SPE-1000-09
Model Code for the Field Evaluation of
Electrical Equipment
For Your Safety
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Outline
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Canadian Advisory Council
Task Force on SPE-1000-09
Preface
Introduction
Application
Definitions
Referenced Standards
Compliance With Standards
Safety and Protection
Cathode Ray Tubes
Fire Hazard Investigation
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Grounding and Bonding
Interconnections
Overcurrent Protection
Rechargeable Batteries
Lighting
Heaters and Heating Elements
Dielectric Testing
Determining Sample Size
Strain Relief Testing
Probe Diagram
New Field Evaluation Label
Presentation Format
• Everything in this presentation is an
addition to the model code unless it
is indicated otherwise
• Changes to the model code will be
indicated in RED
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The Canadian Advisory Council
on Electrical Safety (CACES)
• The Canadian Advisory Council on
Electrical Safety (CACES) is a council of
electrical regulatory and certification
experts who volunteer their time and
money to develop common solutions to
electrical safety and regulatory issues in
Canada.
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The Canadian Advisory Council
on Electrical Safety (CACES)
• CACES is authorized by Accredited Canadian
Certification Organizations to work with them in
an advisory capacity on all matters concerning
the certification and testing of electrical products
and systems in Canada.
• These matters include making recommendations
concerning codes and standards.
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The Canadian Advisory Council
on Electrical Safety (CACES)
• Input from CACES is new to the SPE1000-09 and you will find the names
of participants in the front of the
latest addition
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Task Force on SPE-1000-09
• Task Force consisted of 10 members representing a cross
section of the electrical industry and is located at the front of
the SPE-1000-09
• The following tribute to Rick Martin is located at the bottom
of the page containing the Task Force names:
The Task Force would like to acknowledge
the valuable contributions of R. (Rick) Martin,
former Task Force Chair and Member, who
passed away during the development of this
Model Code.
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Preface Changes
• Third edition of the SPE-1000 (was 2nd edition)
• Guidelines have been in effect for over 30 years (was
20 years)
• Updated terminology: “Special Inspection service
label” changed to “Field evaluation label”
• The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) can deviate
from the model code when necessary
• The task force on SPE-1000-09 prepared the changes
to the model code in response to requests for
changes from various stake holders
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Introduction Changes
Section 0.1
• Field Evaluation in accordance with the SPE-1000-09
must only be undertaken by fully qualified and
competent persons
• Should be experienced in testing equipment to
Canadian safety requirements or requirements
acceptable to the AHJ
• Equipment must meet essential construction,
marking, and test requirements before it can be
labeled
• AHJ’s have accepted this model code
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Application/Scope of the SPE-1000
Section 1.1.1 - 1.1.3
• Model code applies to field evaluation of
equipment that is impractical or inconvenient
to certify
• Field evaluated equipment that is in compliance
is considered acceptable by the AHJ
• Field evaluation is not intended to serve as a
substitute for certification
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Application/Scope of the SPE-1000
Section 1.2- 1.6
The SPE-1000 cannot be used when:
• More than 500 pieces of identical equipment are being sold in
a year (or in lesser quantities as determined by the AHJ)
• The complete system is not available for testing during the
evaluation process
• The equipment is rated at more than 46kV
• The equipment is not permitted to be evaluated by the AHJ (ie.
Air cleaning equipment that intentionally produces ozone)
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Terminology
Section 1.7
Terminology:
• “Shall”

• “Should” 
• “May”

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a requirement
a recommendation
an option
Definitions
Section 2.1
• Bonding — a low impedance path obtained by permanently joining all
non-current-carrying metal parts to ensure electrical continuity and having
the capacity to conduct safely any current likely to be imposed on it.
• Bonding conductor — a conductor that connects the non-current-carrying
parts of electrical equipment, raceways, or enclosures to the service
equipment or system grounding conductor.
• Canadian Advisory Council on Electrical Safety (CACES) — a body
recognized by the Standards Council of Canada to fulfill the role of
advisory body to accredited certification organizations and inspection
bodies offering product safety certification/field evaluation. It consists of
representatives of the various AHJs, SCC-accredited certification bodies,
inspection bodies, standards development organizations, and other
stakeholders.
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Definitions
Section 2.1
• Certification body — an organization accredited by the Standards Council
of Canada (SCC) to certify electrical equipment or electrical installations in
accordance with its scope of accreditation, and that is recognized by the
AHJ.
• Dead front — without live parts exposed to a person on the operating side
of the equipment. (reworded definition)
• Field evaluation — a process synonymous to the Special Inspection
process, whereby electrical equipment or a product is tested/evaluated
for the purpose of determining conformance to the requirements of this
Model Code. The test/evaluation may be at any location specified by the
user of the service and includes the location of equipment installation.
• Inspection body — an organization accredited by the Standards Council of
Canada to conduct field evaluation of electrical equipment and products
to the requirements of this Model Code, and that is recognized by the AHJ.
• Special inspection — see definition for field evaluation.
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Referenced Standards
Section 2.2
When references are made to other standards, they shall be
considered to refer to the most recent versions.
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards referenced are:
• B52-05
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• C22.1-09
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• CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 0-M91 (R2006) 
• C22.2 No. 0.1-M1985 (R2008)
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• C22.2 No. 0.4-04 (R2009)
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• C22.2 No. 0.5-1982 (R2008)
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• C22.2 No. 0.12-M1985 (R2007) 
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Mechanical refrigeration code
Canadian Electrical Code, Part I
General Requirements — Canadian
Electrical Code, Part ll
General requirements for doubleinsulated equipment
Bonding of electrical equipment
Threaded conduit entries
Wiring space and wire bending space
in enclosures for equipment rated
750 V or less
Referenced Standards
Section 2.2
The CSA standards referenced (cont.):
• C22.2 No. 1-04 (R2009)
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• CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 94.2-07
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• C22.2 No. 140.3-09
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• CAN/CSA-E61965-04 (R2008)
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Audio, video and similar electronic
equipment
Enclosures for Electrical Equipment,
Environmental Considerations
Refrigerant-containing components
for use in electrical equipment
Mechanical safety of cathode ray
tubes
The United States Department of Defense (U.S. DoD) standards
referenced are:
• MIL-STD-105E
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Sampling Procedures and Tables for
Inspection by Attributes
General Requirements
Section 3.1.1
• In order to ensure safety from potential hazards, the
requirements of this Model Code shall be
supplemented by other requirements as follows:
• The installation requirements of the Canadian
Electrical Code, Part I, as applicable;
• The requirements of the relevant equipment
standard(s) to address any potential hazards as
defined in this Code, as applicable; and
• Other requirements deemed necessary by the AHJ.
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Compliance with Standards
Section 3.1.3.2 & Annex B
Specific test and construction requirements are being
developed and incorporated into the next edition of the
SPE-1000 for equipment such as:
Audio/Video equipment
Inverters
High-voltage equipment
Power supplies
Hot Tubs
Residential heat-generating equipment
Hydromassage tubs
Spas
Industrial air-handling equipment
Used/refurbished equipment
Industrial control equipment
Welding equipment
Industrial heat-generating equipment
Wind turbines
• NOTE: Annex B is not a mandatory part of this code
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Labeling
Section 4.1.2.8
• All push buttons, lights, and switches on a
control panel shall have their functions clearly
and permanently marked.
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Safety and Protection
Section 3.2.1 & 3.2.4
• 3.2.1 (c) now states: limit leakage current to
the equipment body such that no shock
hazard exists. (Providing high-integrity
protective grounding is no longer an
acceptable method of eliminating a shock
hazard to the user)
• “Electrical equipment must be constructed to
provide ventilation to dissipate heat” has
been added under section 3.2.4 (e)
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Cathode Ray Tubes
Section 4.1.5
• The requirements for cathode ray tubes are
now contained in CAN/CSA-E61965
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Fire Hazard Investigation
Section 4.2.3 & 6.2.4
• Abnormal testing as outlined in Clause 6.2.4 may be
used when inspecting an enclosure with a flammability
classification rating of HB (Horizontal Burn) or less.
• This testing includes:
– short-circuiting or overloading the secondary windings of line
transformer, one at a time;
– locking the rotor of a motor;
– bypassing a noncertified supplementary overcurrent or overload
protector;
– selecting the wrong line voltage;
– blocking air passage of an electric fan; and
– short-circuiting of solid state components
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Grounding and Bonding
Section 4.10.6
• A bonding terminal may consist of an approved connector,
grounding lug (or equivalent construction), or a screw
assembled with a metal part of equipment to provide a
bonding terminal means, where the screw is at least:
a) size No. 6 for conductors smaller than No. 12 AWG; and
b) size No. 10 for conductors No.12 or 10 AWG.
• For all conductors No. 8 AWG and larger, an approved
connector or grounding lug, or equivalent construction, shall
be provided.
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Interconnections
Section 4.12.6
• White and Grey insulated current carrying
conductors can only be used for neutral unless
it is an identified conductor.
• Note that “blue” has been removed as only
qualifying for neutral…..
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Overcurrent Protection
Section 4.15.3
• Supplementary protectors can not be used
where branch circuit protection is required by
the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1
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Rechargeable Batteries
Section 4.18.4
• Enclosures containing rechargeable batteries
must be adequately ventilated, vented, or
louvered to allow for free flow of air around
vented batteries and easy escape of any
gasses that could be given off by the batteries.
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Lighting
Section 4.21.3
• Each fluorescent luminaire installed on branch circuits with
voltages exceeding 150 volts-to-ground shall be:
– provided with a disconnecting means integral with the
luminaire that simultaneously opens all circuit conductors
between the branch circuit conductors and the conductors
supplying the ballast(s); and
– marked in a conspicuous, legible, and permanent manner
adjacent to the disconnecting means, identifying the
specific purpose.
• A temperature test must be conducted when extreme
temperature might be present as a result of the construction
of a light fixture.
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Heaters & Heating Elements
Section 4.21.10
• A temperature test shall be conducted to
verify that no extreme temperatures are
present that could result in fire hazard or
insulation breakdown.
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Heaters & Heating Elements
Section 4.21.10
400 Degrees Celsius in 10 minutes
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Testing
Section 6.1
• Section 6.1 from the SPE-1000-99 was
removed. It stated:
Where testing is required, the field
representative of the certification organization
or inspector of the inspection agency performing
the safety evaluation of the equipment may
accept reports or other evidence of testing from
a certification organization, a testing
organization, a professional engineer, or another
responsible qualified person.
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Dielectric Testing
Section 6.1.1.2
• For equipment rated 30 V or less, the test
voltage shall be 500 V ac. The dielectric
strength test may be made by applying a dc
voltage instead of an ac voltage, provided that
the voltage used is 1.414 times the values
specified.
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Dielectric Testing
Section 6.1.1.3
• For equipment rated above 600 V, the
dielectric voltage withstand test of a particular
equipment Standard used in the electrical
equipment or product evaluation shall apply.
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Dielectric Testing
Section 6.1.1.7
• The dielectric strength testing may be
performed on a sampling basis provided that
the electrical equipment or products are of
consistent quality with respect to factors such
as routing of conductors, dressing of wiring,
neatness, etc. (see FEPPM)
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Determining Sample Size
For Dielectric Strength Testing
Section 6.1.1.7.1
• Criteria for selecting a sampling basis is as follows:
– The samples shall be selected at random by the special
inspection representative.
– If any of the samples fail the dielectric strength test, 100%
of the lot or batch shall be subjected to the dielectric
strength tests.
– The sample sizes outlined in Table 1 are minimums and
may be increased up to 100% of the lot or batch size where
the construction and quality of work are not uniform or
are not adequate, or as otherwise instructed by the AHJ.
– The sample size tested shall be recorded.
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Determining Sample Size
For Dielectric Strength Testing
Section 6.1.1.7.2
The general inspection levels are classified as follows:
• General inspection level I applies to electrical equipment or
products that are manufactured using an automated or controlled
process where consistent quality is always expected. Electrical
equipment and products in this category contain little or no hand
wiring.
• General inspection level II applies to electrical equipment or
products that contain a moderate amount of hand wiring.
• General inspection level III applies to electrical equipment or
products that contain a large amount of hand wiring. Electrical
equipment and products such as industrial control panels are
considered here.
Note: The general inspection levels are extracted from Table I of MIL-STD35
105E, and the sample size is selected from Table II-A of MIL-STD-105E.
Determining Sample Size
For Dielectric Strength Testing
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Strain Relief Testing
Section 6.1.3.2
• Strain Relief testing of power supply or
interconnecting cords is not required provided
that the strain relief mechanism meets the
following criteria:
– It is certified for the particular cord type; and
– It is suitable for the shape of opening and
application in that its dimensions correspond to
the size of the opening in which it is fitted, in
accordance with certification conditions.
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Probe Diagram
Figure 2: Probe — Hand-held machines, hand-held portions of
machines, home appliances, and equipment other than
commercial or industrial (See Clause 4.3.3.1.)
Note: Dimensions given are in millimeters.
Clause 4.3.3.1 Summary: The probe above cannot enter an
opening on an enclosure by more than 3.2mm and must not
touch any bare live parts within the enclosure.
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New Field Evaluation Label
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Summary
This presentation covered the changes in the
SPE-1000 from the 1999 edition to the 2009
edition. Please consult the SPE-1000-09 to
review the changes outlined in this presentation.
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