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CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 (R2016): Safety Standard for Information Technology Equipment in Canada
Adopted from IEC 60950-1, this standard establishes mandatory safety requirements for information technology equipment sold or deployed in Canada.
CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 (R2016) is the Canadian adoption of the internationally recognized IEC 60950-1 safety standard for information technology equipment (ITE). Published under the Canadian Electrical Code Part 2 (C22.2 series), this standard harmonizes Canadian safety requirements with those in the United States (UL 60950-1) and other jurisdictions that follow the IEC 60950-1 framework. It applies to a wide range of equipment including personal computers, servers, telecommunications devices, office machines, and their accessories. The standard is reaffirmed in 2016, ensuring its continued relevance for certification and regulatory compliance in Canada.
Scope and Applicability
CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 covers information technology equipment with a rated voltage not exceeding 600 V. This includes equipment intended for connection to telecommunication networks, data processing, office automation, and general-purpose computing. The standard addresses safety aspects such as protection against electric shock, fire, mechanical hazards, thermal hazards, and radiation. It applies to both stationary and portable equipment, as well as equipment installed in restricted access locations.
Key exclusions include equipment covered under other specific product safety standards (e.g., household appliances, medical devices) and equipment where the safety is already assured by compliance with applicable Part 1 installation requirements. The scope is essentially identical to IEC 60950-1, with specific Canadian deviations for supply cords, plug configurations, marking, and ambient temperature assessment.
Technical Requirements and Key Provisions
The standard adopts the same fundamental safety principles as IEC 60950-1, including:
- Protection from electric shock: Basic, supplementary, and reinforced insulation. Clearance and creepage distances are specified based on working voltage, pollution degree, and overvoltage category.
- Energy hazards: Access to hazardous voltage levels (>42.4 V peak or 60 VDC) must be prevented without the use of tools or require intentional action.
- Fire protection: Enclosures, components, and wiring materials must meet flammability class V-1, V-2, or HB depending on location and function.
- Mechanical hazards: Stability, sharp edges, moving parts, and glass breakage.
- Thermal hazards: Temperature limits for accessible surfaces, touch-temperature limits for metallic and non-metallic parts.
- Abnormal operation and fault conditions: The equipment must remain safe under single fault conditions, including component failures and overloads.
The Canadian version introduces several regional differences, including more stringent supply cord flexing tests, bilingual marking (English and French), and a mandate for compliance with Canadian Electrical Code Part 1 requirements for installation and wiring. The standard also requires that all equipment be tested at an ambient temperature range that accounts for Canadian climatic extremes.
Working Voltage (V peak or DC) Insulation Type Pollution Degree Minimum Clearance (mm) Minimum Creepage (mm) ≤ 300 V Basic / Supplementary 2 1.5 3.2 ≤ 300 V Reinforced 2 3.4 6.4 601 – 1000 V Basic / Supplementary 2 5.5 9.6 601 – 1000 V Reinforced 2 11.0 19.2
Canadian Deviations in Marking and Documentation
A significant deviation in the Canadian edition relates to permanent marking requirements. All labels and warnings must be provided in both English and French. The instruction manual must include both official languages unless the product is exclusively for use in a workplace where a single language can be justified. The standard also mandates that the equipment be marked with the CSA certification mark or a recognized equivalent, along with the manufacturer’s name or trademark.
Implementation Highlights
Manufacturers seeking compliance with CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 should consider the following implementation aspects:
- Design for reliable insulation: The creepage and clearance tables require careful layout and component spacing. Use of conformal coating can reduce creepage distance requirements in some pollution degree 1 environments.
- Supply cord and plug: Cords must be suitable for Canadian service (e.g., CSA-certified cord sets, NEMA plug configurations). The standard requires specific flexing tests that may differ from US requirements.
- Catalog of components: Critical components such as mains filters, transformers, relays, and fans must be recognized or certified to applicable CSA standards.
- Abnormal testing: Temperature tests under single fault conditions must be conducted at the highest rated ambient temperature (typically 40°C, but can be lower for certain equipment).
- Documentation package: A detailed test report covering all safety aspects, accompanied by bilingual user instructions, is needed for certification.
Design Tip: Consider designing equipment to comply with the most restrictive requirements of both CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 and UL 60950-1 simultaneously. Many test parameters are similar, but specific differences in cord marking, plug orientation, and environmental test conditions can affect a common design.
Common Pitfall: Do not assume that a product certified to IEC 60950-1 or UL 60950-1 automatically meets all Canadian requirements. The CSA edition includes additional test sequences and marking requirements that must be verified.
Compliance Notes
Compliance with CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 is mandatory for equipment sold in Canada under provincial electrical inspection authorities. Certification is typically carried out by accredited organizations such as CSA Group, UL (acting as a recognized certification body), or Intertek. The standard is part of a suite of harmonized documents referenced by the Canadian Electrical Code Part 1 (C22.1).
Key compliance considerations include:
- Edition control: Always verify that the current reaffirmed edition (R2016) is used. Future amendments may be issued as separate bulletins.
- Manufacturing consistency: CSA certification requires periodic factory inspections to ensure product construction remains consistent with the certified design.
- Transition to IEC 62368-1: As of 2026, the industry is moving toward the hazard-based safety standard IEC/CSA 62368-1. Although CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 remains active for existing certifications, new designs should evaluate the applicability of the newer standard.
Market Access: Products certified under CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 can usually be sold into Canadian markets with the appropriate CSA mark. Intertek (ETL) and UL marks are also accepted when the certification body is recognized by the Standards Council of Canada.
Safety Advisory: Equipment that does not meet the minimum creepage and clearance distances for the intended pollution degree and altitude can create a risk of electrical breakdown. Always include a margin of safety exceeding the tabular values, particularly in environments with high humidity or conductive dust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between CAN CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 and IEC 60950-1 Ed. 2?
A: The CSA edition is technically identical to IEC 60950-1 Ed. 2 (first edition published in 2005) with a small number of Canadian deviations. These include bilingual marking, specific requirements for supply cords and plug configurations, and adjustments for Canadian ambient temperature conditions. The CSA standard also references the Canadian Electrical Code Part 1 for installation guidance.
A: The CSA edition is technically identical to IEC 60950-1 Ed. 2 (first edition published in 2005) with a small number of Canadian deviations. These include bilingual marking, specific requirements for supply cords and plug configurations, and adjustments for Canadian ambient temperature conditions. The CSA standard also references the Canadian Electrical Code Part 1 for installation guidance.
Q: Is CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 still active for new certifications in 2026?
A: Yes, the standard remains active and is frequently used for certification of ITE products in Canada. However, it is being superseded by CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 62368-1 for new designs. Manufacturers should consult certification bodies to decide which path best suits their product lifecycle.
A: Yes, the standard remains active and is frequently used for certification of ITE products in Canada. However, it is being superseded by CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 62368-1 for new designs. Manufacturers should consult certification bodies to decide which path best suits their product lifecycle.
Q: Can a product certified to UL 60950-1 be sold in Canada without additional testing?
A: Generally not. While UL 60950-1 and CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 are harmonized, the Canadian standard has specific deviations. A UL CB test report may be used to reduce testing, but supplemental testing for Canadian differences (e.g., supply cord flexing, bilingual manual review) is typically required. Some certification bodies offer a combined UL-CSA program.
A: Generally not. While UL 60950-1 and CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07 are harmonized, the Canadian standard has specific deviations. A UL CB test report may be used to reduce testing, but supplemental testing for Canadian differences (e.g., supply cord flexing, bilingual manual review) is typically required. Some certification bodies offer a combined UL-CSA program.
Q: What are the supply cord requirements under this standard?
A: The standard requires cords to be CSA-certified cord sets or CSA-accepted flexible cords with appropriate NEMA plug configurations. The cord must be permanently marked with the CSA certification mark. Additionally, strain relief and flexing tests must meet Canadian test severities, which are often more stringent than those specified in IEC 60950-1.
A: The standard requires cords to be CSA-certified cord sets or CSA-accepted flexible cords with appropriate NEMA plug configurations. The cord must be permanently marked with the CSA certification mark. Additionally, strain relief and flexing tests must meet Canadian test severities, which are often more stringent than those specified in IEC 60950-1.