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IS 8148:2018 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for packaged air conditioners - specification. This standard specifies the constructional, performance, safety, and testing requirements for packaged air conditioners. It covers both air-cooled and water-cooled units up to a rated cooling capacity of 120 kW, defining standard rating conditions and minimum energy efficiency ratios (EER).
Specifies requirements for the design, construction, performance, and testing of packaged air conditioners.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! This standard is for mono-block packaged units, not for split systems (covered by IS 1391) or chillers.
! The specified EER values are minimums for compliance; higher efficiency units should be selected to meet energy codes like ECBC.
! Ensure site installation conditions (ambient temperatures, voltage stability) are considered, as performance is rated under specific test conditions defined in Table 1.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 5Performance Requirements
Cl. 6Testing
Cl. 7Safety Requirements
Cl. 10Marking and Labelling
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International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
AHRI 340/360-2022Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), USA
HighCurrent
Performance Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment
Covers performance rating for larger capacity unitary (packaged) ACs, overlapping significantly with the upper range of IS 8148.
AHRI 210/240-2023Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), USA
HighCurrent
Performance Rating of Unitary Air-Conditioning & Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment
Covers performance rating for residential-style unitary (packaged) ACs, overlapping with the lower capacity range of IS 8148.
AS/NZS 3823.1.2:2012Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand
HighCurrent
Performance of electrical appliances - Airconditioners and heat pumps - Part 1.2: Ducted airconditioners and air-to-air heat pumps - Testing and rating for performance
Specifically addresses ducted units, which constitute a large portion of packaged air conditioners covered by IS 8148.
ISO 5151-1:2017International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International
MediumCurrent
Non-ducted air conditioners and heat pumps — Testing and rating for performance — Part 1: Non-ducted air conditioners and heat pumps for cooling and heating
Covers fundamental performance testing methods similar to IS 8148, but is limited to non-ducted systems.
Key Differences
≠The primary energy efficiency metric in IS 8148 is the Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER), which uses India-specific climate data and bin hours. International standards like AHRI use SEER2 (in the US) or SEER/SCOP (in Europe), based on different climatic profiles and calculation methodologies.
≠IS 8148 specifies testing at an electrical supply of 50 Hz (230V for single-phase, 415V for three-phase), reflecting the Indian grid. US-based standards (AHRI) mandate testing at 60 Hz with voltages like 208/230V or 460V.
≠While IS 8148 is harmonized with IEC safety standards via IS/IEC 60335-2-40, AHRI standards reference North American safety standards such as UL 1995 or UL 60335-2-40, which may have national deviations from the base IEC text.
≠The capacity scope of IS 8148 covers units up to 30 kW (~101,300 Btu/h). This range is split across two AHRI standards: AHRI 210/240 (up to 65,000 Btu/h) and AHRI 340/360 (above 65,000 Btu/h), resulting in different classification boundaries.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental test methodology for determining cooling capacity using either a room calorimeter or the air-enthalpy method is broadly consistent across IS 8148, AHRI, and ISO standards.
≈The standard T1 climate rating conditions for cooling are nearly identical. All standards specify an indoor condition of ~27°C DB / 19°C WB and an outdoor condition of 35°C DB.
≈The suite of required tests is very similar, including not only standard capacity tests but also maximum operating condition (high ambient) tests, condensate disposal tests, and enclosure sweat tests.
≈The allowable tolerance for rated capacity is the same. Both IS 8148 and AHRI standards require that the measured cooling capacity must be no less than 95% of the manufacturer's published rated capacity.
≈Safety requirements are largely harmonized through the adoption of IEC 60335-2-40. IS 8148 directly references the Indian adoption (IS/IEC 60335-2-40), and many other regions use this as their base safety standard for air conditioners.