Home / Blog Posts / Who can legally install Electrical Wiring in Alberta
22 Oct, 2025
Posted by wordpress_Admin2
0 comment
Who can legally install Electrical Wiring in Alberta
Alberta Law
Who Can Legally Install Electrical Wiring in Alberta
It’s not a preference—it’s the law. Electrical wiring is a restricted activity in Alberta. If you’re hiring or planning a project, here’s what’s legal, what’s not, and why it matters for safety, insurance, and compliance.
Authorized to do Building Wiring
Electricians (Journeypersons) — full scope for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional systems.
Registered Electrical Apprentices — may perform restricted activities only under the required supervision.
Power System Electricians — for high‑voltage generation, transmission, and distribution systems (utility/plant power systems).
Clear, Real‑World Examples
Solar PV on a shop or home: Racking can be installed by others, but all wiring, bonding, inverter, and interconnection work must be done by an Electrician.
Battery Energy Storage (BESS) at an oil & gas site: Instrumentation techs can connect control/telemetry in their panels. The power wiring, disconnects, OCPD, grounding/bonding, and interconnection to site power must be done by an Electrician or Power System Electrician (as applicable).
HVAC rooftop unit replacement: The HVAC contractor sets the unit and handles internal control wiring. The new feeder/branch circuit, disconnect, bonding, and terminations are Electrician scope.
Supervision, Permits, and Inspection
Apprentices may work on restricted electrical tasks only when registered and supervised to Alberta requirements. Electrical permits and inspections are mandatory for most projects. Homeowner exemptions are narrow and do not apply to paid work or to commercial/industrial sites.
Can a solar company run the wiring if they have experience?
No. Experience does not replace legal authority. If they aren’t certified as Electricians (or apprentices under supervision), they cannot run building wiring or interconnect to the service.
Can an Instrumentation Tech wire up a battery skid?
Only the instrumentation/control side (signals, PLC I/O, telemetry) within their scope. Power circuits, feeders, disconnects, and bonding are electrician work.
Do ratio rules apply to apprentices?
Yes. Apprentices can perform restricted activities only if they’re registered and working under required supervision (and any applicable ratios) defined by Alberta apprenticeship authorities.
Are homeowner projects exempt?
There is a narrow owner‑occupier allowance for personal, not‑for‑profit work on your own property, but permits and inspections still apply. This does not extend to paid work or employer property.
Need a Compliant Installation?
Logic Control Ltd. provides fully compliant electrical installations across Alberta—done by certified Electricians, inspected, and documented.
