HVAC manufacturers fighting new CSA standard on harmonics

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) is concerned about the proposed adoption by the Canadian Standards Association of the IEC 61000-3-12 Standard. The association, representing equipment manufacturers, has joined a coalition of 14 similar organizations, including the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating, who were to be sending a letter of concern to CSA regarding the standard.

In its June newsletter HRAI says the coalition is objecting to the fact that the proposed standard will limit the harmonic current output for all Canadian electrical products and equipment operating at the 16 to 75 amperes range, bringing it into line with “very restrictive European EMC limits.”

HRAI says that manufacturers or importers of any industrial equipment with a variable speed drive, or any energy efficient products that  typically use the variable speed drive to achieve their efficiency will be affected — including central air conditioners, furnaces and boilers.

The Canadian utilities and Canadian Electricity Association are promoting the standard because they are concerned that the harmonics output within not just households, but also commercial and industrial facilities, is growing and could develop into a future system concern for them. HRAI says that other experts have challenged the utilities’ science on the issue.

HRAI and the coalition believe that one of the issues that could sway CSA to reevaluate adopting the standard would be to do an “Economic Impact Assessment” and they are evaluating this possibility.