Whether or not you need to be CSA approved depends on how, where, when, and
by whom the device will be used. CSA like UL are testing facilities that
test equipment to make sure they are safe to use, do what you say they will
do, and do it safely. Mostly certification is for insurance purposes and it
helps to keep you from getting sued, it is not a guarantee against being
sued. CSA and UL have agreed to recognise some of each others testing and
will for a small fee (as compared to full cert.) certify the others testes
(some). CSA is a Canadian company and UL is a USA company but, there are
others and all are independent companies. They will test to whatever level
you want or need, from every component including any circuit board runs to
making sure the wires from the battery to the motor are the correct size an=
d
rating and so on. Also just because a part or piece is CSA or UL rated does
not mean they won't test it but, make sure you document any part that has a
CSA or UL rating. Most manufacturers will supply their certification
documentation for free, also CSA and UL keep a database. My last device is
used in areas with explosive gases present and the UL certification cost
$34,000 dollars and took 18 months. So I would ask your customer if they
need CSA certification for insurance purposes.

Ray

Ray Richter
UniMatrix Technologies
rrichter@unimatrixtech.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On
> Behalf Of Denny Esterline
> Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2014 7:59 PM
> To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public.
> Subject: [EE] CSA certification
>=20
> I was recently approached by a potential customer in Canada and one of
> the questions that came up was is our device CSA certified. The obvious
> answer is that if you're not sure, then your not. But I think it may be
> a bit more complicated than that - I'm not sure I need to be...
>=20
> My product is basically a battery powered portable power tool (think
> mutant cordless drill) it uses batteries and charger from a name brand
> power tool supplier and the charger bears the UL mark with C and US
> beside it.
>=20
> So, for anyone more familiar with CSA certification issues, Does a low
> voltage, battery operated device _need_ to have a CSA certification to
> sell in Canada?
>=20
>=20
>=20
> Thanks
> -Denny
> --
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