Buying electrical products online
Not all electrical products you find for sale online are safe. Non-compliant, recalled and counterfeit electrical products can pose serious health or safety risks, including electrocution, burns, explosions and fires. Learn how to help reduce your risk of buying an unsafe electrical product.
On this page:
- Always check for a legitimate Canadian certification mark
- Check for product compatibility
- Stay away from counterfeit electrical products
- Be careful when buying second-hand electrical products
Always check for a legitimate Canadian certification mark
Do not buy electrical products that plug into a power outlet without a Canadian electrical certification mark, such as CSA, cUL, or cETL. These marks show that the electrical product meets a required Canadian safety standard. Uncertified electrical products can cause electrical shock, fire, injury, or even death.
The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredits certification organizations. These organizations ensure that products requiring certification meet Canadian safety standards.
Certification marks must appear on the product, not just the packaging. If you can't see the certification mark in the product listing, ask the seller. Be cautious of buying electrical products from outside of Canada. They may lack certification marks or may not meet Canadian requirements.
Check for product compatibility
Before buying any replacement parts for your electrical device, like chargers, batteries and adapters, double-check that they are compatible with your device. Using non-compatible parts can be unsafe.
Here are some tips to help you check for compatibility:
Chargers/adapters
Make sure the charger's listed voltage and current are compatible with your device. When purchasing a charger, it's important to make sure its output voltage matches the input voltage of your electrical device. For example, if purchasing a charger for a laptop that requires 19V, make sure the charger provides an output of 19V. For international travel, make sure that the charger is compatible with both the plug type and voltage of your destination country. Using an incompatible adapter can lead to electrical hazards, such as overheating or device damage. It's safest to choose a universal charger/adapter that fits multiple plug types to help avoid that risk.
Lithium-ion batteries
Many rechargeable electronic devices contain lithium-ion batteries. They can pose safety risks, such as overheating, fires and explosions. It's important to buy any replacement batteries from a trusted seller. After-market batteries bought separately or from an unknown source can be a risk. They may not follow safety standards and may not be compatible with your device. Learn more about lithium-ion battery safety.
Power and extension cords
Before you buy an extension cord or a power bar, check the product description to see if it is rated for the electrical product in use. The rating will indicate the power, voltage and current. When in doubt, contact the seller.
Stay away from counterfeit electrical products
Counterfeit electrical products don't meet Canadian safety standards and may also lack quality control and important safety features. This makes them dangerous to use. Counterfeit products may be sold for an unusually low price to attract consumers. It's important to buy from a seller you trust. Legitimate sellers provide their contact information. Before buying the product, carefully check the product photos and product description for any spelling mistakes or missing information. When in doubt, contact the seller for more details. Learn more about how to keep safety in mind when shopping online.
Be careful when buying second-hand electrical products
Used electrical products can be risky. You don't know their history. You may not be able to judge the product's condition based on an online listing. Some older products might not meet current safety standards or have been recalled. They may be non-compliant and cause serious hazards.
Before buying used electrical items, reach out to a trusted seller and ask questions about the product's condition, age, history and certification marks. Carefully examine photos for any signs of damage or wear. Watch out for products described as "refurbished" or "like new". Check the recalls and safety alerts database to make sure the product is not recalled. Learn more about buying second-hand products.