CSA SPE-1000:21

Preface

This is the fifth edition of CSA SPE-1000, Model Code for the field evaluation of electrical equipment . It supersedes previous editions published in 2013, 2009, 1999, and 1994.

Significant changes in this edition include new requirements for the field evaluation of high-voltage transformers, skids, lasers, non-medical X-rays, cosmetic and hygiene products, and non-residential equipment producing ozone. Clauses formerly located in Annex A, General requirements for electrical equipment, have been moved to the body of the Model Code.

This Model Code is based upon guidelines for special inspections. These guidelines have been in effect for many years with a good safety record. The Canadian Advisory Council on Electrical Safety strongly supports the continuation of special inspections of electrical equipment, with the stipulation that the requirements be formally published.

Field evaluation of electrical equipment in accordance with the requirements of this Model Code is intended to be conducted by an inspection body accredited by Standards Council of Canada (SCC). Inspection body accreditation is the process of assessing and publicly recognizing the integrity, reliability, and technical competence of an organization’s inspection services. Accreditation of an organization’s inspection services by the SCC is a means of demonstrating that those services (within the scope of their formal accreditation) conform to an accepted set of requirements.

Field evaluation provides a means for evaluating electrical equipment, and if found to conform to the requirements of this Model Code, such electrical equipment may be marked with a field evaluation label.

It is always within the purview of the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) in whose jurisdiction the Model Code is applied, to add technical or administrative requirements, stipulations, or deviations to this Model Code.

Typically, AHJs base their official acceptance of electrical equipment and products upon certification by an SCC-accredited certification body that the equipment conforms to the applicable standards. The certification body bases its certification upon testing and evaluation of a representative sample of equipment as manufactured to the relevant equipment standard (known as type or prototype testing). Certification is granted if the sample is found to be in conformance and a follow-up inspection program is put in place to ensure continued conformance.

This Model Code does not deal with type (or prototype) testing of equipment as practised in a regular certification program. It addresses minimum construction, marking, and test requirements that are consistent with maintaining a level of safety for electrical equipment and products so as not to present an undue hazard (as defined in this Model Code) to persons or property.

This Model Code does not address the efficacy, performance, or quality of electrical equipment and products. This Model Code was developed by a Working Group of the Canadian Advisory Council on Electrical Safety (CACES) Subcommittee on SPE-1000, and was approved by CACES.

Scope

1.1

1.1.1 This Model Code provides construction, testing, and marking requirements for the field evaluation of electrical equipment by an inspection body, where certification of that equipment is impracticable or otherwise unavailable.

1.1.2 The field evaluation of equipment found to be in conformity with the requirements of this Model Code, by SCC accredited organizations, is deemed an accepted form of approval of electrical products by the authority having jurisdiction.

1.1.3 Notwithstanding the requirements of Clauses 1.1.1and 1.1.2, field evaluation is not intended to serve as a substitute for certification.

1.2 The following are examples of where this Model Code applies:

a) custom-built equipment for special applications;

b) equipment manufactured on a non-repetitive basis;

c) equipment sold in quantities of not more than 500 on a national basis, per model, per year, per inspection body;

d) equipment not obtainable as certified under a regular certification program;

e) equipment already installed or ready for use on-site and awaiting approval in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I;

f) complete systems or subassemblies that are all available for examination and testing during the evaluation process; and

g) other electrical equipment as determined by the AHJ. Note: Where it is unclear or there is uncertainty as to whether the electrical equipment is to be field evaluated under the classifications of this Clause, the AHJ should be consulted for clarification.

1.3 This Model Code applies where the requirements are supplemented by requirements of particular equipment Standards, where referenced, and the installation requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, as applicable.

1.4 This Model Code applies to equipment that may be evaluated at a client’s facilities or at other specified locations, including the location of equipment installation.

1.5 This Model Code is not intended to apply to the re-evaluation of equipment that has been rejected due to the results of a previous evaluation conducted by a certification or inspection body through any other existing certification or inspection service.

1.6 This Model Code does not apply to the field evaluation of

a) wire and cable products;

b) wiring devices;

c) equipment for use in hazardous locations;

d) medical electrical equipment and systems;

e) components* that will require further evaluation as part of a complete assembly, such as switches, relays, and timers;

f) equipment, other than transformers, connected to line voltage in excess of 46 kV;

g) manlifts, elevators, climb assists and similar systems (other than their associated control panels); and

h) any equipment that is not permitted to be field evaluated as directed by an AHJ (such as residential air-cleaning equipment that intentionally produces ozone).

* Special inspection/field evaluation only applies to equipment that is capable of being connected to the supply in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.

1.7 General requirements applicable to this Model Code are given in CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 0, General Requirements – Canadian Electrical Code, Part II.

1.8 In this Model Code, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with this Model Code; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of this Model Code. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

1.9 In accordance with Clause 1.8, this Model Code has been written in mandatory language to facilitate its adoption where users of the Model Code or regulatory authority wish to do so.