IEC 60704-2-4:2025

Overview

IEC 60704-2-4:2025 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies the test code for determining airborne acoustical noise emitted by household and similar electrical appliances, focusing particularly on washing machines and spin extractors. This fourth edition updates and replaces the 2011 version, aligning the methodology with recent standards such as IEC 60704-1:2021 and IEC 60456:2024. It is designed to ensure consistent and accurate noise measurement for single-unit washing machines, combined washing and spinning appliances, and spin extractors used in household settings.

This standard is intended for laboratories, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies to perform noise emission testing under controlled and repeatable conditions, enabling reliable comparisons between different products and models. Note that washer-dryers are covered separately under IEC 60704-2-16:2019, and emissions declaration protocols are outside the scope of this document.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  IEC 60704-2-4 applies specifically to:

  • Single-unit electric washing machines
  • Washing and spinning functions of combined appliances
  • Spin extractors designed for household or similar use
    It excludes declaration requirements for noise emissions which are addressed in IEC 60704-3:2019.

• Measurement Methods and Instrumentation
  The standard defines precise measurement protocols, instrumentation setups, and the acoustical environments necessary for routine and comparative noise testing. This ensures noise levels are accurately captured, reflecting real-world operating conditions for these appliances.

• Technical Revisions in 2025 Edition
  Significant updates include:

  • Alignment with the latest general noise measurement standards and detergent/test programme requirements from IEC 60456:2024.
  • Inclusion of multi-compartment (multi-drum) and wall-mounted washing machines.
  • Definition and specification of drum speed measurement methods.
  • Adjustments for standard test loads and test programmes to reflect modern washing machine designs.

• Terminology and Definitions
  The document standardizes key terms such as “washing machine”, “multi-compartment washing machine”, “wall-mounted washing machine”, “spin extractor”, “rated capacity”, and “standard test load” to ensure clarity and consistency across testing and reporting.

Applications

IEC 60704-2-4:2025 plays a vital role in several practical areas:

• Product Development and Quality Control
  Appliance manufacturers use the standard to test noise emission during product design and production, ensuring that models comply with industry noise expectations.

• Compliance and Certification Testing
  Laboratories conducting conformity assessments rely on the test code to verify that washing machines and spin extractors meet applicable noise limits and performance standards in different markets.

• Consumer Information and Product Comparison
  Although noise emission declarations are outside this standard’s scope, testing data generated according to IEC 60704-2-4 supports accurate noise level information for consumer product specifications, enhancing buyer confidence.

• Innovative Appliance Designs
  The inclusion of multi-compartment and wall-mounted washing machines reflects evolving household appliance trends, enabling evaluation of new form factors under standardized noise measurement conditions.

Related Standards

• IEC 60704-1:2021
  General requirements for noise testing of household and similar electrical appliances. IEC 60704-2-4 is intended to be used together with this general part.

• IEC 60704-2-16:2019
  Specific requirements for noise testing of washer-dryers.

• IEC 60704-3:2019
  Procedures for determining and verifying noise emission values declared in product specifications.

• IEC 60456:2024
  Methods for measuring the performance of washing machines including test programmes and detergent specifications used in noise testing.

Keywords: IEC 60704-2-4, airborne acoustical noise, washing machines, spin extractors, noise emission testing, household appliances, IEC standards, noise measurement, multi-compartment washing machines, wall-mounted washing machines, test code, electrical appliances noise testing.