Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I — Instalment 6

Electrical Grounding

 

William (Bill) Burr

The CE Code is a comprehensive document. Sometimes it can seem quite daunting to quickly find the information you need. This series of articles provides a guide to help users find their way through this critical document. In this article: Section 10 — Grounding and bonding.

Section 10 — Grounding and bonding

Section 10 is a general section of the Code and applies to all installations unless amended by other Sections of the Code. It’s Scope outlines requirements for:

• grounding of electrical systems and service equipment
• bonding of non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment and conductor enclosures, together and to ground
• the use of ungrounded systems and neutral grounding devices

Special terminology used in this section and found throughout the code include bonding, bonding conductor, ground, ground fault, ground fault detection, ground fault protection, grounded, grounding, grounding conductor, grounding electrode, and grounding system.

These are all thoroughly defined in Section 0. In general terms, bonding refers to a low impedance permanent connection of all non-current-carrying metal parts together, and grounding refers to a permanent low impedance connection to the earth.

The stated object of Section 10 is to provide rules for

• bonding metal parts and systems together and to the grounded system conductor to reduce the danger of electric shock and property damage, providing a low impedance path for fault current back to the source, and establishing an equipotential plane to minimize potential difference between non-current carrying metal parts

• grounding the electrical system and bonding of non-current carrying metal parts to earth to minimize any potential difference to earth

• using an ungrounded system or a neutral grounding device in the system to provide alternates to a solidly grounded system, and minimizing any damage from a single fault by limiting the magnitude of the fault current.

System and circuit grounding rules 10-102 to 10-116 provide guidance on when and where, as well as exceptions to, grounding specific two-wire dc systems, three-wire DC systems, AC systems, electric arc furnaces, electric crane circuits, isolated circuits, circuits of less than 50V, and instrument transformer circuits.

Once you have determined your specific grounding needs, Grounding connections for systems and circuits rules 10-200 to 10-212 provide specific detailed guidance on how to ground various systems. Appendix B also contains some helpful diagrams.

Conductor enclosure bonding rules 10-300 to 10-304 are guidelines for when and where to bond metal enclosures for service conductors, underground service conductors, as well as enclosures for other than service conductors.

Equipment bonding rules 10-400 to 10-414 provide the varying requirements for when and where to bond all metal non-current carrying parts of fixed equipment general, fixed equipment, specific, non-electrical equipment, portable equipment, instrument transformer cases, cases of instruments, meters, and relays-operating voltage 750v or less, cases of instruments, meters, and relays-operating voltage over 750V, as well as non-metallic wiring systems.

The Bonding methods rules 10-600 to 10-626 will guide you through the steps needed to ensure an effective continuous, low-impedance bonding connection when Bonding service equipment, Metal armour or tape of service cable, Bonding at other than service equipment, Loosely jointed metal raceways, bonding jumpers, short sections of raceway, fixed equipment, portable equipment, pendant equipment, bonding equipment to the grounded system conductor (bonding to ground), and electrolytic-type water heaters. Helpful suggestions are also contained in the Appendix B notes.

Rule 10-700 Grounding electrodes sets out the requirements for establishing a grounding connection through the use of electrodes. There are specific rules for various grounding electrodes including manufactured grounding electrodes (both rod electrodes and plate electrodes), field-assembled ground electrodes, and in-situ grounding electrodes forming part of the existing infrastructure. Rule 10-702 sets out spacing and interconnection requirements for grounding electrodes where more than one grounding electrode exists at the building including those electrodes used for signal circuits, radio, lightning protection, communication, community antenna distribution systems, and any other purpose. Rules 10-704 and 10-706 deal with railway track electrodes and the use of lightning rod system conductors and grounding electrodes.

Rules 10-800 to 10-820 are rules governing continuity, material selection, sizing, and installation of grounding and bonding conductors. The size of a grounding conductor is determined by the type of system, either AC or DC. The size of a bonding conductor as determined by Table 16A or 16B depends on the size of the associated circuit conductor (Table 16A) or on the size of the associated bus-bar (Table 16B).

Once you have installed the correct type and size of bonding and grounding conductor, pay close attention to the connection of these conductors as specified in rules 10-900 to 10-906 Grounding and bonding conductor connections. The continuity and safety of a low-impedance path to reduce the danger of electric shock and property damage, and providing a low impedance path for fault current back to the source, depends on adequate and sound connections.

The final two subjects of Section 10 deal with grounding and bonding of lightning arresters and the installation of neutral grounding devices.

In the next installment we will be discussing Section 12 — Wiring methods.

Read the rest of the instalments in the series:
Part 1: Guide to the CE Code, Part I – A Roadmap (Installment 1 in a Series)
Part 2:
A Road Map to the CE Code, Part I – Installment 2
Part 3: Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I – Installment 3
Part 4: A Road Map to the CE Code, Part 1 – Installment 4
Part 5: Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I — Installment 5
Part 6: Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I — Installment 6
Part 7: Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I — Installment 7
Part 8: Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I — Installment 8
Part 9:
Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I — Installment 9
Part 10: Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1 – Installment 10
Part 11: Guide to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1 – Installment 11


 

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.

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Ontario Solar Incentives with Essex Energy

    Ontario Solar Incentives with Essex Energy

    August 20, 2025 Essex Energy is helping municipalities, universities and colleges across Ontario take advantage of incentives under Ontario’s Retrofit DER Program including solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. What’s Available Significant rebates available to eligible businesses and institutional organizations deploying rooftop or parking lot solar PV systems. These incentives are paid upon completion of the project, accelerating project… Read More…

  • Beyond the Bid: How Modern Estimating Solutions Drive Contractor Success

    Beyond the Bid: How Modern Estimating Solutions Drive Contractor Success

    August 18, 2025 By Brooke Stewart In today’s fast-paced construction landscape, electrical contractors are constantly pressured to keep their estimates competitive, often at the expense of healthy profit margins. Compounding this challenge are rising material costs, a shortage of skilled labor and siloed data, all of which make it increasingly difficult to stay competitive and… Read More…

  • Hammond Power Solutions Helps EFC Champion Sustainability as First Carbon Neutral Sponsor at Annual Industry Conference

    Hammond Power Solutions Helps EFC Champion Sustainability as First Carbon Neutral Sponsor at Annual Industry Conference

    August 18, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada Did you know that carbon emissions from this year’s Annual Industry Conference were offset? With the help of Hammond Power Solutions (HPS), EFC took an important step toward reducing our environmental impact by offsetting the emissions associated with the event. This milestone reflects a growing commitment within the electrical… Read More…

  • FortisBC Detail Impact of their Energy-Efficiency Programs in 2024

    FortisBC Detail Impact of their Energy-Efficiency Programs in 2024

    August 18, 2025 In 2024, FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc.’s (collectively FortisBC) conservation and energy-efficiency programs helped lower gas and electricity use while helping create more comfortable living and working spaces for customers. Building on 2023 reductions, its gas programs cut close to one million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) 1 in 2024. “Our customers’… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Blackline Safety Announces Quality Assurance Program Expansion

    August 18, 2025 Blackline Safety Corp. has announced a major expansion of its quality assurance (QA) program. As part of the expansion, the company has increased its QA team, upgraded its inspection equipment, and boosted in-lab testing of its entire product line. Headquartered in Canada with offices in the UK, France, U.S., and UAE, Blackline… Read More…

  • EB Horsman Introcuce New Burnaby Branch Manager

    EB Horsman Introcuce New Burnaby Branch Manager

    August 18, 2025 EB Horsman & Son is pleased to announce the promotion of Sean O’Brien to Branch Manager of their Burnaby location, effective August 6, 2025. Sean brings over 15 years of experience in the electrical and lighting industry, with a strong background in sales, technical leadership, project management, and clean energy initiatives. He… Read More…

  • BCCA Response to “Report on 2026 Budget Consultation”

    BCCA Response to “Report on 2026 Budget Consultation”

    August 18, 2025 BCCA is pleased to receive the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services’ Report on the 2026 Budget Consultation, and celebrates the emphasis placed on supporting BC’s construction industry and workforce. Chris Atchison, President of the BCCA, spoke to the Committee on the recommendations and priorities of BC’s construction industry. These included:… Read More…

  • NSAA Introduces Mentorship for Women Apprentices Program

    NSAA Introduces Mentorship for Women Apprentices Program

    August 18, 2025 This program is designed to support the retention and progression to certification of women apprentices in the 39 Red Seal Construction or Manufacturing trades. The program pairs women apprentices with experienced tradespeople to provide guidance, career development, and support throughout their apprenticeship journey. The program is for 6 months, with the mentor and… Read More…