2021 Update of the

Canadian CSA Z462

• 1. Webinar Objectives
• 2. Electrical Safety Standards in Canada
• 3. IEEE 1584-2018 Update
• 4. CSA Z462-2021 Update
• 5. Questions?

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01
Webinar Objectives
 Webinar Objectives

Past webinars:
• Understanding Canadian Electrical Workplace Safety Standards -
CSA Z462 and CAN/ULC-S801:
https://www.easypower.com/resources/article/understanding-
canadian-electrical-workplace-safety-standards-csa-z462
• The Impact of the New IEEE 1584-2018 Standard on Arc Flash
Studies: https://www.easypower.com/resources/article/impact-of-
ieee-1584-2018-standard-on-arc-flash-studies

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

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02
Electrical Safety
Standards in Canada
 Electrical Safety Standard
in Canada
Applicable standards:
• OHSA
• CEC Rule 2-306 and Appendix B
• Canadian Bill C-45
• CSA Z462-21 (NFPA 70E)
• IEEE 1584-2018
• CAN/ULC-S801
Arc flash history:
• 1979 (First version of NFPA 70E)
• 1980 (Lee)
• 1995 (Arcs and limits of approach)
• 2008 (First version of CSA Z462)
• 2012, 2015, 2018 (Revisions of CSA Z462)
• 2021 (Latest version of CSA Z462)
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 Electrical Safety Standard
in Canada
Example case
• An arc flash study is not mandatory but Bill C-45 strongly
encourages business owners or employers to complete an arc
flash study and implement live work safety procedures
• Reference: https://news.ontario.ca/archive/en/2009/04/20/Court-
Bulletin-Domtar-Inc-fined-87000-after-worker-injured.html

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 Electrical Safety Standard
in Canada
Applicable standard – OHSA
• Every employer ensures, as far as it is reasonably practicable for
the employer to do so, to:
• Take every reasonable precaution to ensure the workplace is safe
• Train employees about any potential hazards
• Supply personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure workers
know how to use the equipment safely and properly
• Every worker shall, while engaged in an occupation:
• Work in compliance with OH&S acts and regulations
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing as directed by
the employer
• Take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of the worker
and of other workers present while the worker is working

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 Electrical Safety Standard
in Canada
Applicable Codes
• CEC Rule 2-306

• Appendix B

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03
IEEE 1584-2018
Update
IEEE 1584-2018 Update
• Previous CSA Z462-2018 version only referred to IEEE 1584-2002, adoption of
IEEE 1584-2018 was a “grey zone“ (Annex D)
• CSA Z462-2021 now officially adopts the IEEE 1584-2018 standard

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IEEE 1584-2018 Update
• Update of the arc flash calculation algorithm on which the CSA Z462 is based
(Annex D)

• First update since 2002, except for amendments in 2004 and 2011

• The incident energy calculation formulas were revised and replaced by models
based on statistical analyses based on more than 1860 tests, while the 2002
version was based on about 300 tests

• The electrode (busbar) configuration is now used as a parameter in the

• The enclosure size of the equipment is now used in the calculations : height,
width, depth

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IEEE 1584-2018 Update
• IEEE 1584 model application limits were extended
• 2002 Version:
• Voltage: 208 V to 15 kV, three-phase
• Short-circuit current: 700 A to 106 kA
• Distance between phases: 13 mm to 152 mm
• 2018 Version:
• Voltage: 208 V to 15 kV, three-phase
• Short-circuit current:
– 208 V to 600 V: 500 A to 106 kA
– 601 V to 15 kV: 200 A to 65 kA
• Distance between phases:
– 208 V to 600 V: 6.35 mm to 76.2 mm
– 601 V to 15 kV: 19.05 mm to 254 mm

• The system grounding (delta, floating wye, wye grounded with impedance,
wye solidly grounded) is no longer considered in arc flash calculations

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IEEE 1584-2018 Update
• 2 seconds limit for the duration of the arc fault still applies
• 2002 Version : "It is likely that a person exposed to an arc flash will move away quickly if it is
physically possible and two seconds is a reasonable maximum time for calculations."
• 2018 Version : "It is likely that a person exposed to an arc flash will move away quickly if it is
physically possible, and 2 s usually is a reasonable assumption for the arc duration to
determine the incident energy."

• Exception for small distributions is modified, the power limit of 125 kVA is
replaced by a fault current of 2 kA
• 2002 Version : "Equipment below 240 V need not be considered unless it involves at least one
125 kVA or larger transformer in its immediate power supply."
• 2018 Version : "Sustainable arcs are possible but less likely in three-phase systems operating
at 240 V nominal or less with an available short-circuit current less than 2000 A."

2 kA equivalent in transformer power rating

208 V Secondary : 𝑆 = 3 ∗ 𝑉 ∗ 𝐼𝑐𝑐 ∗ %𝑍 = 3 ∗ 208 𝑉 ∗ 2 𝑘𝐴 ∗ 0.04 = 𝟐𝟗 𝒌𝑽𝑨

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IEEE 1584-2018 Update
• Motor rated power limit of ≥ 50 hp is modified and now only refers to "large
motors", but other standards in reference still refer to the ≥ 50 hp limit
• 2002 Version : "The study must take into account all sources, including utilities, standby and
power generators, and large motors – those 37 kW (50 hp) and larger that contribute energy to
short circuits."
• 2018 Version : "Systems containing multiple sources of short-circuit current, such as generators,
large motors, or more than one utility supply, can be more accurately modeled with a dynamic
simulation method. Methods may include multiple calculations to account for decaying short-circuit
current contributions from rotating equipment, and the effect on protective device opening times
and resulting incident energy."
• References :
• IEEE 1584.1-2013 : "The higher available fault current calculations should be based on
all simultaneously operating large motors (greater than or equal to 50 hp) turned on,
and the lower calculations should be based on no large motors running."
• IEEE 551-2006 (Violet Book) : "For application of ac medium-voltage circuit breakers,
symmetrical (ac component) short-circuit current duties are calculated according to
IEEE Std C37.010-1999 […]. The calculations omit all motors of less than 50 hp each."
• IEEE C37.010-2016 : "Neglect all three-phase induction motors below 37.5kW (50 hp)
and all single-phase motors."

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IEEE 1584-2018 Update
• Recommended method for > 15 kV is no longer specifically the Lee method,
therefore other methods or software now are more relevant
• 2002 Version : "For cases where voltage is over 15 kV, or gap is outside the range of the model,
the theoretically derived Lee method can be applied and it is included in the IEEE Std 1584-2002
Incident Energy Calculators."
• 2018 Version : "There are alternative calculation methods for system parameters that fall outside
of the range of the model. However, no particular recommendation can be made because there
are other application details such as bolted fault current levels, voltage, gap length, operating
frequency, number of phases, types of faults, etc. The user is advised to properly research
alternative calculation methods and their application viabilities."

• The Lee method was far too conservative compared to other software for
voltages >> 15 kV

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IEEE 1584-2018 Update
• Single-phase systems: still not explicitly covered by IEEE 1584, but a
conservative method is given
• 2002 Version : "Single-phase ac systems [...] are not included in this guide."
• 2018 Version : "This model does not cover single-phase systems. Arc-flash incident energy testing
for single-phase systems has not been searched with enough detail to determine a method for
estimating the incident energy. Single-phase systems can be analyzed by using the single-phase
bolted fault current to determine the single-phase arcing current (using the equations provided in 4.4
and 4.10). The voltage of the single-phase system (line-to-line, line-to-ground, center tap voltage,
etc.) can be used to determine the arcing current. The arcing current can then be used to fnd the
protective device opening time and incident energy by using the three-phase equations provided in
this guide. The incident Energy result is expected to be conservative."
• DC networks: still not explicitly covered by IEEE 1584, publications (i.e. Doan)
are now added as references
• 2002 Version : "There is ongoing testing at dc, but it was not used in this analysis. Therefore dc and
other frequencies of operation such as 400 Hz are not included in the IEEE Std 1584-2002
empirically derived model.", " [...] DC systems are not included in this guide."
• 2018 Version : "Arc-flash incident energy calculation for DC systems is not part of this model.
However, publication references (Ammerman et al. [B1], Das [B16], [B17], Doan [B25], Klement
[B62]) provide some guidance for incident energy calculation."

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04
CSA Z462-2021
Update
CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Addition of new PPE category 5
(40 to 75 cal/cm2) + high-visibility apparel
+ hand protection (Table 6C):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New definitions (Clause 3):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• “Normal operating condition” now becomes “normal equipment condition”
(Clause 4.1.7.8.4):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New requirement for employers to create and document an electrical safety
policy (Clause 4.1.5):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Recognized methods of electrical training have been updated (Clause
4.1.8.1.5):
• 2021 (new version):

• 2018 (old version):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Minimum voltage threshold for hazard has been changed from 30 V to 30 V AC
or 60 V DC (now excludes 48 V DC telecom networks) (Clauses 4.1.6, 4.1.11 &
4.3.7):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Minimum voltage threshold for hazard has been changed from 30 V to 30 V AC
or 60 V DC (now excludes 48 V DC telecom networks) (Clauses 4.1.6, 4.1.11 &
4.3.7):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New method to select PPE levels for AC (Clauses 4.3.5, 4.3.7, B.2, H.1, H.2,
Annex V, Table 6C and Table H.1):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New method to select PPE levels for AC (Clauses 4.3.5, 4.3.7, B.2, H.1, H.2,
Annex V, Table 6C and Table H.1):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New method to select PPE levels for AC (Clauses 4.3.5, 4.3.7, B.2, H.1, H.2,
Annex V, Table 6C and Table H.1): Figure V.1:

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New method to select PPE levels for AC (Clauses 4.3.5, 4.3.7, B.2, H.1, H.2,
Annex V, Table 6C and Table H.1): Table V.1:

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New method to select PPE levels for AC (Clauses 4.3.5, 4.3.7, B.2, H.1, H.2,
Annex V, Table 6C and Table H.1):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New method to select PPE levels for AC (Clauses 4.3.5, 4.3.7, B.2, H.1, H.2,
Annex V, Table 6C and Table H.1):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Added guidance on practices when incident energy exceeds available PPE
limits (Clause 4.3.7.3.1):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New Table 4A includes rubber insulating gloves classes voltage levels:

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Table 6A has been changed (new equipment categories and PPE categories):

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 CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Clause 5 on maintenance requirements has been completely overhauled:
New table of contents (2021) Old table of contents (2018)

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Clause 5 on maintenance requirements has been completely overhauled:

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Clause 5 on maintenance requirements has been completely overhauled:

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Clause 5 on maintenance requirements has been completely overhauled:

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Clause 5 on maintenance requirements has been completely overhauled:

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Clause 5 on maintenance requirements has been completely overhauled:

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Clause 5 on maintenance requirements has been completely overhauled:

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Table A1 on correspondance between CSA Z462 and CSA Z45001 has been
rewritten:
• CSA Z462: Electrical Workplace Safety
• CSA Z45001: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS)

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New job planning checklist example added (Figure I.2):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New job planning checklist example added (Figure I.2):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New job planning checklist example added (Figure I.2):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• Annex O rewritten to provide more and clearer ways to reduce arc flash or
shock hazard (not a mandatory part of this standard):
• Incident energy reduction methods : ZSI, differential relays, maintenance switches, arc flash relays,
line-side isolation, arc quenching devices, high resistance grounding, current-limiting devices, shunt-
tripping for blown fuses
• Safety by design methods : finger-safe components, insulating barriers, disconnects clost to motors
or branches, current-limiting cable limiters, inspection windows, windows for IR scanning of joints,
ultra-sonic ports for non-contact diagnostics, multiple disconnects instead of one, instantaneous
overcurrent protection and reducing protection adjustments, arc-resistant equipment, remote device
racking and deracking, remote device operating, GFCI, permanent voltage measurement, detection
or absence of voltage detection, remote electrical equipment communication, GIS to reduce
maintenance requirements on switchgears

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New Annex P: Electrical switching and isolation (not a mandatory part of this
standard):

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CSA Z462-2021 Update
• New Annex T: Temporary protective grounding (not a mandatory part of this
standard):

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 Questions?
(submit them through the
question box)

Simon Giard-Leroux, P.Eng.