Electrical Safety

Individual electrical components and certification : NS Labour and Advanced Education, Building and Equipment Safety

Electrical Bulletin 2002-03

From: David MacLeod, C.E.I, P.Eng., Chief Electrical Inspector
Date: July 1, 2002

Subject: Assembly of individual electrical components and certification

This bulletin applies to the assembly of individual electrical components in an enclosure to form an overall electrical assembly. For requirements that pertain to the installation of electrical components in existing electrical equipment such as starters, motor control centres, panel boards etc., refer to Bulletin 2001-01.

The assembly of individual or combinations of electrical components such as relays, current transformers, energy management devices, transformers, fuse blocks, meters, transducers, contactors, ballast or other similar type components in a enclosure to form an overall electrical assembly, even when certified components are used, requires certification from an acceptable certification organization or requires to be approved by one of the two special inspection organizations acceptable in NS for electrical ( CSA or Entela/QPS ). Refer to items 1 & 2 below:

Exceptions to the above would be the installation of one certified component in a certified enclosure or where certified individual components are listed by the manufacturer to be used as part of the assembly to create one overall certified piece of electrical equipment .

An overall electrical assembly made using individual electrical components can be certified or approved in one of the following ways:

  • The individual electrical components are assembled in the enclosure to form an overall electrical assembly at a shop approved by a certification organization, acceptable to the Chief Inspector, to build such equipment and the shop certifies the assembly .In this instance all individual components shall be certified

    or

  • The electrical components are assembled to form an overall electrical assembly and is approved through a special inspection performed by an organization acceptable to the Chief Inspector. In this instance certified individual components shall be used in all cases where available.

Certified with regard to electrical components implies that they were approved at the factory by an certification organization acceptable to the Chief Inspector.

In no instance shall a special inspection be allowed where the assembled electrical components are to be used in a location as defined in sections 18, 20 or 24 of the Canadian Electrical Code ( CEC ). Only full certification of the overall electrical equipment for these areas is acceptable.

The use of Special Inspections in each instance is to be limited in quantity and is not to be used to forego full certification process where the assembling of such electrical components is meant to be used or sold on a continual basis.

The electrical inspection authority may request additional information as necessary to ensure a safe installation. The Chief Inspector is the authority on what is or is not acceptable for all applications falling within the scope of this bulletin and the Electrical Code Regulations.

The Electrical Code Regulations requires all electrical equipment sold and/or installed etc. in Nova Scotia shall be approved by a certification organization acceptable to the Chief Inspector. Therefore the installation, use or sale of non certified electrical equipment is a violation and can be ordered to be disconnected or removed by the electrical inspection authority or Chief Inspector or where a person is selling the equipment, they can be ordered to discontinue selling that equipment .

All references to the Chief Inspector means the Provincial Chief Electrical Inspector working for Nova Scotia Labour and Advanced Education.

Any questions regarding this bulletin shall be forwarded to the Chief Inspector at 902- 424-8018.