Understanding CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-24-17 (2019): Safety Requirements for Household Refrigerating Appliances and Ice-Makers

The standard CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-24-17 (2019) represents the Canadian adoption of the international safety standard IEC 60335-2-24, incorporating national differences to address specific requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code (Part II). It establishes safety requirements for household and similar electrical refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances, and ice-makers. This standard is harmonized with UL 60335-2-24 (2019) to facilitate bi-national compliance across North America. It applies to compression-type appliances with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 V for single-phase and 480 V for multi-phase, covering both flammable and non-flammable refrigerants.

Scope and Application

This standard covers the safety of all electrical refrigerating appliances intended for household and similar use, including:

• Refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezer combinations
• Wine storage appliances and wine coolers
• Ice-makers (built-in or freestanding)
• Refrigerating appliances for use in commercial or industrial establishments where similar safety considerations apply (e.g., hotel minibars, office refrigerators, display cabinets)

It does not apply to absorption-type refrigerators (covered by separate standards), appliances intended solely for industrial or laboratory processing, or appliances with special nationally recognized requirements such as those used in hazardous locations.

For testing purposes, appliances are classified according to climate class, which defines the ambient temperature and humidity conditions during normal operation. The table below summarizes the standard climate classes from IEC 60335-2-24, which are also adopted in the CSA version:

Technical Safety Requirements

The standard addresses a wide range of hazards including electric shock, mechanical injury, fire, excessive temperature, and abnormal operation. Key technical requirements include:

Protection Against Electric Shock

• Insulation and clearance: Mandatory creepage distances and clearances for basic, supplementary, and reinforced insulation. The required distances vary with voltage and pollution degree.
• Grounding: Class I appliances must have reliable protective earthing of all accessible metal parts that could become live in case of failure.
• Leakage current: Limits for normal and abnormal operation (e.g., maximum 0.5 mA for Class II, 0.75 mA for Class I under normal conditions).

Temperature Rise and Thermal Safety

Temperature rise is measured on windings, insulation, accessible surfaces, and internal components. Limits are specified in the standard (e.g., 75 K for class 130 insulation windings, 60 K for accessible metal surfaces in contact with food). Compressor motor windings are subjected to a locked-rotor test to verify that thermal protectors operate safely.

Refrigerant Safety (Flammable Refrigerants)

With increased use of hydrocarbon refrigerants (R-600a, R-290), the standard requires:

• Sealed system integrity: all joints must be soldered or welded; no mechanical joints allowed in refrigerant circuit.
• Ventilation: any potential refrigerant leak must be able to escape without accumulating in hazardous concentrations.
• Marking: clear identification of refrigerant type and quantity; warnings against piercing or burning the sealed system.
• Spark ignition prevention: electrical components near refrigerant paths must not produce sparks during normal or abnormal operation.

Mechanical Strength and Stability

The standard requires resistance to mechanical stress through impact tests (using a spring-operated hammer), door endurance tests (100,000 cycles for household models), and stability tests with doors open and loads applied. Glass shelves and doors must pass a thermal shock test (e.g., from 60 °C to 20 °C water spray).

Implementation and Testing Highlights

Manufacturers seeking compliance with CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-24-17 should consider the following testing and implementation aspects:

• Climate class testing: All safety tests are performed at the specific ambient conditions corresponding to the declared climate class (e.g., 25 °C/60% RH for class ST). Running the compressor at maximum load (door open or thermal load) is part of the test sequence.
• Abnormal operation tests: Includes operation with fan stalled, blocked condensers, excessive refrigerant charge, and opening of the compressor starting capacitor.
• Supply cord and plug: Canadian national differences require a supply cord length between 1.5 m and 2.5 m, an attachment plug with a parallel (or tandem) blade configuration for non-locking type, and color-coded conductors (white, black, green or green/yellow).
• Language requirements: Manuals and labels must be provided in English and French.

Compliance and Certification for the Canadian Market

To legally sell refrigerating appliances in Canada, manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with the applicable safety standards. The Canadian Electrical Code, Part II (CSA C22.2 series) is referenced in provincial regulations, and third-party certification is mandatory for many categories.

• Certification bodies: CSA Group (the standard developer), Intertek, SGS, and other SCC-accredited organizations can issue certification to this standard.
• Marking requirements: Each appliance must bear a certification mark (e.g., CSA mark) and include: name of manufacturer or trademark, model designation, electrical ratings (voltage, frequency, current), refrigerant type and quantity, and warning symbols if flammable.
• National deviations: The CSA version includes specific instructions for supply cord attachment, grounding, and a requirement for a strain-relief clamp at the appliance entry.
• Periodic factory inspections: Certification bodies typically require annual or quarterly inspections to maintain listing.

Edition Notes

The 2019 edition supersedes previous editions (e.g., CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60335-2-24-14) and incorporates the 2012 IEC base text plus Amendment 1:2016. It also includes bi-national harmonization requirements such as additional tests for flammable refrigerants that were previously not present in the Canadian version.

Frequently Asked Questions

© 2026 — This article provides general technical information about international standards. For the most current and binding requirements, consult the official edition of the standard directly or contact a recognized certification body.