Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I — Instalment 10

July 12, 2020

By William (Bill) Burr

The code is a comprehensive document. Sometimes, it can seem quite daunting to quickly find the information you need. In this current series of articles, I will provide a guide to help users find their way through this critical document. This is not intended to replace the notes in Appendix B or the explanations of individual requirements contained in the CEC Handbook, but will hopefully provide some help in navigating while reading the code. Here in this issue: Section 18 Hazardous locations, Part B.

Section 18 covers installation of electrical equipment in hazardous locations as defined in Section 0, such as areas in which there is a potential for the ignition of explosive gases or combustible dusts, fibres or flyings due to the design, installation or use of electrical equipment. Since the information in this instalment is extensive, it is presented in two parts. This is Part B.

Explosive gas atmospheres

Rules 18-090 to 18-110 apply to the installation of electrical equipment in all locations where explosive gas may be present.

Installations in Zone 0 locations

Rule 18-090 outlines that Zone O is the hazardous location where explosive gas atmospheres are present continuously or for long periods and is the most restrictive. No electrical equipment or wiring may be installed in a Zone 0 hazardous location unless it meets the requirements of subrule 18-090 (2). Also note the marking requirements for Zone 0.

Rule 18-092 specifies that seals are required where conduit leaves a Zone 0 location, and at the first point of termination of cables after entry to the Zone 0 location. Note that unbroken rigid conduit passing through a Zone 0 need not be sealed if the termination points are outside Zone 0. In addition, seals are not required to be explosion-proof or flame-proof but must be identified for minimizing the passage of fluids or dusts and be accessible.

Installations in Zone 1 locations

Rule 18-100 outlines that electrical equipment suitable for Class I Division 1 with protection level Ga or Gb and protection levels as outlined in 18-100(c) may be installed in a Zone 1 location.

Rule 18-102 requires that rigid metal conduit, hazardous location cables, explosion proof or flame proof “d” boxes, and fittings with threaded connection to conduit and cable glands be used for wiring in Zone 1 locations. In addition, threads and joints need to comply with rule 18-102 (3), (4) and (5), and cables need to be supported to prevent stress at cable glands.

Rule 18-104 provides the rules for sealing conduits and cables entering enclosures in and leaving Zone 1 locations.

Rule 18-106 provides requirements for the installation of motors in Zone 1 locations. Additional guidance is given in Appendix B.

Rule 18-108 provides the rules for installation of luminaires in Zone 1.

Rule 18-110 allows that flexible cords are permitted in Zone 1 where flexibility is required but must be installed in accordance with Rules 18-110 (1) and (2).

Installations in Zone 2 locations

Rule 18-150 provides the rules for the installation of equipment in Zone 2. Note that equipment suitable for Class I Division 2 and Zone 0 and Zone 1 are permitted to be installed in Zone 2. Also note that transformers, capacitors, solenoids, and other non-arcing, non-sparking or non-heat-producing devices are permitted in Zone 2 locations.

Rule 18-152 provides rules for wiring methods in Zone 2.

Rule 18-154 provides rules for sealing conduit, cable, and equipment in Zone 2.

Rule 18-156 provides rules on installation of luminaires in Zone 2.

Rule 18-158 allows that flexible cords are permitted in Zone 2 where flexibility is required but must be installed in accordance with Rule 18-158 (1).

Explosive dust atmospheres

Rules 18-190 to 18-196 apply to the installation of electrical equipment in all locations where combustible and explosive metal dust may be present.

Installations in Zone 20 locations

Rule 18-190 outlines that like Zone O, Zone 20 is the most restrictive hazardous location where explosive dust atmospheres are present in the form of a cloud of dust in air continuously or for long periods. No electrical equipment or wiring may be installed in a Zone 20 hazardous location unless it meets the requirements of Subrule 18-190 and Table 18

Rule 18-192 provides requirements for wiring methods in Zone 20.

Rule 18-194 provides requirements for seals for a Zone 20 location.

Rule 18-196 allows that flexible cords are permitted in Zone 20 where flexible connections are required and must be extra-hard-usage cord with cable glands.

Installations in Zone 21 locations

Rule 18-200 provides rules for installation of equipment in Zone 21. Equipment suitable for Class II Division 1 is permissible as well as equipment with the noted types of protection in Table 18.

Rule 18-202 requires that rigid metal conduit, hazardous location cables, explosion proof or flame proof “d” boxes, and fittings with threaded connection to conduit and cable glands must be used for wiring in Zone 21. In addition, threads and joints need to comply with Rule 18-202 (3), (4) and (5), and cables need to be supported to prevent stress at cable glands.

Rule 18-204 provides rules for sealing raceway equipment in Zone 21.

Installations in Zone 22 locations

Rule 18-250 provides rules for installation of equipment in Zone 22. Equipment suitable for Class II Division 2 is permissible as well as equipment with the noted types of protection in Subrules (b) and (c). This rule also provides rules for installation of cranes, hoists and other material handling equipment in Zone 22 locations.

Rule 18-252 provides rules for wiring methods in Zone 22.

Rule 18-254 provides the same sealing requirements as Zone 21.

In the next instalment we will discuss Section 20 — Flammable liquid and gasoline dispensing, service stations, garages, bulk storage plants, finishing Processes and aircraft hangars.

* The source for this series of articles is the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, published by CSA.

William (Bill) Burr is the former Chair of the Canadian Advisory Council on Electrical Safety (CACES), former Director of Electrical and Elevator Safety for the Province of BC, and former Director of Electrical and Gas Standards Development and former Director of Conformity Assessment at CSA Group. Bill can be reached at Burr and Associates Consulting billburr@gmail.com.