The Actual Requirements for Cartridge Heaters with CE Certification

The Actual Requirements for Cartridge Heaters with CE Certification

One time, a purchasing agent posed a very useful query. For a batch of cartridge warmers, a firm issued a CE certificate; nevertheless, the product's label did not match the certificate. Did the product truly comply? Knowing precisely which criteria apply is the key to the solution.


The Low Voltage Directive serves as the cornerstone for cartridge heaters intended for the European market. EN 60335-1, which addresses the general safety standards for residential and comparable electrical equipment, is the primary harmonised standard. However, extra requirements are frequently needed for industrial uses. Heating and thermostatic devices for liquids are covered by EN 60335-2-15. When the heater is a component of measurement or laboratory equipment, EN 61010-1 is applicable. Additionally, the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC applies to heaters that are integrated into machinery.

This is the technical yet crucial part. The precise versions of the standards used should be listed in the test report for a single-ended tubular heater that has received CE certification. The test requirements included EN 60335-1:2012 plus changes A11:2014, A13:2017, A1:2019, A14:2019, A2:2019, and A15:2021, according to an actual certificate issued for a cartridge heater. Why is this important? Approximately every three years, European standards are changed. Even if the product hasn't changed, using an out-of-date version can render the CE certification invalid. Manufacturers are required to review their products' compliance with the most recent standards on a regular basis.

The actual testing addresses a number of important topics. Testing for insulation resistance is necessary for electric shock protection. When tested with 500V DC, a healthy tubular heater should exhibit insulation resistance more than 100 megaohms at room temperature. The heater shell and lead terminals under typical working circumstances are measured by temperature rise testing. To avoid fire threats, the temperature must be within predetermined bounds. High voltage is applied during dielectric strength testing to make sure the insulation can tolerate fault situations.

One crucial point is frequently missed. Sometimes the equipment manufacturer who incorporates a single-ended tubular heater into a completed machine is responsible for the final CE marking when the heater is offered as a component. If the heating element is obviously a component meant for additional assembly, it may not always require specific CE marking. However, because it makes their own compliance requirements easier, the majority of EU buyers want fully CE-marked components.

As a result, always consider three factors while assessing CE-certified cartridge heaters. First, the appropriate and up-to-date EN standards must be cited in the certificate and test report. Secondly, the product labelling needs to precisely match the certificate. Third, complete material traceability must be included in the technical documentation, particularly for RoHS compliance. A properly certified component speeds up the end product's time to market and greatly lessens the integrator's testing burden. Choosing pre-certified tubular heaters is one of the best options for engineers creating unique heating solutions to control regulatory risk.