CSA Group CSA C22.2 No. 31:23 Switchgear assemblies

Preface
This is the twelfth edition of CSA C22.2 No. 31, Switchgear assemblies. It supersedes previous editions, published in 2018, 2014, 2010, 2004, 1989, 1983, 1977, 1972, 1965, 1958, and 1939.

The major changes to this edition include
a) scope revision for clarification;
b) clarification of grounding and bonding;
c) addition of automatic transfer switch requirements to high voltage switchgear assemblies;
d) addition of expulsion type fuse testing requirements; and
e) revisions to Annex F.

It is one of a series of Standards issued by CSA Group under Part II of the Canadian Electrical Code. For general information on the Standards of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part II, see the Preface of CSA C22.2 No. 0.

This Standard is considered suitable for use for conformity assessment within the stated scope of the Standard.

This Standard was prepared by the Integrated Committee on Switchgear Products, under the jurisdiction of the Technical Committee on Industrial Products, and the Strategic Steering Committee on Requirements for Electrical Safety 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.

Interpretations: The Strategic Steering Committee on Requirements for Electrical Safety has provided the following direction for the interpretation of the standards under its jurisdiction: “The literal text shall be used in judging compliance of products with the safety requirements of this Standard. When the literal text cannot be applied to the product, such as for new materials or construction, and when a relevant committee interpretation has not already been published, CSA Group’s procedures for interpretation shall be followed to determine the intended safety principle.”

Notes:
1) Use of the singular does not exclude the plural (and vice versa) when the sense allows.
2) Although the intended primary application of this Standard is stated in its Scope, it is important to note that it remains the responsibility of the users of the Standard to judge its suitability for their particular purpose.
3) This Standard was developed by consensus, which is defined by CSA Policy governing standardization — Code
of good practice for standardization as “substantial agreement. Consensus implies much more than a simple
majority, but not necessarily unanimity”. It is consistent with this definition that a member may be included in
the Technical Committee list and yet not be in full agreement with all clauses of this Standard.
4) To submit a request for interpretation of this Standard, please send the following information to [email protected] and include “Request for interpretation” in the subject line:
a) define the problem, making reference to the specific clause, and, where appropriate, include an illustrative sketch;
b) provide an explanation of circumstances surrounding the actual field condition; and
c) where possible, phrase the request in such a way that a specific “yes” or “no” answer will address the issue.
Committee interpretations are processed in accordance with the CSA Directives and guidelines governing standardization and are available on the Current Standards Activities page at standardsactivities.csa.ca.
5) This Standard is subject to review within five years from the date of publication. Suggestions for its improvement will be referred to the appropriate committee. To submit a proposal for change, please send the following information to [email protected] and include “Proposal for change” in the subject line:
a) Standard designation (number);
b) relevant clause, table, and/or figure number;
c) wording of the proposed change; and
d) rationale for the change

1 Scope

1.1
This Standard applies to deadfront indoor enclosed and outdoor enclosed assemblies of switchgear devices such as
a) switches;
b) interrupting devices;
c) air circuit breakers;
d) power circuit breakers; and
e) control, metering, protective, and regulating equipment with associated interconnections and
supporting structures.

1.2
This Standard covers equipment with a nominal voltage of 46 kV or less that is intended to be used
a) in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I;
b) in non-hazardous locations;
c) for controlling and protecting the power from generators or other sources; and
d) for supplying electrical energy to power and lighting circuits.

1.3
This Standard does not apply to
a) switchboards for power distribution (see CSA C22.2 No. 244);
b) switchboards for communication circuits;
c) panelboards (see CSA C22.2 No. 29);
d) industrial control equipment (see CSA C22.2 No. 14);
e) low-voltage assemblies consisting of separately supported enclosed switches;
f) enclosed circuit breakers (see CSA C22.2 No. 5);
g) service meters with interconnection between them enclosed in raceways; and
h) individual low-voltage switchgear and controlgear switching devices such as contactors or proximity switches (see CSA C22.2 No. 60947 series and Note 2 below).

Notes:
1) Manufacturers and installers of switchgear assemblies approved under this Standard should take due note of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, with respect to the location of switchgear devices in areas where certain components might not be acceptable.
2) The terms “switchgear” and “switchgear assemblies” used within the content of this Standard refer to assemblies primarily intended to provide protection and control of either low- or high-voltage feeder and subfeeder circuits in connection with the generation, transmission, distribution, and conversion of electric power. These terms should not be confused with the IEC terms “switchgear” and “controlgear” used within the context of the CSA C22.2 No. 60947 series of standards which cover individual or combinations of individual low-voltage switching devices intended for the control, measurement, or regulation of energy-consuming equipment.

1.4
Clauses 2 to 6 apply to all switchgear assemblies and are supplemented and amended by
a) Clause 7 for low-voltage switchgear assemblies; and
b) Clause 8 for high-voltage switchgear assemblies.
Note: See Annex F for additional requirements applicable for pressurized gas insulated switchgear.

1.5
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 (nonmandatory) to define their
application.