BC Electrical Code Section 4 - Conductors

Directive

Directive: BC Electrical Code Section 4 - Conductors

March 4, 2025

Directive
Electrical

Reference Number:

D-EL 2016-04

Revision Number:

Revision 2



This Directive is being issued by a provincial safety manager pursuant to section 30 of the Safety Standards Act.

 

4-004 Ampacity of wires and cables (see Appendix B)

Subrule 1) f):

1) The maximum current that a copper conductor of a given size and insulation is permitted to carry shall be as follows:

“1) f) underground configurations in conductor sizes smaller than No. 1/0 AWG, as specified in Item b) or as calculated by the IEEE 835 calculation method”

(4-004 1) b) references conductors in a raceway or two or three conductor cable as specified in Table 2)

Subrule 2) f):

2) The maximum current that an aluminum conductor of a given size and insulation is permitted to carry shall be as follows:

“2) f) underground configurations in conductor sizes smaller than No. 1/0 AWG, as specified in Item b) or as calculated by the IEEE 835 calculation method”

(4-004 2) b) references conductors in a raceway or two or three conductor cable as specified in Table 4)

Interpretation:

When the ampacity of a conductor is selected in accordance with item f) and subsequently increased in size to a conductor #1/0 or larger to meet voltage drop requirements, the conductor may be installed in compliance with Rule 12-012 Underground instillations.

Subrule 5) The ampacity of neutral supported cable shall be as specified in Tables 36A and 36B.

Interpretation:

When a conductor of a neutral supported cable has been utilized as a non-current carrying conductor, the ampacity of the cable may be based on the number of current carrying conductors as specified in Tables 36A and 36B.

Example: One insulated conductor of an aluminum quadruplex neutral supported cable has been used as a bond conductor. The ampacity of the neutral supported cable may be based on the corresponding triplex column of Table 36A.

 

 

Vicky Kang
Manager, Energy
Provincial Safety Manager, Electrical

 

References:
Safety Standards Act
Electrical Safety Regulation
Safety Standards General Regulation

Back To Top

As a province-wide organization, Technical Safety BC respectfully recognizes that its employees live and work on the traditional and unceded territories of the many Indigenous Nations that have thrived throughout British Columbia since time immemorial.

Technical Safety BC collects information for the purposes of administering the Safety Standards Act. That Act, along with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, constitutes the authority to collect such information. If you have questions about the collection, use, or disclosure of this information, contact the Senior Records, Information and Privacy Analyst for Technical Safety BC at 1 866 566 7233.