IEC 60704-2-6:2012

Overview

IEC 60704-2-6:2012 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for assessing the airborne acoustical noise emitted by household and similar electrical tumble dryers. The standard outlines comprehensive test methods specifically tailored to single-unit electric tumble dryers, including front-loading, under-counter, floor-standing, wall-mounted, and similar configurations. Washer-dryer combinations operating as dryers, as well as gas-fired electric tumble dryers, are within its scope.

The goal of IEC 60704-2-6:2012 is to enable accurate and reproducible noise measurements, fostering comparability across different products and laboratories. The methodology described in this standard is harmonized with general requirements found in IEC 60704-1:2010, to which this document serves as a supplementary part.

Key Topics

• Scope and Coverage

  • Applies to household and similar single-unit tumble dryers.
  • Includes electric and gas-fired models and washer-dryer combos acting as dryers.
  • Suitable for dryers placed on floors, under counters, within cabinetry, or mounted on walls.

• Noise Measurement Methods

  • Specifies procedures for measuring airborne acoustical noise using standardized test conditions.
  • Utilizes direct and comparison methods for determining sound pressure and sound power levels, guided by relevant ISO standards.
  • Controls for measurement uncertainty and environmental factors (such as room acoustics and climatic conditions).

• Test Load and Conditions

  • Defines requirements for cotton test loads and their conditioning, pre-treatment, and use.
  • Prescribes detailed operational procedures for preparing appliances and conducting noise tests, including use of standard exhaust systems and adherence to defined drying programs.

• Reporting and Documentation

  • Sets guidelines for recording test setups, operating conditions, equipment used, and results.
  • Facilitates clear communication and documentation for product development, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

Applications

• Product Development

  • Enables manufacturers to design quieter tumble dryers by providing reliable methods to test and benchmark airborne noise.
  • Assists engineering teams in optimizing product features to meet regulatory and market noise emission requirements.

• Quality Control and Compliance

  • Supports routine quality checks by providing standardized procedures for acoustic noise measurement.
  • Assists manufacturers and certification bodies with compliance to regional and international noise standards.

• Consumer Information

  • Results from this standard can be used in product labeling and technical documentation, helping consumers make informed purchase decisions based on noise performance.

• Comparative Testing

  • Laboratories and test houses can use the defined methodologies to compare noise emissions across brands and models under identical conditions.

Related Standards

• IEC 60704-1:2010

  • General requirements for the determination of airborne acoustical noise for household appliances. IEC 60704-2-6:2012 must be used in conjunction with this part.

• IEC 60704-3

  • Specifies methods for declaring and verifying noise emission values of household appliances.

• IEC 61121

  • Methods for measuring performance of household tumble dryers, referenced for test load and drying procedures.

• IEC 60456

  • Performance measurement methods for clothes washing machines, referenced for conditioning and preparation of test loads.

• ISO 3743-1, ISO 3743-2, ISO 3744

  • Acoustics standards used for specific noise measurement methods within the procedures laid out in IEC 60704-2-6:2012.

Key words: tumble dryers, airborne acoustical noise, dryers, noise, household appliances, IEC 60704-2-6, testing, compliance.

By following IEC 60704-2-6:2012, manufacturers, laboratories, and certification organizations ensure consistency, accuracy, and comparability in tumble dryer noise testing across the industry.