CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60745-2-23-13 (2018): Safety Requirements for Hand-Held Die Grinders and Small Rotary Tools

Scope and Application

CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60745-2-23-13 (2018) is the Canadian national standard for the safety of hand-held motor-operated electric tools specifically covering die grinders and small rotary tools. This standard is the Canadian adoption with national deviations of IEC 60745-2-23 (Edition 1.2, 2008, including Amendments A1:2008 and A2:2010). It forms part of the CSA C22.2 series under the Canadian Electrical Code, Part II, and serves as the primary safety reference for manufacturers, importers, and certifiers of these tools intended for sale or use in Canada.

The standard applies to hand-held electric die grinders and small rotary tools with a rated speed not exceeding 35,000 rpm and a maximum accessory diameter of 125 mm for die grinders and 75 mm for small rotary tools. Tools covered include those used for grinding, deburring, polishing, carving, engraving, rotary cutting, and similar operations with mounted points, burrs, wire brushes, cut-off wheels, and abrasive discs. The standard does not apply to tools designed exclusively for industrial robotics or tools that are adapted to be used as stationary equipment.

Technical Requirements

Mechanical and Guarding Requirements

The standard prescribes detailed constructional requirements to minimize risk from mechanical hazards. All die grinders and rotary tools must be equipped with a guard that encloses the accessory as far as practical. The design of the guard depends on the intended application and the type of accessory used. For example, tools intended for use with abrasive wheels shall have a guard that covers at least 180° of the wheel periphery when positioned for operation. For burrs and mounted points, a guard covering 120° at the spindle axis may suffice.

Guards must be positioned so that the opening is oriented away from the operator under normal use. The guard must be adjustable without the use of tools, or if tools are required, the adjustment device must be captive. Table 1 summarizes the guard coverage requirements for common accessory types.

TIP: Always verify that the guard orientation and accessory speed rating match the tool’s maximum no-load speed. Using an accessory rated below the tool’s speed can cause accessory disintegration.

Accessory Type	Minimum Guard Coverage (Angle)	Remarks
Abrasive wheels (type 1, 27, etc.)	180°	Guard must be closed at all times during operation.
Mounted points and burrs	120°	Guard must prevent direct contact with the rotating part.
Wire brushes	120°	Guard must contain bristles in case of breakage.
Cut-off wheels (type 41)	180°	Special guard design; may include a movable guard for plunge cuts.

Spindle Lock and Accessory Retention

All die grinders and rotary tools must incorporate a spindle locking mechanism that prevents rotation of the spindle when changing accessories. The spindle lock must be designed to withstand the torque generated during normal tightening of the collet or chuck. The standard requires that the lock cannot be engaged when the tool is in operation.

Speed Control and Overspeed Protection

For tools that include variable speed control, the standard demands that the control mechanism be designed such that an unintended increase in speed does not occur due to component failure. If the tool is equipped with an electronic speed regulator, it must be tested to ensure that the speed does not exceed the rated no-load speed by more than 20% under any condition of load.

Electrical Safety

CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60745-2-23-13 (2018) adopts the general electrical safety requirements from the base standard CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60745-1. Key electrical parameters include:

Creepage and clearance distances — must comply with the overvoltage category II and pollution degree 2.
Insulation resistance and dielectric strength — 1 minute at 1000 V + 2 U (where U is the rated voltage).
Resistance to heat and fire — insulating materials must pass glow wire test at 650°C or a needle flame test.
Supply connection — tools must be provided with a supply cord and plug that conforms to CSA C22.2 No. 21 or No. 49.

WARNING: Tools intended for wet grinding or polishing must be additionally tested for moisture ingress protection (IP rating). The standard requires at least IPX4 for such conditionally designed tools.

Implementation Highlights

Marking and Instructions

The standard imposes strict requirements on markings and user instructions to ensure safe operation. Every tool must be permanently marked with:

Manufacturer’s name or trademark.
Model or type designation.
Rated voltage and current or rated power.
Rated no-load speed in revolutions per minute (r/min).
Maximum accessory diameter.
Symbol for “warning, read instruction manual”.

The instruction manual must include specific safety warnings for die grinders and rotary tools, such as the risk of kickback if the wheel binds, the importance of using guards, and procedures for proper accessory installation. Manuals must be supplied in both English and French for the Canadian market.

Verification and Testing

Compliance with CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60745-2-23-13 (2018) is verified through a type-testing program. Tests include: mechanical hazard protection (guard impacts and stiffness), spindle lock durability (1000 cycles), control malfunction simulation, thermal endurance (normal and abnormal operation), and electrical tests per the general standard.

SUCCESS: Tools that pass all required tests and are certified by an accredited body (e.g., CSA or ITS/Intertek) can be marked with the CSA mark or recognized certification mark, allowing access to the Canadian market.

Compliance Notes

Certification Pathway

Manufacturers seeking to sell die grinders or rotary tools in Canada must ensure their products comply with the latest edition of CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60745-2-23. While the standard was published in 2013 and reaffirmed in 2018, the 2018 version is currently active. Certification typically involves testing by a CSA-accredited laboratory and a factory inspection to verify ongoing product consistency.

National Differences from IEC 60745-2-23

Several Canadian deviations exist to address specific regulatory and environmental conditions. These include:

Supply voltage requirements: tools must operate at 120 V or 240 V, 60 Hz, in line with Canadian electrical distribution.
Cord and plug requirements: tools must be fitted with a Canadian plug configuration (NEMA 1-15 or NEMA 5-15 as applicable).
Bilingual marking: all safety labels and manuals must be in English and French.
Maximum permissible sound pressure level: the standard adopts Canada’s workplace noise exposure limits, requiring the manufacturer to declare A-weighted sound pressure level with an uncertainty value.

DANGER: Using a tool that does not comply with the Canadian standard can lead to serious safety hazards, including electrical shock, mechanical injury from burst wheels, and fire. Additionally, non‑compliant tools may be subject to recall and import restrictions by Health Canada.

It is also important to note that CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60745-2-23-13 (2018) does not apply to pneumatic, hydraulic, or combustion-engine-driven tools; those are covered by other CSA standards (e.g., CSA Z166, or other C22.2 parts). Battery-powered cordless tools that include a rotary output may fall under the scope of this standard if they are classified as hand-held motor-operated electric tools, but the specific rechargeable battery requirements are outlined in CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60745-1 as well as applicable battery standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60745-2-23-13 (2018) and the international IEC 60745-2-23?
A: The Canadian standard is an adoption of the IEC version but includes national deviations to align with Canadian voltage (120/240 V, 60 Hz), plug and cord configurations, bilingual labeling requirements, and specific workplace noise regulations. The core technical requirements for safety are essentially identical.

Q: Does this standard apply to battery-operated cordless die grinders?
A: Yes, if the tool incorporates a motor that is hand-held and the rotary output is similar to a die grinder. The general requirements of CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60745-1 apply, but the particular requirements of Part 2-23 are the same regardless of power source. However, battery-specific safety tests (e.g., for overcharging, short circuit) are covered by separate battery standards.

Q: What are the most common reasons for failing certification under this standard?
A: Frequent issues include: inadequate guard coverage that can be defeated by the operator; spindle lock that fails after 1000 cycles; excessive temperature rise in normal operation; and insufficient resistance to abnormal operation (e.g., locked rotor). Also, vague or missing bilingual safety instructions often lead to documentation non-compliance.

Q: Where can I purchase the official copy of CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60745-2-23-13 (2018)?
A: The official standard can be obtained from CSA Group’s online store or through authorized standards resellers. It is also available in many university and public reference libraries that maintain CSA collection updates.

Article published 2026. Always verify the current edition of the standard as updates may have been issued by CSA Group.

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