IEC 63086-2-1:2024

Household and similar electrical air cleaning appliances - Methods for measuring the performance - Part 2-1: Particular requirements for determination of reduction of particles

IEC 63086-2-1:2024 specifies test methods for measuring the performance of electrically powered household and similar air cleaners intended for the reduction of particulate pollutants.

Appareils d'épuration d'air électriques domestiques et appareils similaires - Méthodes de mesure de l'aptitude à la fonction - Partie 2-1: Exigences particulières pour la détermination de la réduction des particules

L'IEC 63086-2-1:2024 spécifie des méthodes d'essai pour mesurer l'aptitude à la fonction des épurateurs d'air électrodomestiques et analogues destinés à la réduction des polluants particulaires.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-Jan-2024
• ICS: 23.120 - Ventilators. Fans. Air-conditioners
• Technical Committee: SC 59N - Electrical air cleaners for household and similar purposes
• Drafting Committee: JWG 1 - TC 59/SC 59N/JWG 1
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 19-Jan-2024
• Completion Date: 19-Jan-2024

Overview

IEC 63086-2-1:2024 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines methods for measuring the performance of electrically powered household and similar air cleaning appliances. This part, titled "Part 2-1: Particular requirements for determination of reduction of particles," focuses specifically on the standardized testing procedures to evaluate how effectively air cleaners reduce particulate pollutants in indoor environments.

The standard establishes comprehensive guidelines for generating aerosols, measuring particulate concentrations, and calculating the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) under maximum performance operation conditions. It addresses a variety of particle types, including salt, smoke, dust, and pollen aerosols, and specifies instrumentation such as condensation particle counters and optical particle counters.

Key Topics

• Test Aerosols and Aerosol Generation
  The standard details the preparation and generation of various test aerosols to simulate real-world indoor pollutants, such as:

  • Salt aerosols
  • Smoke aerosols (including cigarette smoke)
  • Dust aerosols
  • Pollen aerosols

• Measurement Instruments
  Guidelines for selecting and calibrating aerosol measurement instruments are included, with attention to:

  • Condensation Particle Counters (CPC)
  • Optical Particle Counters (OPC)
  • Aerodynamic Particle Sizers (APS)

• Test Procedures
  The document describes step-by-step protocols for:

  • Measuring natural decay of particles in the test chamber without the air cleaner operating
  • Measuring total decay with the appliance running
  • Ensuring proper mixing and homogenization of aerosols in the test environment
  • Data acceptance criteria and error handling

• Calculation of Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)
  The CADR is derived from the decay rates of particulate matter with and without the device operation. The standard provides formulas and statistical methods to determine accurate values and evaluate measurement uncertainty.

• Test Chamber Conditions and Cleaning
  The standard outlines environmental controls, including temperature, humidity, and chamber cleaning protocols to maintain consistent test conditions.

Applications

The IEC 63086-2-1:2024 standard is essential for manufacturers, testing laboratories, certification bodies, and consumers seeking reliable and comparable performance data for household and similar electrical air cleaning devices. Practical uses include:

• Product Development and Quality Assurance
  Manufacturers can apply these testing methods during product design and batch testing to ensure consistent particulate reduction performance.

• Performance Certification and Labeling
  Certification bodies can use the standard to verify CADR claims and support accurate product labeling for consumer guidance.

• Comparative Product Evaluation
  Consumers and industry experts gain an objective basis for comparing air cleaners’ efficiency in removing particulates, aiding informed purchasing decisions.

• Indoor Air Quality Improvement
  Facilities managers and homeowners can assess air cleaning solutions that effectively reduce airborne particles, optimizing indoor environmental health.

Related Standards

IEC 63086-2-1:2024 complements and references other standards in the IEC 63086 series, which cover different aspects of air cleaning appliance performance measurement. Related standards include:

• IEC 63086-1: Methods for measuring performance of electrical air cleaning appliances – Part 1: General requirements
• IEC 63086-2-2: Particular requirements for gas phase pollutant reduction measurement
• Other international standards on indoor air quality and particulate measurement techniques published by organizations like ISO and ASHRAE.

By integrating IEC 63086-2-1 with these related standards, stakeholders obtain a comprehensive framework for evaluating air cleaner performance across multiple pollutant types and operational modes.

---

Keywords: IEC 63086-2-1, air cleaning appliances, particle reduction, clean air delivery rate, CADR testing, aerosol measurement, household air purifier standards, indoor air quality, particulate pollutant reduction, electrical air cleaners testing

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 63086-2-1
Edition 1.0 2024-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Household and similar electrical air cleaning appliances – Methods for
measuring the performance –
Part 2-1: Particular requirements for determination of particle reduction

Appareils d'épuration d'air électriques domestiques et appareils similaires –
Méthodes de mesure de l'aptitude à la fonction –
Partie 2-1: Exigences particulières pour la détermination de la réduction des
particules
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IEC 63086-2-1
Edition 1.0 2024-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Household and similar electrical air cleaning appliances – Methods for

measuring the performance –
Part 2-1: Particular requirements for determination of particle reduction

Appareils d'épuration d'air électriques domestiques et appareils similaires –

Méthodes de mesure de l'aptitude à la fonction –

Partie 2-1: Exigences particulières pour la détermination de la réduction des

particules
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 23.120 ISBN 978-2-8322-8122-2

– 2 – IEC 63086-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 7
3.1 Terms and definitions. 7
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 8
4 Aerosol measurement instruments . 8
4.1 General . 8
4.2 Aerosol transport . 9
4.3 Condensation particle counter . 9
4.4 Optical particle counter . 9
4.5 Aerodynamic particle sizer . 9
5 Aerosol generation . 9
5.1 Salt aerosol . 9
5.2 Smoke aerosol . 10
5.2.1 Type of cigarettes . 10
5.2.2 Smoke aerosol generation . 10
5.3 Dust aerosol . 11
5.3.1 Type of dust . 11
5.3.2 Dust aerosol generation . 11
5.4 Pollen aerosol . 12
5.4.1 Type of pollen . 12
5.4.2 Pollen aerosol generation . 12
6 Measurement of the CADR in maximum performance operation mode . 13
6.1 Test methods . 13
6.2 General . 13
6.3 Natural decay . 13
6.3.1 Test preparation . 13
6.3.2 Background particle number concentration . 13
6.3.3 Test chamber conditions . 14
6.3.4 Aerosol generation . 14
6.3.5 Mixing and homogenization of the test aerosol . 14
6.3.6 Measurement of the natural decay . 15
6.3.7 Calculation of the natural decay rate. 15
6.3.8 Acceptability of the run . 15
6.4 Total decay . 16
6.4.1 Test preparation . 16
6.4.2 Placement of the DUT . 16
6.4.3 Background particle number concentration . 16
6.4.4 Test chamber conditions . 16
6.4.5 Aerosol generation . 16
6.4.6 Mixing and homogenization of the test aerosol . 16
6.4.7 Operation of the DUT . 16
6.4.8 Measurement of the total decay . 16
6.4.9 Calculation of the total decay rate. 16
6.4.10 Acceptability of the run . 17

6.5 Calculation of the clean air delivery rate . 17
7 Calculation procedures . 17
7.1 Criteria for the acceptance of data points . 17
7.1.1 Outliers from the regression line . 17
7.1.2 Particle number concentration below 1 % of the value at t = 0 . 17
7.2 Calculation of decay constants . 17
7.3 Sample standard deviation of the slope of the regression line . 18
7.4 Calculation of the clean air delivery rate . 19
7.5 Sample standard deviation of the clean air delivery rate. 19
Annex A (normative) Limits of measurability . 20
A.1 General . 20
A.2 Maximum clean air delivery rate . 20
A.3 Minimum clean air delivery rate. 20
Annex B (informative) Long-term storage of the target pollutants . 21
B.1 Salt . 21
B.2 Cigarettes . 21
B.3 Dust . 21
B.4 Pollen . 21
Annex C (informative) Test report information . 22
C.1 General . 22
C.2 General data . 22
C.3 Description of the DUT . 22
C.4 Test chamber . 22
C.5 Aerosol generation . 22
C.6 Particle measurement instrumentation . 22
C.7 Test conditions . 22
C.8 Test execution . 23
C.9 Results . 23
Annex D (normative) Derivation of the effective room size . 24
D.1 Effective room size . 24
D.2 Basic indoor air model for particle number concentrations . 24
Annex E (informative) Schematic representation of a CADR measurement . 27
Annex F (informative) Cleaning procedures for the test chamber . 28
F.1 Daily start-up cleaning procedure . 28
F.2 Comprehensive test chamber cleaning procedure . 28
F.2.1 General . 28
F.2.2 Equipment . 28
F.2.3 Procedure . 28
Annex G (normative) Measurement of the average power in maximum performance

operation mode . 29
G.1 General . 29
G.2 Setup of the DUT . 29
G.3 Measurement procedure . 29
G.4 Calculation of the average operating power . 29
Annex H (informative) Calculation of the 99 % prediction interval of the regression line . 31
Annex I (normative) Alternative fine particle size range . 33
I.1 General . 33
I.2 Optical particle counter . 33

– 4 – IEC 63086-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024
I.3 Measurement of the CADR in maximum performance operation mode . 33
I.4 Derivation of the effective room size . 34
Bibliography . 35

Figure 1 – Schematic of a Laskin atomizer (a) and a Collison atomizer (b) . 10
Figure 2 – Schematic of two possible methods to generate the smoke aerosol . 11
Figure 3 – Schematic of two possible methods to generate the dust aerosol . 12
Figure 4 – Schematic of two possible methods to generate the pollen aerosol . 12
Figure E.1 – Schematic representation of the CADR measurement in accordance with
Clause 6 . 27

Table 1 – Measurement instruments, test aerosols and maximum background particle
number concentrations for the different particle size ranges . 14
Table 2 – Test aerosols and initial particle number concentrations for different particle
size ranges . 14
Table 3 – Test aerosols, mixing and homogenization time for different particle size
ranges . 15
Table 4 – Test aerosols, test duration and minimum number of data points for different
particle size ranges . 15
Table 5 – Limits for the sample standard deviation of the slope of the regression line
for the natural decay . 15
Table 6 – Limits for the sample standard deviation of the slope of the regression line
for the total decay . 17
Table H.1 – Values of the Student t-distribution with n – 2 degrees of freedom for
different numbers of data points n . 32
Table I.1 – Measurement instrument, test aerosols and maximum background particle
number concentration for the alternative fine particle size range . 33
Table I.2 – Test aerosols and initial particle number concentrations for the alternative
fine particle size range . 34

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR ELECTRICAL AIR CLEANING APPLIANCES –
METHODS FOR MEASURING THE PERFORMANCE –

Part 2-1: Particular requirements for determination of particle reduction

FOREWORD
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IEC 63086-2-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 59N: Electrical air cleaners for household
and similar purposes, of IEC technical committee 59: Performance of household and similar
electrical appliances, in co-operation with ISO technical committee 142: Cleaning equipment
for air and other gases. It is an International Standard.
It is published as a double logo International Standard.

– 6 – IEC 63086-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
59N/44/FDIS 59N/46/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
In this standard, the following print types are used:
– terms defined in Clause 3 of IEC 63086-1: bold type
– terms defined in Clause 3 of IEC 63086-2-1: bold type.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 63086 series, published under the general title Household and
similar electrical air cleaning appliances – Methods for measuring the performance, can be
found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR ELECTRICAL AIR CLEANING APPLIANCES –
METHODS FOR MEASURING THE PERFORMANCE –

Part 2-1: Particular requirements for determination of particle reduction

1 Scope
This part of IEC 63086 specifies test methods for measuring the performance of electrically
powered household and similar air cleaners intended for the reduction of particulate pollutants.
NOTE The limits of measurability for the CADR are described in Annex A.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 63086-1:2020, Household and similar electrical air cleaning appliances – Methods for
measuring the performance – Part 1: General requirements
IEC 63086-1:2020/AMD1:2023
ISO 12103-1, Road vehicles – Test dust for filter evaluation – Part 1: Arizona test dust
ISO 29463-1, High efficiency filters and filter media for removing particles from air – Part 1:
Classification, performance, testing and marking
ISO 5011:2020, Inlet air cleaning equipment for internal combustion engines and compressors
– Performance testing
EN 1822-1, High efficiency air filters (EPA, HEPA and ULPA) – Part 1: Classification,
performance testing, marking
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 63086-1:2020 and
the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
aerosol
suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas

– 8 – IEC 63086-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024
3.1.2
smoke aerosol
aerosol produced by burning tobacco with air forced through a cigarette's filter
3.1.3
salt aerosol
aerosol produced by atomization of an aqueous potassium chloride (KCl) solution with
subsequent drying
3.1.4
dust aerosol
aerosol produced by dispersion of commercially available test powder
3.1.5
pollen aerosol
aerosol produced by dispersion of naturally occurring particulate matter from plants
Note 1 to entry: In this document, non-defatted paper mulberry pollen including fragments are used.
3.1.6
natural decay rate
reduction rate of the target pollutant in the test chamber due to natural factors, principally
sedimentation, agglomeration, surface deposition, chemical reaction, and air exchange
−1
Note 1 to entry: The unit is per hour (h ).
3.1.7
total decay rate
reduction rate of the target pollutant in the test chamber due to the combined effect of the
natural decay rate and the operation decay rate
−1
Note 1 to entry: The unit is per hour (h ).
3.2 Abbreviated terms
APS aerodynamic particle sizer
CADR clean air delivery rate
CPC condensation particle counter
DUT device under test
HEPA filter high-efficiency particulate air filter
KCl potassium chloride
OPC optical particle counter
RH relative humidity
4 Aerosol measurement instruments
4.1 General
Calibration of all aerosol measurement instruments shall be performed at least annually in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. A check of the zero counting rates shall be
performed regularly by sampling with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter on the
sample intake. The HEPA filter shall be at least of class H13 in accordance with EN 1822-1 or
ISO 35H in accordance with ISO 29463-1.

The maximum measurable particle number concentration of the aerosol measurement
instruments should be higher than the initial particle number concentration required by the
respective test methods. Otherwise, a dilution system shall be used to operate the aerosol
measurement instruments in the permissible particle number concentration range. If possible,
dilution should be avoided to exclude a potential source of error. If it is not avoidable, the
dilution ratio shall be checked regularly.
-3
NOTE This document always refers to the particle number concentration, which is expressed in cm .
4.2 Aerosol transport
The transport tubing for aerosols shall consist of conductive materials, such as metal or carbon
embedded silicon, to avoid electrostatic effects and excessive losses. Similarly, all valves and
connectors on the aerosol transport path shall also consist of conductive materials. The length
of the tubing shall be as short as possible to avoid excessive losses due to diffusion.
4.3 Condensation particle counter
A condensation particle counter (CPC) is based on counting aerosol particles by first enlarging
them by using the particles as nucleation centres to create droplets in a supersaturated gas
and then counting them by optical means. Both n-butanol and water can be used as working
fluids. CPC can have different lower detection limits (D ), which are typically in the range
between 0,002 5 µm and 0,015 µm. As the particle number concentration of the used salt
aerosol is negligible in this particle size range, the exact value of D does not significantly
influence the results. It is recommended to use a CPC with a high analysed flow rate as higher
counting rates increase the statistical accuracy.
4.4 Optical particle counter
An optical particle counter (OPC) – also known as optical aerosol spectrometer or optical
particle size spectrometer (OPSS) – is based on detecting the light scattered by individual
aerosol particles. The OPC shall count and size individual aerosol particles in the 0,1 µm to
10 µm range. The counting efficiency of the OPC shall be ≥ 50 % for 0,1 µm particles. The OPC
shall have a minimum of six equally logarithmically spaced particle size channels per decade.
4.5 Aerodynamic particle sizer
An aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) is based on the acceleration of aerosol particles in a
nozzle. Due to their longer relaxation time, the time of flight of larger particles between two
laser beams is longer than for smaller particles. The APS shall count and size individual aerosol
particles at least in the particle size range from 5 µm to 10 µm. The counting efficiency of the
APS shall be 100 % in this particle size range. The APS shall have a minimum of six equally
logarithmically spaced particle size channels per decade.
5 Aerosol generation
5.1 Salt aerosol
The salt aerosol shall consist of polydisperse solid-phase (dry) KCl particles generated from
an aqueous KCl solution using a mass concentration of 50 g KCl per 1 l of de-ionized water.
Long-term storage of the salt shall be in accordance with Annex B. Figure 1 gives two examples
of common systems for generating the aerosol. The salt aerosol is generated by feeding
compressed particle-free air to the atomizer. Varying the operating air pressure of the generator
allows control of the time to reach the initial particle number concentration. Spray nozzles
producing size distributions with mode values above 0,1 µm shall not be used. The aerosol
leaving the atomizer shall be dried with a silica gel diffusion dryer or mixing with a sufficient
flow of dry air below the efflorescence humidity of KCl to ensure a solid-phase aerosol. It shall
be checked periodically that the relative humidity of the air leaving the diffusion dryer is less
than 55 %RH. The dried salt aerosol is introduced into the test chamber via tubes or hoses.

– 10 – IEC 63086-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024

a) Laskin atomizer b) Collison atomizer

Figure 1 – Schematic of a Laskin atomizer (a) and a Collison atomizer (b)
NOTE Experimental data for several air cleaners have shown that the CADR measured with non-neutralized and
neutralized salt aerosol particles does not significantly differ. Thus, neutralization of the generated salt aerosol
before entering the test chamber is optional.
5.2 Smoke aerosol
5.2.1 Type of cigarettes
Cigarettes with filters and a maximum tar content of 8 mg per cigarette shall be used. It is
recommended to use reference cigarettes, such as 1R6F reference cigarettes provided by the
University of Kentucky . To increase the reproducibility of test results, each laboratory shall
always use the same cigarettes. Before changing to a new type of cigarette, CADR tests for the
same DUT with the old and new cigarettes shall be performed and compared. Long-term storage
of the cigarettes shall be in accordance with Annex B.
5.2.2 Smoke aerosol generation
The cigarette(s) used for testing shall equilibrate for at least 24 h at (23 ± 2) °C and
(50 ± 5) %RH before use. Two different examples of smoke aerosol generators are shown in
Figure 2.
a) The cigarette is placed in a glass hood. Air is extracted either from the test chamber or the
surrounding after filtration by a pump, filtered and fed into the glass hood. By the arising
overpressure, the smoke of the burning cigarette is pressed through the cigarette's filter and
fed into the test chamber via tubes or hoses.
b) The cigarette is placed in an ejector pump based on the Venturi effect. A compressed air
source followed by a maintenance unit (including a water separator, particle and oil filter
and pressure control valve) provides a constant flow through the ejector pump. The smoke
of the burning cigarette is sucked by the arising underpressure through the cigarette's filter
and transported with the main flow inside the test chamber via tubes or hoses. The cigarette
smoke generation system is located inside an enclosure that is vented to the outside.
___________
The 1R6F reference cigarette supplied by the University of Kentucky is an example of a suitable product available
commercially. The exact nomenclature of the current batch of cigarettes can change over time. This information
is given for the convenience of users of this document and does not constitute an endorsement by IEC of
this/these product(s).
Figure 2 – Schematic of two possible methods to generate the smoke aerosol
NOTE 1 Equilibration of the cigarettes can either take place in a regulated climate cabinet or in a desiccator
containing a specific saturated salt solution. To prepare the salt solution, first NH Cl (at least 99,5 % purity) and then
(at least 99 % purity) is added to de-ionized water until the solution is fully saturated. The cigarettes are placed
KNO
on a platform above the saturated salt solution in the desiccator. If the humidity in the desiccator drops over time,
the exhausted solution is replaced by a fresh one.
NOTE 2 There are commercial smoke aerosol generators available that can be used for smoke generation. They
are typically based on principle a).
NOTE 3 The cigarettes can be lighted using either a manual lighter or an automatized solution.
5.3 Dust aerosol
5.3.1 Type of dust
Commercially available ISO 12103-1, A2 fine test dust shall be used. Long-term storage of the
dust shall be in accordance with Annex B.
5.3.2 Dust aerosol generation
The test dust shall be put for 24 h in a desiccator (container with a drying agent) with a relative
humidity below 20 %RH before use. Two examples of dust aerosol generation methods are
shown in Figure 3.
a) The dust aerosol can be continuously dispersed with a powder disperser based on the
principle shown in Figure 3a. The dust is filled little by little into the cylindrical solid material
reservoir and uniformly compressed with a tamper. The dust is conveyed onto a rotating
brush at a controlled feed rate. An adjustable flow of compressed air streams over the brush
and tears the particles out of the brush.
b) Alternatively, a light-duty dust injector (see ISO 5011:2020, Figure B.2) can be used as
shown in Figure 3b. The injector shall be operated such that the required particle number
concentrations listed in Table 2 are reached. These particle number concentrations are
considerably lower than those required by ISO 5011:2020. The test dust is filled in a small
funnel connected to the suction port of the ISO 5011:2020 dust injector. Filtered compressed
air is fed into the dust injector for a short time by opening a ball valve.
As both generation principles can lead to highly charged particles, the dust aerosol shall be
neutralized before entering the test chamber with an Kr neutralizer or an equivalent method,
such as soft X-rays or bipolar corona discharge.

– 12 – IEC 63086-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024

Figure 3 – Schematic of two possible methods to generate the dust aerosol
5.4 Pollen aerosol
5.4.1 Type of pollen
Non-defatted paper mulberry pollen including fragments shall be used. Long-term storage of
the pollen shall be in accordance with Annex B.
5.4.2 Pollen aerosol generation
Two examples of pollen aerosol generation methods are shown in Figure 4.
a) For generation of the pollen aerosol, 0,3 g to 1,0 g of pollen are weighed in a 60 ml
screw-top glass laboratory sample jar and stored in a desiccator with drying agent for a
minimum of 24 h prior to testing. Before the test, the sample jar is sealed airtight with a
screw top containing two fittings for air entry and pollen discharge. To disperse the pollen,
filtered compressed air is fed into the dust injector for a short time by opening a ball valve.
b) If the required initial particle number concentration of pollen cannot be reached in this setup
because of the deposition losses in the transportation tubes, the pollen jar can alternatively
be mounted inside the test chamber as shown in Figure 4b.

Figure 4 – Schematic of two possible methods to generate the pollen aerosol

6 Measurement of the CADR in maximum performance operation mode
6.1 Test methods
The CADR of an air cleaner generally depends on the size of the target pollutant. The
intention of this document is to determine CADR values for a range of particle sizes that occur
in indoor environments. However, it is not possible to cover the complete relevant particle size
range by using a single test aerosol and a single measurement technique. Thus, this document
provides test methods for four different particle size ranges (ultrafine, fine, medium, and
coarse). For each particle size range, a test aerosol yielding a sufficiently high particle number
concentration for accurate statistics and a measurement technique sensitive to particles in the
size range are chosen. For the fine particle size range, there are two alternative test aerosols,
which are expected to yield equivalent test results because of their similarity in the size
distribution.
It is not mandatory to perform the tests for all particle size ranges. However, for reporting results
(see Annex C), the CADR value shall be stated always in combination with the investigated size
range (ultrafine, fine, medium, or coarse). This ensures an unambiguous correlation between
the CADR value and the chosen test method.
NOTE Annex D describes a model how to derive an effective room size from the measured CADR value.
6.2 General
The test procedures described in 6.3 (natural decay rate) and 6.4 (total decay rate) are used
to determine the CADR of the DUT. For smoke, salt and dust, one measurement of the natural
decay rate taken on the same day as the total decay rate measurement is sufficient. For
pollen, a natural decay rate measurement shall be performed prior to each total decay rate
measurement. All tests shall be performed in a well-mixed test chamber in accordance with
the requirements in IEC 63086-1:2020, 5.6 to achieve repeatable and reproducible test results.
NOTE 1 The test methods in 6.3 and 6.4 are essentially the same. The only difference is that the DUT is switched
on before measuring the total decay rate in 6.4.
NOTE 2 Procedures for testing the DUT in automatic operation mode are under consideration for a future revision.
NOTE 3 The test procedures for the maximum performance operation mode can also be applied for other manual
operation modes, as defined in IEC 63086-1:2020, 3.11.
NOTE 4 A graphical scheme of the test procedure is shown in Annex E.
6.3 Natural decay
6.3.1 Test preparation
Check the aerosol generating and measuring instruments as well as the data recording and
processing equipment for readiness in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE General cleaning procedures for the test chamber are described in Annex F.
6.3.2 Background particle number concentration
Start operating the mixing and the recirculation fan. Clean the test chamber air using the
filtration part of the test chamber air treatment unit until the background particle number
concentration reaches a level below the values indicated in Table 1 for the corresponding
particle size range. After that, turn off the filtration part of the test chamber air treatment unit
and record the background particle number concentration.

– 14 – IEC 63086-2-1:2024 © IEC 2024
Table 1 – Measurement instruments, test aerosols and maximum background particle
number concentrations for the different particle size ranges
Ultrafine Fine Medium Coarse
Size range (µm) see NOTE 4 0,1 to 1 0,5 to 3 5 to 10
Measurement instrument(s) CPC OPC APS/OPC APS/OPC
Test aerosol(s) Salt Smoke/Salt Dust Pollen
Maximum background particle
800 240 2 0,04
−3
number concentration (cm )
NOTE 1 The test aerosols can also contain smaller and larger particles than listed in Table 1, but those are not
included in the CADR calculation.
NOTE 2 Whereas the OPC determines the optical equivalent diameter, the APS classifies based on the
aerodynamic diameter. Consequently, the two instruments potentially take into accou
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