Exceptions to Product Approval Requirements
Equipment that is Battery Operated or Connected to a Class 2 Circuit
The OESC Rule 2-022(3) specifies some exceptions to electrical product approval requirements. Electrical equipment does not require approval if it is connected to the load side of an approved Class 2 power supply whose power output does not exceed 100 V•A and is operating at less than 42.4 V peak or DC, with the exception of:
- Luminaires*, decorative lighting strings, signs or displays with incandescent or halogen lamps;
- luminaires, decorative lighting strings, signs or displays incorporating a ballast with operating voltages greater than 42.4 volts peak or 42.4 DC;
- electromedical equipment;
- equipment for hazardous locations as defined under OESC Sections 18 and 20 of the Code; or
- equipment that incorporates heating elements.
* The OESC defines a luminaire as a complete lighting unit designed to accommodate the lamp(s) and to connect the lamp(s) to circuit conductors.
Clarification:
Peak voltage (Vpk) is the maximum (peak) voltage that the AC signal attains. The most useful way to describe the potential of an AC signal is to use Vrms. Vrms measures AC signals in a way that gives a voltage value that is equal to what the voltage would be if it were converted to a DC signal. Most Volt-Ohm meters will read AC signals in Vrms. To convert to Vrms multiply Vpk by 0.707. To convert back to Vpk multiply Vrms by 1.414.
If you do not want to use an approved product, then the Class 2 circuit needs to meet the requirements of Rule 16-200 and have an output less than 42.4 volts peak or 42.4 volts DC, even though a Class 2 circuit can be higher than these values.
Although Rule 2-022(3) states that some equipment does not require approval, the equipment still needs to be “acceptable for the particular application.” If the equipment presents an undue hazard under the circumstances, an inspector can deem it to be “unacceptable.”
Approval Requirements for Luminaires
Rule 2-022(3)(c)(i)and (ii)
1)
- Luminaires intended for installation on branch circuits not exceeding 600 V require approval.
- Portable luminaires operating at 120V nominal require approval.
2) A luminaire connected to an external power supply certified and marked as Class 2, meeting the requirements of CSA C22.1 and OESC Rule 16-200, requires approval if:
- A luminaire contains a halogen or incandescent lamp. The complete lighting unit including the power supply requires approval in order to ensure the enclosure can withstand the heat produced by the halogen or incandescent lamp.
- A luminaire contains neon lamps. The complete lighting unit, including the power supply, requires approval. The issue is with the starting voltage that ionizes the gas as well as the operational voltage required to maintain the operation of the lamp.
3) A luminaire containing an internal power supply certified and marked as Class 2 (power supply could not be identified without opening the lighting unit) requires the complete luminaire assembly to be approved.
4) A luminaire with LEDs is not required to be approved if connected to an external power supply that is certified and marked as Class 2, meeting the requirements of CSA C22.1 and OESC Rule 16-200.
Fluorescent and HID Lamps, Not Self Ballasted
There are currently no Canadian product standards for these types of lamps; therefore these lamps cannot be approved and do not require approval.
Revenue Billing Devices, Electricity Meters
The Constitution Act assigns authority for weights and measures to the Federal Government.
Federal Legislation:
- Does not require the revenue billing devices to be “approved” as required by the Canadian Electrical Code or Ontario Electrical Safety Code; and
- Does not give ESA any jurisdiction over revenue billing devices, and/or associated Current Transformers (CTs) and Potential Transformers (PTs) associated with the revenue billing device.
Meters and instrument transformers are required to be tested to specifications, which are set out in the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act. These specifications establish design, composition, construction and performance requirements for any meter or instrument transformer. The specification also requires a unique Measurements Canada approval number, as identified in “LMB-EG-07 Specification for Approval of Type of Electricity Meters, Instrument Transformers and Auxiliary Devices”.
