CAN CSA E60335-2-38-01: Safety Requirements for Commercial Electric Griddles and Griddle Grills

1. Scope of CAN CSA E60335-2-38-01

CAN CSA E60335-2-38-01 is the Canadian adoption of the International Electrotechnical Commission standard IEC 60335-2-38, forming part of the CSA C22.2 series under the Canadian Electrical Code. This standard specifies safety requirements for commercial electric griddles and griddle grills intended for use in commercial kitchens, restaurants, cafeterias, and similar food‑service establishments.

The standard covers appliances designed for heating food by contact with a flat or ridged metal cooking surface. It applies to fixed or stationary equipment, including freestanding units and those intended for installation on counters or in battery configurations. The rated voltage is limited to 250 V for single‑phase appliances and 480 V for poly‑phase appliances. The standard does not cover household griddles, portable equipment, or appliances intended exclusively for industrial processing.

When referenced with the general safety standard CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335‑1, CAN CSA E60335-2-38-01 provides a complete framework for evaluating the electrical, mechanical, thermal, and fire safety of commercial electric griddles and griddle grills.

2. Key Technical Requirements

2.1 Temperature Controls and Thermal Protection

Every griddle must be equipped with a temperature control device that limits the cooking surface temperature to a safe maximum. The standard specifies endurance testing of thermostats over 100,000 cycles for electronic controls and 10,000 cycles for mechanical thermostats. A separate non‑self‑resetting thermal cut‑out (e.g., a high‑limit thermostat or fuse) must be provided to prevent overheating if the primary control fails. The thermal cut‑out must operate independently of the temperature control system.

2.2 Electrical Safety and Grounding

All exposed metal parts that could become energized must be reliably grounded. The griddle frame, cooking surface, and control enclosures must have a continuous ground path with resistance not exceeding 0.1 Ω. Leakage current at operating temperature must not exceed the limits of Table 1. The appliance must withstand a dielectric strength test of 1,250 V for class I equipment for one minute without breakdown.

2.3 Mechanical and Structural Integrity

The cooking surface and supporting structure must withstand the static load of loaded food trays and utensils. The standard requires a stability test with the door open (if equipped) and a 250 N horizontal force applied. All edges and corners accessible during normal use must be smooth or protected to prevent injury. Handles and knobs must resist a 150 N pull force without detachment.

2.4 Resistance to Moisture and Cleaning

Because griddles are cleaned with water, detergents, and often chemical cleaners, the standard mandates an IPX4 or higher splash‑proof rating for electrical enclosures. After a simulated spillage test (200 ml of water poured over the cooking surface), the appliance must pass the dielectric test and show no hazardous leakage current. Control panels must be sealed against ingress of liquids.

3. Implementation Highlights for Manufacturers

3.1 Harmonisation with North American Requirements

Manufacturers already complying with UL 197 (Commercial Electric Cooking Appliances) or IEC 60335‑2‑38 will find CAN CSA E60335-2-38-01 largely aligned. However, Canadian-specific differences include supply voltage ratings (120/240 V, 60 Hz), mandatory bilingual markings (English/French), and requirements for grounding per the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC Part I).

3.2 Material Selection and Surface Finishes

The cooking surface must be of food‑grade material (stainless steel, polished steel, or coated alloy) that resists corrosion, chipping, and scratching. Grease collection trays must be removable and accessible without tools. Enclosure materials should be rated for the maximum temperature reached during normal operation plus a 50 K margin.

3.3 Control System Reliability

Electronic controllers must comply with IEC 60730‑1 and IEC 60730‑2‑9 for automatic electrical controls. Temperature sensors (thermocouples or RTDs) must be tested for accuracy drift over 2,000 hours. The standard further requires that in case of a sensor failure, the appliance either shuts down safely or reverts to a reduced‑power mode.

4. Compliance and Certification Notes

Compliance with CAN CSA E60335-2-38-01 is mandatory for equipment to bear the CSA mark and to be legally sold in Canada for commercial use. Certification to this standard is typically performed by CSA Group, Intertek (ETL), or other accredited labs using the Canadian Electrical Code requirements. The certification process involves:

• Documentation review: circuit diagrams, component lists, instruction manuals, and marking plans.
• Construction inspection: verify wire sizes, connection terminals, creepage and clearance distances (at least 3 mm for basic insulation, 6 mm for reinforced at 250 V).
• Performance testing: heating time, temperature uniformity, and surface‑temperature limitations.
• Safety testing: leakage current, dielectric strength, moisture resistance, stability, and endurance.
• Factory follow‑up: periodic auditing of production to ensure ongoing compliance.

The standard also requires that the appliance’s nameplate include: rated voltage and frequency, rated power, current, model number, date code, and the certification mark. The installation manual must specify electrical requirements consistent with the CEC (e.g., conductor size, overcurrent protection, bonding).

FAQs

This technical article provides a general overview of CAN CSA E60335-2-38-01. Always refer to the latest official edition of the standard and consult a qualified certification body for specific compliance requirements. © 2026