Safety Guide for Purchasing Electric Motors for Use in Canada

Before you purchase Motors, ensure you purchase products that meet the Canadian electrical code requirements, apply to product standards, and are certified by a recognized certification body. The consequences of not purchasing certified products can create unsafe working conditions, be a legal liability to your company, and increase operational downtimes and costs. Motor Manufacturers members of Electro-Federation Canada developed this checklist to assist customers in purchasing safe and reliable motors that meet safety and quality standards.

Safety Guide for Purchasing Electric Motors

Download this checklist to keep on hand before placing your next electrical motor order.

Before you purchase:

1. Purchase from a trusted source.
Purchase from a trusted source. Reputable manufacturers and electrical distributors stand by the products they advertise and sell. Their products are made to the highest standards and comply with testing requirements to ensure you purchase a quality, reliable, safe product.

2. Stay Alert: Product Pricing.
Be wary of pricing that is “too good to be true.” While Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and
distributors may offer sales and special promotions, products generally keep their fair market value. A product’s price under market value often indicates that it may not meet the standards, does not comply with the electrical code, or may not be tested and certified.

When your purchase arrives:

3. Check for the certification mark.
Look for the certification mark and question products that do not have a certification mark from the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredited certification body, such as CSA or UL. Look for counterfeit or knock-off certification marks. Here is a list of certification organizations of repute in Canada. https://www.scc.ca/en/accreditation/approval-marks-electrical-products-safety

4. Check product standards specifications:
Quality-made and safe electric motors should meet the following specific product standards.

* The certification mark of an SCC-accredited certification body is evidence that representative sample(s) of the product have been tested/evaluated and found in compliance with applicable safety standard(s) as well as the requirements of the certification body involved. The certification marks do not extend to safe application or product installation and end-use. Manufacturers’ guidelines along with applicable codes and regulations must be reviewed for the safe application, installation and use of electrical products.