2021 Changes in the Canadian Electrical Code: Tray Cables

A series by guest writer Steve Douglas, Senior Technical Codes Specialist, QPS

This is the third article of the ongoing series detailing significant changes for the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code Part I (CE Code) that may impact electrical equipment manufacturers. A full copy of the CE Code is available at https://www.csagroup.org/store/.

Rule 12-2202 Insulated conductors and cables in cable trays have significant changes. First is a new Subrule 1) that recognizes the revised definition for cable trays as supporting means for cables. The definition of “cable tray” has replaced the word “raceway” with the wording “supporting means”. At the same time “cable tray” was removed from the definition for ‘raceway”. This means that cable tray is no longer considered a raceway in Canada.

Subrule 3) of Rule 12-2202 has been expanded to limit the size of cables marked as TC-ER to not smaller than 1/0 AWG. Subrule 4) provides better clarification on the requirements for mechanical protection and no longer limits runs of cable marked TC-ER outside of a cable tray to 7.5 m. Subrule 5) has removed the reference to Table 19 and provides a list of the thermoset insulated conductors and cables not smaller than 1/0 that can be installed in cable tray in electrical equipment vaults and service rooms, and other locations that are inaccessible to the public and are constructed as a service room where a deviation has been allowed in accordance with Rule 2-030.

Image courtesy of QPS depicts an unarmoured cable marked TC-ER.

The significance of these changes for manufacturers is that contractors and equipment manufacturers will be looking for a more unarmoured cable to be marked as “TC-ER” in accordance with CSA Standard C22.2 No 230.

For more information or clarification on this topic, please contact Steve Douglas at SDouglas@qps.ca

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Steve Douglas is the Senior Technical Codes Specialist for QPS Evaluation Services and is an IAEI International Past President. In addition, Steve is the Immediate Past Vice Chair of the CE Code Part I, Chair of CE Code Part I Subcommittees for Section 2, 12, and 84, and a member on Sections 8, 40, 64, 68, 76, 78 and Appendix A. In addition, Steve is the Chair of the CSA Subcommittees for Standards C22.2 No. 273 Cablebus, C22.2 No. 327 HDPE Conduit, C22.6 No. 1, Electrical Inspection Code for Existing Residential Occupancies committee, SPE-1000 Working Group the Past Chair of the Technical Committee on Wind Turbines, and a member on committees for the Objective Based Industrial Electrical Code, Safety Management Systems, Energy Storage Systems, Solar Photovoltaic Modules, Industrial control panels and assemblies, Industrial Machinery, Photovoltaic Cable, Fuel Cells, Wind Turbines, Distribution transformers, Outlet Boxes, and Wiring Fittings Hardware and Positioning Devices.