9 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca 8 June 2026 TOP: AMAZON.CA | DTFASHION7- ADOBE STOCK | RIGHT: CSA PRACTICAL THIRD TIME’S A CHARM... GENERATOR POWER ISOLATION CSA APPROVED TRANSFER SOLUTIONS ONLY! ARTICLE BY JULIE HARLOW In the May-June issue of Small Farm Canada magazine, we discussed four methods of isolation of electrical power while using a generator during a power outage. One method discussed was an interlock isolation method and while they are compliant in the US and available in Canada from US retailers like Amazon, do not be deceived (like me)—they are absolutely not compliant in most regions of Canada. It is hard cutting through US data to the facts in Canada. We regret this error. Electrical safety authorities (including Ontario’s ESA) require approved transfer equipment that isolates power sources and cannot be defeated during servicing. Generator interlock kits are generally not compliant in Canada under the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC). Canada requires one of the following, approved and inspected: • Manual transfer switch (CSA / cUL / cETL certified) • Automatic transfer switch (ATS) for standby generators • Generator specific transfer panels designed for Canadian code • Meter mounted transfer devices (e.g., GenerLink), where permitted by province and utility These devices are built to CSA standards such as CSA C22.2 No. 178.1 and comply with the Canadian Electrical Code. While they are popular and legal in many parts of the United States, enforcement of this standard has been underway since at least 2021, in Canada as they do not meet Canadian safety standards for the following reasons: 1. LACK OF CSA APPROVAL In Canada, electrical equipment must be CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certified. Major manufacturers state that they do not offer generator interlock kits as an accessory in Canada because they are not CSA rated. They are also not available in Canadian retail locations, although they are available on Amazon, so buyer beware. 2. DEFEATABLE SAFETY MECHANISM The primary reason for the ban is that the interlock is typically attached to the panel cover. SAFETY RISK: If the panel cover is removed for maintenance while the generator is running, the mechanical safety (the interlock) is gone. This allows the main breaker and generator breaker to be turned on simultaneously, creating a lethal “back feeding” risk for utility workers. CODE REQUIREMENTS: Canadian regulations require transfer mechanisms to remain functional even when covers are removed. CSA is a standard maker, authority and source of information.
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