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CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-40-17: Safety Standard for Electrical Heat Pumps, Air-Conditioners and Dehumidifiers
Comprehensive Analysis of the Canadian Adoption of IEC 60335-2-40 for Household and Similar Appliances
Introduction
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-40-17 represents the Canadian adoption of the international standard IEC 60335-2-40, Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2-40: Particular requirements for electrical heat pumps, air-conditioners and dehumidifiers. Published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) under the authority of the Canadian Electrical Code Part II, this standard harmonises Canada’s safety requirements with global best practices while incorporating national deviations essential for the Canadian electrical and climatic environment.
This article provides a detailed technical review of the standard, including its scope, principal technical requirements, practical implementation highlights, and critical compliance considerations for manufacturers, engineers, and certification bodies.
1. Scope and Field of Application
The standard applies to electrical heat pumps, air-conditioners, and dehumidifiers for household and similar purposes, including appliances incorporating motor-compressors and sealed electrical refrigerant circuits. It covers:
- Rated voltage: Single-phase up to 250 V, three-phase up to 480 V.
- Appliances: Window units, split systems, packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHP), ductless mini-splits, dehumidifiers, and similar equipment.
- Refrigerant types: Includes flammable refrigerants (e.g., A2L, A3) within defined charge limits and safety provisions.
- Environment: Indoor and outdoor installations in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code Part I (C22.1).
The standard does not apply to appliances intended exclusively for industrial or commercial refrigeration, appliances rated above 480 V, or products with separate refrigerant circuits not integrated into a factory-sealed system.
Key harmonisation benefit: CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-40-17 aligns closely with IEC 60335-2-40 (Edition 5.2), enabling manufacturers using the international edition to minimise testing effort while meeting Canadian regulatory requirements.
2. Technical Requirements
This standard addresses electrical, mechanical, thermal, and fire hazards through a risk‑based approach. The main technical areas include:
2.1 Electrical Safety
- Protection against electric shock: Mandatory compliance with class I or class II construction requirements. For class I appliances, reliable protective earthing is required for all accessible conductive parts.
- Clearances and creepage distances: Specified per IEC 60335‑1, with Canadian national differences for overvoltage categories and pollution degrees typical in Canadian installations.
- Overload and abnormal operation: Simulates stalled fan, blocked condenser, or refrigerant leakage conditions to ensure safe shutdown without ignition or electric shock.
2.2 Mechanical and Structural Safety
Requirements cover resistance to impact, fan blade containment, mechanical strength of enclosures, and secure mounting of components. Special provisions apply to units installed outdoors (e.g., corrosion protection, weatherproofing).
2.3 Refrigerant Safety
With the shift to low‑GWP refrigerants (A2L mildly flammable, and A3 flammable), the standard introduces critical additional requirements:
| Refrigerant Class | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|
| A1 (non-flammable) | Standard testing; no extra flammability controls. |
| A2L (mildly flammable) | Charge limit ≤150 g unless leak detection and forced ventilation are provided. Ignition source controls (e.g., sealed relays, no unguarded hot surfaces). |
| A3 (highly flammable) | Charge limit per CSA amendment; explosion‑proof electrical enclosures in potential leak zones; mandatory leak detection and automatic shut‑off. |
Important: Use of A3 refrigerants (e.g., propane R‑290) in self‑contained household appliances remains restricted under Canadian codes. Always verify local provincial regulations in addition to the standard.
(Effective: 2026)
(Effective: 2026)
2.4 Marking and Instructions
Canadian deviations impose stricter marking than the IEC base:
- Marking must be bilingual (English/French).
- Supply connection instructions for units with flexible cord and plug must specify “for connection to a branch circuit with a rating not less than ___ A, supplied by a cord of type SJT or equivalent.”
- Outdoor units require a label with rated current, voltage, phase, and refrigerant type and charge.
3. Implementation Highlights
Adopting CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335‑2‑40‑17 requires careful attention to differences between the IEC base and the Canadian edition. The table below summarises major national deviations.
| Clause | IEC 60335-2-40 (Ed.5.2) | Canadian Deviation (C22.2 No. 60335-2-40-17) |
|---|---|---|
| 7.12 – Instructions | May be in a single language. | Instructions must be in English and French. |
| 11 – Heating | Temperature rise limits based on ambient 35 °C. | Ambient 32 °C for indoor units; outdoor units tested at 35 °C for cooling and –15 °C for heating. |
| 22 – Creepage distances | Based on IEC 60335‑1 Table 16. | Increased creepage for pollution degree 3 environments (outdoor). |
| 24 – Controls | Electronic controls evaluated per IEC 60730. | Additional functional safety testing of refrigerant leak detectors. |
| 25 – Supply cord | Types H05VV‑F, H05RN‑F, etc. | Requires SJT, SJTW, or SOW type per CSA C22.2 No. 49. |
| Annex AA – Flammable refrigerants | Follows ISO 5149 and IEC 60335‑2‑40 annex. | National annex adds maximum charge tables based on room area and ventilation class. |
Implementation tip: When designing for the Canadian market, start your compliance process with the CSA deviation document (available from CSA Group). The most common non‑conformities relate to marking language, cord type, and refrigerants safety requirements for A2L units.
4. Compliance and Certification Notes
In Canada, compliance with C22.2 No. 60335‑2‑40‑17 is mandatory for the sale of covered products (enforced by provincial/territorial authorities via adoption of Part I of the Canadian Electrical Code). Key compliance aspects include:
- Certification body: Products must be certified by a recognised agency such as CSA, UL (via C/UL marking), or Intertek (ETL) to show compliance with this standard.
- Manufacturer’s responsibility: The applicant must provide test reports, technical documentation, and a quality control plan. Factory follow‑up inspections are required for ongoing production.
- Differences for OEMs: A product certified to IEC 60335‑2‑40 alone is not acceptable; a supplemental evaluation against Canadian national differences is necessary.
Critical: Non‑compliant products—especially those lacking proper CSA/UL/ETL certification—are subject to removal from the market, fines, and liability for injury. Additionally, insurers may deny coverage for equipment that does not bear a recognised certification mark.
(Effective 2026)
(Effective 2026)
Manufacturers should also be aware of evolving amendments. As of the 2026 edition cycle, updates are expected regarding the safe use of A2L refrigerants with charge limits up to 5 kg under specific ventilation conditions, as well as alignment with the new IEC 60335‑2‑40 Ed.6.x.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-40-17 replace the older C22.2 No. 236-15 (Heat pumps) or C22.2 No. 92-14 (Dehumidifiers)?
A: Yes, for household and similar applications. CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-40-17 consolidates and supersedes C22.2 No. 236-15 (Heat pumps) and C22.2 No. 92-14 (Dehumidifiers), aligning Canada with the IEC 60335 series. However, industrial or commercial equipment may still be covered by other standards (e.g., C22.2 No. 236 for commercial heat pumps). Always check the latest CSA list of approved standards.
A: Yes, for household and similar applications. CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-40-17 consolidates and supersedes C22.2 No. 236-15 (Heat pumps) and C22.2 No. 92-14 (Dehumidifiers), aligning Canada with the IEC 60335 series. However, industrial or commercial equipment may still be covered by other standards (e.g., C22.2 No. 236 for commercial heat pumps). Always check the latest CSA list of approved standards.
Q: What are the main Canadian deviations that differ most from the IEC edition?
A: The most significant deviations are: bilingual marking, requirement for SJT/SJTW type cords, increased creepage distances for outdoor assemblies, stricter limits for refrigerant charge based on room size, and additional functional safety testing for electronic refrigerant leak detection systems.
A: The most significant deviations are: bilingual marking, requirement for SJT/SJTW type cords, increased creepage distances for outdoor assemblies, stricter limits for refrigerant charge based on room size, and additional functional safety testing for electronic refrigerant leak detection systems.
Q: Is it possible to self‑declare compliance to this standard without a certification mark?
A: While the standard itself does not mandate third‑party certification, Canadian provincial regulations require that electrical products sold in Canada be certified by an accredited certification body. Self‑declaration is not accepted; a CSA, UL, or ETL mark (or other accredited mark) is necessary for legal sale and installation under the Canadian Electrical Code.
A: While the standard itself does not mandate third‑party certification, Canadian provincial regulations require that electrical products sold in Canada be certified by an accredited certification body. Self‑declaration is not accepted; a CSA, UL, or ETL mark (or other accredited mark) is necessary for legal sale and installation under the Canadian Electrical Code.
Q: Are there any special considerations for units using R‑32 (A2L) refrigerant?
A: Yes. Units with R‑32 must comply with Annex AA of the standard, including charge limits based on room floor area and installation height. Additional measures such as leak detection, automatic shut‑off valves, and minimisation of potential ignition sources (e.g., sealed relays, no exposed electrical contacts in refrigerant circuit compartments) are required. Also, service instructions must be provided to ensure only qualified technicians handle the flammable refrigerant.
A: Yes. Units with R‑32 must comply with Annex AA of the standard, including charge limits based on room floor area and installation height. Additional measures such as leak detection, automatic shut‑off valves, and minimisation of potential ignition sources (e.g., sealed relays, no exposed electrical contacts in refrigerant circuit compartments) are required. Also, service instructions must be provided to ensure only qualified technicians handle the flammable refrigerant.
About this article: The information provided is based on CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-40-17 as published in 2017 with subsequent corrigenda up to 2026. Always consult the official CSA standard text for the most current requirements.
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