CSA C83-17 HAS ARRIVED

March 2, 2018

The new CSA C83-17 offers utilities a comprehensive list of components, with critical performance, dimensional, and inspection criteria outlined for each to promote greater standardization in the industry and help utilities keep pace with change.

A lot can change in the span of two decades, and this is especially true for the utility sector. New electrical hardware and powerline components, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, and the demand for more system resiliency to support the electrification of major sectors all require revising standards to help ensure safety and reliability.

The CSA C83 Standard for Communication and Power Line Hardware – last updated in 1996 – has undergone a major revision to reflect today’s operating environment.

According to CSA Committee Chair, Sean Dinsmore, this latest release is important, “as it incorporates a design guide to ensure that there is strength and fit compatibility between the various components used for electrical system line hardware.  It also has criteria for low temperature performance that is needed in our climate to ensure reliability of the electrical system.”

What are the main changes?

• The new standard defines the required type, sample, and routine tests for the various components and processes listed in the standard. This will help ensure that the appropriate tests are performed for any hardware item, and determine when type tests must be re-performed due to changes in the process.
• Since utilities are more aware of the effects of cold weather on infrastructure, the Charpy Impact test has been added as an option for many items. Utilities can also choose to test to the level of 27J@-30C.  This will provide for better ductility where the service temperature is lower than the -20C standard test temperature.
• 14 new item standards have been created, mostly in the transmission area, to standardize the performance, critical dimensions, and inspection requirements for these commonly used products.
• 50 item standards have been revised, with additional sizes, optional designs, and updated performance or inspection requirements to reflect current usage in the industry.

All of these changes promote greater standardization within the industry and eliminate the need for the utility to write and maintain their own specifications and drawings. Utilities can simply specify the item to C83.XX with any optional requirements, which is much more efficient.

With this 400-page “bible” of line hardware standards, users will also have hotlinks to referenced clauses and item standards from the index for easier navigation.

You can download the new CSA C83 standard from the CSA Store.

If you have any questions about these changes or the standard in general, please email CSA Group’s Tania Donovska, Project Manager, Energy Standards.