IEC 63474:2026

Overview

IEC 63474:2026 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies uniform methods for measuring the electrical power consumed by edge equipment in networked standby mode. This second edition extends the measurement methodology to include battery-operated products and harmonizes terms and measurement conditions with IEC 62301. The standard addresses energy efficiency in a variety of electrical and electronic household and office equipment that can connect to a network and can be reactivated remotely, aiming to support consistent reporting and comparison of standby power data worldwide.

The standard covers equipment powered by:

• Low voltage mains AC power (up to 1,000 V AC)
• External power supplies with low voltage (up to 1,000 V) or extra low voltage (up to 50 V) AC/DC
• Extra low voltage DC power sources (up to 50 V DC)
• Internal main batteries

The focus is solely on networked standby power-the condition where equipment is awaiting reactivation via a wired or wireless network. Modes such as active (performing primary functions), other non-active modes, or while charging batteries (except in maintenance mode), are outside its scope.

Key Topics

• Networked Standby Mode: Measurement protocols for edge devices that maintain connectivity to networks and can be remotely reactivated, ensuring that devices are tested according to real-world usage where they are not fully shut down but ready to respond to network commands.
• Applicable Product Groups: Household appliances, IT equipment, audio/video gear, multimedia systems, digital radio receivers (especially those supporting emergency alerts), and gas-burning appliances with electronic controls.
• Measurement Methodology: Specifies test procedures, conditions for test environments, required instrumentation, network port configuration, and the documentation of device status and settings during measurement.
• Power Management Testing: Includes methods to assess whether devices allow deactivation of wireless network connections, impacting standby energy consumption.
• Expanded Scope: The second edition includes battery-powered equipment, reflecting modern usage where devices often operate on or switch between multiple power sources.
• Harmonization of Definitions: Aligns closely with IEC 62301 to guarantee consistency in terminology and testing through updated definitions for primary/secondary/tertiary functions and operating modes.

Applications

IEC 63474:2026 is essential for:

• Manufacturers of household and office edge equipment aiming for energy efficiency compliance and eco-labeling.
• Testing laboratories and certification bodies seeking standardized procedures for verifying standby power consumption.
• Regulators and policymakers developing energy saving policies and requirements for networked equipment.
• R&D teams working on product eco-design and power management optimization.

Practical value includes:

• Ensuring accurate, repeatable power consumption measurements for devices in networked standby, essential for eco-design, product labeling, and compliance.
• Enabling valid comparisons across product categories and international markets.
• Supporting energy efficiency initiatives and reducing unnecessary energy consumption in network-ready devices.

Related Standards

When applying IEC 63474:2026, also consider:

• IEC 62301: Measurement of standby power of household electrical appliances in non-networked modes.
• IEC 63103: Covers networked standby power measurement for lighting equipment.
• ETSI EN 303 423: Pertains to networked standby power measurement of interconnecting equipment (infrastructure devices).
• IEC 62104: Characteristics of DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) radio receivers, relevant for emergency warning function testing.

By implementing IEC 63474:2026, organizations can ensure that measurement of networked standby power for edge equipment is accurate, harmonized, and aligned with global energy efficiency standards.