RVE’s DCC Receives ULC-ORD-3141 Certification

Charging electric vehicles should never be a gamble when it comes to electrical safety.

RVE announces that its entire DCC (Demand Charge Controller) product line has obtained ULC-ORD-3141 certification as a Power Control System (PCS). This certification confirms that the system meets the safety and performance requirements applicable to systems that control electrical loads to prevent overloads.

A PCS monitors and controls power or current to keep an electrical system within defined limits. Its role therefore goes beyond simply optimizing energy consumption: it plays a direct role in preventing overloads in the electrical infrastructure and thus ensures the safety of the system.

This certification complements those already held by the DCC, namely UL 508-2018 and CSA C22.2 No. 14-18. It also allows the DCC to be recognized as a general-purpose controller capable of managing various types of electrical loads in single-family homes, townhouses, multi-family dwellings, and commercial buildings.

The DCC makes it possible to add new loads when electrical capacity is limited, without having to increase the capacity of the electrical service. It can be used with charging stations, air conditioning and heating systems, hot tubs, heated floors, snow-melting systems, and many other types of electrical equipment.

Why is this certification important?

Demand for electrical appliances continues to grow year after year. Charging stations, heat pumps, electric heating; these devices place additional strain on existing electrical infrastructure. However, many existing buildings were not designed to handle all of these loads simultaneously.

A power control system monitors power usage and controls certain loads to prevent the system from exceeding its limits. It therefore allows for more efficient use of the existing electrical infrastructure rather than automatically increasing the electrical supply, which can be quite costly.

The ULC-ORD-3141 standard specifically regulates this function. In particular, it evaluates:

• the system’s ability to control loads safely;
• the capacity to stay within established limits;
• the system’s appropriate response when an abnormal condition occurs.

Requirements that are becoming the norm

Regulations and the relevant authorities are beginning to provide a clearer framework for the use of these systems.

In the United States, NEC 2026 (National Electrical Code) now regulates power control systems under Article 130. When an energy management system provides overload protection, it must be listed and labeled as a PCS, in accordance with applicable requirements, including those of UL 3141.

In Canada, the corresponding standard is ULC-ORD-3141:2025. Some regulatory authorities are already using it as a reference for the approval of load management systems.

The City of Calgary, for example, now accepts only energy management systems that are certified or pending ULC-ORD-3141 certification. A list of accepted models is available on the City’s website, including RVE’s DCC-9, DCC-10, DCC-11, and DCC-12. The City also provides a safety checklist for installing an energy management system: Checklist

In Ontario, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) takes the same approach. In a bulletin published in May 2026, the ESA recognizes power control systems under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and accepts ULC-ORD-3141 certification for these systems. The ESA also emphasizes that a power control system (PCS) performs a critical safety function related to overload protection and must be evaluated to ensure it continues to operate safely in the event of a power outage, component failure, or loss of communication.

In Quebec, Section 2-024 of Chapter V, Electricity, of the Quebec Building Code stipulates that it is prohibited to sell, rent, or install electrical equipment that has not been approved by a certification body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. It is this compliance that allows for the use of an electric vehicle energy management system in accordance with Article 8-500 and thus authorizes the exclusion of 100% of the loads from electric vehicle charging equipment from the load calculation under Article 8-106(11).

RVE, who has always placed safety and compliance at the heart of its product development, has taken this step in order to continue offering solutions tailored to the industry’s current requirements.

What this means for a multifamily building

In a multifamily building, adding several charging stations can quickly place a significant strain on an electrical infrastructure that is already under heavy load.

Without load management, adding these new loads can result in major work on the electrical service, panels, or other distribution equipment.

PCS systems enable more efficient use of available capacity, but they also play a direct role in protecting the electrical infrastructure. It is therefore important that these systems have been evaluated and certified for the function they are intended to perform.

Standards such as ULC-ORD-3141 make it possible to evaluate the performance of the system as a whole, including its ability to safely control loads and respond appropriately in the event of a problem or failure.

For electricians, engineers, inspectors, and property owners, this certification therefore provides clear validation: the DCC has been evaluated according to the requirements applicable to power control systems and operates safely.

About RVE

Founded in Quebec in 2015, RVE – Recharge Véhicule Électrique designs energy management solutions that optimize available electrical capacity, particularly for the installation of home electric vehicle charging stations in both single-family and multi-family residential settings. RVE invented and patented the charge controller, which is distinguished by its direct-to-meter connection. Designed and manufactured in Canada, this system has been available on the market since 2015 and now has more than 60,000 installations across North America.