ESA Inspection Defect Correction

ESA Permits and Inspections

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is Ontario’s electrical safety regulator.

Our job is to help enhance electrical safety for the people of Ontario. Our ultimate goal is an Ontario where people can live, work and play safe from electrical harm. We do this by raising awareness of electrical risks and hazards with the general public and at-risk workers. We have a mandate to ensure compliance with four regulations that help ensure electrical safety in the province: licensing of electrical contractors; enforcing the Ontario Electrical Safety Code; product safety; and powerlines and other electrical system infrastructure.

Use this section to learn about how to stay safe during power outages, find a Licensed Electrical Contractor in your area, keep your family and your home electrically safe, and many other useful tips.

Permits and Inspections

Planning a renovation or home project? Updating the kitchen or bathroom? Adding new lighting? All electrical installations, repairs, replacements or alterations in Ontario need to be done in compliance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, and all necessary Notifications (“permits”) must be taken out. This creates a permanent record of the work and triggers a review process by ESA.

If your project involves new electrical wiring or devices, or repairing, replacing or altering old ones, you need to know your obligations under Ontario law.

Most electrical work requires a permit from the Electrical Safety Authority. An electrical “permit” (called a Notification of Work, or notification) needs to be filed before or within 48 hours of when the electrical work starts.

Notifications must be taken out by the party who is doing the work. If you hire, it’s the law in Ontario that they must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor and they must take out the notification.

Electrical notifications are not the same as a building permit. If you have a building permit, it doesn’t mean you have an electrical notification.

To confirm permit requirements and to get your permit, call 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233). The fee for an electrical permit varies according to the type of work being done.

The inspection and/or review process by an ESA Inspector may vary depending on the project. An installation may require an inspection at multiple stages if it’s complicated. And if the work isn’t done in compliance with the Code, the Inspector will issue a defect notice which outlines what corrections must be made.

Electrical inspections

What are the different types of Residential Inspections?

• Trench – An inspection of underground wiring.
• Service/connection – An inspection of wiring to meter, inspection of main disconnect means (e.g. fuses or breakers) and inspection of grounding to service
• Rough-in – Takes place when all branch circuit wiring and outlet boxes are installed and prior to any wiring being concealed by insulation, vapour barrier, drywall, etc.
• Final – The final inspection shall be requested as soon as possible after completion of the electrical installation.

What is a rough-in inspection?

A rough-in inspection takes place when all branch circuit wiring and outlet boxes are installed and prior to any wiring being concealed by insulation, vapour barrier, drywall, etc. As a minimum for the rough-in inspection the following shall be completed:

• All cables shall be installed, strapped and supported as required.
• All required outlet boxes shall be installed and securely fastened.
•  All cables shall have their outer jacket removed and be terminated in outlet boxes where an outlet box will be required for the wiring device, luminaire, or equipment.
•  All bonding connections shall be completed at all outlet boxes including provision of a bonding conductor for final connection where required to a wiring device, luminaire, or equipment.
•  Any joints or splices in the wiring at outlet boxes shall be completed.
•  Protection plates against nails/screws to be installed where required.
•  No wiring shall be concealed by installation of insulation or floor, wall, and ceiling materials until authorized by an inspector.

What is a final inspection and when does it take place?

A final inspection is done after the electrical installation is complete. This means that all receptacles, switches, cover plates, lighting fixtures and permanently connected appliances are in place and the panel directory has been completed. All unused openings in panel boards or junction and outlet boxes shall be filled with suitable fillers.

Where an appliance that is to be permanently connected is not yet on site, the cable shall be terminated in a junction box complete with a blank cover and the ends of the conductors shall be insulated with wire connectors or tape. Where permanent light fixtures are not yet on site, install temporary light fixtures or a blank cover on lighting outlet boxes.

Request the final inspection as soon as possible after completion of the electrical installation.

Once the inspection is complete, whoever took out the permit receives an ESA Certificate of Inspection to confirm the electrical work is in compliance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. If your contractor took out the permit, request a copy of the certificate for your records. You can also call 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233) for a copy.

A Licensed Electrical Contractor is required to display their ESA/ECRA licence number. Ask to see it.