Whether you are upgrading your service to 200A, or more, you will be required to have a minimum amount of work done to satisfy the Nova Scotia Power Electrical Inspector.

These minimum requirements are as follows (condensed, may change without notice):

• Any hazardous wiring needs to be made safe.
  • Any ungrounded wiring can either be removed or protected by GFCI devices.
• Smoke detectors (interconnected) on each floor level. If you have an attached garage, or fuel burning appliance in your home, you will be required to have at least 1 carbon monoxide outside of the sleeping areas.
• Light switches at the top & bottom of stairwells with more than 3 or 4 steps.
  • Unfinished basements may be exempt.
• Appropriate spacing of kitchen counter receptacels. Typically not further than 1.8m apart, and on any work surface wider than 300mm. Existing peninsular and island areas may be exempt.
  • If the additional counter receptacle is within 1.5m of ktichen sinks, a GFCI will be required.
• Dedicated circuits for the following loads (may require CAFI protection), if present:
  • Kitchen Fridge
  • Water/Well Pump
  • Furnace
  • Sump Pump
  • Clothes Washer
  • Any large load exceeding 1500 watts
• At least one receptacle in each room.
• At least one outdoor GFCI receptacle on each side of the home, will need to be on a dedicated CAFI (Combination Arc-Fault Interuuptor) breaker.
• An exterior light by each entryway into the home.

Reference: Nova Scotia Power, Electrical Panel Upgrades, Canadian Electrical Code 2024