June 8, 2026

by William (Bill) Burr^{^[i]}

The Code is a comprehensive document. Sometimes it can seem quite daunting to find the information you need quickly. This series of articles provides a guide to help users find their way through this critical document. It is not the intent of these articles to replace the notes in Appendix B or the explanations of individual requirements contained in the CEC Handbook**but hopefully provide help to navigate the Code.

Section 64 — Renewable Energy Systems, Energy Production Systems, Energy Storage Systems, and batteries

Rule 64-000 notes that this is a supplementary or amendatory section of the Code and applies to the installation of renewable energy systems, energy production systems, energy storage systems and batteries.

Rule 64- 002 contains definitions of Special Terminology used in this Section. It is essential to understand these terms when reviewing the code rules of this Section. Recent amendments to Special terminology definitions of Energy storage systems were added to this Section in the 26^th edition and include:

Energy storage system — a system capable of storing energy, and supplying electrical energy to local power loads or operating in parallel with a supply authority system or any other power sources.

Field-assembled energy storage system — Equipment assembled in the field to form an energy storage system.

Residential use energy storage system — an energy storage system for use in a dwelling unit or residential occupancy that has a capacity not exceeding 20 kWh for any single energy storage unit.

Self-contained energy storage system — equipment manufactured as a single unit to form an energy storage system.

In addition, Appendix B contains many diagrams and explanations to help in understanding this terminology.

Section 64 contains 12 parts – General, Inverters, Solar photovoltaic systems, small wind systems, large wind systems, Micro-hydropower systems, Hydrokinetic power systems, Stationary fuel cell systems, Installation of batteries, Energy storage systems (General), Energy storage systems utilizing batteries (General), and Installation of energy storage systems at residential occupancies.

General

The General requirements, Rules 64-050 to 64-078, apply to all Renewable Energy Systems and Energy storage installations and provide the minimum installation requirements applicable to all types of renewable energy systems covered in this Section.

Rule 64-050 allows renewable energy and energy system wiring to supply a building or structure in addition to other supply systems.

Rule 64-052 requires insulated conductors of renewable systems to be separated from other systems as per Rules 12-904 2) and 12-3030.

Rule 64-054 specifies that the ampacity of the common return conductor for a system with multiple supply circuit voltages must be not less than the ampere ratings of the individual supply circuits.

Rule 64-056 provides requirements for the installation of bipolar systems, including:

physical separation of monopoles where the sum of the monopole voltages exceeds the rating of the conductors or equipment,
location of disconnects,
routing of insulated conductors, and
warning marking against disconnection of any grounded conductor.

Rule 64-058 outlines the installation of overcurrent protection devices, including selection, marking, location and connection, as per Section 26.

Rule 64-060 requires that:

1) Except as permitted by other Rules of this Section, disconnecting means required by this rule must:

simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors of the circuit;
be capable of being opened at rated load;
be rated for the voltage and current for which it is to be employed;
have an adequate short-circuit current rating for the available fault current;
be suitable of being energized from both sides where applicable;
indicate whether it is in the open or closed position;
have provision for being locked in the open position;
bear a warning when there is more than one source of supply that the terminals on both the line and load sides could be energized when the disconnecting means is open; and
not be connected in any solidly grounded conductor if operation of that disconnecting means would cause the grounded conductor to be in an ungrounded and energized state.

2) A disconnecting means must be provided to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors of a renewable energy system, energy storage system or

energy production system, and must:

for an interconnected system, be installed in accordance with Section 84;
for a standalone system, be located on the exterior of the building being supplied by the renewable energy system, energy storage system or energy production system, or in a location acceptable to the inspection department; and
be readily accessible.

3) A disconnecting means for equipment covered by this Section and that is connected to more than one source of supply must:

be located
- integral with the equipment;
- within sight of and within 3 m of the equipment; or
- be lockable in the open position;
be permitted to be in accordance with Rule 14-414 rules regarding connection to different circuits; and
be provided to disconnect a fuse from all sources of supply, as required by Rule 14-402, if the fuse is energized from both directions;

4) The system disconnecting means installed in accordance with Subrule 2) and

meeting the requirements of Subrule 3) may serve as an equipment disconnecting means.

5) A disconnecting means must be installed as close as practicable where ungrounded conductors, covered by this Section, enter a building or structure not used exclusively for renewable energy systems, energy storage systems, and energy production systems.

6) Disconnecting means for high voltage circuits must be provided with means for adequate visual isolation in accordance with Section 36.

provides that notwithstanding Rule 64-060 3) an isolating means may be used as

the equipment disconnecting means provided the circuit for the equipment is rated not more than 30A; and a separate disconnecting means is provided elsewhere in the circuit to allow safe operation of the isolation means.

Rule 64-064 specifies that wiring methods be contained in metallic raceways, metal enclosures, or metal armoured or sheathed cables from the entrance to the building to the first readily accessible disconnecting means, except as required by Rule 64-210.

Rule 64-066 contains requirements for system grounding.

Subject to Rule 84-028 and except as permitted by Subrule 2), for renewable energy dc supply circuits, one conductor of a 2-wire system or the reference (center tap) conductor of a bipolar system must be grounded in accordance with Section 10.
2-wire photovoltaic source and output circuits are permitted to be functionally grounded.
The dc supply circuits referred to in Subrules 1) and 2) must be provided with a ground fault protection device or system that
detects a ground fault;
indicates that a ground fault has occurred; and
controls the faulted circuit by either
automatically disconnecting all conductors of the dc supply circuit or of the faulted portion of the dc supply circuit; or
automatically causing the inverter or charge controller connected to the faulted circuit to cease supplying power to the output circuits; and
in a functionally grounded system, interrupt the faulted photovoltaic system dc circuits from the ground reference.
The dc circuit grounding connection can be made at any single point on the renewable energy supply circuit and must be located as close as practicable to the supply source.
A renewable energy dc supply system equipped with a ground fault protection device are permitted to have the grounding conductor connected to the grounding electrode via the ground fault protection device.
Where the connection permitted in Subrule 5) is internal to the equipment equipped with a ground fault protection device, it shall not be duplicated by an external connection.
Systems that are not solidly grounded must bear a warning stating that a shock hazard can be present when a ground fault exists in the system.
Equipment providing ground-fault protection mounted in locations that are not readily accessible must provide remote indication of ground faults.
The remote indication required by Subrule 8) must
be clearly labelled as to its purpose;
annunciate the status of the system to persons monitoring it; and
continue signalling until the condition has been corrected.
Solidly grounded renewable energy dc supply systems shall be connected to a grounding electrode by means of a grounding conductor in accordance with Rule 64-070.

Rule 64-068 provides requirements for permitting ungrounded renewable energy power systems, including:

providing overcurrent protection for all source and supply circuit insulated conductors with the exceptions contained in Rule 64-214,
conspicuous, legible, and permanent warning labelling at each junction box and a suitable disconnecting means where the ungrounded circuits can be exposed during service,
suitability of inverters or charge controllers for this use,
provision of a ground fault protection device or system that detects, indicates, and interrupts a ground fault by disconnecting the dc circuit, the inverter, or the charge controller supplying the faulted circuit, or
use with ungrounded battery systems that comply with Rule 64-800,
the disconnecting means required by this Rule must not be connected in any solidly grounded conductor if the operation of that disconnecting means would cause the grounded conductor to be in an ungrounded and energized state.

Rule 64-070 outlines requirements for the installation of grounding electrodes and conductors for AC and DC renewable energy power systems required to be grounded and includes:

connection of ac and dc grounding conductors to a single electrode, with separate grounding conductors, sized as required by Rules 10-114,
connection of the dc grounding conductor between the identified dc grounding point and a separate dc electrode, and by bonding the dc grounding electrode to the ac grounding electrode as per Rule 10-104 b), or
installing a combined dc grounding conductor and ac equipment bonding conductor as per Rule 10-116 and sized as per Rules 10-114 or 10-616 (choose the larger) (diagrams in Appendix B outline these methods).

Rule 64-072 requires the equipment bonding connection between exposed conductors’ surfaces and the renewable energy source or supply equipment following Section 10.

Rule 64-074 specifies marking all interactive system(s) points of interconnection with other sources with the rated ac operating voltage and current be provided at the disconnecting means for each interconnecting power source.

Rule 64-076 contains the requirements for warning notices and diagrams and outlines providing conspicuous, legible, and permanent warning notices, directories, and diagrams:

on a building or structure to mark that it contains a stand-alone electrical power system, and the location of the disconnecting means,
on or near each disconnecting means, indicating the location of all other service boxes supplying power to the building, as per Rule 6-102 3),where the building or structure contains both a utility supply service and a renewable energy system, and it is not practical to group the disconnecting means as per Rule 6-102 2),
at each service equipment location and the supply authority meter location, and
at the location of the service disconnecting means of the premises that contains a renewable energy power system that stores electrical energy.

Rule 64-078 provides requirements for the interconnection to other circuits. It specifies that switching equipment controlling a renewable energy system, not intended to be interconnected with a supply authority, be constructed or arranged to render it impossible to switch on one source before the other has been disconnected.

Rule 64-080 requires that on the loss of interactive power:

an interactive renewable energy system be provided with a means of detecting when the electrical production and distribution network has de-energized, and
prevents the feeding of renewable energy into the other supply system until the normal voltage and frequency have been restored,
the renewable energy system may continue to operate as a stand-alone system supplying loads that have been disconnected from the other supply system.

Inverters

Rule 64-100 outlines maximum circuit loading, including:

the maximum current of the inverter output circuit is the inverter continuous output current rating,
the maximum current of a stand-alone inverter input circuit is the stand-alone continuous inverter input current rating when the inverter is producing rated power at the lowest input voltage, and
renewable energy system maximum current ratings are based on continuous operation.

Rule 64-102 outlines requirements for Stand-alone systems and specifies that they comply with the applicable Rules of the Code with the following exceptions:

the ac inverter output may supply ac power to the building or structure, disconnecting means at current levels below the rating of that disconnecting means, provided that the inverter output rating is equal to or greater than the connected load of the largest single utilization equipment connected to the system.
The circuit conductors between the inverter output and the building or structure disconnecting means must be sized based on the output rating of the inverter and provided with overcurrent protection located at the output of the inverter per Section 14, and
the inverter output may supply 120 V to single-phase, 3-wire, 120/240 V service equipment or distribution panels, provided that:
- there are no 240 V loads,
- there are no multi-wire branch circuits,
- the rating of the overcurrent device connected to inverter output does not exceed the rating of the neutral bus in the service equipment, and
- the equipment is conspicuous, legible, and permanently marked, with a warning not to connect it to multi-wire branch circuits.

Rule 64-104 specifies the location of interactive inverters and requires that:

Interactive inverters must not be located in clothes closets, bathrooms, stairways or in any similar undesirable places.
Except as permitted by Subrule 3), interactive inverters must be readily accessible and installed in accordance with Rules 2-308 and 2-310.
Interactive inverters may be permitted to be mounted on roofs or in other exterior locations that are not readily accessible provided the inverter:
is an integral part of an ac module or equivalent; or
has a minimum of 1m working space maintained on the sides of the inverter that provide access to conductor connections or other parts requiring service.
Permanent secure footing prescribed by Rule 2-308 is not required for interactive inverters installed in accordance with Subrule 3).
Where an interactive inverter is installed as permitted by Subrule 3), the location of the inverter must be indicated on the diagram required by Rule 84-030 2).

Rule 64-106 requires that only inverters and ac modules marked as interactive may have a connection to other sources in interactive systems.

Rule 64-108 stipulates that:

the inverter output rating and the maximum load connected between the neutral and any one ungrounded conductor must not exceed the ampacity of the neutral conductor, where an inverter with a single-phase, 2-wire output is connected to the neutral and only one ungrounded conductor, a single-phase, 3-wire system; or a three-phase, 4-wire wye-connected system, also
a conductor used solely for instrumentation, voltage detection, or phase detection, and connected to a single-phase or three-phase interactive inverter, must be sized at less than the ampacity of the other current-carrying conductors but in no case smaller than the bonding conductor required by Rule 10-616.

Rule 64-110 addresses unbalanced interconnections and requires that:

Single-phase inverters for renewable energy systems and ac modules in interactive renewable energy systems must not be connected to three-phase systems unless the interactive system is designed such that under normal operating conditions, the resulting three-phase system voltages are balanced within the limits of supply authority requirements, and comply with Rules 84-008 and 84-018, and
Three-phase inverters and three-phase ac modules in interactive systems must have all phases automatically de-energized upon loss of the system voltage in one or more phases.

Rule 64-112 outlines the requirements regarding the interactive point of connection:

The output of an interactive inverter or power conditioning unit must be connected to the supply authority system in accordance with Section 84.
Except as provided for in Subrule 3), the output of an interactive inverter described in this Section must be connected to the supply side of the service disconnecting means.
The output of an interactive inverter is permitted to be connected to the load side of the service disconnecting means of the other source(s) at any equipment on the premises under the provisions of Subrule 4).
Where equipment or conductors located on the premises are supplied simultaneously by a primary power source and one or more interactive inverters and where equipment connected as permitted by Subrule 3) is capable of supplying multiple branch circuits or feeders, or both, provisions for interconnection between the primary power supply source and the interactive inverter(s) must comply with the following conditions:

a) have each source interconnection made at a dedicated circuit breaker or fusible disconnecting means;

b) have the point of connection positioned at the opposite (load) end from the input feeder or main circuit location, except as provided in Item g), where the equipment is rated less than the sum of the ampere ratings of all overcurrent devices in source circuits supplying the equipment;

c) have a permanent warning label installed at the equipment referred to in item b) to indicate that the overcurrent device shall not be relocated;

d) have suitable warning signs installed on the equipment, and adjacent to each source disconnecting means to indicate that all of the disconnecting means must be opened to ensure complete de-energization of the equipment in accordance with Rule 14-414;

e) notwithstanding Section 14, the sum of the ampere ratings of the overcurrent devices supplying power to equipment or conductor may exceed the equipment or conductor ratings to a maximum of 120%;

f) notwithstanding Section 14, for a dwelling unit, the sum of the ampere ratings of the overcurrent devices supplying power to equipment or conductors shall be permitted to exceed the equipment or conductor ratings to a maximum of 125%;

g) notwithstanding Items e) and f), the sum of the ampere rating of the overcurrent devices may exceed the rating of the equipment or conductor where;

equipment is provided to limit the input and output current of the interconnected systems to ensure the equipment or conductor cannot be overloaded; or
the equipment is used to combine ac supply circuits only, and a single output circuit overcurrent device is installed that does not exceed the equipment rating; and a label is installed to indicate no other loads are permitted; and

h) except as provided for in Subrule 5), the interconnection point shall be made on the line side of all ground fault protection equipment.

The interconnection point described in Subrule 4) e) shall be permitted to be made on the load side of ground fault protection equipment, provided that there is ground fault protection for equipment from all ground fault current sources; and ground fault protection devices used with supplies connected to the load side terminals are suitable for back-feeding.

Solar photovoltaic systems

Rule 64-200 provides additional marking requirements given in Rule 64-072 and specifies that:

a permanent marking be provided at an accessible location at the disconnecting means for the photovoltaic output circuit, specifying the rated operating current and voltage, the maximum photovoltaic source circuit voltage calculated in accordance with Rule 64-202 and the rated short-circuit current,
a photovoltaic system with rapid shutdown as per Rule 64-218 be provided with a permanent marking in an accessible location at the disconnecting means for the photovoltaic output circuit stating that the photovoltaic system is equipped with rapid shutdown, and
a warning sign for a photovoltaic system in capital letters with a minimum height of 9.5 mm, in white on a red background.

Rule 64-202 provides requirements for voltage of solar photovoltaic systems and specifies:

The maximum photovoltaic source and output circuit voltage are the rated open-circuit voltage of the photovoltaic power source multiplied by 125%, or the maximum photovoltaic source and output circuit voltage may be calculated using the rated open-circuit voltage of the photovoltaic power source, the difference between 25 °C and the lowest expected daily minimum temperature, and the voltage temperature coefficient as specified by the manufacturer.
The maximum photovoltaic source and output circuit voltage must be used to determine the voltage ratings of insulated conductors, cables, disconnects, overcurrent protection, and other equipment in photovoltaic source or output circuits.
Photovoltaic source and output circuits installed in or on dwelling units may have a voltage not exceeding 600 V dc between any two conductors and between any conductor and ground, provided that all energized parts in the photovoltaic source and output circuits over 150 volts-to-ground are accessible only to qualified persons; and the insulated conductors for photovoltaic source and output circuits over 30 V located inside the building are contained in metallic raceways, metal enclosures, or cables with a metal armour or metal sheath.
Photovoltaic source and output circuits, and equipment connected to or within these circuits, with maximum voltages not exceeding 1500 V dc are not required to comply with Rules 36-204, 36-208, and 36-214, provided that
the installation is serviced only by qualified persons;
the part of the installation where high voltage is present is inaccessible to the public; and
enclosures in which photovoltaic source and output circuits exceeding 750 Vdc are present are marked with the word “DANGER” followed by the maximum rated photovoltaic circuit voltage of the equipment.

Rule 64-204 provides limits for voltage drop and specifies that notwithstanding the requirements of Rule 8-102, photovoltaic output circuit and photovoltaic source circuit conductors meet one of the following requirements:

the voltage drop must be considered acceptable where the conductors are rated not less than 125% of the maximum available short-circuit current of the solar photovoltaic system,
the voltage drop must not exceed 5% of the rated operating voltage,
the rated operating voltage drop must not exceed the percentage calculated by multiplying 50% of the rated current of the photovoltaic source circuit under consideration divided by the rated current of the entire array connected to the power conditioning unit or directly connected loads, or
the resistance must be sufficiently low to facilitate the operation of the overcurrent device protecting the circuit in the event of a short-circuit.

Rule 64-206 provides the ampere rating of photovoltaic source and output circuits and requires the ampere rating of a photovoltaic source, and output circuit be

the ampere rating of the overcurrent device protecting the circuit or
the ampacity of the conductors, whichever is less, and
not less than 125% of the rated short-circuit current of that photovoltaic source’s circuit.

Rule 64-208 outlines the photovoltaic module application class use and requires that:

Photovoltaic modules marked with application Class A or C are permitted to be installed in a location accessible to the public, and
Photovoltaic modules marked with an application Class B are not permitted for installations accessible to the public.

Rule 64-210 provides the wiring method for solar photovoltaic systems and includes:

Notwithstanding Rule 12-102 3), flexible cords suitable for extra-hard usage may be used for the interconnection of photovoltaic modules within an array.
Notwithstanding Rule 12-202, cables included as part of photovoltaic modules are permitted for the interconnection of photovoltaic modules within an array, provided that
- the photovoltaic source and output circuits operate at a maximum system voltage of 30 V or less, or
- greater than 30 V where the array is not installed in readily accessible locations.
Notwithstanding Rule 12-202, Type RPVU cables are permitted for the interconnection of photovoltaic modules within an array, provided that the installation is serviced only by qualified persons and the installation is inaccessible to the public.
Insulated conductors and cables installed in accordance with the above must be adequately protected against mechanical damage during and after installation and supported by straps or other devices located within 300 mm of every box or connector and at intervals of not more than 1 m throughout the run.
Where the dc arc-fault protection is not an integral part of the module, photovoltaic source and output circuit insulated conductors and cables installed on or above a building must be provided with mechanical protection in the form of an enclosed raceway or other acceptable material to protect against damage from rodents.
Notwithstanding Rule 12-2202, Type RPVU cables may be installed in a cable tray for the interconnection of the solar photovoltaic system.
Type RPV conductors installed in a raceway are permitted for the interconnection of the solar photovoltaic system.
Cables used for solar photovoltaic installations on or above a building must meet the flame spread requirements of the National Building Code of Canada or local building legislation.
Type RPV insulated conductors and Type RPVU cables installed inside a building or structure must be contained in a raceway.
Notwithstanding Rules 12-904 and 12-3030, junction boxes, enclosures, fittings, and raceways or compartments of multiple-channel raceways are permitted to contain insulated conductors of a single renewable energy system that are connected to different sources of voltage where:
- all conductors are insulated for at least the same voltage as that of the circuit having the highest voltage; and
- a suitable warning notice is placed at each enclosure and junction box giving access to the insulated conductors, indicating where multiple photovoltaic source circuits and photovoltaic output circuits are available within the junction boxes, enclosures, and raceways or compartments of a multiple-channel raceway.

Rule 64-212 provides the insulated conductor marking or colour coding specifications and includes:

Notwithstanding Rule 4-032, dc photovoltaic output circuit insulated conductors, and photovoltaic source circuit insulated conductors installed between a module and the power conditioning unit of the dc system, must be coloured or coded, or both, as follows:
- for a 2-wire circuit, red for positive and black for negative, or black insulated conductors manufactured with permanent surface printing indicating the polarity on the insulated conductor; and
- for a 3-wire circuit (bipolar circuit), white or white with a coloured stripe for the mid-wire (identified as the centre tap), red for positive, black for negative, or black insulated conductors manufactured with permanent surface printing indicating the polarity on the conductor insulation.
The requirements above must not be met by field marking or labelling.
Notwithstanding the above, insulated conductor colour coding for multi-conductor cables is permitted to be made through suitable field labelling or marking permanently.
The insulated conductor labelling and marking permitted must:
- be made at every point where the separate insulated conductors are rendered accessible and visible by removal of the outer jacket of the cable;
- be made by painting or other suitable means; and
- not render the manufacturer’s numbering of the insulated conductors illegible.

Rule 64-214 provides requirements for overcurrent protection for apparatus and conductors, including:

Notwithstanding Rules 64-058 and 64-066, individual overcurrent protection devices are required where the sum of the available short-circuit currents from all photovoltaic source circuits connected to the same power conditioning unit is not greater than the ampacity of the apparatus or conductors.
Where overcurrent protection is required by Rule 64-058 for a photovoltaic source circuit, each photovoltaic source circuit must be protected by an individual overcurrent device rated or set at not more than the ampacity of the conductors of the photovoltaic source circuit or the maximum overcurrent protection indicated on the photovoltaic module nameplate, whichever is less.
For 2-wire photovoltaic circuits that are not solidly grounded, conductors of each source circuit or the conductors of each output circuit may be protected by an overcurrent device that interrupts the current in only one conductor of the circuit.
Where overcurrent protection devices are used to protect photovoltaic source or output circuits, all overcurrent devices must be placed in conductors of the same polarity for all circuits within a photovoltaic system.
Where the value as specified above does not correspond to the standard rating of an overcurrent device, the next higher standard rating can be used.
Overcurrent devices for photovoltaic source circuits must be accessible and grouped where practicable.

Rule 64-216 requires photovoltaic dc arc-fault circuit protection as follows:

Solar photovoltaic systems with a dc source or dc output circuit voltage of 80 V or greater, when calculated in accordance with Rule 64-202, must be protected by a dc arc-fault circuit interrupter or other system equipment that provides equivalent protection.
The protection required above must:
- detect and interrupt arcing faults resulting from a failure in the intended continuity of a conductor, connection, photovoltaic module, or another system component in the dc photovoltaic source and output circuits,
- not have the capability of being automatically restarted,
- have annunciation, without an automatic reset, that provides a visual indication that the circuit interrupter has operated; and
- disable or disconnect inverters or charge controllers connected to the faulted circuit when the fault is detected, or the photovoltaic dc source circuits or dc output circuits either within the combiner, at the module junction box, or at the module cable connectors.

Rule 64-218 provides for photovoltaic rapid shutdown as follows:

Photovoltaic rapid shutdown must be provided for a photovoltaic system installed on or in buildings where the photovoltaic source or output circuit insulated conductors or cables installed on or in buildings are more than 1 m from a photovoltaic array.
Notwithstanding the above, photovoltaic rapid shutdown is not required for ground-mounted photovoltaic system circuits that enter a building whose sole purpose is to house photovoltaic system equipment.
Photovoltaic rapid shutdown must limit photovoltaic source or output circuits located more than 1 m from the photovoltaic array to not more than 30 V within 30 s of rapid shutdown initiation.
A device used to initiate photovoltaic rapid shutdown must be readily accessible and located for single dwelling units, at the supply authority meter location, for other than single dwelling units, and stand-alone systems at the consumer’s service equipment or supply authority meter location, and where practical at a permanent access to a building roof where an array(s) is installed; or within sight and within 9 m of the array(s).
Rapid shutdown of a photovoltaic system must be permitted to be automatically initiated by a building fire alarm system provided:
- the fire alarm system is installed in a building in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada; and
- a label is installed at the fire alarm annunciator panel and at the fire alarm control panel indicating that rapid shutdown of the photovoltaic system is initiated by the fire alarm system.
The location of the device used to initiate photovoltaic rapid shutdown must be shown on the diagram required in Rule 84-030 2).
A label indicating that the photovoltaic system is equipped with photovoltaic rapid shutdown must be installed at the supply authority meter and at the consumer’s service equipment locations.

Rule 64-220 applies to attachment plugs and similar wiring devices as follows:

Attachment plugs and similar wiring devices are permitted to connect cables between photovoltaic modules or between dc photovoltaic source and photovoltaic output circuits, where:
- there are no exposed energized parts, whether the devices are connected or disconnected,
- the devices are polarized,
- the devices have a configuration that is not interchangeable with receptacles or attachment plugs of other systems on the premises,
- the devices are of the locking type,
- the devices are rated for the voltage and current of the circuit in which they are installed,
- the devices provide strain relief,
- the devices are a mated pair, and
- the attachment plugs and similar wiring devices are compatible with the types of cables used.
Where attachment plugs and similar wiring devices installed as above are readily accessible and used in circuits operating at over 30 V, they must be of a type that requires a tool to open the connector.
Attachment plugs and similar wiring devices must be rated for interrupting current without hazard to the operator or be of a type that requires a tool to open them and be marked “Do Not Disconnect Under Load” or “Not for Interrupting Current.”
A single-pole attachment plug or similar wiring device designed for dc use may be used as a dc isolation means.
A multi-pole attachment plug or similar wiring device may be used as an ac isolation means, provided that it complies with the above requirements

Rule 64-222 specifies requirements for Disconnecting means for combiners and recombiners

Notwithstanding Rule 64-060 3), for installations with combiners, a single disconnecting means capable of being opened at the ampere rating of its photovoltaic output circuit in accordance with Rule 64-206 must be installed for the photovoltaic output circuit as follows:
- for photovoltaic combiners equipped with fuses protecting photovoltaic source circuits, the disconnecting means must be integral with the photovoltaic combiner and interlocked with the door; or installed within 2 m of the photovoltaic combiner and interlocked with the combiner door; and
- for photovoltaic combiners equipped with circuit breakers protecting photovoltaic source circuits, the disconnecting means must be integral with the photovoltaic combiner or located within 2 m of each photovoltaic combiner.
Notwithstanding Rule 64-060 3), for installations with recombiners, where the recombiner is installed in excess of 7.5 m from the inverter, a single disconnecting means capable of being opened at the ampere rating of the inverter input circuit in accordance with Rule 64-206 must be installed for the inverter input circuit as follows:
- for photovoltaic recombiners equipped with fuses protecting photovoltaic output circuits, the disconnecting means must be integral with the photovoltaic recombiner and interlocked with the door; or installed within 2 m of the photovoltaic recombiner and interlocked with the recombiner door; and
- for photovoltaic recombiners equipped with circuit breakers protecting photovoltaic output circuits, the disconnecting means must be integral with the photovoltaic recombiner; or located within 2 m of each photovoltaic recombiner.

Rule 64-224 provides the requirements for photovoltaic module bonding and includes:

Exposed, non-current-carrying metal parts of photovoltaic modules must be bonded as per Section 10.
Module bonding connections must be as specified in the module installation manual.
Notwithstanding the above, bonding connectors intended for bonding photovoltaic modules and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions may be used.
The connections to a photovoltaic module must be arranged, so that removal of a single photovoltaic module from a photovoltaic source circuit does not interrupt bonding continuity to the inverter or controller.
The connections to an inverter or controller must be arranged, so that removal of either the inverter or controller does not interrupt bonding continuity.

Small wind systems

Rules 64-300 to 64-320 are requirements that apply to small wind systems and include.

Rule 64-300 Providing marking at the disconnecting means of the wind turbine output circuit, specifying:

overcurrent protection values,
short-circuit current rating,
a system description, including the type of generator,
rated output current,
rated output voltage, and
instructions for disabling the turbine.

Rule 64-302 specifies that maximum output voltage for wind turbines:

For wind turbines connected to single dwellings, turbine output circuits are permitted to have a maximum nominal voltage up to 600 V.
When wind turbines are connected to single dwellings, live parts in circuits over 150 volts-to-ground must be only accessible to qualified personnel.
Small wind systems operating on dedicated branch or feeder circuits are permitted to exceed normal voltage operating ranges at the end of these circuits, provided that the voltage at any distribution equipment supplying other loads remains within normal ranges.

Rule 64-304 requires that supply wiring insulated conductors or cables from the wind turbine must have an ampacity of not less than 125% of the maximum rated current of the generator and have a temperature rating of not less than 90 °C.

Rule 64-306 regarding Wiring methods requires that insulated conductors and cables must be installed in conformance with Section 12.

Rule 64-308 Providing, rating and location of overcurrent protection for apparatus, power transformers, and conductors.

Notwithstanding Rules 64-058 1) and 64-068 1) a), individual overcurrent protection devices are not required where the available steady-state short-circuit current is not greater than the ampacity of the apparatus or insulated conductor.
Each ungrounded supply insulated conductor from the wind turbine must be protected by an overcurrent device not exceeding 125% of the maximum rated current of the generator.
Notwithstanding Subrule 2), an overcurrent device is not required for insulated circuit conductors sized in accordance with this Rule and when the maximum currents from all sources do not exceed the ampacity of the insulated conductors.
Notwithstanding Subrule 2), wind turbines with a maximum current of 12 A or less are permitted to be protected by an overcurrent device with a rating of 15 A.
Circuits connected to more than one electrical supply must have overcurrent devices located so as to provide overcurrent protection from all sources.
Overcurrent devices for small wind turbine supply circuits must be accessible.
Overcurrent protection for a power transformer must be in accordance with Rule 64-058.
Notwithstanding Subrule 7), a power transformer with a full load current rating on the side connected to the inverter output that is not less than the rated continuous output current rating of the inverter is permitted without overcurrent protection from the inverter.

Rule 64-310 Installation, rating, type and location of disconnecting means for circuits and equipment, and in accordance with Rule 84-024, a disconnecting means must be installed in each load circuit of the wind turbine.

Notwithstanding Subrule 1), a wind turbine that uses the turbine output circuit for regulating turbine speed does not require a turbine output circuit disconnecting means.
All disconnecting means must be rated for 125% of the full load rated current.
Disconnecting means must be in accordance with Rule 84-024.
A disconnecting means of the lockable type must be installed at each wind turbine and be labelled in a conspicuous, legible, and permanent manner identifying it as the wind turbine disconnecting means.
Means must be provided to disconnect all equipment, including the power conditioning unit, from all ungrounded conductors of all sources.
Notwithstanding Rule 64-060 2), a disconnecting means must be located within sight of the base of the wind turbine or be capable of being locked in the open position.
Notwithstanding Rule 64-060 2), the disconnecting means referred to in Subrule 1) must be installed at a readily accessible location either on or adjacent to the turbine tower; on the outside of a building or structure or as close as practicable to the point of entrance of the system insulated conductors or cables; and not more than 9.0 m from the base of the turbine tower.

Rule 64-312 outlines Grounding and bonding, non-current carrying metal parts of towers, turbine nacelles, other metallic equipment, guy wires, conductor enclosures and metal buildings, in accordance with Section 10.

Rule 64-314 requires that Receptacles installed for maintenance of the wind turbine having CSA configuration 5-15R or 5-20R be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter of the Class A type.

Rule 64-316 specifies the Installation of lightning protection grounding conductors and electrodes, to follow Rules 10-706 and 10-702.

Rule 64-318 outlines that diversion load controllers must not use the supply authority system as a diversion load.

Rule 64-320 Installation and location of surge protective devices.

A surge protective device must be installed between a small wind system and any loads served by the premises electrical system. The surge protective device is permitted to be located on a dedicated branch circuit serving a small wind electric system or anywhere on the load side of the service disconnect.

Large wind systems

Rules 64-400 to64-414 apply to large wind systems and include requirements for:

Rule 64-400 Providing marking at the base of the tower (entrance) of the wind turbine specifying:

overcurrent protection values,
short-circuit current-interrupting capacity rating for protective devices,
a system description, including the type of generator, rated output current, rated output voltage,
a warning notice and diagram as per Rule 84-030, and electrical shock and arc flash labels on the wind turbine access door.

Rule 64-402 requires that supply wiring insulated conductors or cables from the wind turbine must have an ampacity of not less than 125% of the maximum rated current of the generator and have a temperature rating of not less than 90 °C.

Rule 64-404 overcurrent protection for apparatus, and conductors requires that each ungrounded supply wiring insulated conductor or cables from the wind turbine must be protected by an overcurrent device not exceeding 125% of the maximum rated current of the generator and that overcurrent devices must be accessible.

Rule 64-406 Installation, rating, type and location of disconnecting means for circuits and equipment and in accordance with Rule 84-020.

A disconnecting means must be installed in the supply conductors at the base of the tower.
All disconnecting means must be rated for 125% of the maximum rated generator current.
Notwithstanding Subrule 2), the large wind turbine disconnecting means are permitted to be rated less than 125% of the maximum rated output current where the maximum current marking on the wind turbine nameplate indicates that the generator output current does not exceed the disconnecting means continuous operation marking.
Disconnecting means must be in accordance with Rule 84-024.
Notwithstanding Rules 26-248 and 36-204 1), a single disconnect is permitted to serve as a disconnecting means for multiple transformers where mechanical interlocking is installed between the disconnecting means and the transformer access doors.
The disconnecting means installed in accordance with Rules 64-060 and 84-020 must be labelled in a conspicuous, legible, and permanent manner, identifying it as the wind turbine generator system disconnecting means.

Rule 64-408 provides methods of grounding and bonding non-current carrying metal parts of towers, turbine nacelles, other metallic equipment, guy wires, conductor enclosures and metal buildings in accordance with Section 10 and Installation of station ground electrodes in accordance with Section 36.

Rule 64-410 requires protection of maintenance receptacles with a GFCI, Class A type.

Rule 64-412 refers to the Installation of lightning protection grounding conductors and electrodes and specifies that

Auxiliary electrodes and grounding conductors are permitted to act as lightning protection system components if they meet applicable requirements, and
If separate, the tower lightning protection system grounding electrodes must be bonded to the tower grounding electrode system with a minimum No. 2/0 AWG bare copper conductor

Micro-hydropower systems

Rules 64-500 to 64-512 apply to micro-hydropower systems and requirements include:

Rule 64-500 Providing marking at the disconnecting means of the micro-hydropower system output circuit specifying:

the system description,
rated power,
type of generation system; and
rated ballast load voltage and current.

Rule 64-502 specifies that supply wiring insulated conductors or cables supplying electric power from the micro-hydropower system must have an ampacity of not less than 125% of the full load rated current of the micro-hydropower system; and an insulation temperature rating of not less than 90 °C.

Rule 64-504 requires that

Wiring methods in micro-hydropower systems must comply with Section 12.
Wiring methods in locations where excessive moisture is likely to be present must comply with Section 22.

Rule 64-506 for, rating and location of overcurrent protection for apparatus, power transformers and conductors requires:

Notwithstanding Rules 64-058 and 64-068, individual overcurrent protection devices are not required where the available short-circuit current is not greater than the ampacity of the equipment or insulated conductor.
Overcurrent devices for micro-hydropower system source circuits must be accessible.
Each ungrounded conductor supplying power to or from the micro-hydropower system must be protected by an overcurrent device not exceeding 125% of the full load rated current of the generator.
Notwithstanding Subrule 3), a micro-hydropower system with a full load rated current of 12 A or less is permitted to be protected by an overcurrent device with a rating of 15 A.

Rule 64-508 requires the Installation, rating, type and location of disconnecting means for circuits and equipment, to be in accordance with Rules 64-060 and Rule 84-020. And be labelled in a conspicuous, legible, and permanent manner, identifying it as the micro-hydropower generator system disconnecting means.

Rule 64-510 requires a stand-alone system to have:

an electronic governor with a rating equal to the installed capacity
diversion load and identified conductor with a rating equal to the installed capacity, and
if battery-based comply with Rules 64-800 to 64-814, and

Rule 64-512 specifies bonding to ground all structures with a minimum No.6 AWG.

Hydrokinetic power systems

Rules 64-600 to 64-612 apply to hydrokinetic power systems and include:

Rule 64-600 requires marking for each piece of electrical equipment, in accordance with Rule 2-100, at the disconnecting means or the hydrokinetic turbine electrical system output circuit, including:

system description,
rated power,
type of generation, and
rated diversion load voltage and current.

Rule 64-602 contains requirements for determining current, temperature rating and voltage drop of insulated supply conductors and includes:

Insulated conductors and cables used to supply power generated by the hydrokinetic turbine generator must have an ampacity of not less than 125% of the full load rated current.
Current calculations must be made in accordance with Rule 8-100 except where frequencies are different from 60 Hz (e.g., in dc or hydrokinetic turbine generator conductors).
For cables used to transmit power from the hydrokinetic turbine generator terminals to the power electronics input, the cables must be sized using recommended factors supplied by the manufacturer to account for the skin effect where frequencies are different from 60 Hz; and for non-unity power factors.
Notwithstanding Rule 8-102, a voltage drop not exceeding 10% in the conductors between the electric generator and the input of the power electronics input is permitted.

Rule 64-604 requires for a stand-alone system:

The diversion load must be rated to a minimum of 100% of the installed capacity of the hydrokinetic power system it protects unless otherwise specified by the hydrokinetic power system generation manufacturer.
Battery-based hydrokinetic power systems must comply with Rule 64-800.
The neutral conductor must be rated at the same ampacity as the phase insulated conductors in cases where an electronic governor or power converter is connected.

Rule 64-606 requires, that

Notwithstanding Rules 64-058 and 64-066, individual overcurrent protection devices are not required where the available steady-state short-circuit current is not greater than the ampacity of the apparatus or insulated conductor.
Each overcurrent protection device must be either rated for, or adjusted in size for, the frequency range of the current passing through it.
Each ungrounded conductor supplying power to or from the hydrokinetic turbine terminals must be protected by an overcurrent device not exceeding 125% of the full load rated current.
Notwithstanding Subrule 3), a hydrokinetic turbine electrical system with a full load rated current of 12 A or less is permitted to be protected by an overcurrent device with a rating of 15 A.

Rule 64-608 requires Wiring methods to be as required by Section 12

Rule 64-610 requires that disconnecting means for a hydrokinetic power system is permitted to be located beyond the limits defined in Rule 64-060, provided that it is capable of being locked in the open position and the disconnecting means installed in accordance with Rules 64-060 and 84-020 must be labelled in a conspicuous, legible, and permanent manner, identifying it as the hydrokinetic power system generator disconnecting means.

Rule 64-612 requires Bonding to ground of all non-current-carrying metal parts of the turbine, including extra-low-voltage turbines, in accordance with Section 10.

Stationary fuel cell systems

Rules 64-700 to 64-716 apply to Stationary fuel cell systems and include requirements for:

Rule 64-700 Providing marking in accordance with Rule 2-100 at the disconnecting means specifying:

the overcurrent protection values provided by the output,
short-circuit current-interrupting capacity for protective devices,
system description,
warning of the storage of electrical energy, and
location of the manual fuel shut-off.

Rule 64-702 Determining the current temperature rating of insulated supply conductors and specifies that

the rated circuit current must be the rated current indicated on the fuel cell system nameplate(s) and
the ampacity of the feeder or circuit insulated conductors from the fuel cell system(s) to the premises wiring system must not be less than the greater of the nameplate(s) rated circuit current; or the rating of the fuel cell system(s) overcurrent protection device(s).

Rule 64-704 requires that If the stationary fuel cell system is provided with overcurrent protection sufficient to protect the circuit conductors that supply the load, additional circuit overcurrent devices are not required and overcurrent devices must be readily accessible.

Rule 64-706 outlines that the disconnecting means installed in accordance with Rules 64-060 and 84-020 must be labelled in a conspicuous, legible, and permanent manner, identifying it as the fuel cell system disconnecting means.

Rule 64-708 Bonding to ground of hydrogen and fuel containers, associated piping, flanges, and hydrogen vent systems with a minimum No. 6 AWG copper bonding conductor, except as required for cathodic protection.

Rule 64-710 Location, area classification, and installation in accordance with manufacturers instructions and Section 18, and not located in spaces with high ambient temperatures, hazardous corrosive or wet locations, unless suitably rated or any similar undesirable places and be marked as suitable for the particular location

Rule 64-712 requires maintaining adequate airflow into or exhaust out of the stationary fuel cell system and suitability for installation in an outdoor location.

Rule 64-714 specifies fuel cell systems to be marked as suitable for indoor installations.

Rule 64-716 governs the installation of electrical equipment in rooms containing fuel cell power systems and requires

Transformers installed in rooms that contain fuel cell power systems must be of the dry type.
interlocked mechanical ventilation that provides alarm and shut down of the fuel cell power system upon loss of ventilation.
an automatic shut-off valve located outdoors, interlocked with indoor combustible gas detection for fuel cell power systems fuelled by a non-odorized gas.
interconnection to fuel supply shut off with an automatic fire suppression system.

Installation of Storage batteries

Rules 64-800 to 64-820 apply to the installation of storage batteries and include requirements for Installation in dwelling units in accordance with the provisions of Rules

64-802 to 64-814, except as otherwise required by the manufacturer and the installation of Electrical equipment associated with batteries in accordance with the provisions of Rules 64-816 to 64-820.

Rule 64-802 applies to the Ventilation of battery rooms or areas and requires

Rooms or areas that contain batteries that vent gases to the atmosphere under normal operation must be adequately ventilated.
Lead-acid batteries must not be subjected to ambient temperatures greater than 45 °C or less than the freezing point of the electrolyte.

Rule 64-804 specifies the installation of Batteries to be

suitable for the purpose.
Batteries with exposed energized parts must be kept in a room or enclosure accessible only to authorized personnel.
Batteries installed in a dwelling unit must be connected with an output voltage not exceeding 50 V dc.
Energized parts of batteries installed in dwelling units must be guarded to prevent accidental contact by persons or objects, regardless of voltage or battery type.
Battery trays, racks, and other surfaces on which batteries are mounted are to be
level;
protected against corrosion from the battery electrolyte, if corrosive;
covered with an insulating material having a dielectric strength of at least 1500 V;
of sufficient strength to carry the weight of the batteries; and
designed to withstand vibration and sway where appropriate.
Batteries must be spaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
For lead-acid type batteries, no conductive materials can be located within 150 mm of the tops of the non-conductive cases.

Rule 64-806 requires that a Current-limiting overcurrent device must be

installed in each battery circuit where the available short-circuit current from a battery or battery bank exceeds the short-circuit current ratings of other equipment in that circuit.
Notwithstanding Subrule 1), charge controller equipment is not required where the
only battery charging circuit is a renewable energy source;
renewable energy system source and output circuits are not capable of exceeding the voltage rating and charge current requirements of the interconnected battery cells; and
maximum charging current multiplied by 1 h is less than 3% of the rated battery capacity.
All adjusting means for control of the charging process must be accessible only to qualified persons.

Rule 64-808 requires that Battery circuits subject to field servicing, operating at more than 50 V dc must have provisions for disconnecting the series-connected strings; and grounded circuit conductor(s) in the battery electrical system for maintenance without disconnecting the grounded circuit conductor(s) of other circuits in the system.

Rule 64-810 specifies that bonding the non-current-carrying conductive parts of battery installations must be in accordance with Section 10.

Rule 64-812 specifies that for Battery interconnections

Insulated conductors and cables used to terminate to battery terminals must be of the flexible fine strand type.
The connection method between batteries are permitted to be insulated or bare busbars.
Flexible metal raceways are not permitted for battery interconnections.
Conductors must have sufficient ampacity for the maximum load.
Insulated flexible conductor and cable terminations to a battery terminal or associated equipment, as well as interconnections between battery strings, must be secured to minimize the movement of cables due to short-circuit forces and at intervals of not more than 1.5 m throughout the run.

Rule 64-814 Wiring from batteries to other equipment requires that

1) Conductors for connection from battery terminals to other equipment must a) be installed in accordance with Rule 64-812; be sized in accordance with the load but not less than 2/0 AWG; and extend not less than 300 mm from battery terminals.

2) Conductors that extend more than 3 m from battery terminals musty be installed in a wiring method in accordance with Section 12; and protected in accordance with Rule 14-100 b).

3) For batteries containing corrosive electrolyte, insulated conductors between batteries and other equipment are permitted to be installed in a raceway, provided the raceway:

is of corrosion-resistant material or other materials suitably protected from corrosion;
- is tightly sealed with sealing compound, rubber tape, or other material to resist the entrance of electrolyte by spray or creeping;
- has an insulating bushing where the conductor emerges for connection to the battery, or be a non-metallic raceway with a suitable fitting; and
- is located at least a minimum 300 mm above the highest battery terminal to reduce electrolyte creepage or spillage entering the raceway.

4) Flexible metal raceways are not permitted to connect batteries to other equipment.

5) For batteries containing corrosive electrolyte, cable is permitted to be installed for connection to other equipment provided

the cable is of corrosion-resistant material or other materials suitably protected from corrosion;
the end of the cable is tightly sealed with sealing compound, rubber tape, or other material to resist the entrance of electrolyte by spray or creeping;
- the conductor issues from a cable through an insulating bushing or inner jacket where a metal armoured cable is used;
- at least 300 mm of free conductor extends from the cable where connected to a battery terminal; and
- the conductor issues from a cable exit is located at least a minimum 300mm above the highest battery terminal to reduce electrolyte creepage or spillage entering the raceway.

Rule 64-816 requires that the installation of wiring and equipment in a battery room, which is not part of the wiring of the batteries, must be in accordance with the requirements for a dry location

Rule 64-818 outlines that

1) Equipment must be provided to control the charging process of the batteries except where the

only battery charging circuit is a renewable energy source;
- renewable energy system source and output circuits are not capable of exceeding the voltage rating and charge current requirements of the interconnected battery cells; and
- maximum charging current multiplied by 1 h is less than 3% of the rated battery capacity.

2)All adjusting means for control of the charging process must be accessible only to qualified persons

Rule 64-820 specifies that

1) Systems employing a diversion charge controller as the sole means of regulating the charging of a battery must be equipped with an additional, independent means to prevent overcharging of the battery.

2) Circuits containing a dc diversion charge controller and a dc diversion load must comply with the following:

the current rating of the diversion load must be less than or equal to the current rating of the diversion load charge controller;
- the voltage rating of the diversion load must be equal to or greater than the maximum battery voltage;
- the power rating of a diversion load must be at least 150% of the power rating of the charging source; and
- the conductor ampacity and the rating of the overcurrent device for the circuit must be at least 150% of the maximum current rating of the diversion charge controller.

3) Renewable energy systems using interactive inverters to control battery state-of-charge by diverting excess power into the utility system must have an additional, independent means of controlling the battery charging process for use when the utility is not present or when the primary charge controller fails or is disabled.

Rule 64 -900 outlines that Rules 64-902 to 64-926 apply to the installation of self-contained and field-assembled energy storage systems.

Rule 64-902 requires that

1) In addition to the requirements in Rule 64-074, a plaque or directory must be

provided, in a location acceptable to the inspection department, to indicate the

building or structure contains an energy storage system, including the location of

all energy storage system disconnecting means.

2) Energy storage systems with a storage capacity of 1 kWh or less, must include permanent markings, as applicable to the system, in accordance with Rule 2-100 at a readily accessible location at the disconnecting means for the energy storage system.

3) Energy storage systems meeting the requirements of Rule 2-024 are deemed

to meet the requirements of Subrule 2).

Rule 64-904 requires that

1) Energy storage systems installed in accordance with Rule 64-1100must not exceed 600 V; and have all energized parts over 150 volts-to-ground accessible only to qualified persons.

2) The dc portion of energy storage systems with maximum voltages higher than

750 V dc but not exceeding 1500 V dc are not required to comply with

Rules 36-204, 36-208, and 36-214 provided that the installation is serviced only by qualified persons; the part of the installation exceeding 750 V dc is inaccessible to the public; and enclosures in which circuits exceeding 750 V dc are present are marked with the word “DANGER” followed by the maximum rated circuit voltage of the equipment.

Rule 64-910 requires that

1) Energy storage system equipment must be installed and

maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and

2) Mechanical protection must be provided where an energy storage system is

subject to the risk of vehicular impact or other physical damage.

Rule 64-912 requires that

1) Where the available short-circuit current exceeds the ampacity of the conductor, each ungrounded conductor of an energy storage system must be protected in accordance with Rules 14-100 and 14-104.

2) Equipment and conductors that are energized from both directions must be provided with overcurrent protection from each source of supply in accordance with Subrule 1).

3) Overcurrent devices used in any dc portion of an energy storage system must be marked for the purpose

Rule 64-914 specifies that Disconnecting means for energy storage systems must be in accordance with Subrules 1) to 7).

1) Where an energy storage system does not include an integral output disconnecting means, a disconnecting means shall be installed in accordance with Subrule 3).

2) The disconnecting means referenced in Subrule 1) must

a) be capable of being energized from both sides;

b) indicate whether it is in the open or closed position;

c) have provision for being locked in the open position;

d) be in accordance with Section 14;

e) be capable of being opened at rated load;

f) be capable of being closed with a fault on the system; and

g) be located within sight of and within 9 m of the energy storage system equipment

3) The disconnecting means required by this Rule must not be connected in any

grounded conductor if operation of that disconnecting means would cause the

grounded conductor to be in an ungrounded and energized state.

4) The disconnecting means must comply with Rules 14-414 and 14-700.

5) As required by Rule 14-402, disconnecting means must be provided to

disconnect a fuse from all sources of supply if the fuse is energized from both

directions, unless the fuse can be readily and safely de-energized.

6) Disconnecting means provided on dc circuits must be rated for dc applications.

7) A permanent warning label must be installed on the disconnecting means to indicate that the terminals on both the line and load sides could be energized when the disconnecting means is in the open position.

Rule 64-916 requires that

1) Non-current-carrying conductive parts of electrical equipment must be bonded in

accordance with Section 10.

2) Bonding conductors installed in circuits described in Subrule 64-912 2) must be

sized in accordance with Section 10 based on the largest overcurrent device protecting circuit conductors from each source of supply.

Rule 64-918 specifies that a diversion load controller used as the primary means of regulating the stored kinetic energy of an energy storage system must not use the supply authority system as a diversion load.

Rule 64-920 outlines the requirements for Ampere rating of energy storage system circuits

1) The current rating for energy storage system circuits must be as follows:

the rated current indicated on the energy storage system nameplate(s),
- for an inverter output circuit, the inverter continuous output current rating;
- for an inverter input circuit, the continuous inverter input current rating when the inverter is producing rated power at the lowest input voltage;
- for the output of a dc-to-dc converter, the dc-to-dc converter continuous output current rating; and
- for a charge controller, the input current while charging.

2) Where interconnected with the supply authority system, the current rating referred to in Subrule 1) must be considered a continuous load for the application of Rule 8-104.

3) Where the output supplies dedicated loads or other power systems, the continuous load must be determined in accordance with Rule 8-104 3).

Rule 64-922 outlines the requirements for a System charge control

1) Equipment must be provided to control the charging process of an energy storage system.

2) Adjustable settings for control of the charging process must be accessible only to qualified personnel.

3) A diversion charge controller installed as part of an energy storage system must be in accordance with the requirements of Rule 64-820.

4) A self-contained energy storage system is deemed to meet the requirements of this Rule.

Rule 64-924 specifies the requirements for Working space and accessibility to energized parts and requires that notwithstanding Rules 2-308, 2-310, and 2-312, working space requirements within energy storage systems complying with Rule 2-024 1) are permitted to be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, however energy storage systems installed in dwelling units must have no exposed energized parts.

Rule 64-926 requires for Separation from building exposures and egress from buildings that:

1) Batteries forming part of an energy storage system located outdoors must not be located within 3 m of a means of egress; and 1.5 m of windows, ventilation openings, any other operable openings, or doors other than vehicular access doors.

2) Notwithstanding Subrule 1), energy storage systems evaluated to ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A are permitted to be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions, including separation distances from means of egress and building openings

Installation of energy storage systems at residential occupancies

Rule 64-1100 provides the Location and separation requirements for energy storage systems:

1) Except as required by Subrule 2), energy storage systems installed at a dwelling unit or building of residential occupancy must be suitable for residential use, and be located

a) in an attached garage;

b) in or on an associated detached garage, or other freestanding structure;

c) on the exterior surface of the building;

d) in a dedicated room or utility room having a door equipped with a self-closing device and enclosed with a minimum construction of

ceilings and walls finished with gypsum board; and
- floors finished with lumber sheathing; or

e) in other locations where permitted.

2) Where an energy storage system is installed in a building of residential occupancy containing multiple dwelling units, the construction required in Subrule 1) d) shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 h.

3) Notwithstanding Rule 64-1002 2) b), energy storage systems in a dwelling unit or residential occupancy are permitted to be installed below the lowest level of egress when located in accordance with Subrule 1) d) or e).

4) Batteries forming part of an energy storage system installed in accordance with Subrule 2) must not be located directly beneath an exit required by the National Building Code of Canada.

5) Except as required by Subrule 6), energy storage systems installed in accordance with Subrule 1) must have a storage capacity not exceeding 20 kWh for any single energy storage system; or where multiple energy storage systems are installed, have an aggregate capacity not exceeding 80 kWh.

6) Energy storage systems installed in accordance with Subrule 1) d) must have a storage capacity not exceeding 20 kWh for any single energy storage system; or where multiple energy storage systems are installed, have an aggregate capacity not exceeding 40 kWh.

7) Notwithstanding Rule 64-926 1), batteries forming part of an energy storage system installed indoors or outdoors must not be located within 1 m of any window or door, other than a vehicular access door, of a dwelling unit or residential occupancy.

8) Where multiple energy storage systems are installed, batteries forming part of each system must be spaced not less than 1 m apart from each other.

9) Notwithstanding Subrules 1) to 8), energy storage systems evaluated to ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A are permitted to be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

10) Energy storage systems must not be installed in sleeping areas or rooms opening directly into sleeping areas.

11) Where an energy storage system is installed in accordance with Subrule 1) d), a smoke alarm or smoke detector must be installed in the room where the energy storage system is located; and in accordance with Section 32.

In the next installment, we will discuss Section 66 — Amusement parks, midways, carnivals, film and TV sets, TV remote broadcasting locations and travelling shows.

[i] William (Bill) Burr is an associate member of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, Technical Committee and formerly Chair of the Canadian Advisory Council on Electrical Safety (CACES), Chief Electrical and Elevator Inspector for the Province of BC & the Northwest Territories, Director of Electrical and Gas Standards Development and Director of Conformity Assessment at CSA Group. Bill can be reached at Burr and Associates Consulting billburr@gmail.com..

[i] Source: CSA C22.1:24, Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1 – Safety Standard for Electrical Installations. © 2024 Canadian Standards Association. Please visit store.csagroup.org. With the permission of CSA Group, material is reproduced from CSA Group standard CSA C22.1:24, Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1 – Safety Standard for Electrical Installations. This material is not the complete and official position of CSA Group on the referenced subject, which is represented solely by the Standard in its entirety. While use of the material has been authorized, CSA Group is not responsible for the manner in which the data are presented, nor for any representations and interpretations. No further reproduction is permitted. For more information or to purchase standard(s) from CSA Group, please visit store.csagroup.org or call 1-800-463-6727.