Ontario Electrical Safety Code – Bulletins

Bulletin 36-5-13
Isolation of live parts
Rule 36-110

Issued May 2022

Supersedes Bulletin 36-5-12

Scope

1) Vertical isolation - Table 32

2) Horizontal isolation – Table 33
3) Outdoor transformer installations
4) Snow classification - Table 32

1) Vertical isolation – Table 32

Background
The following is provided as clarification of Rule 36-110 to assure no misunderstanding
regarding the requirements for isolation of live parts.

Direction
Bare conductors, insulated conductors not sheathed or enclosed in metal and other
bare live parts shall be (a) accessible only to authorized persons and (b) isolated from
inadvertent contact by:

1) Elevation above ground level by the number of metres prescribed in Table 32 for
indoor installations; or
2) Elevation above ground level by the number of metres prescribed in Table 32 for
outdoor installations in light and heavy snow areas; or
3) Grounded metal screens or barriers located so as to provide the equivalent
protection afforded by the elevations prescribed in Clauses 1 and 2; or
4) Interlocking such that the enclosure in which the conductors and other bare live
parts are installed cannot be entered until all equipment contained therein is de-
energized.

2) Horizontal isolation – Table 33

Bare conductors, insulated conductors not sheathed or enclosed in grounded metal and
other bare live parts shall be installed so as to maintain a horizontal clearance from
buildings of:
1) 3 metres where the voltage does not exceed 46,000 volts between phase
conductors; or
2) 3.7 metres where the voltage exceeds 46,000 volts but does not exceed
69,000 volts between phase conductors.

3) Outdoor transformer installations

©Electrical Safety Authority Bulletin 36-5-13 Page 1 of 3

 Ontario Electrical Safety Code – Bulletins

In outdoor installations where transformers having high voltage bushings in the top are
employed, and the bus rises vertically from the bushings to the required elevation
before proceeding to a horizontal direction, the requirements of Rule 36-110 shall not
apply to the bushings or the vertical section of bus providing that, in installations not
exceeding 46 kV:
1) The top of the transformer tank is not less than 2 metres above grade in a light
snow area; or
2) The top of the transformer tank is not less than 2.7 metres above grade in a
heavy snow area.

Where the pad on which a transformer is mounted extends beyond the transformer
sufficiently to permit a person to stand upon it, the top of the pad is deemed to be the
grade referred to above.

4) Snow classification - Table 32

Light snow areas are where the mean annual recorded depth of snow is 500 mm or
less.

Map B1 indicates locations with 50 cm and greater are defined as heavy snow areas.
Locations with 49 cm or less are light snow areas. Although local conditions for
locations with 49 cm or less may make it desirable to maintain heavy snow clearances,
acceptance will be based on the location being a light snow area.

Map B1 can be found at the following link:

https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/d90ddf8f-8893-11e0-bc5e-6cf049291510

©Electrical Safety Authority Bulletin 36-5-13 Page 2 of 3

 Ontario Electrical Safety Code – Bulletins

Map B1 – Average maximum snow depth (Atlas Canada)

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