New 2006 Canadian Electric Code Requirement

The new 2006 Canadian Electrical Code has substantially strengthened its regulations relative to the prevention of the passage of flammable process fluids (that could cause corrosion to cause corrosion to instrumentation or, even more problematically, to ignite when in the presence of instrumentation, causing damage to property and possible injury to people) by creating a new requirement for “secondary seals” that now states that the passage of flammable process fluids under pressure in hazardous environments must be prevented.

Note: The 2002 Canadian Electrical Code that preceded the 2006 Canadian Electrical Code did not require address the prevention of the passage of flammable process fluids under pressure.

The Conax HL Gland is uniquely designed and manufactured with CSA® certification so this sealing gland alone can satisfy this new Canadian Electrical Code regulation that requires the prevention of the passage of flammable process fluids under pressure. That is because the Conax HL Gland is the only conduit seal to have CSA certification in the US and Canada for use in hazardous locations defined by the NEC® as Class I, Div. 1 and 2, Groups B,C and D; Class II, Div. 1 and 2, Groups E, F and G; and Class III.

The Conax HL Gland meets the requirements of both a primary seal and secondary seal as defined in the 2006 Canadian Electrical Code. Therefore, it can be used in conjunction with a Chico® seal on existing applications or can be used by itself in new installations. It also meets the requirements of a “conduit seal” and “cable seal” by preventing the passage of flames.

The Conax HL Gland eliminates costly replacement of instruments since the HL Gland prevents the seepage of moisture/condensation into the instrument housing which is often a source for corrosion and ultimately can result in instrument failure.

In the past, the 2002 Canadian Electrical Code (and previous editions) required the mitigation of flame propogation, but did not address the migration of flammable process fluids under pressure. This allowed the Chico compound fitting, and other compound fittings similar to it, to meet the Canadian Electrical Code regulations. Today, that is no longer the case, because these types of compound fittings are not certified with a pressure rating sufficient to meet the revised regulations of the 2006 Canadian Electrical Code relative the prevention of passage of flammable process fluids under pressure. The Chico fitting will still meet the requirements for Conduit Sealing and Cable Seal but will not meet the more stringent requirements of secondary seal.

Call Conax for more information on the 2006 Canadian Electrical Code requirements as they relate to the Conax Hazardous Location (HL) Conduit Seal.

Chico® is a registered trademark of Cooper Crouse-Hinds.