Updated ‘underground’ and ‘overhead’ systems standards critical to safety and efficiency

Codes for safe electrical installation are fairly well known, but people are often more familiar with the parts pertaining to homes and consumers. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA), however, just published new editions of two standards for power distribution and transmission — areas critical to public safety and business continuity.

By way of context, the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) is published in several parts: 

• Part I is the safety standard for electrical installations. 
• Part II is a collection of several hundred individual standards for the evaluation of electrical equipment used in installations, as well as consumer, commercial and industrial products. (Part I requires electrical products to be approved to a Part II standard.) 
• Part III is a collection of standards for power distribution and transmission systems. 
• Part IV is a set of objective-based standards that may be used in certain industrial or institutional installations. 
• Part VI establishes standards for the electrical inspection of existing residential buildings.

The two new editions pertain to Part III standards — specifically to the electrical protection, safety and design criteria for both overhead and underground systems for distribution and transmission. 

”The Canadian Electrical Code Part III specifies minimum requirements for electricity supply and telecommunication systems in support of public safety and reliability of service,” says John O'Neill, senior project manager for electrical standards with CSA Group. ”The CEC III consists of a collection of nine standards dealing with the design and construction of power and communication lines, electrical stations and electrical co-ordination between different types of systems, such as between power and communication systems or power systems and pipelines.”

The new editions of C22.3 No.7 Underground Systems and C22.3 No.1 Overhead Systems cover power and communication lines, and deal with such issues as clearances and separations, strength of poles and towers, and loading conditions, including the impact of weather, O'Neill adds. They include several major changes and updates. 

”These standards are referenced by electricity distribution and transmission utilities, telecommunication carriers, railways, engineering consultants, electrical safety regulators, and manufacturers across Canada.”

To learn more about Part III standards, visit CSA Group's online store. 

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