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Canada CSA Certification  

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VWood
(@vwood)
Active Member
Canada CSA Certification

Has anyone in Canada had to deal with certification with the Prusa MK3S to meet CSA specs?  If so what did you do? Who did you hire to inspect and certify? 

The printer has been denied usage in our facility till it has been CSA equivalent certified.

Thanks

Vanessa 

Posted : 13/08/2020 5:39 pm
Xayoz
(@xayoz)
Eminent Member
RE: Canada CSA Certification

I would suggest first contact Prusa support.  It is possible they have already done this.  If not, contact CSA directly.  I'm sure they can give you a list of steps and a list of approved inspectors.

Posted : 16/08/2020 1:08 pm
VWood
(@vwood)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Canada CSA Certification

@xayoz

Thank you and I have reached out to Prusa and CSA.

 

I am curious what others had to do to get the printers approved.

 

Posted : 18/08/2020 1:58 pm
VWood
(@vwood)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Canada CSA Certification

Update

These printers are not certified to be used in Canada and Prusa is not supporting our facilities the means to certify the devices as per CSA or ULc.

We have been denied access to gain information to certify the Prusa 31 MK3S. 

Please be aware the devices are only CE certified. 

 

Posted : 01/09/2020 4:01 pm
vintagepc
(@vintagepc)
Member
RE: Canada CSA Certification

Does it need to be certified? There was a similar discussion a while back for some other regulating agency (UL, I think?) and the conclusion was that it was exempt because it was a low voltage device - the PSU itself should be certified (and it probably is, PR doesn't use cheap no-names), but anything attached to it didn't need to be. 

 

 

Posted : 02/09/2020 12:06 pm
Nikolai
(@nikolai)
Noble Member
RE: Canada CSA Certification
Posted by: @v-wood

We have been denied access to gain information to certify the Prusa 31 MK3S. 

Just of curiosity. What kind of information have you requested? Schematics are all available online.

From my understanding the PSU is a critical part in this whole certification process. In worst case (if there are no marks on the PSU) you can swap it with any fully certified for your purpose. The only missing piece is a check for correct grounding and that's should be sufficient to get a CSA certification.

Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram

Posted : 02/09/2020 5:24 pm
VWood
(@vwood)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Canada CSA Certification

@vintagepc

Yes it needs to be CSA or ULc for use in Canada. The CE is not certification for Canadian electrical standards. 

Prusa will not give out the electrical drawings or the BOM for us to get the device certified.

This is Prusa response to the request.

Our 3D printers are manufactured in Europe, therefore the CE certification is sufficient for us to produce and sell our products, even outside EU. Many Canadian customers, privates and corporates, are using our products despite not being CSA certified.

 

Posted : 03/09/2020 1:31 pm
vintagepc
(@vintagepc)
Member
RE: Canada CSA Certification

My point was that low voltage devices tend to be exempt. Only the (mains) PSU needs to be certified, which (being made by Delta for the new black PSUs) means they almost undoubtedly are. 

https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness/comments/2pj8if/do_i_need_ul_or_csa_approval_for_an_electrical/

Posted : 03/09/2020 3:05 pm
VWood
(@vwood)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Canada CSA Certification

@vintagepc

I understand but our facilities require some form of Canadian electrical certification. Its a safety issue and we are also a government regulated facilities. Wouldn't look good if we agreed to use and not following the rules or someone was hurt.

Disappointed that the manufacture would not aid in North American electrical certification. The cost is minimal but need to provide information in order to do so. 

Posted : 03/09/2020 3:58 pm
Nikolai
(@nikolai)
Noble Member
RE: Canada CSA Certification
Posted by: @v-wood

The printer has been denied usage in our facility till it has been CSA equivalent certified.

Please don't get me wrong. But this sounds more like an issue with your facility manager. Since PR don't want to get CSA certification for the whole printer, you can do it by yourself for the specific device you're using. There are already many posts/discussions in regards to this topic and many people were successful to get it for their facilities (in Canada and US). You can break it down to the component level:

  • PSU (should have all needed certification)
  • Stepper motors (low power device)
  • Controller board (low power device)
  • Heat bed (low power device)
  • Nozzle heater, fans, thermistors (low power device)

The schematics are available online. Obviously you won't get BOM and schematics for the PSU because it's sourced as a unit by PR. But for everything else you should be able to get all the information you need to get the certification.

I would really like to see PR getting CSA/UL certifications and the missing note is important to any buyer who want to use this printer in public facilities.

Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram

Posted : 03/09/2020 4:16 pm
VWood
(@vwood)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Canada CSA Certification

Yes agree to all the low voltage parts. The product is used in whole not in parts. I think that is the point that is being missed here. 

CSA does not only test the electrical means of the device/product. CSA checks for numerous specs on a product. Electrical equipment in Canada are mandated to be inspected for compliance and safety. 

And just found out Prusa has not published an official BOM. So buyer beware. 

Posted : 03/09/2020 5:56 pm
dan.b17
(@dan-b17)
New Member
RE: Canada CSA Certification

Hey Vanessa, 

I'm about to deal with the same issue and I'm wondering how it worked out for you? Were you able to get the printers inspected by the ESA? Was it possible to get them approved? I'd really appreciate it if you could reach out to me at [email protected] to discuss.

Thanks!  

Posted : 08/11/2021 9:08 pm
Dan Rogers
(@dan-rogers)
Noble Member
So use a canadian brand of 3D printer

If canada only wants products made in canada, I'd recommend you comply or the mounties will be a running around your yard.

 

Posted : 13/11/2021 1:56 pm
BogdanH
(@bogdanh)
Honorable Member
RE: Canada CSA Certification

I'm not familiar with Canada, but in general I can say, it's all about pulling the money: if you pay the bill, it will be certified as "safe". I was present at few certifications (car related parts) and.. well, it was mostly "inspection by eye". Don't get me wrong, I'm all for safety and stuff. But then, how come things like this can happen?
Actually, particular part or equipment is needed to be certified only once. And once it's put into database as "ok", certificate is valid for all next imports: "Let's see.. Original Prusa MK3S+.. ah yes, passed." But.. but... no income in this case.

Just sharing my thoughts

[Mini+] [MK3S+BEAR]

Posted : 13/11/2021 3:09 pm
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