ISO 14396:2002

Overview

ISO 14396:2002 specifies additional requirements and methods for determining the power of reciprocating internal combustion engines (RIC engines) when they are presented for exhaust emission testing in accordance with ISO 8178. This is a “satellite” standard intended to be used together with the “core” standard ISO 15550. ISO 14396 covers engine power measurement, a power correction method for pre-set engines under varying atmospheric conditions, and instructions for preparing test reports used in emission testing. The standard applies to RIC engines for land, rail traction and marine use, and many off‑road applications (excluding on‑road motor vehicles).

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and application: Tailors the ISO 15550 core requirements specifically for engines tested under ISO 8178 exhaust emission procedures.
• Power measurement method: Calls for Test Method 2 per ISO 15550 and specifies how power must be measured prior to emission sampling.
• Power correction: Defines a power correction method for confirming engine power of pre‑set engines under variable atmospheric conditions; explicitly states that correction factors do not alter the basis for reported exhaust emission values (emissions remain related to uncorrected engine power).
• Test conditions and procedure:
  • Variable‑speed engines: measure a sufficient number of speeds to define the power curve between the manufacturer’s recommended lowest and highest speeds; average of at least two stabilized measurements at each point.
  • Constant‑speed engines: measure at declared speed and declared power.
  • Remove non‑essential auxiliaries; if not removable, determine their unloaded power absorption and add to measured engine power (may be verified if >3% of max power).
  • Fuel used for the power test must be the same as for the ISO 8178 emission test.
• Exhaust emission measurement: After power measurement, gaseous and particulate emissions are measured using the methods specified in ISO 8178.
• Reporting: Test report requirements include detailed environmental and engine conditions, dynamometer characteristics and power-versus-speed data.

Practical applications

ISO 14396 is used to ensure consistent, reproducible engine power determination for emission compliance and certification of:

• Non‑road diesel and spark‑ignition engines for industrial, construction, agricultural, rail and marine equipment
• Engine manufacturers preparing engines for regulatory emission testing
• Test laboratories and certification bodies conducting ISO 8178 emission tests
• OEMs and compliance engineers documenting engine power for legislative or contractual requirements

Related standards

• ISO 15550 (Core standard for engine power measurement)
• ISO 8178 (Exhaust emission test procedures for non‑road engines)
• Other referenced standards for fuels and measurement (e.g., ISO fuel and viscosity standards)

Keywords: ISO 14396, engine power measurement, reciprocating internal combustion engines, ISO 8178, power correction, exhaust emission tests, non‑road engines, engine testing procedures.