These consumer electronic devices are built for tabletop or handheld use, encompassing items like toasters, blenders, and coffee makers. In electronics manufacturing and safety testing, they represent a distinct regulatory category with specific requirements for insulation, power draw, and thermal protection. They typically run directly off mains voltage and rely on basic electromechanical controls or simple microcontrollers.
The testing lab needs three production samples to certify the new coffee maker under the small appliance safety standards.
Related terms
Hot chassis
A piece of equipment where the metal frame is electrically connected directly to the mains power line.
Power brick
An external power supply enclosed in a rectangular block that sits outside the main device.
Microcontroller
A compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system.