2021 Changes in the Canadian Electrical Code: Tray Cables

EIN Douglas Code Series 400

August 5, 2021

By Steve Douglas, Senior Technical Codes Specialist, QPS

This is the third article of the ongoing series detailing significant changes for the 2021 Canadian Electrical Code Part I (CE Code) that may impact electrical equipment manufacturers.

Rule 12-2202 Insulated conductors and cables in cable trays have significant changes. First is a new Subrule 1) that recognizes the revised definition for cable trays as supporting means for cables. The definition of “cable tray” has replaced the word “raceway” with the wording “supporting means”. At the same time “cable tray” was removed from the definition for ‘raceway”. This means that cable tray is no longer considered a raceway in Canada.

Subrule 3) of Rule 12-2202 has been expanded to limit the size of cables marked as TC-ER to not smaller than 1/0 AWG. Subrule 4) provides better clarification on the requirements for mechanical protection and no longer limits runs of cable marked TC-ER outside of a cable tray to 7.5 m. Subrule 5) has removed the reference to Table 19 and provides a list of the thermoset insulated conductors and cables not smaller than 1/0 that can be installed in cable tray in electrical equipment vaults and service rooms, and other locations that are inaccessible to the public and are constructed as a service room where a deviation has been allowed in accordance with Rule 2-030.

tray cable

Image courtesy of QPS depicts an unarmoured cable marked TC-ER.

The significance of these changes for manufacturers is that contractors and equipment manufacturers will be looking for a more unarmoured cable to be marked as “TC-ER” in accordance with CSA Standard C22.2 No 230.

For more information or clarification on this topic, please contact Steve Douglas at SDouglas@qps.ca

Steve Douglas is the Senior Technical Codes Specialist for QPS Evaluation Services and is an IAEI International Past President. In addition, Steve is the Immediate Past Vice Chair of the CE Code Part I, Chair of CE Code Part I Subcommittees for Section 2, 12, and 84, and a member on Sections 8, 40, 64, 68, 76, 78 and Appendix A. In addition, Steve is the Chair of the CSA Subcommittees for Standards C22.2 No. 273 Cablebus, C22.2 No. 327 HDPE Conduit, C22.6 No. 1, Electrical Inspection Code for Existing Residential Occupancies committee, SPE-1000 Working Group the Past Chair of the Technical Committee on Wind Turbines, and a member on committees for the Objective Based Industrial Electrical Code, Safety Management Systems, Energy Storage Systems, Solar Photovoltaic Modules, Industrial control panels and assemblies, Industrial Machinery, Photovoltaic Cable, Fuel Cells, Wind Turbines, Distribution transformers, Outlet Boxes, and Wiring Fittings Hardware and Positioning Devices.

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Skills Ontario Supports Ontario’s Investments in Skilled Trades in Budget Announcement

    Skills Ontario Supports Ontario’s Investments in Skilled Trades in Budget Announcement

    March 28. 2024 As demand for skilled trades professionals rises, Skills Ontario is commending the government for continued investments in skilled trades and technology programing, working to address the shortfall and need to build the workforce of the future in Ontario.  The skilled trades shortage is costing Ontario approximately $25 billion in foregone GDP. A… Read More…

  • IVRY Launches 7 New VR Lessons

    IVRY Launches 7 New VR Lessons

     IVRY Technologies, a division of IDEAL Electrical, is launching seven new virtual reality (VR) lessons in Canada as part of its Virtual Electrical Training (VET) Series 2 training module. The cutting-edge training will serve as a learning resource for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training centers across Canada. Read More…

  • PEI Budget 2024 Signals Continued Focus on Healthcare, Housing and Affordability for all Islanders 

    PEI Budget 2024 Signals Continued Focus on Healthcare, Housing and Affordability for all Islanders 

    March 28, 2024 Hon. Jill Burridge, Minister of Finance, presented government’s 2024-25 operating budget to the legislative assembly, outlining $3.2 billion in investments for Prince Edward Island with a continued focus on healthcare, housing and affordability measures. “This budget signals where we’re headed as a province and shows Islanders where we will be making key… Read More…

  • BC’s Budget 2024 Prioritizes Actions for Low-Carbon Economy

    BC’s Budget 2024 Prioritizes Actions for Low-Carbon Economy

    March 28, 2024 Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston, met with community climate leaders in Nelson to discuss how Budget 2024 can help support people in the region to transition to a low-carbon economy and meet shared CleanBC goals. “Our government’s budget this year reflects the… Read More…