IEC 60704-2-8:2020

Overview

IEC 60704-2-8:2020 is the IEC particular‑requirements standard for the determination of airborne acoustical noise emitted by electric shavers, hair clippers and trimmers for domestic and similar use. It is Part 2‑8 of the IEC 60704 test code series and is intended to be used in conjunction with IEC 60704‑1:2010 (General requirements). The 2020 edition updates the 1997 edition by extending scope to clippers/trimmers, aligning with current ISO references, and adding statistical data for measurement variability.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Applies to mains‑powered, rechargeable (secondary battery) and primary battery shavers, clippers and trimmers used in homes, hotels, hospitals, shops and offices. Excludes non‑electrically powered devices (e.g., spring‑driven).
• Measurement methods: Uses engineering acoustic methods specified in ISO 3744:2010, ISO 3743‑1:2010 and ISO 3743‑2:2018 (free‑field over a reflecting plane, hard‑walled test room and special reverberation rooms).
• Sound metrics: Focus on measurement and calculation of sound pressure and sound power levels as set out in IEC 60704‑1, with Part 2‑8 providing device‑specific adaptations.
• Statistical guidance: Provides estimated standard deviations for repeatability and reproducibility of sound power levels (σr = 0.4 dB, σR = 0.8 dB) and values for declaration/verification purposes (production σP = 0.7–1.3 dB; total σt = 1.1–1.5 dB; reference σM = 1.5 dB).
• Pure tones and measurement robustness: Notes that shavers/clippers can produce pure tones; additional microphone or source positions may be required to reduce measurement uncertainty in special reverberation or hard‑walled rooms.
• Supplementary requirements: Modifies or supplements IEC 60704‑1 clauses (operation, instrumentation, measurement positions, reporting and annexes) specific to these small movable sources.

Applications and users

Who uses IEC 60704‑2‑8:

• Manufacturers - noise assessment during product design and quality control.
• Test laboratories - standardized acoustic testing and inter‑lab reproducibility.
• Compliance and certification bodies - verifying test methods used for product information.
• Design and R&D engineers - optimizing acoustic performance of shavers, clippers and trimmers.

Practical uses:

• Establishing comparable noise performance data for product specifications.
• Supporting acoustic design changes (motor mounts, blade geometry, damping).
• Performing reproducible laboratory tests for marketing data or internal QA.

Related standards

• IEC 60704‑1:2010 - General requirements for airborne acoustical noise testing
• IEC 60704‑3 - Guidance on declaration and verification of noise emission values
• ISO 3744:2010, ISO 3743‑1:2010, ISO 3743‑2:2018 - Acoustics methods referenced by this Part 2‑8

Keywords: IEC 60704‑2‑8, electric shavers noise test, airborne acoustical noise, hair clippers acoustic measurement, sound power levels, IEC 60704‑1, ISO 3744.