Measure standby power as real AC input power while the supply is in a precisely defined non-active condition—not simply as an unspecified “off” or “no-load” reading. Use an instrument and procedure capable of resolving the supply’s actual low-power waveform, then compare design changes under the same conditions. IEC 62301:2026 describes measurement and reporting; it does not set a universal standby-power limit.
Define the condition before measuring
Standby, off mode, no-load, and networked standby are not interchangeable test conditions. Write down what the unit is doing and reproduce that state for every measurement. At minimum, specify whether AC input remains connected, whether the output is unloaded or carrying a defined load, and how the supply or end product enters its non-active mode.
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- No-load: the output has no external load, but the supply may still be enabled or otherwise operating. State the exact configuration.
- Standby: the equipment is in its defined standby state; required control, wake, or protection functions may remain active.
- Off mode: a distinct non-active state where applicable. Do not assume it is identical to standby.
- Networked standby: a separate condition. IEC 62301:2026 excludes it from its scope; networked standby is addressed separately.
IEC describes its 2026 publication as specifying measurement methods for standby and other non-active modes, such as off mode, and the reporting of results. It applies within its stated equipment and voltage scope, including external power supplies, but excludes active-mode performance and networked standby. See the IEC 62301:2026 publication page for scope details.
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Measure real power at the AC input with equipment designed for low-power measurements. A low displayed value is not automatically a trustworthy value: an analyzer must resolve the power under the actual waveform and power factor, and the reading must be stable enough to characterize the specified state.
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- Set up the exact supply configuration. Record the supply model or design, input voltage and frequency, output condition, and the end-product state or operating mode. Use the test conditions required by the applicable product procedure.
- Choose the instrument for the measurement. Check low-power accuracy and resolution, uncertainty for non-sinusoidal waveforms or low power factor, and the ability to log readings and assess stability. A plug-in power meter may reveal an obviously high draw during preliminary screening, but do not assume it can reliably measure milliwatts.
- Allow the reading to stabilize and log it. Record the warm-up or stabilization approach and measurement interval. IEC 62301:2026 highlights revised stability and uncertainty requirements and requires data logging; use the complete standard for formal implementation.
- Keep the test record with the result. Include line conditions, output load, mode definition, setup, measurement interval, instrument and uncertainty information, and any required ambient conditions. This makes a later design comparison meaningful.
For engineering characterization, select a low-power AC analyzer based on the same criteria. A programmable DC electronic load can create a controlled output load, but it does not measure AC input power by itself. Yokogawa and Tektronix describe measurement approaches in their application materials: Yokogawa’s standby-power note and Tektronix’s AC-DC efficiency-testing note.
For historical context only, the U.S. Department of Energy’s summary of IEC 62301:2011 mentions meter resolution of 0.01 W or less below 10 W, along with waveform, ambient-condition, stability, and uncertainty considerations. IEC lists that 2011 edition as superseded/withdrawn on 2026-05-22. Those older numeric details should not be treated as verified requirements of the 2026 edition. Consult the DOE FEMP summary and the IEC 62301:2011 record for their respective contexts.
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Separate the measurement method from the limit
IEC 62301:2026 is a measurement and reporting standard, not a pass/fail ceiling. IEC explicitly says it does not set maximum limits on power or energy use. A regulatory limit, where one applies, comes from the rule for the relevant product category and market.
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For the EU, the European Commission’s power-supplies page identifies Regulation (EC) No 278/2009 as addressing ecodesign requirements for external power supplies’ no-load consumption and average active efficiency, and lists EN 50563:2011 among relevant references. Check the current legal text and applicability for the specific product and market before making a compliance claim; a measurement under IEC 62301 alone does not establish compliance. See the European Commission power-supplies page.
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Compare designs under identical conditions
To tell whether a change reduced standby power, compare the before-and-after input readings with the same input conditions, mode definition, output condition, stabilization approach, instrument, and measurement procedure. Keep separate results for distinct modes or output loads rather than combining them into one “standby” figure.
Standby power is only one design metric. A change that reduces non-active input power still needs evaluation at relevant active loads and against the supply’s functional requirements.
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| What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Standby or no-load input power under an identical condition | Shows the effect of a change without conflating different states or setups. |
| Active efficiency at relevant loads | A standby improvement should not obscure performance when the supply is operating. |
| Controller strategy and auxiliary losses | These can contribute to input draw while the primary function is inactive. |
| Regulation, startup and transient response | Low standby draw must coexist with reliable output behavior when operation resumes. |
| Safety and applicable compliance scope | Design choices must retain required protections and meet the rules for the product and market. |
Design changes that can lower non-active input power
Reducing standby power is a system-level design task. Identify which circuits continue to consume energy in the defined non-active state, then validate the change against the supply’s other operating requirements.
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- Select a suitable light-load strategy. Controller and topology choices can change switching behavior at light or zero load. Choose based on the supply’s actual output, startup, and wake requirements.
- Limit always-on circuitry where practical. Minimize circuitry that remains energized, while retaining required safety, control, wake, and protection functions.
- Revalidate the full operating envelope. After a change, check loaded efficiency, standby behavior, output regulation, startup and transient response, thermal behavior, and applicable safety requirements.
Manufacturer designs illustrate what is possible in particular circuits, not a guaranteed result for another supply. Power Integrations reports that careful transformer design reduced a specific 15 W solution from 29 mW no-load to less than 20 mW; the page does not state a publication year. Texas Instruments’ TIDA-01560 reference design reports 4 mW zero-standby power for a specific 15 W dual isolated output bias supply; the document record does not establish a year. See Power Integrations’ ultra-low standby/no-load examples and Texas Instruments’ TIDA-01560 reference design.
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What to include in a useful result
A useful standby-power result is not just a wattage. Report the state and conditions that give the number meaning, the instrument’s capability and uncertainty, and how stability was determined. For a formal test, obtain the complete current IEC standard and the product-specific procedure that applies in the target market; summaries and application notes are not substitutes for those requirements.
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