IEC 60704-2-8:1997

Overview

IEC 60704-2-8:1997 is an international standard that specifies test procedures for determining airborne acoustical noise emitted by electric shavers intended for household and similar use. Published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), this standard applies to electric shavers powered by mains electricity or batteries, and includes shavers intended for use in residential settings as well as environments such as hotels, hospitals, shops, and offices. The document is a sector-specific addition to the broader IEC 60704 family, focusing on noise measurement to aid manufacturers, laboratories, and regulators in ensuring consistent product performance and comparability.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability

  • Applies to electric shavers for domestic and similar purposes, powered by mains or rechargeable primary/secondary batteries.
  • Can also be applied to electrically-operated analogous devices such as hair clippers or depilating devices, if relevant.

• Measurement Environment and Methods

  • Defines standardized conditions and methods for measuring the airborne sound levels emitted by shavers.
  • Simulates normal practical use of shavers while ensuring steady and reproducible results across different laboratories.
  • Emphasizes that the standard covers airborne noise only, not other forms of noise or vibration.

• Test Setup and Equipment

  • Specifies preparations such as cleaning and lubricating the shaver as per manufacturer’s instructions or with light oil of a specified viscosity.
  • Details the need for a no-load testing condition at the shaver’s highest speed setting.
  • Outlines specific orientation and positioning of the shaver and microphone arrangement to ensure consistent sound measurement.
  • Includes requirements for battery state and operation cycles where applicable.

• Data Recording and Reporting

  • Provides guidelines on information to be documented, including operation conditions, measurement environments, and details for reproducibility.
  • Clarifies reporting requirements for results, noting that declaration of noise emission values for product literature is outside the direct scope, with reference to IEC 704-3 for those applications.

Applications

IEC 60704-2-8 delivers significant value in several practical areas:

• Product Design and Development
  Allows manufacturers to benchmark and optimize acoustic performance, reducing noise emissions for better consumer experience.

• Quality Assurance and Testing
  Enables testing laboratories to perform standardized acoustic testing on electric shavers, fostering repeatable and internationally recognized results.

• Regulatory Compliance
  Helps organizations ensure conformity to international noise standards, aiding in market access and regulatory approval in various territories.

• Comparative Product Evaluation
  Provides a common reference for comparing the noise emissions of shavers and similar devices, supporting procurement decisions and competitive market positioning.

• Consumer Information
  Builds confidence in product safety and performance by enabling transparent testing and reporting processes related to acoustical noise.

Related Standards

For effective implementation and broader context, the following standards are closely related to IEC 60704-2-8:

• IEC 60704-1:1996
  Household and similar electrical appliances – Test code for the determination of airborne acoustical noise – Part 1: General requirements
  Serves as the foundational reference for measurement methods, terminology, and general test conditions across appliance types.

• IEC 1254:1993
  Electric shavers for household use – Methods for measuring the performance
  Complements acoustic testing by specifying performance measurement methods for electric shavers.

• ISO 3743-1, ISO 3743-2, ISO 3744
  International standards referenced when shavers emit pure tones, outlining additional precautions for accurate acoustic measurement.

• IEC 60704-3
  Specifies methodologies for declaring and verifying noise emission values in product information and specifications.

Keywords: IEC 60704-2-8, electric shavers, airborne acoustical noise, noise measurement, household appliances, test code, acoustic testing, product compliance, IEC standards, appliance performance, battery-powered shavers, mains-powered shavers.