Protection and Control Quick Reference

Guide
Based on the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (24th edition, published 2018)
The Rules of Section 14 apply to electrical installations, including circuits and apparatus installed
in accordance with the requirements of other Sections, except where those Sections provide
specific amendments to the general Rules.

Section 14, Protection and control Your Notes

Requirements
Scope – Subsection 14-000
General requirements – Subsection 14-010
Protective devices – Subsection 14-100
Control devices– Subsection 14-400
Protection and control of miscellaneous apparatus– Subsection 14-600
Solid-state devices– Subsection 14-700

A few important terms for this Section

Circuit breaker — a device designed to open and close a circuit by
non-automatic means and to open the circuit automatically on a
predetermined overcurrent without damage to itself when properly
applied within its ratings.
Instantaneous-trip circuit breaker — a circuit breaker
designed to trip only under short-circuit conditions.
Overcurrent device — any device capable of automatically opening
an electric circuit, under both predetermined overload and short-
circuit conditions, either by fusing of metal or by electromechanical
means.
Ground fault protection — a means of detecting and interrupting a
ground fault current at a level less than the current required to
operate the circuit overcurrent device (see Appendix B).

Rule 14-000 Scope

This Section applies to the protection and control of electrical circuits and
apparatus installed in accordance with the requirements of this Section
and other Sections of this Code.

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Protection and Control QRG 2018 CE Code, Part I – Section 14

Section 14, Protection and control Your Notes

Rule 14-012 Ratings of protective and control equipment

To apply Rule requirements if Item b), installers need to know the
available fault current at the point of application (connection) in the
circuit. Local utilities usually provide information on the fault current
levels at the supply service, but at other downstream points in the
system these levels are to be calculated.
Methods for calculating or estimating fault currents can be obtained from
available literature, such as CSA C22.2 No. 5, Molded-case circuit
breakers, molded-case switches, and circuit breaker enclosures, or from
fuse, circuit breaker, or electrical equipment manufacturers.
All electrical equipment intended to clear fault currents are to be marked
with a voltage rating, a continuous current rating, and an
interrupting/short-circuit current rating.

Typical label for electrical equipment intended to clear fault

currents

Rule 14-100 Overcurrent protection of conductors

Rule 14-100 requires that all ungrounded conductors of a feeder or
circuit are to be protected by overcurrent devices at the point where the
conductor receives its electrical energy or where its ampacity rating is
reduced. The Appendix B Note to Rule 14-100 clarifies that the Rule
applies only to conductors interconnecting electrical equipment; it does
not apply to overcurrent protection of electrical equipment as required by
other Rules of the Code.

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Protection and Control QRG 2018 CE Code, Part I – Section 14

Section 14, Protection and control Your Notes

Rule 14-102 Ground fault protection

In a solidly grounded system, any ground fault current is returned to the
system through a path other than the neutral. When a ground fault
occurs, the fault current bypasses the sensor. The net current flow
through the sensor is no longer zero, and the sensor sends a tripping
signal to the overcurrent device.

Zero-sequence type ground fault protection system

Rule 14-104 Rating of overcurrent devices

Subrule 1) The rating or setting of overcurrent devices shall not exceed
the allowable ampacity of the conductors that they protect, except
a) Where a fuse or circuit breaker having a rating or setting of the same
value as the ampacity of the conductor is not available, and the
maximum calculated or known load is in accordance with the Rules
of Section 8, the ratings or settings given in Table 13 shall be
permitted to be used within the maximum value of 800A;
b) In the case of equipment wire, flexible cord in sizes Nos. 16, 18, and
20 AWG copper, and tinsel cord, which are considered protected by
15A overcurrent devices; or
c) As provided for by other Rules of this Code.
Subrule 2) Except as provided for Subrule 1) c), the rating of overcurrent
protection shall not exceed:
a) 15 A for No. 14 AWG copper conductors;
b) 20 A for No. 12 AWG copper conductors;
c) 30 A for No. 10 AWG copper conductors;
d) 15 A for No. 12 AWG aluminum conductors; and
e) 25 A for No. 10 AWG aluminum conductors.

Rule 14-204 Non-interchangeable fuses

To prevent over-fusing, Subrule 1) requires that plug fuses are to be of
the non-interchangeable type, so that they cannot be replaced by fuses
with higher ratings. Two designs of non-interchangeable fuses have
been developed: Type C and Type S. The Type C fuse is most
commonly used in Canada. The design features a rejection washer that
is placed into the fuseholder; any attempt to insert a fuse with the

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Protection and Control QRG 2018 CE Code, Part I – Section 14

Section 14, Protection and control Your Notes

incorrect rating is defeated by the washer.

Type C fuse (non-interchangeable)

Rule 14-604 Outlet control from more than one point

Outlets or luminaires are often controlled from more than one location
(e.g., a luminaire in a stairwell that is to be controlled from either floor
level). This Rule requires that switches used to control outlets or
luminaires from more than one point are to be connected so that all
switching is done in the ungrounded circuit conductors only.

Typical three-way switching circuits

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Protection and Control QRG 2018 CE Code, Part I – Section 14

Section 14, Protection and control Your Notes

Rule 14-702 Disconnecting means required

Subrule 1) requires that, when solid-state devices are used in
such a way that their leakage or failure can cause a transfer of
energy between different power sources (e.g., the normal supply
or the battery in Figure 14-16), a supplementary disconnecting
means is to be provided that, when opened, prevents any such
transfer between the power sources.

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with supplementary

disconnecting means to prevent feedback

Canadian Electrical Code Handbook

Seeking more explanation of Section 14 in plain, easy-to-understand language?
The Canadian Electrical Code Handbook provides background information on the reasons behind
the requirements in the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.
The Handbook is intended to provide a clearer understanding of the safety requirements of the
Code.
Purchase on the CSA Store at https://store.csagroup.org.

© 2018 Canadian Standards Association 5