Distribution Technical Standards and Guides
Distribution Standards updates
Distribution Standards latest updates
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- Latest updates to the Distribution Technical Standards
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- ES43 B1-03 and B1-15 and have been revised and associated advisory 2026-007 released on 2026-02-18
- ES54 S3-01, S3-02, and S3-03 have been revised and associated advisory 2025-055 released on 2025-12-19
- ES54 R1-02 has been revised on 2026-01-16
- ES54 S0-04 has been revised and associated advisory 2025-060 released on 2025-12-16
- ES43 B1-14 and ES43 K6-04 have been released, ES43 K6-03 revised, and associated advisory 2025-054 released on 2025-11-05
- ES54 H0-02, H1-01, and H4-01 have been revised and associated advisory 2025-044 released on 2025-08-29
- ES43 C3-08 and C4-01 and ES54 R1-01 and R1-02 have been revised on 2025-08-22
- ES55 B2-05 has been revised and associated advisory 2025-037 released on 2025-08-14
- ES54 F1-02 has been revised and associated advisory 2024-035 released on 2025-08-08
- ES43 B1-03 has been revised on 2025-06-11
- ES54 E4-04 and ES54 F3-06, 07, and 08 have been revised and associated advisory 2025-007 released on 2025-05-14
- ES54 B standards have been revised and associated advisory 2025-002 released on 2025-05-07
- ES54 A1-02 has been revised and associated advisory 2025-032 released on 2025-05-01
- ES43 C3 standards have been revised on 2025-03-27
- ES54 S0-05 has been revised and associated advisory 2025-022 released on 2025-03-26
- ES43 C2-01, C2-03, and C2-04 have been revised on 2025-03-14
- ES54 E4-01 and E4-03 have been revised and associated advisory 2024-013 released on 2025-03-07
Quick access
- General Publications
- Primary Guide: Requirements for customer-owned primary services supplied at 4 kV to 35 kV
- Distribution Standards – ES43
- ES43 Overhead Electrical – Sections B and C – Clearances and Joint and Secondary Use
- ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section J – Transformers, Regulators, Capacitors, and Revenue Metering
- ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section K – Protection and Switching
- ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section L – Street lighting
- ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section M – Terminal Poles
- ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section N – Secondaries and services
- ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section R
- ES43 Information Bulletins
- Distribution Standards – ES53
- Distribution Standards – ES54
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section A – Introduction
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section B – Pull/Splices, Service, and Junction Boxes
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section C – Vaults
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section D – Junction Pads
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section E – Switchgear Vaults and Pads
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section F – Transformer Pads and Vaults
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section G – Drainage Assemblies
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section H – Duct
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section J – Joint Trenching
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section M – Pilasters, Terminal Poles
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section P – Public Safety
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section R – Grounding
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section S – Services
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section U – Engineering
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section W – Construction Specifications
- ES54 Underground Civil – Section Z – Material Catalogue
- ES54 Information Bulletins
- Distribution Standards – ES55
- Class of Work Specifications
- Distribution Generator Interconnections Technical Requirements
- Revenue Metering Requirements
- Revenue Metering Bulletin
General Publications
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Underground transformation options for space constrained urban developments [PDF, 323 KB] | June 6, 2022 | June 6, 2022 |
| BC Hydro's guide to utility clearance requirements [PDF, 706 KB] | September 3, 2025 | September 3, 2025 |
Primary Guide: Requirements for Customer-Owned Primary Services Supplied at 4 kV to 35 kV
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Guide 2025 (Revision 4) [PDF, 6.5 MB] | February 20, 2025 | June 30, 2025 |
| Information Bulletin – Release of Primary Guide Revision 4 (2025 Edition) [PDF, 158 KB] | February 20, 2025 | February 20, 2025 |
| Primary Guide 2021 (Revision 3.1) [PDF, 9.3 MB] | April 30, 2021 | September 30, 2021 – June 29, 2025 |
| Primary Guide Checklist (fillable checklist) [PDF, 199 KB] | January 30, 2025 | January 30, 2025 |
| Statement to BC Hydro Regarding Primary Voltage Service Entrance Equipment (fillable form) [PDF, 222 KB] | January 10, 2025 | January 10, 2025 |
ES43 Overhead Electrical - Sections B and C - Clearances and Joint and Secondary Use
- ES43 B – Clearances [PDF, 1.4 MB]
- ES43 C – Joint and Secondary Use [PDF, 1.7 MB]
ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section J – Transformers, Regulators, Capacitors, and Revenue Metering
- ES43 J7-01 – Primary Revenue Metering [PDF, 554 KB]
ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section K – Protection and Switching
- ES43 K – Protection and Switching [PDF, 276 KB]
ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section L – Street lighting
- ES43 L – Street Lighting [PDF, 1.3 MB]
ES43 Overhead Electrical - Section M - Terminal Poles
- ES43 M1-10 – Terminal Poles Pilaster Location [PDF, 1.2 MB]
ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section N – Secondaries and services
- ES43 N0 – Table of Contents [PDF, 807 KB]
- ES43 N1 – General [PDF, 1.7 MB]
- ES43 N2 – Service Connections [PDF, 1.2 MB]
ES43 Overhead Electrical – Section R
- ES43 R2-01 – Bonding and Grounding Ground Electrode Installations Ground Rods at Wood Poles and Multiple Ground Rods [PDF, 1.2 MB]
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Information Bulletin 2026-007: Revised ES43 B1-03 and B1-15 Overhead Conductor and Wire Clearance Standards [PDF, 143 KB] | February 18, 2026 | February 18, 2026 |
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Information Bulletin 2025-054: Released ES43 B1-14 and K6-04 and Revised ES43 K6-03 [PDF, 148 KB] | November 5, 2025 | November 5, 2025 |
ES53 Underground Electrical – Section S – Services
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| ES53 S0 – Table of Contents [PDF, 627 KB] | June 30, 2023 | June 30, 2023 |
| ES53 S1 – Secondary Services Single Phase [PDF, 899 KB] | November 17, 2023 | November 17, 2023 |
| ES53 S2 – Secondary Services Three Phase [PDF, 1.7 MB] | March 2011 | March 2011 |
| ES53 S3 – Primary Services [PDF, 175 KB] | October 2024 | October 2024 |
| ES53 S4 – Ornamental street lighting services up to 50A [PDF, 444 KB] | October 2003 | October 2003 |
| Information Bulletin 2023-029 – Limited Release of Single-Phase Secondary 320 A 120/240 V Services with Self-Contained Metering [PDF, 1.5 MB] | November 17, 2023 | November 17, 2023 |
| Information Bulletin 2023-018 – Revised ES53 S1-01 for 120/240 V Single-Phase Secondary Services up to 600 A [PDF, 2.3 MB] | June 30, 2023 | June 30, 2023 |
| Information Bulletin – Equipment and Connection Changes for Secondary Underground Customer Services, 120/240 V up to 600 A, Single-Phase [PDF, 1.8 MB] | July 2017 | July 2017 |
Title: ES54 Section A – Introduction [PDF, 1.6 MB]
Issue date: 2025-05-01
Effective date: 2025-05-01
Title: ES54 C – Vaults [PDF, 3.0 MB]
Issue date: 2024-12-20
Effective date: 2024-12-20
Title: ES54 D – Junction Pads [PDF, 325 KB]
Issue date: 2017-09
Effective date: 2017-09
Title: ES54 E – Switchgear Vaults and Pads [PDF, 2.2 MB]
Issue date: 2025-05
Effective date: 2025-05
Title: ES54 F – Transformer Pads and Vaults [PDF, 2.1 MB]
Issue date: 2025-08
Effective date: 2025-08
Title: ES54 G – Drainage Assemblies [PDF, 369 KB]
Issue date: 2016-03
Effective date: 2016-03
Title: ES54 H – Duct [PDF, 1.5 MB]
Issue date: 2025-08
Effective date: 2025-08
Title: ES54 J – Joint Trenching [PDF, 1.2 MB]
Issue date: 2021-09
Effective date: 2021-09
Title: ES54 M – Pilasters, Terminal Poles [PDF, 313 KB]
Issue date: 2016-03
Effective date: 2016-03
Title: ES54 P – Public Safety [PDF, 1.6 MB]
Issue date: 2023-11-17
Effective date: 2023-11-17
Title: ES54 U – Engineering [PDF, 1.6 MB]
Issue date: 2025-03
Effective date: 2025-03
Title: ES54 W – Construction Specifications [PDF, 524 KB]
Issue date: 2024-05-06
Effective date: 2024-05-06
Title: ES54 Z – Material Catalogue [PDF, 2.5 MB]
Issue date: 2024-11-20
Effective date: 2024-11-20
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Information Bulletin – Release of New and Revised ES54 Section S Medium-Voltage (Primary) Services Standards [PDF, 2.3 MB] | November 25, 2022 | June 30, 2023 |
| Information Bulletin - Revised ES54 S0-02 Services General Notes and Release of ES54 S0-05 Service Ducts and Trenches [PDF, 205 KB] | November 25, 2022 | June 30, 2023 |
| Information Bulletin - Release of ES54 S0-04 and S1 Standards for 120/240 V Single-Phase Secondary Services up to 600 A [PDF, 292 KB] | November 25, 2022 | June 30, 2023 |
| Information Bulletin – Revised ES54 F Transformer Pads and Vaults, and ES54 H Ducts [PDF, 225 KB] | September 7, 2022 | September 7, 2022 |
| Information Bulletin – Revised ES54 U2-02 Bollards [PDF, 125 KB] | March 7, 2022 | March 7, 2022 |
ES55 Design Standards – Section B – Clearance for Structures: Requirements for BC Hydro-owned switchgear on customer property
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Information Bulletin 2025-037 – Revised ES55 B2-05 BC Hydro-Owned Switchgear Placement and Requirements [PDF, 102 KB] | August 14, 2025 | August 14, 2025 |
| ES55 B2-05 – Customer Guide: BC Hydro-Owned Switchgear Placement and Requirements [PDF, 778 KB] | August 14, 2025 | August 14, 2025 |
ES55 Design Standards - Section Q - Power Quality Standards - General
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| ES55 Q1-02 – Electromagnetic Compatibility [PDF, 1.7 MB] | January 2015 | January 2015 |
| ES55 Q1-04 – Apparent Power [PDF, 2.1 MB] | February 2017 | February 2017 |
ES55 Design Standards – Section Q - Low-Voltage Customer Emission Limits: Requirements for customer emissions when supplied at 120 V to 600 V
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| ES55 Q3-04 – Rapid Voltage Changes (RVCs) [PDF, 2.4 MB] | December 2016 | December 2016 |
| ES55 Q3-05 – Voltage Flicker [PDF, 2.4 MB] | December 2016 | December 2016 |
| ES55 Q3-07 – Voltage Unbalance [PDF, 2.4 MB] | December 2016 | December 2016 |
ES55 Design Standards - Section Q - Medium-Voltage Customer Emission Limits: Requirements for customer emissions when supplied at 4 kV to 35 kV
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| ES55 Q4-04 – Rapid Voltage Changes (RVCs) [PDF, 2.4 MB] | December 2016 | December 2016 |
| ES55 Q4-05 – Voltage Flicker [PDF, 2.4 MB] | December 2016 | December 2016 |
| ES55 Q4-07 – Voltage Unbalance [PDF, 2.4 MB] | December 2016 | December 2016 |
| ES55 Q4-09 – Current Harmonics [PDF, 2.4 MB] | December 2016 | December 2016 |
Class of Work Specifications
Distribution Generator Interconnections Technical Requirements
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution Generator Interconnection Requirements [PDF, 560 KB] | 2010 | 2010 |
| Distribution Generator Interconnection Requirements Amendment 1 [PDF, 43 KB] | October 15, 2015 | October 15, 2015 |
| Amendment 2 Requirements for terminals supplying ships capable of running in parallel with BC Hydro (CTT Shore Power) [PDF, 407 KB] | October 17, 2017 | October 17, 2017 |
| Distribution Power Generator Islanding Guidelines [PDF, 143 KB] | June 2006 | June 2006 |
| 100 kW and below Distribution Generation Interconnection Requirements [PDF, 599 KB] | October 17, 2014 | October 17, 2014 |
Revenue Metering Requirements
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| List of accepted meter sockets [PDF, 146 KB] | February 12, 2026 | February 12, 2026 |
| Secondary Voltage Revenue Metering – 750 V and less [PDF, 1.6 MB] | March 2025 | March 2025 |
| Requirements for Primary Service Revenue Metering – 4kV to 35kV [PDF, 2.0 MB] | July 20, 2022 | July 20, 2022 |
| Complex Revenue Metering [PDF, 1.6 MB] | March 2014 | March 2014 |
Advisory notice: Multiple occupancy metering requirements and resale of electricity - April 1, 2025
The purpose of the advisory notice [PDF, 232 KB] is to draw the attention of developers and owners of multiple occupancy buildings, and their electrical consultants and contractors to the requirements of BC Hydro's Electric Tariff in relation to the electricity supply and metering configurations, including for electrical vehicle charging stations, applicable to these buildings.
Revenue Metering Bulletins
| Title | Issue date | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| EATON RCPM 200A Combination Meter Socket and Loadcentre [PDF. 154 KB] | October 25, 2021 | October 25, 2021 |