When performing any electrical installation, you will need to know some vital information. It’s vitally important that you understand that we highly recommend that you have any electrical installation performed by a licensed and insured Red Seal, journeyman electrician. These professional electrical installers have years of experience and education that will allow them to perform an install safely, professionally, and to code. If you’re looking for a professional, Crew Electrical Services offers a variety of Calgary electrical services and can help you with your electrical installation.
Building and Electrical Codes – Building and electrical codes can vary from province to province. In Alberta, both the Federal and the Provincial and Municipal governments regulate the building and electrical codes. Alberta follows the Canadian Electrical Code with some exceptions mandated by the provincial Standata. The federal code is called CSA C22.1-18 Canadian Electrical Code. You will have to look up the newest editions of these codes to make sure that your electrical installation complies as lots of changes were made with the 2018 code. The codebook is not free. You can find it at https://www.alberta.ca/electrical-codes-and-standards.aspx.
- Electrical Permits – Municipalities, such as Calgary, issue electrical permits. Usually, only a licensed electrical contractor can apply for an electrical permit for commercial or industrial buildings.
- Inspections – You will need at least two Safety Code inspections during the course of an electrical installation:
- An inspector will perform a rough inspection before you can conceal any work.
- An inspector will perform a final inspection once all covers are installed, and wiring is complete.
NOTE: You will need to address any flaws if you fail an inspection. A re-inspection fee may apply.
- Manufacturer’s Instructions – All electrical components will likely need to be CSA or ANSI approved to conform to the electrical building codes. Make sure to strictly follow the codes and the manufacturer’s instructions during the installation process. Doing so will help ensure correct and safe installation. It’s a great idea to keep copies of the installation instructions and relevant warranty information for quick reference at a later date.
- Possible Hazards – Working with electricity can be very dangerous. You should take every precaution to mitigate the risk of shock, fire, injury, and death. Here are some quick tips:
- Always have a partner when working with electricity. A partner can quickly call for help in case of electrical shock and they can perform first-aid and CPR if something tragic occurs.
- Always have a Class C or Class C combination fire extinguisher at hand. A Class C fire extinguisher can effectively put out electrical fires without exposing the user to the risk of electrical shock.
- Make sure the breaker for the electrical circuit you are working on is in the OFF ALWAYS check for voltage on all of the wires before touching them with a non contact voltage tester. Never perform an electrical installation on a live system. Doing so could result in an electric shock that could cause an injury or death.
- Electrical System – The electrical system in your building consists of your electrical panel, the main breaker, various secondary breakers, switches, lights, power outlets, and the electrical components plugged into the power outlets. Your electrical system can only handle a certain load. Each electrical component that draws electrical power adds to your system’s load. It is the purpose of each breaker in the electrical panel to prevent the electrical circuit from drawing excessive current. When too much current is drawn, the breaker trips to protect the system. You must understand the limits of your electrical system to ensure your electrical installation is possible.
- Electrical Installation- If you are planning an electrical installation for an appliance or device that consumes a lot of power, like a deep freeze or a hot tub, you may not have the power necessary. If this is the case, you will need to upgrade to a panel with more power amps if the circuit breaker trips when turning on your device. You don’t want to overload your electrical system. Other times, breakers may not trip during a fault and cause major damage to property or injury to persons. Just because your breaker doesn’t trip doesn’t mean you have a safe electrical installation
- Ground, Neutral, and Hot Wires – Electrical Installation often includes the wiring of electrical components. If you are wiring an electrical component, you will need to know which wires are hot, which one is neutral, and which one is the ground wire. The electrical component that is to be wired in should have a wiring diagram to assist the installer. The installer must make sure to turn off the breaker inside the electrical panel and test for voltage before attempting to install the electrical component.
- Quality of Workmanship – Have the quality of the installation checked once the electrical installation is complete by testing the electrical system. Some indicators of poor workmanship include the smell of burnt plastic, overheating appliances or devices, the tripping of the breaker, and intermittent interruption of power to electrical components. Lots of small details can be missed by someone who is not fully trained and competent and can ultimately lead to building fires, damage to sensitive electronics or even shock injury or death. It’s a good idea to ensure a Red Seal electrician performs an electrical system audit to help ensure the quality of the work.
Electrical installations can be dangerous. We recommend that Red Seal journeymen electricians perform all electrical installations and repairs. If you require an electrical installation by an insured residential or commercial electrician, call Crew Electrical today at 403.909.0888. We are open from 7 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.