Unlocking the Value of the Canadian Electrical Code With Training

 

Dec 11, 2017

The Canadian Electrical Code, Part I is a key component of Canada’s electrical safety system. Its value comes from its ability to facilitate innovation and create economic opportunities while helping to ensure public and worker safety. Although the code is updated every three years to reflect advances in technology and other major developments, the frequency of these updates and the sheer number of changes in each edition can make it challenging for you to keep up on the job. Choosing the right training program helps you to quickly understand the new requirements so you can unlock the value of the code.

For nearly a century, the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CE Code) has been the original, Canadian-based safety standard. Serving as the backbone of Canada’s electrical safety system, the CE Code provides guidance on the safe installation and maintenance of electrical equipment from coast to coast and helps keep electrical workers, consumers, and their families safe from harm.

Developed and maintained through a committee with representation from industry and regulatory jurisdictions across Canada, the CE Code is a true national standard, referenced in legislation by all provinces and territories. Just as important, the committee works together to release a new edition every three years to reflect the latest advances in technology and other key considerations such as renewable energy systems. Updating the code to adequately address these new developments encourages innovation and supports the work of electricians and other professionals in construction, no matter how complex their projects are.

The 24th edition — to be released on January 2, 2018 — has over 260 updates and revisions. These changes come at a time when industrial and commercial construction is growing, governments and businesses are installing renewable energy systems, contractors are increasingly adopting green building techniques, and the workforce grapples with the effects of aging employees and labour mobility.

Changes in the market combined with the frequency of these code updates may pose challenges to your business, as your success hinges on your ability to complete the job well and on time while maintaining compliance. But you can reduce cost, save time, and increase productivity and safety by choosing the right training provider to help you understand the latest requirements, and how to apply the CE Code to your specific area of work.

As the publisher of the code and facilitator of the technical committee responsible for its development, CSA Group is a credible and trustworthy resource for value-added products and training. The organization offers a wide variety of courses that are designed to meet current professionals’ needs by focusing on the latest changes. In addition, CSA Group offers flexible course delivery methods to better align with your current commitments as well as additional learning materials that are specific to your industry.

These resources can reduce your costs by providing guidance that can help you pass electrical inspections the first time and avoid the penalties associated with non-compliance. Training can also save you valuable time by providing you with the necessary knowledge on changes to the CE Code so you can commercialize your products in a timely manner or successfully complete jobs in the field, such as electrical installations in construction.
Staying on top of requirements to avoid costly reworks can only improve your bottom line.

Key changes to the CE Code

With over 260 revisions and updates to the 2018 edition, including major changes to sections on housing, renewable energy, grounding & bonding, and tamper resistant receptacles, there is a lot to learn. Although some changes were implemented to streamline requirements and enhance clarity, others are technically significant, with major implications for various industries and jurisdictions:

• Power over Ethernet (POE) — recent revisions to IEEE standards make higher power transfer over Ethernet cables possible, resulting in new POE requirements in the CE Code. Installation and layout of POE systems become critical factors in ensuring safe installation.

• Identified conductors at control locations — as the number of smart control devices for energy management and building automation systems continues to increase, simple two-wire switch loops are no longer acceptable.

• LEDs — With increased usage of LED lighting, disconnecting means are now required for certain LED luminaires.

• Tamper resistant receptacles — to boost safety, these receptacles are now required in additional areas where children may be present.

• Products with class 2 outputs — approval of products with a class 2 output will also be based on voltage, instead of just application.

• Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) — recognizing the potential for electrical hazards near wet areas, the CE Code now requires GFCI protection for electric heating devices and heating controls under certain conditions.

• Continuous load — to better inform maintenance personnel, installers, inspectors, and other professionals, maximum continuous load now is now required to be field marked on equipment.

• Electric shock drowning — extensive updates to Section 78 have been made to address the phenomenon of electric shock drowning, which include enhanced requirements for GFCI and ground fault protection.

• Energy management systems — demand factors are now recognized where energy management systems are used to properly manage service and feeder capacity.

Challenges arising from current market conditions

Along with the significant changes to the CE Code, professionals in the construction and electrical fields are grappling with a number of market challenges — pushing the need for timely, relevant, and cost-effective training that can help them get up to speed.

Construction continues to be an important contributor to the Canadian economy. As of August 2017, construction represents 7% of GDP with almost $121 billion[1] and over one million Canadians are currently earning a living in the industry.[2] As the construction industry continues to experience growth, so will sales of electrical equipment — triggering the need for training on new electrical standards for installers, manufacturers, designers, and engineers.

Although the construction industry has been growing, new residential construction activity is slowing down in most provinces. Despite this, workers still need to understand new code requirements for the residential sector as opportunities continue to grow for maintenance and renovation/retrofits.
The slow-down in the residential sector is also being offset by the substantial growth in commercial and industrial construction. In fact, the non-residential construction sector will require 35,700 more skilled trade workers over the next 10 years to keep up with demand.[3] These requirements may be more difficult to meet considering the entire industry’s age profile is growing older and the number of youth entering the industry is restricted. BuildForce Canada predicts that the industry will require 221,000 new entrants to replace retirees.[4]

Another labour force issue that the industry is dealing with is mobility. Different provincial demands and job losses in the residential sector are resulting in workers moving to other locations and/or transferring their skills to the non-residential sector. The CE Code itself fosters labour mobility as it is a national code developed with representation from members across Canada. It is designed with flexibility and consistency in mind, allowing workers to apply their skills and knowledge of the code to projects in different provinces and territories. Responding to the mobility challenge requires flexible training options, including online courses, and programs that focus on transferring skills to different sectors and jurisdictions where code requirements may vary.

Climate change is also transforming the construction industry. A survey by Canada Green Building Council revealed that 60% of projects by respondents will be centred on green building techniques.[5] General cost reductions and government incentives have also resulted in many buildings and other facilities being equipped with renewable energy and storage systems — and this trend is expected to continue. The International Energy Agency even predicts renewables to grow 13% more between 2015 and 2021 than it did in the previous year’s forecast.[6]

Why investing in training is essential to your business

With an industry in flux and an aging workforce, it is critical that businesses and professionals invest in training to avoid the risk of non-compliance and missed opportunities.

The cost of non-compliance is high. Improper installation of electrical equipment jeopardizes the safety of workers, customers, and others nearby. The Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada reported 852 workplace deaths and 232,629 accepted claims for lost time due to work-related injuries or disease in 2015.[7] The construction and manufacturing industries, where electrical hazards are prevalent, represent 43% of fatalities and 25% of lost-time claims.[8] Approximately 33% of the accepted lost-time claims were made by trades professionals and equipment operators.[9] In addition to the human cost of non-compliance, these incidents can cost businesses millions of dollars in potential lawsuits and penalties, as well as productivity losses.

By focusing on compliance right at the beginning, you increase the chances of having electrical installations pass the required inspections the first time. Training can help you understand the latest requirements in a cost-effective and timely manner, allowing you to compete in an increasingly demanding market. Skipping this step can potentially raise the chances of having to correct mistakes, book additional inspections, or perform costly re-works that sets you behind and causes you to lose your competitive edge to other companies that have invested in training. Many courses on the CE Code cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 per person — a small price to pay compared to the high cost of non-compliance.

Understanding the options available

A number of training service providers, regulators, educational institutions, and industry associations offer a variety of courses on the CE Code to help you maintain compliance. These courses range in format, length, and price to meet the needs of everyone from apprentices to experienced professionals and management.

For apprentices, colleges offer the most in-depth foundational courses on each section of the code to prepare them for certification. Courses typically address requirements for commercial projects, solar PV installation, electrical power and distribution systems, grounding and bonding, and provincial and territorial applications for the Red Seal certification.

For experienced professionals and management who already work with the CE Code, but need an overview of the latest requirements, a variety of options are available through provincial regulators, industry associations, and training service providers. Provincial regulators offer training based on requirements that are specific to their jurisdictions, industry associations help their members understand how to apply the code to their specific area of work, and training service providers typically offer tailored training programs based on their client’s needs, along with consulting services. These courses typically last one to three days and options exist for online, in-class, or on-site instruction.

The CSA Group advantage

With 90 years of experience in developing and updating the CE Code with our expert members, as well as our leadership in national and international electrical standards development, CSA Group is a premier source for industry-recognized training. The relevancy and applicability of our learning resources to your work are why more than 10,000 experienced professionals sign up for CSA Group training and skills development programs every year.

We leverage the expertise and insights of technical committee experts to deliver relevant training that helps you to quickly understand the major changes in each edition of the CE Code — and apply them to your industry and profession. We also offer on-site, in-class and online courses so that you get trained when and where it is best for your business. Our growing list of learning solutions, digital apps, resources, and implementation guides, as well as flexible course delivery methods help you unlock the value of the code by helping you to

• demonstrate due diligence and compliance
• improve safety through guidance on minimum requirements and best practices for safer workplaces
• reduce operational risk
• improve productivity
• reduce costs
• save time

Our diversified portfolio of courses and value-added products focus on specific code requirements and specialized markets such as construction, renewable energy, and manufacturing to help you on the job. Our 2018 program includes the following courses:

• Significant Changes Webinar — this one-hour webinar, the first of which will be held on November 22, provides a high-level overview of the main code changes since the previous edition from 2015. This interactive webinar also provides participants with the opportunity to ask questions and interact with other members of the electrical community.

• Detailed Overview of Changes (online, in-class, on-site) — this course is designed for professionals who only need to know what’s new in the latest version of the CE Code. It enhances your working knowledge of the code by providing a detailed review of all changes, updates, new tables, definitions, and additions across all sections of the code as well as the latest jurisdictional interpretations and variations. The course also helps you understand how the latest changes impact electrical installations, maintenance, and safety, and it explains the rationale behind the changes and additions — including how the incorporation of new technologies, and the deletions of sections and rules impact your business.

• Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Construction (online, in-class or on-site) — with a focus on new installation and renovation projects, this training course explores the most practical CE Code concepts through scenarios, interactive activities, and real-world examples for the commercial, industrial, and institutional construction sectors. Participants learn how to interpret code requirements to create and maintain a safer working environment.

• Customized CE Code Modules (on-site) — the Customized Modularized Canadian Electrical Code Training Course is a flexible training program where customers control the content, timing, and cost of their training session. Designed to answer B2B training needs and provide a unique customer experience, customers are able to pick and choose sections of the CE Code and other electrical topics of interest from existing or newly developed material.

• Alberta Updates and Changes (online) — geared towards electrical contractors and electricians in Alberta who need a working knowledge of the main changes to the CE Code, the online course offers convenient access to Alberta amendments and other critical information. Participants benefit by understanding updates relevant to electrical installations in Alberta, without having to review the entire CE Code.

• Grounding & Bonding (online) — this online course provides an overview of the grounding, bonding, and equipotential bonding requirements in the latest edition of the code. Rather than reviewing the code in its entirety, this course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of Section 10. With an emphasis on safety, this course explores the requirements for grounding and bonding to help minimize the risk and severity of electric shock to better protect workers and prevent damage to property during a fault event. This course highlights practical information through scenarios, activities, and real-world examples.

• Manufacturing, Design, and Planning (online, in-class, on-site) — this course is designed to help users understand and meet code requirements on applications such as electrical equipment manufacturing, design, and planning. Participants learn how to interpret CE Code applications through real-life examples and scenarios to become more confident in their ability to maintain compliance.

• Navigating the Code (online) — this course provides practical guidance on how to navigate and use the latest edition of the code so that participants can easily locate the information they need the most. This online course is designed to help CE Code users save time and increase productivity by learning how to more effectively find information, definitions, and recognize the overall scope of the code.

• Renewable Energy (online) — this online course provides a detailed overview of the sections of the 2018 CE Code, Part I that focus on renewable energy, with particular emphasis on Section 64. The course will explore requirements for different types of renewable energy systems, relevant system components, functions, maintenance, safety, and operation. Course content is conveyed through scenarios, activities, and real-world examples.

• Pre-Master Electrician Course (online) — this course is designed to expand the knowledge and skills of electricians and other professionals who are qualified to be licensed as P.Eng, CET, and C-Tech by helping them prepare for the Master Electrician Examination. The course is divided into 12 modules and references specific sections of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) and other pertinent legislation, electrical calculations, and trade & business practices.

What you stand to gain

You gain a competitive advantage by training with a recognized leader in electrical standards development for Canada and countries around the world. CSA Group develops and maintains over 700 electrical standards and applications, including its signature Canadian Electrical Code, Part I. But CSA Group is more than just a standards development organization. As a recognized and accredited testing & certification provider, we help to ensure system components meet standards as well as interoperability needs through services that connect the requirements outlined in the CE Code, Parts I (electrical installations) and II (equipment standards). CSA Group can serve as your one-stop-shop by providing insights on all requirements, training programs, as well as testing & certification services — helping you adhere to standards as efficiently as possible.

Our diverse, accessible, and flexible training program has been designed to help you reduce cost, save time, minimize risk, and increase productivity as you grapple with a number of market challenges. Our material addresses everything you need to know about the code as it applies to your industry and profession, and you can rest assured that the content has been developed with insights from reputable and knowledgeable experts from the industry.

For more information on the latest edition of the CE Code and related courses, visit shop.csa.ca.

This paper is provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as providing legal or professional advice on the subject matter. Read the paper online: http://www.csagroup.org/article/unlocking-value-canadian-electrical-code-training/?utm_source=electrical-industry-canada&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ce-code-training-whitepaper

 

Endnotes

1. Statistics Canada, “Gross domestic product at basic prices, by industry,” October 2017.
2. BuildForce Canada, “Fast Facts,” November 2017.
3. BuildForce Canada, “Construction & Maintenance Looking Forward,” 2016.
4. Ibid.
5. Canada Green Building Council, “Canada Green Building Trends: Benefits Driving the New and Retrofit Market,” 2014.
6. International Energy Agency, “Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report,” October 2016.
7. Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, “2015 Injury Statistics Across Canada,” 2015.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.