, Electrical Inspector, Continuous Safety Services, ESA’s first electric vehicle, 2012 Chevrolet Volt

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The Plug in Safely, Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor campaign was stepped up a notch in 2011 with the launch of the most aggressive media campaign to date. More than 4,000 radio and newsprint ads ran in March and the campaign’s important message was further enhanced by public relations and social media initiatives to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of hiring a Licenced Electrical Contractor.

This year’s campaign continues to warn consumers about the potential risks associated with unqualified individuals doing electrical work. Consumer research conducted in 2011 found that 61% of consumers who saw the ads stated that they would think about who should be doing their electrical work.

The Plug in Safely, Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor began in 2007 with the introduction of province-wide licensing. At that time we committed to increase the public’s awareness of not only the requirement but the importance of hiring a Licensed Electrical Contractor.

The 2012 campaign will continue this spring to keep the Plug in Safely. Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor message top of mind for home and business owners and key safety influencers.

Plug in Safely campaign stepped up to stress electrical work risks

More than 4,000 radio & newsprint ads ran in March 2011

• News, Views and Updates from ESA 3

Electric vehicles lead to new rules in OESC

Changes as of May 1, 2012

The new Appendix B note to Ontario amendment Rule 2-000(h) is simply a clarification. It states that the OESC does not apply to an electric vehicle inlet or on-board charging system that is an integral part of a vehicle. This addition is

There are several additions that address the circuit loading requirements for electric vehicle charging equipment. They are meant to help installers and designers determine the minimum ampacity of service and feeder conductors.

The new Rule 8-200(1)(a)(vi) states that you should assume a demand factor of 100% for electric vehicle charging equipment loads when determining the minimum ampacity of service or feeder conductors supplying a single family dwelling.

As well, Rule 8-104(5) requires that, since the charging load is continuous, the electric vehicle charging equipment loads must

not exceed 80% of the rating of the overcurrent device. If you don’t know the equipment’s load, then assume that it’s 80% of the rating of the overcurrent device.

Below is an example of how this code change affects the calculated load for a typical single family home with 2,000 ft² or 186 m² of living area. Consider a 100% demand of a 2,000 W electric vehicle charger is assumed. (cont.p.8)

similar to Rule 86-100 Appendix B, which clarifies that the electric vehicle inlet is considered to be part of the electric vehicle and not part of the electric vehicle charging equipment for the purpose of the Code.

Electric vehicle technology is evolving rapidly and, because of this, the use of electric vehicles is expected to increase in the coming years. The 25th edition of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) anticipates this increase by including several rule additions and amendments. These changes, which will take effect when the OESC becomes effective on May 1, 2012, will establish the requirements for electric vehicle (EV) charging systems. Below is an explanation of the important revisions.

DEMAND FACTORS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM LOADS2

1 ON-BOARD CHARGING SYSTEMS AND INLETS THAT ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE

Calculated load for a typical single family dwelling

Living area 186 m2

First 90 m2 of living area @ 5000 W (96 m2 remaining) 5000Next 90 m2 of living area @ 1000 W (6 m2 remaining) 1000Remaining portion of living area @ 1000 W 1000Electric Range (less than 12 kW range) @ 6000 W 6000Electric Dryer (25% of 5500 W) 1375Air Conditioning @ 100% 4000Electrical Vehicle charging equipment @ 2000 W @ 100% 2000Calculated load expressed in Watts 20375Calculated load expressed in Amps 85 A

Electric vehicle inlet

4 • News, Views and Updates from ESA

technically speaking

Rule 2-005: An Application for Inspection Not RequiredIn May, the 2012 Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) will become the new standard for electrical installations in the province. The new OESC, which is an amalgamation of the 2012 Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and a number of Ontario Amendments (primarily establishing the administrative rules for Ontario), includes 185 technical and 22 changes specific to Ontario.

Changes to the Ontario Amendments, which were made after extensive consultations with stakeholders, include five administrative rules expanding the circumstances when an application for inspection (permit) won’t be required for specific types of electrical work. The expansion of the basic exemption has modified Rule 2-005 and introduced four new types of electrical work that rationalizes permit requirements to reflect safety risk. This creates a greater harmonization between Ontario and other Canadian jurisdictions and reduces the burden for home and business owners who are undertaking low risk electrical work.

ESA is offering training across the province for Licensed Electrical Contractors, electricians and others within the electrical industry to explain the changes to the requirements for electrical installations in the 2012 OESC.

Clarification and expansion of like-for-like replacement done by Licensed Electrical Contractors in owner-occupied dwellings This amendment allows the like-for-like replacement of electrical equipment such as receptacles, light fixtures, 120 volts utilization equipment, etc., in owner-occupied multi-residential dwellings (condominiums) and single dwelling homes when the work is performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.

Repair of existing electrical utilization equipment in owner-occupied dwellingsThis amendment allows existing electrical utilization equipment installed on a branch circuit with a rating of no more than 30 A and 130 volts (or 50 A and 240 volts in an owner-occupied dwelling unit if performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or other specified qualified person) to be repaired. However, the repair can’t extend or alter the original wiring instal-lation and it shouldn’t invalidate the original certification mark.

Replacement of specific appliances in owner-occupied dwellingsThis amendment means dishwashers, cook tops, garburators, trash compactors, ovens, exhaust fans,

baseboard heaters, furnaces and hot water tanks, rated at no more than 30 A and 240 volts, in owner-occupied dwellings can be replaced if the work is performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or other specified qualified person. The work merely requires connecting or reconnecting an equivalent piece of equipment to an existing branch circuit wiring.

Installation of wiring from an approved class-2 power supply in owner-occupied dwelling unitsThis amendment allows wiring from an approved class-2 power supply within an owner-occupied dwelling unit to be installed by a qualified person, provided it’s not part of a lighting, fire alarm or pool installation. Wiring connected to a class-2 power supply typically includes circuits for thermostats, doorbells, energy monitoring devices, etc.

Replacement of light fixtures and switches in owner-occupied single dwelling unitsThis amendment allows the owner in an owner-occupied single dwelling unit to replace light fixtures and switches rated at no more than 15 A and 130 volts. This doesn’t include recessed light fixtures or connections to aluminium and knob and tube wiring.

Changes to the Ontario Amendments include:

For more information, visit www.esasafe.com.


In the two years since the Ontario Electrical Safety Awards were introduced they’ve increased in popularity.

The Awards are evolving into an integral component in Ontario’s safety framework. By recognizing and celebrating the achievements individuals and organizations make toward advancing electrical safety, we’re increasing awareness and growing safety commitments. In 2011, we received double the number of nominations over the Awards’ inaugural year and, this year, we’re intensifying our promotion of the

2012 Awards with the hope of once again increasing the number of nominations. The Awards are presented in each of the following four categories:

Nominate a Champion of Electrical Safety

Safety Awards

Do you know a CHAMPION of ELECTRICAL SAFETY?A person or organization in your community, workplace or industry that should be recognized for advancing safety in one of the following areas:

• powerline safety• electrical worker safety

If so, we want to know who they are, recognize their safety leadership, and honour their contribution to electrical safety.

Please visit www.esasafe.com and click on Ontario Electrical Safety Awards for more information and to nominate someone for their safety contribution.

• electrical product safety• consumer/home electrical safety.

Call for nomination deadline: May 15, 2012

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Powerline Safety

Electrical Worker Safety

Electrical Product Safety

Consumer/Home Safety

Recipients will join a list of past Award recipients that include: Mike Holmes, Whirlpool Corporation and Orillia Power. Recipients will be recognized by an audience of safety peers, and will be remembered through the use of a Safety Mark that tells the public they have received a Safety Award for their commitment to increasing public electrical safety.

This year’s Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga on September 26, 2012. Please send nominations to [email protected].


RCL11-64 Canadian Tire Corporation Recalls Mastercraft Digital Clamp Meter Due to Improper Wiring

Canadian Tire is recalling the Mastercraft Digital Clamp Meter as a precautionary safety measure due to improper wiring within the product on some units which could lead to an inaccurate reading. Approximately 21,573 units were sold in Canada.

RCL11-58 Canadian Tire Corporation Recalls Mastercraft 6 1/8” Bench Jointer Due to Safety Concerns With Some Units

The blades on the unit may become loose during operation. Approximately 9,532 units were sold in Canada.

RCL12-01 Kaz Recalls Honeywell Ceramic Heaters Due to Potential Detachment of Internal Housing of the Heater

The internal housing of the heater can detach, dislocating the heating element, which could penetrate the housing and potentially expose the circuitry of the heater. Approximately 6,000 units were sold in Canada.

safety alerts + recalls

To learn more about the recent product recalls and safety alerts please click on the link on the front page of the ESA website.

scores + stats Apr. 1, 2011 – Dec. 31, 2011

Managing wiring inspection services

Calls answered at the CSC 392,124

Inspections 345,082

Defects recorded 174,275

Notifications created electronically 21.01%

General inspections 7,683

ACP Contractors 2,658

Safety materials distributed

Powerline and Worker Safety, LEC Campaign 54,637

Preventing hazards and harms

CSS customers (23,958 sites) 3,714

Wiring compliance and enforcement

Hazard Investigation Requests 7,898

Notices of Violation 364

Product safety

Reported Electrical Product Safety Incidents 393

Recalls 48

Licensing management

Licensed Electrical Contractors 7,009

Master Electricians 11,002

Complaints received 947

Complaints resolved 619

Electrical distribution management

Distribution-related incidents 163

Due Diligence Inspections 402

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Worth Knowing

The only acceptable rate of electrical injury to workers is zero. Reduce your risk of electrical injuries by taking one of ESA’s training options.

We are coordinating more than 170 half-day workshops in more than 55 cities across Ontario so that everyone can get up to speed on the changes in the new Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC).

Learn the new and amended requirements in the 2012 OESC by attending one of the following workshops:

GeneralThis includes all major changes in the OESC.

ResidentialThis includes all major changes in the OESC that apply to residential, installations including single-family dwellings.

HVAC InstallationsThis includes all OESC requirements for residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment.

Our workshops will be delivered by knowledgeable front-line Electrical Inspectors who have many years of formal education and practical work experience in the electrical trade.

For a list of available workshops, please visit www.esasafe.com and click on the “Register for new Code training” link under the Top Story on the homepage. Day and evening sessions are available at a cost of $150 + HST per person.

Online workshops are also being offered for “General” and “HVAC” sessions. In these sessions, individuals have access to their course for 14 days and progress through the material at their own pace using a variety of educational materials including visuals, audio and online module quizzes. Online sessions cost $75 + HST per person.

In addition to the extensive public OESC workshop schedule, 28 private training events are being offered in collaboration with the Ontario Electrical League (OEL) through their Chapter network. Please refer to the OEL for a session near you.

If you are considering scheduling an OESC training session at your facility, visit www.esasafe.com to learn more about ESA’s online training options.

In addition to our responsibilities for administering the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, we work extensively to train electrical workers on electrical safety principles and safe work practices. Learn the new and amended requirements of the 2012 OESC. Register for an OESC workshop today by calling 1-877-372-7233 (1-877-ESA-SAFE).

Training and Workshops on 2012 Ontario Electrical Safety Code

Stay up-to-dateon electricalsafety.

In May 2012, the 25th edition of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code will come into effect.

The Electrical Safety Authority will be offering province-wide training on the new Code.

Please check www.esasafe.com for more information on training and schedules.

Ontario ElectricalSafety Code

25th Edition / 2012

This publication contains the complete text of CSA C22.1-12,Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (22nd edition), and Ontario

Amendments to that Code.



What’s Happening

ESA Statutory Holiday ClosingsESA will be closed on the following statutory holidays: Victoria Day – May 21, 2012 Canada Day - July 2, 2012

Ontario Electrical Safety Awards Call for Nominations Deadline: May 15, 2012

Please send your comments or story ideas to [email protected]’d like your input


By adding the electric vehicle’s charging equipment, the calculated load on this typical house increases to 20.4 kW or 85 A. Since this is more than the 84 A (80 A plus 5% as stated in Rule 8-106) allowed on an 80% rated 100 A service, it must be increased to 125 A.

But, even if you increase the load it is important to be aware of the impact that the electric vehicle charging equipment may have on the loading of existing services and service conductors.

Rule 8-200(3) clarifies that when calculating service and feeder conductors for single dwellings, the total load that includes electric vehicle charging equipment shall not be considered continuous. For calculating branch circuit conductors of electric vehicle charging systems, the total load shall be considered continuous as per Rule 86-302.

This clarification is similar to the requirements for air conditioning units.

Similar to the new Rule 8-200(1)(a)(vi), the new Rule 8-202(3)(d) requires any electric vehicle charging equipment loads not located in dwelling units to be added with a demand factor of 100%.

REQUIRED RECEPTACLES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING EQUIPMENT

The new Rule 26-710(o) states that, where required by the National Building Code of Canada, receptacles for electric vehicle charging equipment (as defined in Rule 86-306) must be provided for car spaces in garages or carports of residential buildings. This addition introduces installation criteria for receptacles and dedicated branch circuits for electric vehicle charging equipment when the infrastructure is mandated by the building code or local by-laws.

HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING EQUIPMENT

The new Rule 86-404 states that electric vehicle charging equipment must be located no lower than 450 mm and no higher than 1.2 m above the floor.

The 2012 OESC includes additional rule changes and amendments related to electric vehicle charging stations and other electrical information that you should know about.

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Electric vehicle charging station

Electric vehicles (cont. from page 2)

Changes as of May 1, 2012

newsletter (plugged in) spring 2012

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