ESA Technical Advisor, Trevor Tremblay, shares important changes in the 29th edition of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code— from EVSE load thresholds to outdoor receptacle requirements and pool bonding safety.
The work electricians do in Ontario is evolving quickly, from new technologies and energy systems to updated safety expectations on every job site. On May 1, 2024, the 29th edition of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code came into effect, bringing changes that contractors, designers, and DIY homeowners need to understand.
In this episode, ESA Technical Advisor Trevor Tremblay joins host Saira Husain to walk through the most notable updates, why they matter, and how to stay compliant as the rules shift.
Plan Review Changes — Section 64 and EVSE
One of the first big changes affects electrical plan review requirements. The updated rules apply to power production equipment (including bi-directional EVSE) producing over 10 kW as well as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) installations where total load exceeds 20% of service for non-dwelling occupancies.
“Under the previous edition of the Code, these types of installations only needed to get plan review done if your system was producing 10 kilowatts or more and running in parallel with the utility,” Trevor explains.
Now even standalone systems require plan review.
“They're just as complex as the stuff connected to the grid. And we're actually seeing more complexities because now we have large generators, solar batteries, all feeding off grid installations.”
Trevor notes the new requirement only applies to places that aren't single dwellings.
“As an electrical contractor, you want to make sure that when someone gives you the drawings to quote, make sure that they've actually given you the revision of drawings that they submitted to the plan I review,” he says. “If they didn't, there could be some costly changes made and could actually make you do it again or you ordered the wrong material and possibly costly delays in your project.”
Section 4 — DC Clarification
The Code now makes it explicit: Section 4 applies to both AC and DC conductors.
“With the advent of alternative power sources, solar batteries, DC is becoming very popular and a lot of questions have come up,” he says. “You have to select your ampacity, even if they're DC, based on Section 4.”
Service Entrance Conductors — Bare Neutrals
The updated wording shifts from “bare neutrals” to “neutral conductors” in consumer services.
The general prohibition now applies unless they’re part of a neutral-supported cable or busway. Running uninsulated neutrals in raceways — a practice sometimes used to allow for a smaller conduit. — is no longer permitted.
“Before this Code cycle it was only permitted in service raceways and electricians commonly ran it uninsulated inside raceways for services typically with PVC raceways into homes or buildings and even rigid steel in older installations,” Trevor explains.
“The important part here is that the updated Code generally prohibits running these bare neutrals in services unless they're part of neutral supported cable or busway. This changes to align with other changes in Section 10 of the Code.”
New Clearance Requirements for Baseboard Heaters
With the push toward electrification, baseboard heater installations are increasing. New rules require clearance between heaters and receptacles.
“You cannot put a baseboard heater under a receptacle unless there's clearance of 1.2 meters vertically below the receptacle, or 200 millimeters away horizontally,” Trevor outlines.
“The only exception is when the heater comes with a safety guard that prevents any cord drapes, anything, a pillow falling on it from accidentally making contact with the hot parts.”
As Trevor explains, this change helps reduce incidents of cords overheating, which could become a fire hazard, but highlights the difficulty of sourcing an approved safety guard.
“As a contractor you're going to have a challenge trying to figure out where to put your receptacles, especially if you have a long wall with baseboard heaters on it,” he shares. “You might want to talk to your customers beforehand to maybe change what heating they're putting in that room because they might not be happy with the receptacles 1.8 meters above their baseboard.”
Outdoor and Garage Receptacles — More May Be Needed
Rule updates clarify that the requirement applies to outdoor and garage receptacles for single dwellings — and in some cases, two receptacles are needed, depending on building layout and perimeter length.
“There's a couple of variables you have to take into account like the number of sides, the length of your perimeter,” he says. “Essentially when you have opposite walls, you need two receptacles, one on each opposite side. If you have a scenario where you almost only have adjacent walls, say a townhome, then you would need two receptacles, one on each side.”
Trevor explains the receptacles have to be separated by no less than half of the length of the longest wall. “But if you do have a smaller home and the perimeter is less than at grade level is less than 20 meters or 20 meters or less, you'll only need to install one outdoor receptacle.
“One of the things you want to make sure is that you have the proper number of receptacles out there because if you miss that second receptacle, sometimes if the basement's not finished or everything's drywalled, it makes it very tough and costly to get that second receptacle in on a final.”
Pool Bonding — A High-Profile Change
The new Code is putting in some new requirements for pool bonding.
“All metal parts and the water around the pool must be all bonded together to create an equal potential plane,” he explains, a Code change to minimize the risk of shock.
The good news? “We will not be enforcing any of these rules till October 1st, giving pool installers a little time to make the changes and to finish what they've already quoted for this summer because a lot of these quotes were done before this rule came out.”
And to the contractors out there, Trevor recommends following the new rules because even if it’s more costly. “Sometimes you have to get utilities involved. And it might not be a simple fix. I always recommend doing it, but again, you don't have to do it until October 1st.”
While this episode highlights some of the new Ontario Electrical Safety Code, it doesn't cover everything. For those interested in learning more, ESA offers training courses specifically geared towards the 29th edition of the new Code.
Check out the course selection at esasafe.com/courses.
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