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CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-15:14 (Amendment 1:2017): Safety of Household Appliances for Heating Liquids
Technical Requirements, Implementation, and Compliance under the Canadian Electrical Code Part II
Introduction
The standard CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-15:14 (Amendment 1:2017)—commonly referenced as CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-15-14 amd1-2017—sets out the safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances intended for heating liquids. It is the Canadian national adoption of the international standard IEC 60335-2-15, with amendments and deviations to reflect Canadian electrical systems (e.g., 120/240 V, 60 Hz) and regulatory practices. The standard is published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) under the authority of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part II.
This article explains the scope, critical technical requirements, implementation considerations, and compliance notes for manufacturers, test engineers, and certification bodies working with this standard. The content reflects the 2014 edition together with Amendment 1 issued in 2017.
Scope of the Standard
CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-15:14 applies to electrical appliances for household and similar use that heat liquids to boiling or lower temperatures. Typical examples include:
- Electric kettles (jug kettles, whistling kettles)
- Coffee makers (drip, percolator, espresso machines with integral water heating)
- Tea makers and hot water dispensers
- Egg boilers and yogurt makers that use heated water
- Baby bottle warmers
- Water heaters for cooking (e.g., electric water kettles for Christmas cooking)
The appliances are intended for ordinary household use, but the standard may also be applied to appliances used in similar environments such as cafeterias and commercial kitchens, provided their characteristics are reasonably aligned.
Exclusions: The standard does not cover appliances for industrial purposes, those designed exclusively for commercial catering (unless specified), appliances that heat liquids under pressure exceeding normal atmospheric conditions (e.g., pressure cookers with separate heating elements are covered in other parts of the C22.2 series), nor appliances that incorporate separate immersion heaters. Immersion heaters themselves are addressed by CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 64.
Amendment 1 (2017) clarified the application of the standard to cordless kettles with base stations, added requirements for appliances that use software-based safety functions (electronic controls with timers or programmable logic), and updated the stability test conditions for appliances with hinged lids or opening mechanisms. The amendment also aligned the Canadian text with the latest IEC version (Ed 6.0+), ensuring consistency with global safety benchmarks.
Key Technical Requirements
Protection against Electrical Hazards
As a Part 2 standard, it must be read together with Part 1 (CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-1). All requirements of Part 1 apply unless modified. Critical electrical safety requirements include:
- Clearance and creepage distances — comply with Table 16 of Part 1 for basic and supplementary insulation, including measurement at altitudes up to 2 000 m.
- Leakage current and electric strength — test voltages are specified for operating and non‑operating conditions; cordless appliances are tested in both coupled and uncoupled states.
- Earthing (grounding) — required for Class I appliances; Class II construction is permitted for small kettles and coffee makers.
Heating and Overheat Protection
Liquid heating appliances present specific overheating risks if the water boils dry or if the appliance is used without sufficient water. The standard mandates:
- Safety thermostats or thermal cut-outs — must prevent the temperature of accessible surfaces from exceeding 200 °C in normal operation and 275 °C in abnormal operation.
- Dry boil protection — appliances must not reach unsafe temperatures when operated empty, nor create fire or electric shock hazards.
- Boil-dry conditions — self‑resetting thermal cut-outs are permitted only if they do not create a hazard. Non‑self‑resetting devices must be provided when the appliance is unattended.
Mechanical Strength and Stability
Appliances must withstand normal handling and misuse. The standard includes:
- Stability test — appliances are filled with water and placed on a tilting plane; they must not overturn at an angle of 15° from the horizontal.
- Impact tests — a spring‑operated impact hammer applies 0.5 J to three different points on the housing; no dangerous crack or loss of electrical enclosure shall occur.
- Lid and closure testing — hinged lids must not open unexpectedly; pressure‑relieving vents (if present) must not be blocked.
Material Integrity and Food Contact
Since many appliances come into contact with drinking water or food, the standard requires:
- Materials shall not release toxic substances or absorb water beyond acceptable limits (tested according to Canadian food contact regulations).
- Plastic parts exposed to water must withstand high temperatures without deformation — a hot‑water soak test is performed.
- Glass containers (e.g., coffee carafes) must pass a thermal shock test: fill with cold water and then immerse in a hot water bath; no cracking is permitted.
| Product Type | Primary Hazards | Key Tests | Acceptance Criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric kettle (cordless) | Dry boiling, scalding, earth continuity | Dry boil at rated voltage, stability test, cord‑disconnection test | No fire, no electric shock, cut‑out operates within 5 min |
| Coffee maker (drip/espresso) | Overpressure, steam release, leakage | Pressure relief validation, overfilling test, steam nozzle leakage | No unintended opening, leakage ≤ 0.5 mL within 10 min |
| Egg cooker | Water evaporation, high surface temperature | Operation with minimum water, temperature limit measurement | Cut‑out resets automatically; temperature of cooking tray ≤ 150 °C |
Implementation Highlights
Manufacturers implementing this standard should follow these guidelines:
- Use the correct Part 1 edition — CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-1 (latest edition) must be the base. Amendment 1 to Part 2‑15 references specific clauses from Part 1; verify that your testing laboratory has the correct version.
- Account for Canadian deviations — The Canadian standard modifies certain IEC test voltages and environmental conditions. For example, heating elements are tested at 1.15 times rated input for a duration corresponding to the Canadian electricity supply (120 V line‑to‑neutral).
- Document safety functions — Amendment 1 introduced additional requirements for software-based control systems: the software must achieve a safety integrity level equivalent to the hardware approach. This typically requires fault‑injection testing and code verification.
- Prepare for CSA certification — Certification to this standard is generally required for sale in Canada. CSA, Intertek, and other recognized laboratories offer testing. The amendment affects the test sequence and conditioning, so ensure your test house is informed.
Tip: When designing a product that will be marketed both in Canada and the United States, note that US counterparts (e.g., UL 1082 for coffee makers, UL 1083 for kettles) differ in some test conditions. A dual‑certification approach requires careful selection of test voltages and sample configurations.
Warning: Amendment 1:2017 introduced updated requirements for appliances that incorporate a detachable power supply (e.g., base stations for cordless kettles). The household coupler must comply with CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 175 (or IEC 60320 series as adopted in Canada). Ensure mating parts are tested to the correct edition.
Good practice: Many manufacturers choose to pre‑test their products to the IEC 60335-2-15 edition 6.0 base, which is very similar to the CSA adoption with Amendment 1. This allows easier entry into international markets while requiring only minor modifications for the Canadian certification.
Compliance and Certification Notes
To legally sell household liquid‑heating appliances in Canada, the product must be certified to the applicable C22.2 standards. The following notes outline the certification process for CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-15:14 (Amd1:2017).
- Certification body involvement — Typical certification bodies (CBs) for this standard include CSA, Intertek (ETL), and UL (for its own Canada marks). The product must be evaluated by an accredited laboratory.
- Test sample preparation — Three to five samples are usually required: one for normal operation tests, one for abnormal conditions, and one for component inspection. If the product uses software‑based safety, additional samples for fault injection may be needed.
- Required documentation — A detailed technical file including circuit diagrams, component ratings, material certificates, and a risk analysis (in accordance with CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 0.17) must be submitted. Amendment 1 emphasises the need for documentation proving the adequacy of any electronic protection circuits.
- Markings and instructions — Canadian requirements demand bilingual (English/French) safety instructions, rating labels with the CSA mark, and a warning if the appliance is for household use only. Amendment 1 updated the format for warning concerning water level markings.
- Follow‑up inspection — Certified products are subject to periodic factory inspections. Non‑compliance discovered during surveillance may lead to suspension of the certification.
The standard is referenced in the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (C22.1) for installations, meaning that only certified products can be field‑installed without additional inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What products are specifically excluded from the standard?
A: The standard excludes industrial heating vessels, immersion heaters (covered by C22.2 No. 64), and appliances intended exclusively for commercial catering (e.g., large coffee urns for restaurants). Also excluded are appliances with pressure vessels operating at >0.1 MPa gauge—these are covered by other parts of the C22.2 series or the ASME boiler code.
A: The standard excludes industrial heating vessels, immersion heaters (covered by C22.2 No. 64), and appliances intended exclusively for commercial catering (e.g., large coffee urns for restaurants). Also excluded are appliances with pressure vessels operating at >0.1 MPa gauge—these are covered by other parts of the C22.2 series or the ASME boiler code.
Q: How does Amendment 1:2017 differ from the original 2014 edition?
A: The amendment added requirements for cordless kettles (evaluation of the coupler system), clarified stability conditions for appliances with lids that can be locked, updated the test sequence for appliances with timer/electronic controls, and aligned creepage distances with IEC 60664‑1 for printed circuit boards. Many of these changes respond to new technologies such as induction heating and smart controls.
A: The amendment added requirements for cordless kettles (evaluation of the coupler system), clarified stability conditions for appliances with lids that can be locked, updated the test sequence for appliances with timer/electronic controls, and aligned creepage distances with IEC 60664‑1 for printed circuit boards. Many of these changes respond to new technologies such as induction heating and smart controls.
Q: Can a product certified to IEC 60335-2-15 (edition 6.0) be sold in Canada without changes?
A: Not directly. Canadian deviations include voltage ratings (120/240 V vs. 230 V), plug configurations (NEMA 5-15P for kettles), and specific marking requirements. While the core safety tests are similar, a separate certification to CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-15:14+Amd1 is required. Some clauses, like those for dry‑boil protection, are more stringent in the Canadian version due to the lower voltage/higher current characteristics.
A: Not directly. Canadian deviations include voltage ratings (120/240 V vs. 230 V), plug configurations (NEMA 5-15P for kettles), and specific marking requirements. While the core safety tests are similar, a separate certification to CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-15:14+Amd1 is required. Some clauses, like those for dry‑boil protection, are more stringent in the Canadian version due to the lower voltage/higher current characteristics.
Q: Is the standard mandatory?
A: Yes, under provincial and territorial electrical safety regulations. Products sold in Canada must bear a recognized certification mark (CSA, cUL, cETL, or others) indicating compliance with the applicable C22.2 standards, including this one for liquid‑heating appliances.
A: Yes, under provincial and territorial electrical safety regulations. Products sold in Canada must bear a recognized certification mark (CSA, cUL, cETL, or others) indicating compliance with the applicable C22.2 standards, including this one for liquid‑heating appliances.
Technical article prepared in 2026. For official requirements, always refer to the current edition published by CSA Group (www.csagroup.org).