Bambu Lab’s A1 Recall in EU Stirs Confusion Over Electrical Certification Requirements

A minor controversy over the Bambu Lab A1 recall kit has erupted in Europe, but it seems to be an overreaction.

Bambu Lab discovered a design problem in their popular A1 3D printer weeks after it was launched. It seems that if operators tip the machine on its back during assembly or after, the electrical cord to the heat bed would bend and potentially generate short circuits. These could, in some extreme circumstances, start a fire. In fact, a couple of early A1 operators did experience short circuits. Fortunately, no serious damage occurred.

Bambu Lab reacted appropriately and rather quickly, issuing a full recall and advice for customers to stop using the machine until fixes were installed. Customers were provided two options: send the machine in for refit, or wait for a retrofit kit later to DIY the repairs.

Recently A1 owners in the EU were emailed a notice from Bambu Lab about the retrofit kit. In the email it seems to suggest, at first glance, that a professional electrician is required to certify the work before use.

Panicked operators were puzzled and feared the costs of calling in an expensive electrician to inspect what would be a trivial electrical scenario. Some wondered if they could send the charge to Bambu Lab or whether they’d be able to use the device without such certification.

It turns out that this seems to be a misinterpretation of EU regulations. It requires only an “electrically skilled person”, not a professional electrician, which could indeed be the operator themselves. The purpose of the regulation appears to be to provide the organization operating the device with a record of safety inspection.

That’s potentially important if a business is operating the A1, but not so much for a home user. Residential users frequently do minor electrical work in their homes without need for documenting such things. If you replace the plug on an electrical cord, do you need it inspected? I don’t think so, unless you are totally unsure of what you’re doing.

Why has Bambu Lab issued this information to EU operators? It’s because they must comply with the regulations, and they don’t know if the A1 operator requires the documentation. They don’t know if the operator is a business or a hobbyist.

I’m one of those awaiting the A1 retrofit kit, but I have not received it yet. I also have not received the aforementioned email, as it was obviously sent only to EU customers.

When I do receive the retrofit kit I will be doing a full review, and you’ll be able to see how challenging — or not — the work might be.

Via Reddit