| IEC ACTIVITIES ON STANDBY - A BRIEF HISTORY |
IEC Technical Committee TC59 is responsible for the development of test procedures for the performance of household appliances and equipment. In Kyoto in October 1999 TC59 created an ad hoc working group to examine issue of test procedures for standby on appliances. Membership was from TC59 and outside invited experts.
Over the period 1999-2001 the ad hoc working group examined technical issues associated with the measurement of standby power. It reviewed issues such as test conditions currently in use, test methodologies, instrumentation and accuracy requirements for standby. It also assessed the need for a horizontal IEC product standard for standby in light of data collected.
The ad hoc working group concluded that an IEC horizontal standard on measurement of standby was warranted. It also found there was significant activity on standby in North America, Europe and Japan. As part of its work, the ad hoc working group prepared a draft test method as part of a new work item proposal (NWIP) to develop a formal test method for standby (document IEC 59/254/NP).
Voting on the new work item closed in August 2001 and 17 TC59 Participating members voted in favour with no votes against. A total of 7 countries agreed to participate in the development of the new work item. TC59 accepted the NWIP in October 2001 and formed Working Group 9 to prepare a formal test procedure for standby. A new call for membership of WG9 was issued in late 2001.
TC59 Working Group 9 currently has 21 members who are technical experts from a total of 13 countries including USA, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The chair is Lloyd Harrington from Australia. WG9 held its first meeting held in March 2002 in Paris. As a result of this meeting, a committee draft test method was prepared and finalised over the period April 2002 to June 2002. It was issued as a public comment draft (document IEC 59/297/CD) in July 2002. Comments close on 18 October 2002. Comments are sought from all interested parties. However, it is important to note that public comments can only be submitted through National Committees.
Right click to download the draft document IEC 59/297/CD
The scope of the draft primarily intended to cover low power modes for TC59 products (household appliances) but can be applied to a wide range of products and appliances.
Overview of 59/297/CD - test method- Defines "Standby" as lowest power when connected to mains
- Defines technical terms
- Specifies ambient temperature, electricity supply and power instrumentation
- Provides measurement methodology including various product configurations
- Defines reporting requirements
- Gives guidance on measurement issues
Areas NOT covered by IEC TC59 WG9- Development of programs for influencing standby
- Development of labels or markings associated with standby
- Setting limits for standby energy consumption
These are a matter for national and regional governments.
Other Related Activities- IEC TC100 (TVs and Videos) have prepared a standard for determination of power consumption in a wide range of modes which has recently been published as IEC62087 (based on EN50301);
- IEC TC108 (formerly TC74) have prepared a draft standard for the measurement of standby for IT equipment (to be published as IEC62018)
- EU has issued a mandate to prepare test methods for measurement of standby for a wide range of appliances and equipment - this is being partly fulfilled by the IEC TC59 work.
For further information on the IEC working group on standby, please contact Lloyd Harrington of Energy Efficient Strategies, Australia on ees@energyefficient.com.au