CSA C22.3 NO. 1:25 ✓ Most Recent

Preface 

This is the twelfth edition of CSA C22.3 No. 1, Overhead systems , one of a series of standards issued under the Canadian Electrical Code, Part III. It supersedes the previous editions published in 2020, 2015, 2010, 2006, 2001, 1987, 1985, 1979, 1976, and 1970, and the original edition, which was published as a series of five standards in 1959, 1953, 1947, and 1940. The following are the major changes to this edition: a) revised scope extends to the insides of buildings or sections of buildings where installations are employed by an electric, communication, or cable utility in the exercise of its function as a utility; b) removal of "where practicable" clause from the standard scope and instead captured in the terminology and definitions; c) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) included in the foreword; d) new and revised clause headings throughout for accessibility; e) new and revised definitions with an updated use of terminology: i) the following definitions have been added: "Ampacity", "Average", "Climate", "Equipment", "Extreme weather loading event", "Fault current", "Hazardous location", "Metallic", "Practicable", "Practical", "Short circuit", "Storm guying", "Storm hardening", "System resilience", and "Weather"; and ii) the following definitions have been revised: "All-terrain vehicle (ATV)", "Alongside", "Effectively grounded", "Grounding", "Grounding electrode", "Line", "Live", "Ordinary high- water level (OHWL)", "Pipeline", "Qualified person", "Right-of-way (ROW)", "Riser or riser cable", "Sag", "Service conductor", "Standard deviation (σ)", "Structure", and "Voltage"; f) revision of CCA content from the 2022 amendment, including introduction of definitions and use of terms for climate and weather; g) adjusting of "should" vs. "shall" language for CCA considerations from the 2022 amendment; h) new annex (Annex I) on recommendations for climate change scenarios and CCA adjusted values for design variables (temperature, precipitation, snow, ice, wind, etc.); i) nominal basic (low) voltage changed from 750 V to 1000 V throughout clauses and tables to align with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I; j) maintenance requirements and references to CSA C22.3 No. 11; k) revisions to Clauses 4.1.2.1, 4.1.2.2, 4.1.2.3, and A.4.1.2.2 to address climate change, resilience, reliability, maintenance, and safety; l) revisions to definitions and related clauses for sag and conductor swing (see Clauses 5.2.2, A.5.2.2, and A.5.2.8); m) revisions to Clauses 5.7.6.2, A.5.7.6.2, and A.5.7.8 to address separations from flammable equipment; n) revisions to Clauses 5.8.3.3, A.5.8.3.3, and A.5.9.1 to address joint-use common structures; o) revisions to Clauses 7.2.2 and 7.2.3 for regional/spatial category and local observation-based methods, previously weather category and historical weather methods; p) revisions to Clause 7.8.1.1 for general requirements for longitudinal loads at crossings; q) additional requirements and annex material for structure analysis for non-linear analysis (simulation analysis) (see Clauses 8.1.3, A.8.1.3, and A.7.3.6). Ability of designers to utilize load nonlinearity resulting from changing wire tensions during analysis is now restricted to simultaneous multi-structural analysis techniques. Previously, it was possible to include these effects during a single structure’s analysis. This is no longer permitted; r) revisions to Table 1 for partially sheltered and flat and coastal scenarios; s) revisions to Tables 2 and 4 for increased clearances for large/farming vehicles; t) revisions to Tables 2, 3, 4, and 13 for clarification of the calculation method per Clause A.5.3.1; u) revisions and additional clauses for agricultural equipment (see Clause A.5.3.1.1); and v) revisions to Annex D for calculations using locational climate data. CSA Group acknowledges that the development of this Standard was made possible, in part, by the financial support of Alectra Utilities, Electricity Canada, EPCOR, Fortis Alberta, Fortis BC, Hydro One, Hydro-Québec, IFD Corp., Maritime Electric, Newfoundland Hydro, Newfoundland Power, S&C Electric Canada Ltd., Schneider Electric Canada Inc., and Utilities Standards Forum. This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Overhead Systems, under the jurisdiction of Strategic Steering Committee on Power Engineering and EMC, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee. This Standard has been developed in compliance with Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada. It has been published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group. 

Scope 

1.1 General 

This Standard applies to electric supply and communication lines and equipment that, in the exercise of their function as a utility, are located a) entirely outside of buildings; b) outside of indoor and fenced supply stations; or c) inside buildings or sections of buildings where they are employed by a utility of i) an electric system; ii) a communication system; or iii) a community antenna distribution system. 

1.2 Existing installations 

Existing installations meeting the requirements of prior editions of this Standard need not be modified to comply with this edition of the Standard, except as might be required for safety reasons by the authority having jurisdiction. 

1.3 Applications 

This Standard, which forms part of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part III, provides requirements for the construction of overhead systems. It covers electric supply and communication circuits that a) are installed alone; b) are in joint-use; c) are in proximity to each other or other facilities; d) cross each other or other facilities; and e) cross railways, highways, navigable waters, or land that is likely to be traversed by vehicles or pedestrians. 

1.4 Deterministic and reliability-based design (RBD) 

This Standard presents a choice between deterministic and RBD methods. RBD methods are covered by CSA C22.3 No. 60826. 

1.5 Minimum design requirements 

The requirements contained in this Standard do not constitute complete design and construction specifications, but rather prescribe the minimum design requirements that are most important to the a) safety of persons; b) continuity of service; and c) protection of property. 

1.6 Common use standards 

Conditions not covered by this Standard are governed by equivalent Standards in common use or by the authority having jurisdiction. 

1.7 Other types of construction 

In some cases in this Standard, specific types of construction are envisaged. This does not preclude the use of other types of construction, provided that the engineering representatives involved can demonstrate the safety and suitability of these alternatives. 

1.8 More than one clause applies 

Where the requirements of more than one clause apply, all should be satisfied. 

1.9 Terminology 

In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.