OCTOBER 2022 || VOLUME 58 || ISSUE 6
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from the Editor ANTHONY CAPKUN
CONTENTS OCTOBER 2022 || VOLUME 58 || ISSUE 6
Calling attention to the other electrical pros
Cover Photo: A. Capkun
I
t seems everyone continues to feel the strain—and pain—of both issues in the supply chain and the labour market, but it is perhaps our manufacturers and distributors who are feeling those woes more acutely. I consider them as being on the front line because, before a product can come to you for purchase and installation, they first need to produce it then distribute it. At AD’s recent North American Meeting for the Electrical division in Colorado, I had the opportunity to chat with numerous top-tier manufacturers. A common woe they expressed is the lack of (or delay in receiving) the materials they need to produce the products you buy, compounded by a lack of people in their plants to actually make those products. One manufacturer was telling me he has about 40 vacancies in his plant, and he would like to see them filled right now. So while the electrical trades (and other skilled trades) are getting much-deserved attention and promotion from both Ottawa and the provinces, I feel as though a couple of very important segments are not getting the attention that they, too, deserve. And it’s not that manufacturers and distributors have been resting on their laurels with regard to “the top game-changer affecting their organization”. Outside of individual recruitment efforts they carry out in their own communities, their association here in Canada—Electro-Federation Canada—continues to orchestrate the EFC Scholarship Program, one of the more lucrative scholarship programs in Canada, year after year. Besides helping students financially, the program highlights the electrical industry as a great career destination, and offers the opportunity for students to engage with EFC member companies, offering employment and career opportunities. But will this be enough? My gut says, No. We need more exposure for careers in these organizations that are aligned with—and support—our skilled trades.
acapkun@ebmag.com
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Indoor farming environments and smart lighting installs
The boom in indoor farming will drive the need for electrical contractor services, especially for installing lighting arrays and smart monitoring systems.
How the electric utility sector is chasing sustainability goals Electric utilities are adopting electric technology across Canada and the U.S., and not necessarily because they are being forced to.
Where are we going to charge all these electric vehicles?
Perhaps the first place in our grid where we might find additional power to charge everyone’s new EV is at the humble padmount.
Getting Canadian Teck onto the global stage A barrier to global trade boils down to something as simple as the differences between AWG and IEC conductor sizes.
Gearing up for “Maintenance of electrical systems”
The CSA Z463 Technical Committee has reconvened to begin the task of updating CSA Z463 for 2023.
COLUMNS
DEPARTMENTS
29 Estimating 101
4 News
Materials, labour and associated risks
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D Tables and the Notwithstanding clause
8 Calendar 28 Products & solutions 29 Code Conundrum
October 2022 · ELECTRICAL BUSINESS
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INDUSTRY news
Investment in energy efficiency accelerates globally
controlled by variable speed drives.” The report also highlights areas of concern. Half of the respondents mentioned cost as the biggest barrier Global industry is accelerating its to improving energy efficiency, and investment in energy efficiency in the 37% felt downtime was a barrier. next five years, according to ABB’s Also concerning is that only 41% of Energy Efficiency Investment Survey respondents felt they had all the 2022 (abb.com). information needed regarding energy Conducted by Sapio Research, the efficiency measures. global survey targeted 2294 companies Respondents said 23% (average) of in 13 countries, ranging in size from their annual operating costs are attrib500 to 5000+ employees, and offers a utable to energy usage, while 9 out of 10 snapshot of how industries across the indicated that rising energy costs are world are planning to invest in energy at least a minor threat to profitability, efficiency measures to achieve net zero. while more than half (53%) perceive it as A key finding is that more than half a moderate or substantial threat. (54%) of the companies are already inDespite cost being a significant barvesting, while 40% plan to make energy rier to investing in improving energy efficiency improvements this year. efficiency, cost savings were the most “Industrial motor-driven systems, important reason for investing (59%). in particular, hold huge potential for The survey was carried out as part energy efficiency measures,” said of The Energy Efficiency Movement, Tarak Mehta, president, ABB Motion. which is a multi-stakeholder initiative “Almost 2/3 of the survey respondents launched by ABB in 2021. Companies are upgrading their equipment to are invited to join the movement and best-in-class efficiency ratings, such make a public pledge as a way of inspiras high-efficiency electric motors ing others to take action, says ABB.
October 2022 || Volume 58 || Issue 6
Reader Service Print and digital subscription inquiries or changes, please contact customer service Angelita Potal Tel: 416-510-5113 Fax: (416) 510-6875 email: apotal@annexbusinessmedia.com Mail: 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400 Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 Editor-Publisher Anthony Capkun acapkun@ebmag.com Media Designer Svetlana Avrutin savrutin@annexbusinessmedia.com Account Coordinator Kathryn Nyenhuis knyenhuis@annexbusinessmedia.com Group Publisher Danielle Labrie dlabrie@annexbusinessmedia.com Audience Development Manager Urszula Grzyb ugrzyb@annexbusinessmedia.com 416-510-5180 COO Scott Jamieson sjamieson@annexbusinessmedia.com Published by Annex Business Media 111 Gordon Baker Road, Suite 400 Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 Tel. 416-442-5600
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS is the #1 Canadian resource for electrical contractors, maintenance and engineering professionals, distributors, manufacturers and their agents and associated stakeholders. PRINTED IN CANADA ISSN 0013-4244 Publication Mail Agreement #40065710 Subscription rates Canada: Single issue $7.50 • 7 issues: $38.00 USA: $86.50 (CAD) International: $104.00 (CAD) per year Annex Privacy Officer Email: privacy@annexbusinessmedia.com Tel: 800-668-2374 Photo: Franklin Empire Inc.
Franklin Empire’s new HQ targeting “at least LEED Silver”
Designed to support future growth, Franklin Empire Inc. (franklinempire.com) announced the launch of construction of the company’s new headquarters, with completion expected in Summer 2023. Citing the importance of energy management, Franklin Empire is targeting “at least LEED Silver certification” with the building; meaning, the distributor certifies the sustainability of its facility through its design, construction and operation. 4
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
The new edifice will measure nearly 190,000 sf, and be located along Autoroute 40 at the junction of Autoroute 13 in Saint-Laurent, Que. The building will triple the firm’s warehouse space and double its office area. Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, Franklin Empire is home to 545+ employees and 23 branches, and five assembly and repair shops in Quebec and Ontario. It is also a member of AD, North America’s largest marketing/buying group for construction and industrial supplies.
Occasionally, Electrical Business will mail information on behalf of industry related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above. The contents of Electrical Business are copyright ©2022 by Annex Business Media and may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent. Annex Business Media disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. We acknowledge the [financial] support of the Government of Canada
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INDUSTRY news
AD welcomed over 200 attendees from 110 Canadian and American companies to the 2022 AD Finance, HR & IT Summit, where they attended educational sessions and shared best practices with their independent distributor peers. “The summit adds value for our members by giving them context for their current position in the industry,” said Drew Moyer, AD’s CFO, “and they hear from other members and gain advice to help them make well-informed decisions for their businesses.” The Finance breakout sessions featured industry experts covering current topics relevant to industrial distributors, including the impact of inflation, warehouse automation and rebate reporting. The HR breakout sessions ranged from employee mental health and well-being, talent recruitment and retention, to leadership development and employee engagement. “The expertise across disciplines that everyone brings to the meeting creates opportunities to learn about new ways to address topics that are likely affecting every company one way or another,” said Neil Cohen, AD’s senior vice-president of HR. IT sessions included presentations from thought leaders that addressed the current cybersecurity landscape, data-informed decision-making, and digital transformation. “Digital transformation is always a major talking point, and educational opportunities discussing cybersecurity and how to help drive growth by leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics have never been more compelling,” Dan Koch, AD’s vice-president of IT. AD plans to host another Finance, HR & IT Summit next year. — With files from Haly Baran, AD Canada
Only about 1/3 of workers feel companies have a strong culture of safety While workers assume they are the most responsible for safety in the workplace, there is a feeling that organizations can be doing a better job in creating a safe work environment. According to Fluke Corp.’s 3rd annual Electrical Safety Survey (fluke.com), this sentiment about who is most responsible for safety has remained the same over the past three years. Despite 98% of respondents agreeing (strongly agree/ agree) that a strong culture of safety is important in keeping workers safe, only 37% agree that most companies have such a workplace culture. “I think safety is something companies focus on, but miss the small details; relying on good trustworthy tools can help improve safety, but training and proper PPE will further solidify the basics and put the worker at most responsibility for their safety as well as others,” said one survey respondent. “Gaining buy-in for a safety culture has proven to be the most challenging piece but, at the same time, it is the most important part,” said another. 6
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
Source: Fluke
Best practices and more at AD Finance, HR & IT Summit
Nearly all respondents (95%) believe more can be done to make their workplaces safer, and 56% of workers believe they have ideas on how to make the industry safer. “A robust culture of safety is vital for organizations who truly want to keep their workers safe, yet many workers find the emphasis is not always adequate to do the job,” said Heather Rasmussen, global content manager, Fluke Corp. “This year’s survey reinforces how important safety is to workers, and how they look to their supervisors and managers to set the tone and provide the tools and training to make that happen.” Fluke’s safety survey seeks to identify trends in sentiment and perception of workplace safety, including responsibilities, culture, training, and the role of technology. It was conducted in February 2022, receiving responses primarily from electricians, maintenance technicians, and engineers. Their ages ranged from 17 to 74, with the majority between 45 and 64 years, and over 80% were either employees or self-employed.
EHRC initiatives for Ukrainian and other newcomers
Electricity Human Resources Canada has opened a new segment on its national job board, and launched new funding and resources for employers to recruit and retain internationally trained workers for opportunities in Canada’s electricity sector (electricityhr.ca). “Matching the many skilled Ukrainian professionals arriving in Canada with job vacancies in the electricity sector will help fill critical labour shortages as our industry continues to experience significant growth and innovation,” said Michelle Branigan, EHRC’s CEO. Visit EHRC online and look for the dedicated webpage “Canada’s Electricity Industry Powers Up For Ukraine”: • To post jobs and access resources for helping to recruit and integrate newcomers into the workplace (employers and industry partners). • To access various jobs in Canada’s electricity sector (newcomers and Canadians). • To access “Lifeline Ukraine”, which will offer support information, including healthcare, schools and community services, developed in partnership with Ukrainian immigration and newcomer services. Meantime, Welcoming Newcomers is a new EHRC wage subsidy program to support employers as they recruit skilled, internationally trained workers, including those from Ukraine. EBMAG.COM
ABB to open 350K-sf Lehigh Valley DC ABB (abb.com) will open a distribution centre for its Installation Products Division in the area of Lehigh Valley, Pa. Measuring around 350,000 square feet, the distribution centre will supply a range of electrical products and create about 100 jobs. Expected to be fully operational in January 2023, the facility will stock more than 5000 medium-voltage, industrial and consumer market high-demand products. ABB Installation Products is a global player in the design, manufacture and marketing of products used to manage the connection, protection and distribution of electrical power in industrial, construction and utility applications.
Photo: EBH & Son
E.B. Horsman & Son’s new Victoria branch ready to serve
Photo: ABB Installation Products
construction data during that operations phase to help owners reduce costs, optimize performance, and be better prepared for future project needs.”
Stelpro Group acquires Métal BF
Groupe Stelpro (stelpro.com) is acquiring Métal BF, a custom metal parts manufacturer located in Terrebonne, Que., that processes steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. It will remain independent of Stelpro, and will continue to serve its existing customers while integrating Stelpro’s needs into its production. The Stelpro Group now consists of Stelpro for electric heat, Flextherm for heating cable, Synapse Électronique for controls, Métal BF for custom metal parts, the Stello joint venture with Hydro-Quebec subsidiary Hilo for smart home and energy management solutions, and the Sevcotech México joint venture production unit. Groupe Stelpro also has a stake in Lancey Energy Storage, a French start-up that develops smart electric heaters with an integrated battery. 22_002394_Electrical Contractor_OCT Mod: September 1, 2022 5:09 PM Print: 09/01/22 5:09:28 PM page 1 v7
Independent electrical distributor E.B. Horsman & Son announced that its Victoria, B.C., branch has moved to a new location as of July 25 (ebhorsman.com). The new 12,000-sf building is located at 3250 Tennyson Avenue, just two minutes away from the previous location on the corner of Cloverdale and Blanshard. The facility features a 28-ft ceiling, a large open-concept counter service area, 22 parking spots and two electric vehicle chargers, as well as a dock and grade-level loading areas, and more office and boardroom space. The location is also better equipped, says the distributor, to support and provide same-day delivery to its four other Vancouver Island branches (Duncan, Parksville, Courtenay, Campbell River).
π LOADS OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Source: Procore
Procore and AWS to accelerate digital twins in construction
Procore Technologies Inc. (procore.com) is working with Amazon Web Services to leverage its IoT TwinMaker and accelerate the creation of digital twins for buildings, factories, industrial equipment, and production lines. Procore is a global provider of construction management software; its platform serves to connect all construction stakeholders in the life cycle of a built asset. “Roughly 80% of the life cycle cost of a project is in the operations phase,” said Procore’s Tiffany LaBruno. “With this partnership, we can leverage Procore’s course of
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CALENDAR
EFC Holiday Receptions Electro-Federation Canada December 1, Quebec City December 1, Toronto Visit electrofed.com The Buildings Show November 30-December 2, Toronto Visit thebuildingsshow.com EFC Holiday Receptions Electro-Federation Canada December 6, Halifax December 8, Montreal Visit electrofed.com 2023 NETA PowerTest (hybrid) InterNational Electrical Testing Association March 8-12, Orlando, Fla. Visit www.powertest.org IEEE IAS Electrical Safety Workshop March 13-17, Reno, Nev. Visit electricalsafetyworkshop.com EFC Annual Conference Electro-Federation Canada May 30-June 1, Charlevoix, Que.
Photo: Terex Utilities
CanREA Electricity Transformation Canada Canadian Renewable Energy Association October 26-28, Toronto Visit electricitytransformation.ca
SaskPower among early adopters of allelectric bucket truck Terex Utilities (terex.com) introduced its new all-electric hydraulic utility bucket truck at the Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference, adding that SaskPower (among others) is among the first utilities to order it (saskpower.com). The Terex Optima is powered by the HyPower SmartPTO by Viatec, and mounted on an International Class 6/7 medium-duty electric chassis (viatec.us) (navistar.com). With a 135-mile driving range and the ability to operate the bucket for a full workday on a single charge, the truck is ideal for electric distribution line work, Terex added.
Southwire’s Carrollton rod plant on track, Heflin being upgraded
EASA Annual Convention Electrical Apparatus and Service Association June 24-27, National Harbor, Md. Visit easa.com/convention EUFMC – Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference June 5-8, Williamsburg, Va. Visit eufmc.com The Utility Expo September 26-28, Louisville, Ky. Visit theutilityexpo.com N.B. For direct links to these events (and others), scroll through Electrical Business Magazine’s online industry calendar at ebmag.com/events. Got an event to share? Email the editor at acapkun@ebmag.com. 8
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
in Heflin, Ala., as part of ongoing modernization efforts. The upgrades are focused on “increasing productivity and velocity, eliminating waste and becoming leaner”.
NCS International Co. acquires Trans Canada Electro
NCS (nationalcablespecialists.ca) International Co. has acquired Trans Canada Electro and all of its operating entities, including Trans Canada Wire & Cable, Dorvalec, and King Cable (transcanadaelectro.com). NCS is a distributor of electrical, electronic, datacom, fiber optic cable, cable accessories and wire, with nine locations across Canada. The company says Trans Canada Electro’s location will serve as an extension to its growing Eastern Canada business. “We will continue to operate under the same brand names you are used to, and contact information in sales and administration will remain the same to provide simplicity in the transition,” said NCS.
Lighting company Current unveils new identity Photo: Southwire
Southwire broke ground on a new copper rod manufacturing plant in Carrollton, Ga., in August 2021, and expects the project to be complete later this year (southwire.com). The plant will contain an SCR-9000S copper rod system and employ the company’s Southwire Continuous Rod technology. In related news, Southwire announced the installation of new medium-voltage production technology at its manufacturing facility
Lighting company Current (formerly known as GE Current, a Daintree Company) recently unveiled a new identity following its acquisition of Hubbell’s Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Lighting business (gecurrent.com). Current’s president & CEO, Manish Bhandari, says the new brand communicates “our shared focus on delivering value to our customers across multiple industries and applications”. Current’s portfolio includes 35 product brands. EBMAG.COM
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COMMERCIAL LIGHTING
BY BRYAN FRIED
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lectrical contractors are frequently faced with taking direction from owners to reduce operational budgets, but this may change as new opportunities for contractors arise. Market research and consulting firm Grand View Research estimates the global market for indoor farming will reach over $75 billion by 2028. This points to the potential for smartly constructed indoor farms to offer better yields, while producing food closer to market. The boom in indoor farming will also drive growth in the need for electrical contractors’ services, especially for the installation of lighting arrays and smart monitoring systems that are key components of the projected market growth. 10
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
Ultimately, technologyaugmented growing allows for repeatable cycles and harvests. Lighting and energy account for a sizable portion of an indoor farm’s annual budget, giving contractors an opportunity to implement new technologies that can ensure production while realizing savings.
Increasing demand for artificial sunlight
With grow houses expanding to multilevel vertical farms, natural sunlight exposure is no longer possible, thereby increasing the need to employ commercial lighting for production. LED lighting is well-known for its energy efficiency but, prior to 2010, the high cost of white LED diodes made
commercial LED lighting impractical for widespread use. Those diodes were simply too expensive for the market as compared to HID (high-intensity discharge) light sources. After 2010, manufacturers offered LED diodes at more attractive price points. They also improved their technical specifications, with lumen outputs and efficacy reaching higher levels. Owners and managers noticed this shift and, in turn, tasked electrical contractors with optimizing their operations with LED lighting to reduce energy costs without sacrificing any production capacity. To fulfil this need, contractors turn to advanced LED lighting products with an array of feature sets, including remote driver options, daisy-chain capabilities, broad light spectrums, and availability in both 120V-277V and 277V-480V configurations. EBMAG.COM
Photo: © somesense / Adobe Stock
MANAGING SMART LIGHTING INSTALLS WITHIN INDOOR FARMING ENVIRONMENTS
Shifting toward LEDs and smart lighting
Enabling cost savings in a modern indoor farming environment requires more than just efficient LED light sources. Contractors are pairing these lights with smart technology to automate various operations, analyze data and conditions in real-time, and collect various data points. With these technologies, installers can satisfy demands for a data-driven operation, as growers continually look for competitive edges that can help them maximize yields while reducing costs. By providing clients with air flow data, humidity, temperature, PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) levels and other data points via the right technology tools and platforms, contractors can introduce another value-add to their clients. Indoor farming operators often request LED light sources for reduced energy usage, especially when com-
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Enabling cost savings in a modern indoor farming environment requires more than just efficient LED light sources. pared to HPS or fluorescent lights. LED lighting emits a more evenly dispersed, cooler light, which produces efficiency through lower HVAC expenses and higher yields. Contractors can leverage these improvements with sensors and analytics, such as wireless operations systems, and pair programmable lighting with temperature and humidity smart controls, giving growers more customization options that can be aligned with specific plants. Such an approach is a contrast to the typical manual grow process, where a grower uses trial-anderror and has difficult time replicating successful outcomes.
Ultimately, technology-augmented growing allows for repeatable cycles and harvests. It can also protect crops from temperature spikes and soil moisture problems, events that active monitoring can catch immediately, and would otherwise require manual detection where any in-response action might be too late. A tech-based system records every parameter of a successful grow session. Contractors can present these outfits as efficiency tools and competitive advantages, as growers can simply call up past parameters for a specific harvest and repeat and scale their operation. These systems’ automation features can fix non-conforming situations and reduce manual workforce time spent on monitoring. For an example of these systems in action, consider PAR levels and lighting cycles: by recording and programming these levels into a platform, installers can also put in place PAR sensors, and
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COMMERCIAL LIGHTING
Installing a wireless system
Wireless systems are here! The leading options can connect 3000+ fixtures on a single gateway, with no wiring them, thereby granting full wireless control of individual light fixtures and pre-set zones while gathering data and generating real-time reporting. Installing a wireless system is simple and fast. You need only to hang the fixtures and connect the power. The data connections commence immediately upon power-up as each light source (or grouping) signal communicates with the gateway automatically. (The software provider helps the customer with commissioning, as well as the initial layout set-up, based on that software.) This configuration also eliminates the clutter of wires that are required by most wired systems. Lighting systems connected by RJ12 connectors represent an additional failure point: most RJ12s in the market are not IP rated, which translates into additional maintenance and follow-up because plants are grown under moist conditions, and growers often hose down equipment. A truly wireless system has no connection points between fixtures, as the technology is usually built into the driver compartment. Hence, the issues with wired systems are simply not present. 12
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
A hemp grower case study
HMP is the largest hemp farm operation in Utah. When undertaking an upgrade and expansion of its facilities, the indoor grow farmer was aware that the local utility would provide rebates for LED lighting products. RapidGrow, a subsidiary of Pangea, engaged its rebate team on behalf of HMP to determine both the maximum possible rebate, and the necessary requirements for that rebate. The extent of HMP’s options, then, were determined by this team. The process included a photometric layout of the proposed grow environment and an analysis of the energy usage versus the lighting and PAR requirements. In less than than a month, it was determined that pairing a monitor & control software platform with an LED lighting backbone met the requirements needed to earn the utility’s maximum rebate. (The most important requirement was having individual control over each light source for maximum energy efficiency.) Contractors followed the proposed production plan and installed fixtures to cover HMP’s 100,000-sf . The 1120-light footprint uses 480V power sources, daisy-chained together to reduce the number of drops, saving time and lowering installation costs. Installation was further simplified by installing these power sources away from the light sources.The power source location and software also reduces heat generation in the canopy growing area, providing a well-controlled grow environment. The software platform is configured
The time is now
Issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and climate change highlight the need for efficient indoor farming to mitigate negative impacts on food supply. Over the next 10 years, in particular, we are going to see widespread acceptance of—and investment in—indoor farming. Imagine installing a 5000-sf warehouse in the middle of a major city that provides the entire local population access to fresh food instead of processed, packaged goods. Forward-thinking electrical contractors who adopt smart agtech in indoor farming will play a role in bettering the world while enjoying larger revenues, greater profits and lower overhead. Bryan Fried is the chair and CEO of Pangea Global Technologies, a technology solutions provider and manufacturer of LED lighting. He has spent his entire career in manufacturing and distribution. EBMAG.COM
Source: Pangea Global Technologies
set the system to adjust light levels within the associated software to provide ideal light conditions at the right time. Growers can also control each light at its source, so they can manage plant zones at a granular level.
to control individual groups of fixtures, allowing HMP operators to set distinct schedules and better coordinate daylight harvesting, further lowering the energy requirements for each plant grouping. Commissioning involved simply associating a light source—each with its own unique MAC address—with a control in the software platform. Once that was association was established, each wireless light source was immediately functional. Sensors operate in the same manner, each sending data wirelessly to a gateway that is part of the platform. Here, commissioning only required associating that sensor with the control on the platform. The indoor grow farm sought to maximize its rebates while improving its LED lighting capabilities and reducing energy costs. In the end, HMP’s system met all of the utility’s rebate requirements, including automated daylight controls, spectral tuning corresponding to the plants’ growth phase, and advanced scheduling that optimizes light runtime. Because of this achievement, HMP increased its initial rebates by 37%, from $336,000 to $537,000 and, to this day, continues to derive grow benefits from its lighting-enabled smart system.
HIGH-VOLTAGE GOES GREEN The adoption of electric systems as the utility sector chases sustainability goals / BY TREENA HEIN
B
oth private and municipality-owned utility firms are adopting electric technology across Canada and the U.S., and not just for ‘green’ reasons or by being forced to meet diesel emissions restrictions. “Electric power takeoffs (ePTOs) are quieter, safer and more efficient than conventional truck PTOs,” explains Mark Ferri, CEO at electrification systems developer, Viatec. “It simply makes more sense financially,
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ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
operationally and environmentally to buy and operate hybrid or electric bucket trucks than conventional ones.” Ferri explains that conventional PTOs continuously burn fuel to operate whereas ePTOs draw power from their batteries only as needed. “This inherently saves a huge amount of fuel cost,” he says. “Fewer oil changes are required. In addition, with conventional trucks, the emissions-reduction systems regenerate periodically to burn off accumulated debris
in the filters. This process doesn’t work well while parked and adds wear to the engine, shortening the vehicle’s life.” On a maintenance efficiency note, Ferri adds that Viatec’s smart ePTO units “can be supported, reconfigured and updated remotely, such that Viatec can detect issues in operation before customers are aware and begin troubleshooting or monitoring as appropriate”. Ferri also points out that hybrid trucks also cost substan-
“Electric power takeoffs are quieter, safer and more efficient than conventional truck PTOs,” explains Viatec’s Mark Ferri. “It simply makes more sense financially, operationally and environmentally to buy and operate hybrid or electric bucket trucks than conventional ones.”
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PHOTO: Viatec Inc.
SUSTAINABILITY
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the crews like using.’ Then, Duke Fleet Management supported us in achieving that. Our ePTOs will be on all Duke’s material handlers by 2025 to 2027.” Viatec has also released a 30-hp generator replacement for Duke’s stepvans this year, and will field-pilot them.
Engineering for sustainability
For its part, Terex has been working on green technologies for over a decade, says Joe Caywood, director of marketing. “As the technology evolved, we’ve integrated it into our product line,” he explains. “Bringing the electric bucket truck to market ahead of schedule has given customers a jump-start on meeting their electrification and sustainability goals. Many utilities have goals of 50% electric achievement by 2025, and 100% electric by 2030 to 2035.” Caywood notes that, back in 2007, Terex was part of the development of the first utility-focused ePTO hybrid system (called HyPower).
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tar. Introduced in June, they are the first all-electric bucket trucks on the North American market. They have a 217-km driving range, and the bucket operates for a full workday on a single charge. Ferri explains that the maturation of ePTOs over the last eight years (in Viatec’s case, they are now universal to all platforms, quick to install and very reliable) has greatly accelerated the launch of the all-electric bucket truck sporting the Terex Optima. “All-electric bucket trucks were expected to hit the market in 2024 but it happened in June 2022,” he notes. “A lot of effort and experimentation happened in the ePTO space over the past decade. The solution came into focus in 2017 with requirements from Duke Energy [in the U.S.] that propelled us forward.” “They said ‘We need units that will last a full workday, are parallel [can’t take the truck down if they fail], are removable/transferrable [so that trucks can be re-sold without them] and that
DI
tially less to operate over their lifetime than conventional trucks. Right now, Ferri puts the level of hybrid utility truck adoption across North America at maybe 5% or 8%, and all-electric at less than 1%. But, in his experience, Canada is leading the U.S. with both adoption rate and regulations. “In Canada, they clearly get the business case are committed to moving ahead,” he says. “They are keen to get it done and also provide feedback to make it work for them.” Viatec ePTOs have been in Canada for over two years, distributed by Commercial Truck and Equipment Company of Canada. They are deployed in utilities that include Fortis, BC Hydro, Toronto Hydro and ATCO Electric. SaskPower has purchased all-electric bucket trucks from Terex with the Terex Optima 55-foot aerial device, powered by the Viatec SmartPTO and mounted on an an International eMV Series battery electric 33,000 GVW chassis from Navis-
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“Bringing the electric bucket truck to market ahead of schedule has given customers a jump-start on meeting their electrification and sustainability goals,” says Terex’s Joe Caywood. “Many utilities have goals of 50% electric achievement by 2025, and 100% electric by 2030 to 2035.”
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“At the time, the concept was right, but the technology was what was available at the time— but it needed to be simplified with less weight,” he says. “Our HyPower products continued to evolve, and we offered our plugin hybrid PTO systems for both trouble truck (48V) applications and medium- to large-duty utility trucks. The HyPower solutions offered optional cab comfort systems in addition to running boom and outrigger functions from an advanced battery management system.” The current Terex ePTO product—the HyPower SmartPTO by Viatec—is described as a plug-in system with simple connections to power all the hydraulic functions of the utility truck: from the outriggers to the boom of the aerial or digger-derrick. Like former HyPower solutions, the SmartPTO system also provides battery power to the chassis allowing auxiliary applications (e.g. lighting and optional cab HVAC)
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
to operate while the truck engine is off. The eMV chassis and SmartPTO are two completely separate systems, providing dedicated battery capacity for the truck rather than running the boom and outriggers off the chassis batteries. “Like any battery-powered device, run-time varies significantly depending on usage and the choice of the battery package of the SmartPTO,” says Caywood. “There are four different battery sizes, and proper selection should ensure a full day’s use based on the customer’s use case.” Terex has a calculator tool to help with this. The chassis and the SmartPTO system can recharge in 2 to 4 hours, depending on the charging system. Aside from periodic firmware updates and hydraulic filters, the SmartPTO system is maintenance-free.
Support for adoption
For the electric utility segment, Navistar offers a battery electric
medium-duty truck chassis with the truck bodies developed in partnership with manufacturers like Terex and Altec. In production since August 2021, Navistar’s eMV Series (such as the International eMV Series battery electric medium-duty truck) provides a flexible design that has offered utilities and other customers a wide variety of specification options, says Debbie Shust, vice-president, Medium-Duty Truck business. “Our research shows that battery electric-powered vehicles will be competitive with diesel across all key metrics and for all major applications,” says Shust, “to reach total cost of ownership parity.” Cost parity, in her view, will be the primary driver to higher adoption. And Shust believes the adoption of electric technology will happen faster than expected. Savings with fuel and lower lifetime maintenance/operational EBMAG.COM
PHOTO: TEREX UTILITIES
SUSTAINABILITY
image: Navistar Inc.
costs aside, there are also various incentives and funding programs that will help drive early adoption. In addition, Navistar offers a range of services for utilities and other customers to help them transition to electric vehicle use.
These include route planning, grant writing and support for charging infrastructure. “We also work with our body integration partners and other truck equipment manufacturers to continue to expand the
In production since August 2021, Navistar’s eMV Series— such as the International eMV Series battery electric medium-duty truck—promises a flexible design that offers customers a variety of specification options.
capabilities of our products,” says Shust. “We are helping with integration on battery-electric vehicles, expanding ePTO coverage, constantly evaluating component offerings such as axles, suspensions and safety systems.” Shust adds that the expansion of vehicle connectivity capabilities is also helping drive higher efficiencies. She says over-the-air software update capabilities that allow for repairs to be completed remotely are the next step toward maximizing uptime even further.
Equipment goes electric
On the equipment side, Milwaukee has created an entire line of battery-powered products called MX to assist its customers in meeting emissions-reduction goals. Some examples of this are the 14-in. cut off saw, 1800/3600-W power source, breaker and coring drill.
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Milwaukee has created an entire line of battery-powered products called MX to help customers meet their emissions-reduction goals. The MXF041-1XC Rocket tower light offers an emissions-free alternative for those who have historically used gas-powered site lighting.
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In addition, the MXF0411XC Rocket tower light offers an emissions-free alternative for those who have historically used gas-powered site lighting. It provides 27,000 lumens of task or area lighting that can be used inside or out, with 10 hours of run-time on one charge. Through field trials and testing, Milwaukee has shown use of this light can save customers up to $1300 a month over a diesel tow-behind light. Mike Burke, manager, Core Trades for Milwaukee Tool, is confident the MX lineup will exponentially increase in the next five to ten years.
What’s ahead
Reflecting on the current trend of electrification, Ferri believes a mindset shift is occurring; from seeing the role of the truck engine as the primary stationary power source at worksites to backup for electric power units. “We can’t go all-electric in a world where the power still goes out, but fleets can eliminate half their current emissions and great-
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
“Connected capabilities will continue to expand, providing more in-depth insights and monitoring of vehicle operations and maintenance needs.” ly reduce their cost of ownership with strategic electrification,” he says. “But, as electric technology becomes more common, we’ll also need lots more charging capacity and, therefore, grid capacity must be added.” Shust agrees that “we need the supporting charging infrastructure to build up around it, but we are confident that, with the right incentives, it will be there to support this transition. It is important that as infrastructure is built out, that those involved keep in mind the needs of heavy-duty commercial vehicles”. She adds that improvements to the grid need to support larger vehicles, especially in charging lot layouts. Larger battery capacities
imply the need for faster and higher-capacity chargers. She predicts that, in less than a decade, zero-emissions vehicles will look more normal in the commercial space as they already do in the passenger car industry. “We will move beyond early adopters and regulatory-driven purchases to mainstream desire for these products,” Shust says. In terms of technology evolution, Ferri believes we’ll see improved battery densities, incremental improvements in chassis capacity and lower weights. Caywood also predicts range increases, along with more options able to be integrated and the expansion of electric technology to digger-derricks. In Shust’s view, autonomous technologies will continue to evolve as well, introducing an array of radar, cameras and sensors to further boost sustainability and efficiency. “Connected capabilities will continue to expand,” she says, “providing more in-depth insights and monitoring of vehicle operations and maintenance needs.” EBMAG.COM
Photo: Milwaukee Tool.
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EV CHARGERS
WHERE ARE WE GOING TO CHARGE ALL THESE ELECTRIC VEHICLES? One solution is right in your own neighbourhood
B
ack in June 2021, Ottawa announced it will accelerate its goal of having every new light-duty vehicle sold in Canada be electric. Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra said all new cars and light-duty trucks sold in the country will be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. That’s just 13 short years. I say short because we need a massive upgrade to the country’s electrical distribution to support this load.
Consider our electrical infrastructure
The premise is that every household will install a Level 2 charger (60A 240V) in their garage, which will ensure every electric vehicle is ready to go when needed. A Level 2 charger installed in a home garage (existing electrical capacity permitting) will cost around $7500. This assumes you can spare more than half of your typically available 100A service to supply the typical 6-kW overnight charge. 20
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
Historically, a 100A service was sized to run a stove, dryer, furnace, fridge, freezer, lights, and normal small appliances. Over the last 75 years, the typical household electric service has been increased from 60A 120/240V to 100A 120/240V for homes heated with natural gas. (If you live in British Columbia or Quebec, you may have a 200A service standard because your home is likely heated with electricity.) With only 100 peak amps available to run your household, your EV charger may trip your main breaker. (I occasionally trip my own 100A main breaker, and I don’t even own an EV.) What makes this even more interesting is that, historically, electric utilities have not expected all of their customers to draw anywhere near 100 continuous amps. In fact, the average
available power supplied to the typical house is engineered to be about 26 amps; when customers exceed that amount, it is for short periods, and the thermal capacity of the transformers and wires can withstand the shortterm overload. A 37.5-kVA transformer can reliably serve six homes with 100A services each. However, when you do the math, you see that 100A x 240V x 6 homes equals 144 kVA—nearly 4x the transformer’s continuous rated kVA! So, if three of those six homes attempted to use Level 2 charging at the same time (60A 240V per charger), it would add 43 kVA to a system that is rated for 37.5 kVA overall, in addition to the regular loads. Historically, a 100A service was sized to run a stove, dryer, furnace, fridge, freezer, lights, and normal small appliances. Add to this the number of hot tubs, air-conditioners, second refrigerators, basement suites, etc., and you get a secondary distribution system that’s EBMAG.COM
Photo: ©GrB / Adobe Stock
BY DUANE GRZYB, P.ENG.
already stretched to the limit. I frequently spot 37.5-kVA transformers being replaced with 50-kVA units just to keep up with regular loads. Additionally, the utility’s voltage drop calculations were done for the 37.5-kVA unit. Upsizing those transformers may cause greater than allowable voltage variation (as specified for non-utility users of the electrical code) and contributes to energy wasted through excessive conductor heating.
What is the average household?
Very few homes are single-vehicle households (mine has four). Sharing one Level 2 charger between two or more vehicles is unlikely to get the job done. Imagine heading out for work one morning only to discover a dead EV; maybe your spouse unplugged yours so they could charge theirs, or maybe it didn’t charge overnight because the air-conditioner ran most of
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Has any consideration gone toward apartment dwellers who have no garages or dedicated parking spots?
Furthermore, has any consideration gone toward apartment dwellers who have no garages or dedicated parking spots? What about those who have to park on the street?
the night, or the hot tub, and the charger’s “smart” software couldn’t charge the car due to the lack of required electricity. (I’m not going to get into vehicle-togrid power exchange. At 65% cycle efficiency, having your neighbour’s car put power back onto the grid to charge your car simply compounds the problem.) In northern climates, it might be easy to think that we’ve already planned for ICE block heater plug-ins, but they can only deliver limited Level 1 charging, often on an intermittent basis.They offer little help for charging EVs. A Tesla EV draws about 300 watts at -5 C just to keep the batteries from freezing. At -30 C, a block heater plug-in may be required just to break even, never mind charging.
Time and cost are unfavourable
My Edmonton neighborhood is served by underground distribution. To upgrade even half of the residences to support single-vehicle, Level 2 charging would require digging up all secondary power distribution along the street, upgrading the service conductors to each upgraded house, and upgrading to a 150A or 200A panel. If the utility supply is adequate, upgrading the street-to-house conductor and household panelboard is likely to cost individual homeowners about $17,000. If three or more of the six connected homes want upgrades, the price could double or triple by the time the utility upgrades its infrastructure.
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EV CHARGERS
It could be argued that utility upgrades will be covered through increased electricity sales, but reality tells us that a huge amount of work is required to substantially upgrade our residential distribution infrastructure over the next 13 years. There is simply too much work to be done and not enough time in which to do it. A city’s electrical infrastructure was built over many decades—it is highly optimistic to think we can upgrade most of it in 13 years. In short, the electrical infrastructure to each home was never designed to charge EVs, much like it was never designed to support A/C, hot tubs, second kitchens, etc.
Enter the humble padmount
After examining the bottleneck a bit more closely, the first place in the system where we might find additional power to charge everyone’s new EV is at the humble padmount transformer. The first thought might be to upgrade the transformer to a bigger one, but this doesn’t address the problem with insufficient secondary conductors. Typically, the underground 120/240V wiring has been sized for 100A services and relies on significant load diversity. Still, even if it were upgraded and the main distribution circuit wiring was determined to be okay, the wiring to each individual home/breaker panel would still be inadequate without smart devices sequencing the loads. Fortunately, the medium-voltage neighbourhood supply (typically 15,000 or 25,000 volts) is run with standardized conductors that are usually suitable for distributing a full substation feeder’s current along the entire MV ring connection. This provides the utility with flexibility for the future expansion of neighbourhoods and businesses. When a ring does get fully loaded, the utility can modify the ring sizes relatively easily by adding substation feeders and breaking the rings into smaller service areas using street-mounted switching cubicles. The switching cubicles are larger square boxes located less frequently than the padmount transformers. This is good news, as the supply side of the padmount transformers are robust enough to supply additional power immediately (to the capacity of the standard feeder circuit conductors 22
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
A combination padmount transformer and dual Level 3 DC fast-charging station may be the solution. supplying the overall ring load) and, ultimately, can be reconfigured relatively easily into smaller rings (via switching cubicles) to supply considerably more. A potential solution to the shortage of EV charging infrastructure in residential areas, then, is to place public, fee-for-service charging stations at modified padmount transformer locations. They would be close enough to individual homes to be convenient, but powerful and fast enough to be shared. A combination padmount transformer and dual Level 3 DC fast-charging station may be the solution. Here’s how it would work: The utility isolates power to an existing padmount. The existing 37.5 or 50 kVA transformer is removed from the precast concrete base, and a new 300 kVA transformer/charger combo unit is installed. No underground work is required, and the whole process—including communications, software, commissioning—could be done in two hours. The new combo unit continues to supply 120/240V to existing customers while having the capacity to supply two integrated Level 3 DC fast chargers. (The point-of-sale mechanics can be handled by web-based subscription or credit card, and verified by wireless communications.) Two 120-kW chargers could recharge two EVs in 20 minutes, or top up a single EV in 10 minutes. This is equivalent to a Tesla Supercharger. By placing public chargers close to homes and apartments, residents can conveniently stop to charge on their way home.They plug in their car, pick up their mail, walk home, change clothes, etc., then go back to get their car and park it in their own driveway. These integrated charging units would be ideal for many existing locations: parks, churches, schoolyards, boulevards, super mailboxes, apartment buildings... anywhere where there are already two parking spots (and, ideally, not right in front of someone’s house) and an existing padmount transformer. Based on my observations in and around Edmonton, about 1 in 15 trans-
former locations are suitable and could be converted immediately, with no disruption to traffic or homeowners. As installed capacity increases, utilities can modify the MV distribution infrastructure to make the rings smaller, accommodating the increased load. The increased delivery of electricity generates revenue for them and pays for the upgrades, and they only have to work on the much more configurable medium-voltage feeder ring side of the wiring. In cases where a suitable existing padmount location cannot be found, simply add a new one. Any existing MV underground ring cable route is expandable in much the same way we add new neighbourhoods or businesses. Methods for adding precast concrete bases to existing underground ring circuits are well established. Naturally, there will be questions of transformer/charger ownership; they are, after all, typically located on public right-of-ways. Negotiations between the utilities and municipalities and vendors to determine ownership, leasing, operations, maintenance, are required, but this is solvable via thoughtful discussion. (We see private businesses operate on municipal right-of-ways all the time e.g. internet and phone companies). The benefits to this elegant solution are many: installation is quick and inexpensive, as it leverages existing infrastructure; there are no property ownership costs to recover in user fees, as the chargers are located on municipal right-of-ways; and the customers are already nearby. As our governments push the agenda for electric vehicles, it is important to look for ways to provide cost-effective charging in the places where people need it at a cost they can afford. Retrofitting existing padmount transformers with combination padmount transformer/ charger units may be a way to leverage existing infrastructure to expedite the adoption of EVs. Duane Grzyb, P.Eng., is a Professional Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), and the principal of Class 1 Zone 2 Engineering Inc., which specializes in the determination of Area Classification, as well as general electrical engineering. He is developing a prototype of the combo padmount transformer/Level 3 EV charging station discussed in this article, and is open to partnering with someone who can help him bring this solution to market. EBMAG.COM
WIRE & CABLE
GETTING CANADIAN TECK ONTO THE GLOBAL STAGE
D
id you know that Teck cable is a uniquely Canadian innovation? In the early 1930s, the Teck Hughes Gold Mine in Kirkland Lake, Ont., decided to use an alternative to the unprotected flexible portable power cables that were the norm at the time. The Teck power cable was born, and its popularity for mining and other hazardous location applications quickly spread to pulp & paper and other heavy industries that benefitted from its features. In 1965, the Canadian Standards Association formally recognized and developed a national standard around this new cable. Canadian manufacturers like Northern Cables Inc. produce and sell this product in Canada. On occasion, we are able to export this cable for job-specific applications in which someone with Canadian expertise specifies Teck due to its performance and safety record. One of the main difficulties for a wire & cable manufacturer like us is that we 24
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
cannot sell this product to offshore jurisdictions that follow International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, which contain no equivalent nor comparable sizes for interlocking armoured cable. These cables are simply not recognized in IEC standards. This barrier to global trade boils down to something as simple as the differences between AWG conductor sizes and IEC conductor sizes. As the bare copper or aluminum conductors are the starting point for all cable designs, Canada needs to take the lead toward removing these barriers. Adding to these woes: our own Canadian Electrical Code–Part I and provincial electrical codes also create barriers by specifying only AWG sizes.
Much ado about sizes
There are two types of conductors. One is based on the American Wire Gauge (AWG) standard established in the late 1850s.The other is based on the Système international (SI) unit of square millimetre (mm2).
The Canadian wire & cable landscape has changed since our standards went metric in the 1980s. Back then, wire & cable standards writers did an excellent job at converting standards to the SI unit. In addition, a good start toward metrification was done many years ago on CE Code-Part II for wire & cable. Imperial units were converted to metric, and most standards published both metric and imperial units... except for the wire size (AWG). Both the AWG and IEC conductor sizes have long, well-established histories, but to increase access to global markets, I believe our first order of business is to have all conductor sizes based on the SI unit. Because the conductor is the core component to any cable design, Canadian designs are restricted to AWG, based on Tables 1 through 4 of the CE Code-Part I. But the SI unit of square millimetre (mm2) is what IEC references in a very important standard, IEC 60228 “Conductors of insulated cables”. This difference is the first barrier to global trade for Teck cable sizes. CSA Type Teck90 Cable standards’ normative reference is AWG, which is restrictive to conductor sizes. I should also note that the square millimetres used in IEC 60228 is also restrictive with conductor sizes which, again, creates barriers to global trade, specifically when electrical designers specify Canadian Teck90 (which is not recognized with mm2 conductors). With its long history and proven track record, this innovative cable construction—Teck90 cable with interlocked armour—should be recognized by the IEC. With further harmonization due to North American Free trade, CANENA’s (the Council for Harmonization of Electrotechnical Standards of the Nations in the Americas) regional wire and cables standards adopted the metric conductor sizes based on AWG. EBMAG.COM
PHOTO: NORTHERN CABLES INC.
Barriers—and possible solutions—for exporting interlocking armoured cable /BY DONALD HARRIS
This is a significant step forward, as the 2021 edition of the CE Code-Part I has adopted square millimetre sizes based on the corresponding AWG size. (Refer to CE Code-Part I [25th ed.], Table 1, Column 1 for AWG/kcmil sizes and Column 2 for the equivalent metric sizes.) With the goal of achieving global trade based on the International System of Units (i.e. metric or SI), I believe a set of Teck standards based on SI units should be developed.
Step #3 Because there are no IEC standards that include interlocked armour cable, work on getting it added to IEC cable standard 60502, which: specifies the construction, dimensions and test requirements of power cables with extruded solid insulation for rated AC voltages of 1 kV (Um = 1,2 kV) and 3 kV (Um = 3,6 kV) for fixed installations such as distribution networks or industrial installations.
Step #4 Have CSA Group’s Technical Committee on Wiring Products For our part, we have developed a recognize IEC 60228 “Conductors of 4-step plan to introduce Teck90 with insulated cables” as a national standard square millimetre conductors to Can- of Canada (with Canadian deviations). ada and countries using IEC sizes. We believe these four steps will unite Step #1 Add metric conductor sizes to conductor designs under one system CE Code-Part I. (metric) and reduce barriers to trade. The long-term objective for one stanStep #2 Introduce a new work propos- dard for global conductor sizes is, in al to the IEC to accept Teck 90 cable fact, to promote global trade. The Government of Canada can benewith mm2 designs.
How is industry responding?
fit its small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by helping to get Teck cable recognized in IEC standards, thereby enhancing trade under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). (That said, the Standards Council of Canada’s [SCC] Innovation Program has helped support Step #3 above). It seems like the AWG and IEC sizes are well-ingrained in the industry—immovable, even—yet there have been significant changes in North American standards development that support and endorse the metric system. At the international level, however, more work is required to realize one set of conductor sizes based on the metric system. Don Harris, P.Eng., is the director, Engineering, with Northern Cables (Brockville, Ont.), and is also a country vice-president (Canada) of the Council for Harmonization of Electrotechnical Standards of the Nations in the Americas (a.k.a. CANENA), 2021-2023 term.
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October 2022 · ELECTRICAL BUSINESS
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MAINTENANCE
“MAINTENANCE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS” 2023 BY STAFF
T
he CSA Z463 Technical Committee has reconvened to begin the task of updating CSA Z463 “Maintenance of electrical systems” for publication in 2023. “The committee received excellent feedback from many industry electrical specialists during the public review phase of the current release—and after the release—regarding the adaptation and implementation of the standard,” reports Technical Committee member Hany Soloumah. “The committee is now reviewing these comments and is working on proposals to update existing clauses, or develop new content to address these comments,” Soloumah adds.
Why do we need CSA Z463?
CSA Z463’s history stems back to March 2011, when the first Z463 Technical Committee meeting was held to begin the process of developing CSA’s new Guideline on Maintenance of Electrical Systems. What is CSA Z463? Put simply, it is a standard that requires companies to create an electrical equipment maintenance program, explained Terry Becker, 26
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
a member of the Z463 Technical Committee (EBMag September 2018). At the time, Canada did not have a Canadian national standard nor guideline for electrical equipment maintenance; meaning, facilities wishing to perform regular maintenance on their electrical equipment had no guidance effectively developing and implementing—or improving—an electrical equipment maintenance program. “[CSA Z463] starts out by saying companies need to develop an electrical equipment maintenance program and, within that program, they should identify their electrical assets,” he elaborated. “So, you create an inventory of those electrical assets and then, in turn, you need to develop a strategy—or multiple strategies—for maintenance that you want to perform on those assets.” “There are certain things in an electrical power system that you must maintain regularly, including protective and switching devices, where really, if you didn’t maintain them, they would have a direct, negative effect on personal safety,” explained Kerry Heid, Technical Committee chair in 2013 (EBMag September 2018).
Anticipated CSA Z463 2023 ed.
The Technical Committee aims to conduct four or five technical meetings before July 2023 for content development and review before releasing a draft for public review. The final release of the new edition is scheduled for Q4 2023. For more information, questions, sponsorship, membership, guest opportunities, etc., contact: • Lorne Gara, chair, lgara@shermco.com. • Bob Chernish, vice-chair, Bob.Chernish@forces.gc.ca. • Bryce Kelly, vice-chair, bryce.kelly@lethbridge.ca. You are also invited to join Z463 group on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/groups/3891235.
— With files from Hany Soloumah EBMAG.COM
Photo: © romaset / Adobe Stock
GEARING UP FOR
Quality maintenance not only positively impacts safety, but production. “I’ve had clients in the past where, if they lost a day of production, then they would lose major supply contracts to the automotive industry, for example, because they couldn’t make the delivery,” said Fred Tanguay, a consultant for Canada Training Group (EB September 2018). “So, how much is $10,000 to $20,000 of electrical maintenance really worth to you, in the grand scheme of things, to prevent that one day of outage? [CSA Z463] becomes very valuable at that point!” Contractors who market electrical equipment maintenance to their clients can use CSA Z463 to help them develop maintenance strategies, tests and test frequencies, Becker added. “Contractors would benefit from Z463 in terms of helping their clients who don’t have electrical engineers or maintenance electricians on staff,” he explained. “They can credibly identify what electrical equipment maintenance program a specific company should consider. That, in turn, should help electrical contractors retain existing clients and get new ones.” CSA Z463 “Maintenance of electrical systems” was eventually published in November 2013 as a Guideline. Two years later, the Technical Committee requested approval for a 2nd edition. Instead, the steering committees and CSA Group senior staff approved the development of CSA Z463 as a standard rather than as a guideline.
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The IFS-L is available in two lumen packages; it installs easily on junction boxes, and its thermal heat sinks helps dissipate heat. The S1 package comes with four 1/2-in. side conduit entries, and the S2 package comes with three. The unit is rated IP65 and cULus listed for wet locations. Available in 4000K and 5000K temperatures, the IFS-L has an ambient operating temperature of -40 C to 40 C, and is a suitable replacement for 175W metal halides (standardpro.com).
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Lithonia Lighting’s ESXF LED floodlight offers 36 configurations in one product, and easy access to controls for colour/lumen switching, and selectable photocell. The ESXF comes in four sizes, and all come with adjustable lumens (three settings) and switchable CCT (except ESXF1 P0). The units come with multiple mounting options in the box—knuckle and yoke for sizes 1 and 2, yoke and slipfitter for sizes 28
The M12 Green 360º single-plane laser is the newest addition to Milwaukee’s laser lineup. When equipped with an M12 RedLithium XC 4.0 battery, you can expect 30+ hours of continuous run-time and a bright green laser for “superior visibility” up to a diameter of 250 feet. When purchased as a kit, the solution comes with the laser, plus: alignment target, track clip, M12 RedLithium XC 4.0 battery, battery charger, carrying case (milwaukeetool.ca).
ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
Ledvance’s luminaires promise superior photometrics with clear cutoff, standard 10kV surge protection, and a 10-year warranty. These luminaires are offer three wattages per unit—50W, 70W, 100W; 120W, 150W, 200W; or 240W, 270W, 300W—and up to 13,500, 27,000, or 40,000 lumens, respectively. The integrated 7-pin photocontrol receptacle is compatible with a standard NEMA photocell or 5-pin and 7-pin controllers. An optional sensor can be installed to allow for daylight harvesting and provide additional energy savings (ledvanceus.com).
Source: Fluke Networks
Fluke Networks has upgraded its LinkIQ Cable+Network tester to expand its ability to test and troubleshoot IP networks, test industrial Ethernet cabling, and to support users in 12 languages. This new software is shipping in all new LinkIQ units, but is also available as a free upgrade to existing customers. With version 1.1, you can now verify connectivity and response time to key network devices with one touch of the screen. A new version of the LinkWare PC software is also available (flukenetworks.com). EBMAG.COM
Estimating 101
CODE conundrum
DAN BERESFORD AND JOHN F. WIESEL
RAY YOUSEF
Ray is a code engineer with Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority
TACKLE THE CODE CONUNDRUM IF YOU DARE!
Materials, labour and associated risks
Welcome to the newest round of questions that test your knowledge of the CE Code-Part I. Answers will appear in the December 2022 edition of Electrical Business Magazine, and online at EBMag.com under Features.
ccurate bids begin with accurate estimating practices. One of the most crucial strategies is to identify your risks, which are proportional to the material and labour required. Accurate estimating, then, is built upon an understanding of what is involved in the material take-off and how it directly affects labour. When material costs outweigh the labour costs, the risk is diminished proportionally as a ratio between the two. For example, when the cost of materials is 80% and the labour is less than 20% of the total project cost, there is much less risk. In electrical construction, labour and labour factoring are generally the greatest risks. First, an accurate material take-off is required. The base labour unit output will be accurate when the material is accounted for properly, since the labour units are applied to the material content. When bidding a job where 80% of the labour is in conduit and wiring, understanding the factors that affect that labour is crucial to submitting an accurate bid and making a profit at the end. The labour in an estimate must account for things like: unloading equipment and materials; moving materials to the jobsite; unpacking, assembling, installing, and cleanup; non-productive labour; and supervision. An estimator must also account for other associated risks, which may include:
QUESTION 1
A
• Quality of the personnel; crew size • Quality of design • Quantity of materials (e.g. one item versus 500) • Building/ceiling heights; confined spaces • Location of site and its condition • Jobsite scheduling; shift-work, overtime hours • Weather conditions • Site or client-specific requirements (e.g. safety, training, QA/QC)
The CE Code requires a splitter to be installed where two or more conductors are connected to a conductor larger than ___ copper. a) #4 AWG b) #6 AWG
c) #1/0 AWG d) #2/0 AWG
QUESTION 2
For single dwelling units, the CE Code requires a minimum ___ duplex receptacles to be installed in a 2-door car garage with overhead door openers, a cord-connected central vacuum, and a garbage disposal unit installed. a) 2 b) 4
c) 5 d) 6
QUESTION 3
Does the CE Code permit a bare neutral in a consumer service when this conductor is made of copper and run in a raceway? a) Yes
b) No
ANSWERS
Electrical Business, September 2022 ed. Question 1 A totally enclosed, non-ventilated Class B motor requires conductors rated at 38A. The minimum size copper multiconductor cable that can be used is: b) No. 8 AWG TECK90. Rule 28-104, Tables 37 and 2. Question 2 Rapid shutdown is required for PV systems on or in buildings where the PV source or output conductors are: d) More than 1 m from the array, with shutdown within 30 s. Rule 64-218.
A lot of these factors do not show up on prints or in the specs, but the estimator must investigate them to see whether they affect the project. This is the difference between an experienced estimator and a take-off person: a good estimator will weigh the risks involving material, labour and jobsite conditions to obtain an accurate estimate that will make for a profitable outcome.
Question 3 Equipment marked Ex ia Gb is suitable for installation in a Zone 0 location.
John F. Wiesel is the president of Suderman Estimating Systems Inc., and has been estimating and teaching estimating since the early 1980s. Dan Beresford served as an electrician in the Canadian Navy, then worked in various roles in the electrical sector before joining Suderman.
How did YOU do? 3 • Seasoned journeyman 2 • Need refresher training
EBMAG.COM
b) False. Rule 18-090, Table 18.
1 • Apprentice 0 • Just here for fun!
October 2022 · ELECTRICAL BUSINESS
29
Code file DAVID PILON
D Tables and the Notwithstanding clause
T
o understand the purpose of the CE Code’s D Tables, we must first understand how temperature and environment affect a cable’s rating. For instance, when we run a cable through a high ambient-temperature area, we look to Table 5A to adjust the ampacity of the cable for that installation. Three tables, in fact, are used to adjust cable ampacity based on various factors—Tables 5A, 5B and 5C. Direct burial, however, is not one of them. For that, we turn to Rule 4-004(1)(2) in the CE Code where, via the D Tables, we find direction for direct burial, underground or raceway installations. You have a few options at your disposal for these types of installation. You could use the D Tables—which are based on the Neher-McGrath methodology, as applied to IEEE 835—or use IEEE 835 to provide your calculations and prove your cable size selection (CE Code, Appendix B). When the installer is doing the design, the D Tables provide the minimum cable rating. In some instances, cost savings will be realized on a reduced cable size; in others, the savings will come from not having to dig up and replace cables due to a reduction in ampacity. For example, I am building a 1200A service. Rule 4-006 tells me I need
In some instances, cost savings will be realized on a reduced cable size; in others, the savings will come from not having to dig up and replace cables due to a reduction in ampacity. to use the 75 C column in the Tables. Further, I want to use aluminum, as it is easier to work with and more cost-effective. If I use multi-conductor cable, Table 4 says I need four (4) runs of 500-kcmil cable with an ampacity of 310A each. Now I take direct burial into account, and discover I may need to use a different size of cable to perform the same work. I turn to the D Tables, which are specific as to the type of installation and its location (e.g. underground). Now I look at the configuration and spacing requirements on pages 764765 of the CE Code, Appendix D. I am using four (4) parallel cables (Detail 4 and Table D10B). Note that these tables are at 90 C and, as such, you must adjust to 75 C by multiplying the ampacity by “.886”. In this scenario, the 600-kcmil rated at 345A x .886 = 306A. Therefore, I am going to need
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ELECTRICAL BUSINESS · October 2022
600-kcmil cables to meet the ampacity requirements. Now for the notwithstanding clause, which causes the most confusion! Rule 4-004(17) states that where the lower-ampacity portion of the cable installation—consisting of not more than four (4) conductors in total—does not exceed 10% of the circuit length or 3 metres (which ever is less), the higher ampacity shall be permitted. So, a 600-kcmil multi-conductor cable in free air at 75 C is 340A; but, when installed as per Detail 4, it has a 75 C rating of 306A. In this case, the lower ampacity is 306A so, should the underground portion exceed 3 metres or 10% of the run, then the lower ampacity (the 306A) comes into play. Sometimes, however, the numbers flip. Take, for example, a 200A farm service where we need to run cable across the yard. Again, we are using aluminum. Table 4’s 75 C column tells me I need 250-kcmil cable for this service. Table D10B tells me I can do this installation with 2/0 aluminum with a 75 C rating of 204A. Table 4 rates 2/0 cable at 75 C at 135A. The D Tables state that aluminum 2/0 cable is good for 204A when direct buried. So, again, we look at the notwithstanding wording. In this situation, the lower-ampacity portion of the installation is the free air portion, so we need to look at how much cable is in that area. If more then 10% of the run—or 3 metres—is in the free air location, then the lower ampacity of 135A has to be used. There are ways to make this work, so be sure to contact your local authority having jurisdiction for guidance.
Always consult your AHJ for more specific interpretations David Pilon is manager, Electrical Inspections, at Technical Safety Authority, Saskatchewan (TSASK). He also serves as vice-chair of the Canadian Certified Electrical Inspector (CCEI) committee of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), Canadian Section. He can be reached at david.pilon@tsask.ca. EBMAG.COM
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