IEC 60704-2-16:2019

Overview

IEC 60704-2-16:2019 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies test codes for the determination of airborne acoustical noise emitted by household and similar electrical appliances. Part 2-16 focuses on particular requirements for electric washer-dryers. This standard addresses products intended to be placed on the floor, built-in under counters, worktops, sinks, wall-mounted, or used on countertops.

The main objective of IEC 60704-2-16 is to provide objective engineering methods for accurately determining the sound power levels produced by washer-dryers. It aims to ensure consistent and comparable measurement results among different test facilities, supporting manufacturers, regulators, and consumers in assessing and comparing the noise performance of washer-dryers.

This standard is intended for use in conjunction with IEC 60704-1:2010, which covers general requirements for testing the airborne noise of household appliances.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application:

  • Applies to single-unit electric washer-dryers for household use and similar purposes.
  • Suitable for various installation configurations, including freestanding, built-in, and wall-mounted.

• Measurement Methods:

  • Covers direct and comparison methods for measuring airborne sound power levels based on international acoustics standards (ISO 3743-1, ISO 3743-2, and ISO 3744).
  • Specifies requirements for test environments, instrumentation, and measurement arrangements to ensure reproducibility and accuracy.

• Test Loads and Programmes:

  • Details preparation and conditioning of cotton test loads for washing, drying, or continuous cycles.
  • Defines standard test programmes for both washing and drying cycles including temperature, load mass, and programme selection criteria.

• Operational Conditions:

  • Outlines pre-conditioning and cleaning requirements for appliances before testing.
  • Specifies water supply temperature, pressure, and other environmental conditions during measurement.
  • Details how washer-dryers must be operated and loaded during testing for consistent results.

• Calculation and Reporting:

  • Describes the process of calculating sound power levels, segmenting by wash, dry, and continuous cycles.
  • Sets guidelines for documenting appliance characteristics, test conditions, and measured data in test reports.

Applications

IEC 60704-2-16:2019 is essential for:

• Manufacturers: To objectively measure and compare airborne noise performance of washer-dryers during product development and quality control.
• Testing Laboratories: To perform standardized noise measurements that are recognized internationally, ensuring repeatability and consistency.
• Certification Bodies and Regulators: To assess compliance with noise requirements in various markets and support product certification and labeling schemes.
• Consumers and Retailers: To access reliable information on washer-dryer noise levels, enhancing the decision-making process and user satisfaction.
• Industry Audits and Benchmarking: To facilitate benchmarking of products and support initiatives for quieter household appliances.

By following the standardized procedures, stakeholders can minimize variability in test results due to environmental, operational, or methodological differences. This contributes to fair competition and helps inform product improvements toward reducing noise pollution in domestic environments.

Related Standards

• IEC 60704-1:2010: General requirements for determining airborne acoustical noise for household and similar appliances.
• IEC 62512:2012: Methods for measuring performance of household electric washer-dryers.
• IEC 60456:2010: Methods for measuring performance of household clothes washing machines.
• IEC 60704-3: Guidelines for the declaration and verification of noise emission values.
• ISO 3743-1:2010: Acoustics - Noise source power levels in small reverberation rooms.
• ISO 3743-2:1994: Acoustics - Engineering methods for small movable source measurements.
• ISO 3744:2010: Acoustics - Engineering methods for sound power measurements in essentially free fields.

Adhering to IEC 60704-2-16:2019 ensures the reliability, comparability, and transparency of airborne noise data for washer-dryers, supporting better product design, regulatory compliance, and informed consumer choices.