Canadian electricians have their own cable lexicon. US specs reference TC-ER, MC-HL, ITC-HL. Canadian specs reference TECK90, MC-HL, AC90, ACWU90. They overlap but they're not identical, and your CEC Section 18 inspector cares about the difference. Here's the working guide for what cable goes where.
The core Canadian cable types
| Cable | Common use | Hazloc rating | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TECK90 | Industrial fixed wiring | Class I Div 2, Class II, Class III | Process plants, oil & gas yards, grain elevators, marine — outdoor + indoor |
| TECK90-HL | Heavy-duty hazardous | Class I Div 1, Class II Div 1 | Reactor halls, cannabis extraction, refineries |
| MC-HL | Metal-clad heavy-duty | Class I Div 1, Class II Div 1 | Indoor classified — alternative to TECK90-HL |
| AC90 | Light commercial / industrial | Unclassified or Class I Div 2 (with caveats) | Office areas, warehouses, non-classified zones |
| ACWU90 | Outdoor-rated AC | Class I Div 2, dry/wet/burial | Direct-burial yard cabling, outdoor light pole feeds |
| RC90 / RA90 | Single-conductor armored | Class I Div 2 (per CEC) | Specific motor / equipment feeders |
CEC Section 18 explicitly lists TECK90, ACWU90, RC90, RA90, and similar armored cables with non-metallic outer jackets as acceptable for Class I Div 2. For Div 1, you need the HL (Heavy-Loading) variants — TECK90-HL or MC-HL.
TECK90 — the Canadian workhorse
The default Canadian industrial cable. Construction:
- Copper or aluminum conductors (1–4 conductors typical)
- XLPE insulation (rated 90 °C)
- Interlocked aluminum armor
- PVC outer jacket (the protective sheath that blocks corrosion)
Rated for:
- Indoor / outdoor / direct burial
- Wet / dry locations
- Class I Division 2 without modification
- Class II + Class III hazardous areas
- Cable tray, conduit, free-air, raceway
The interlocked armor + non-metallic jacket is what makes TECK90 acceptable for Div 2 — the construction inherently resists damage and prevents arc-fault propagation.
TECK90-HL — the Division 1 upgrade
Same construction as TECK90 but tested and certified for Class I Division 1 + Class II Division 1 service. Used with CSA C22.2 No. 174 cable glands at every penetration. Heavier sheath, tighter QC, higher cost — but mandatory for Div 1 zones.
MC-HL — the indoor Division 1 alternative
Metal-clad cable with continuous corrugated metal sheath, Heavy-Loading rated. Class I Div 1 listed. Easier to pull through tight cable trays than TECK90-HL because it's slightly more flexible. Common in indoor process buildings.
When choosing TECK90-HL vs MC-HL for Class I Div 1:
- TECK90-HL: better outdoor / wet exposure, direct burial, marine
- MC-HL: better indoor cable-tray runs, conduit pulls, tight bends
AC90 vs ACWU90 — when each applies
AC90 is the light-duty Canadian armored cable for commercial and light industrial use. Indoor only, dry locations primarily. Acceptable in Class I Div 2 only with very specific conditions met (and most inspectors prefer TECK90 in any Div 2 zone). Standard for office wiring, warehouse interior lighting feeds.
ACWU90 is the outdoor / wet / direct-burial variant. CSA-certified for Class I Div 2 hazardous yards, direct burial, ventilated cable tray. Used for outdoor light pole feeds at oil & gas terminals, marine docks, and yard lighting at industrial sites.
What about TC-ER-HL?
TC-ER (Tray Cable, Exposed Run) is the US default for industrial cable tray. TC-ER-HL is the Class I Div 1 variant. Some Canadian projects accept TC-ER-HL when the manufacturer specifies CSA-certified equivalency, but TECK90-HL is the safer default for Canadian inspections — you'll never have an ESA or RBQ inspector question TECK90.
Cable glands — CSA C22.2 No. 174
Every penetration through a hazardous-area boundary needs a certified cable gland that maintains the seal of the enclosure. The Canadian standard is CSA C22.2 No. 174 — Cables and Cable Glands for Hazardous Locations.
Key requirements:
- Match the gland to the cable's outer diameter and armor type
- Match the gland's hazloc rating (Div 1 or Div 2) to the zone
- Use stainless or brass body for marine / corrosive environments
- Verify ATEX or IECEx alternative certifications where applicable (CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60079 series accepts these as equivalent)
Cable glands are NOT a place to save money. A non-listed gland on a $600 fixture voids the entire installation's compliance.
Sealing fittings — required at every classified-zone boundary
Separate from cable glands. Sealing fittings (also called "seal-offs") are conduit fittings filled with sealing compound that prevent gas migration through conduit between zones. Required:
- Within 18 inches of every Class I Division 1 enclosure
- At every penetration of the Division 1 / Division 2 boundary
- Per NEC 501.15 (US) and CEC Section 18-152 (Canada)
Common mistakes:
- Filling with silicone or putty (non-compliant — must be the listed sealing compound)
- Not damming before pouring (compound runs out)
- Using a seal fitting <5/8" thick (minimum thickness rule)
- Splices inside the seal (forbidden)
Common questions
Can I use US cable types in Canadian installations? Sometimes. TC-ER and similar cables can be acceptable if the manufacturer provides CSA equivalency certification. But Canadian-default types (TECK90 family) are always safer for inspections.
Does TECK90 need conduit? No — TECK90 is acceptable in free-air, cable tray, or raceway. Conduit is optional. That's its main advantage over standard wire that requires conduit everywhere.
What about flexible connections to fixtures? Class I Div 1 requires liquid-tight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) with appropriate connectors, OR extra-hard-usage flexible cord with hazloc-rated cable glands. Not standard NM cable.
Can I splice TECK90 inside a hazloc area? Splices need to be inside a properly listed junction box (Class I Div 1 or Div 2 rated, depending on zone). No tape splices. No twist-on connectors. Listed Polaris-style insulation-piercing connectors with proper covers, inside a listed JB.
Does cable size affect hazloc rating? The rating is on the cable construction, not the conductor size. A #14 AWG TECK90 has the same Class I Div 2 rating as a 500 MCM TECK90. Pick the conductor size for ampacity.
See your industry
This page covers the cable. For where each goes:
- Oil & Gas — TECK90 yards, MC-HL indoors
- Cannabis Extraction — MC-HL or TECK90-HL
- Grain Handling — TECK90 throughout
- Marine & Shipyard — 316 stainless TECK90
- Wastewater — corrosion-grade TECK90 + ACWU90
We carry the cable in stock. Send your line list with fixture quantities — we ship as one package.
Sources: CSA C22.2 No. 174-18, CEC Section 18, CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60079 series, Eaton hazloc cables/glands white paper (IEEE), Texcan TECK cables.
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