The Technical Committee TC2-80 of the CIE has prepared a new technical report on the spectroradiometric measurement of optical radiation sources. The document, published as CIE 250:2022, supersedes the almost 40-year-old report CIE 063-1984.

It explains the basic measurement principles and provides practical instructions for the measurement of irradiance, radiation density, radiation intensity and radiant flux, including instrument calibration. In addition, the report describes in detail the physical effects relevant to spectroradiometric measurements, and in particular the estimation of measurement uncertainties. The measurement uncertainties occurring in every measurement quantitatively determine the accuracy of the calibration chain for traceable measured values.

The new technical report is for optical radiation sources in the wavelength range 200–2500 nm. The report offers a comprehensive insight into the relevant terminology and the fundamentals of calibration of spectroradiometric measuring instruments. It is a practical guide to the identification, understanding and quantification of the relevant components of measurement uncertainty and can be purchased in the CIE online shop: .

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recently introduced four new standards documents addressing current challenges that face the lighting industry – navigating near-field photometry, standardizing iterations of lighting controls intent, the importance of UV lighting, and promoting a balanced outdoor environment. The four new standards are available in the IES webstore, and include:

1. Recommended Practice: Lighting Exterior Applications (ANSI/IES RP-43-22)

This document provides pedestrian-oriented illumination recommendations for the reassurance, safety, comfort, amenity, and enjoyment of people in outdoor environments. This RP takes a comprehensive approach and makes recommendations based on lighting zone, glare avoidance, spectrum, and other visually influential conditions. Application of these recommendations will ultimately enhance the visual experience for people while also respecting the environment. Available here.

2. Lighting Practice: Documenting Control Intent Narratives and Sequences of Operation (ANSI/IES LP-16-22)

 Intended for a variety of users in the lighting community, this document provides guidance on the documentation of Control Intent Narratives and Sequences of Operation. It is not intended to be a design guide but rather a reference manual of best practices on how the design, once formulated, is included in the project documentation and communicated to the construction and commissioning teams. Available here.

3. Approved Method: Application Distance Radiometry (ANSI/IES LM-91-22)

In near-field conditions, the use of far-field IES-format photometric files results in substantially incorrect irradiance, illuminance, or photon-flux density values being predicted by lighting layout models constructed for near-field conditions. This problem can be overcome by using distance-specific IES file(s), generated by first collecting data at the working distance(s) of interest, obtained from a single luminaire and then converting them to distance-specific IES file(s), following the protocol described in this document. Available here.

4. Approved Method: Optical and Electrical Measurement of Ultraviolet LEDs (ANSI/IES/IUVA LM-92-22)

This document is a guide developed for the measurement of ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) and describes the procedures to be followed and precautions to be observed in performing measurements of total radiant flux (total radiant power), electrical power, and wavelength characteristics of ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diodes (LEDs). Available here.

IES has released the latest version of its ANSI/IES RP-8-21: Roadway and Parking Facility Lighting Standard. This standard covers all aspects of roadway lighting, including streets and roadways, parking lots, intersections, toll plazas, tunnels, and work zones. Notably, RP-8-21 is a compilation of numerous previously distinct IES American National Standards.

As discussed in the Introduction of RP-8, lighting design criteria need to carefully consider the following goals:

• Improve motorist visual quality
• Provide quality light and increased contrast for seeing hazards Illuminate conflict areas
• Minimize environmental impacts of light at night
• Employ lighting systems that are easily maintained and minimize energy use

To order RP-8, visit here.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) published a new white paper NEMA LS 20003-2021 Standby Power Measurements for LED Drivers—Recommended Allowances for Feature Sets Other Than Lighting, for LED driver manufacturers and testing laboratories. Developed alongside ANSI C82.16, the two documents should be read in conjunction with each other. NEMA Lighting Controls Technical Committee Chair Stephen Irving says the publication “strikes the right balance between minimizing standby power usage and ensuring that smart-enabled LED driver features remain available to customers. It can be used by manufacturers during the design of new products and by other standards-setting bodies when considering limits for LED driver standby power usage.”

Download the full document for free here .

A variety of new and updated ANSI standards address topics as diverse as sky glow, UV-LED Performance, expanded digital lighting control, and tunable-white SSL products. Below are quick summaries of each one, with links to more information.

Sky Glow, ANSI/IES TM-37-21:

This document provides guidance on the means of reducing human contributions to light in the night sky and information on estimating the relative effectiveness of the different options available. It describes the causes, characteristics, and potential impacts of human-based sky glow, and provides the current state of the science for conducting estimations to facilitate its quantification and control. Virtually all lighting applications with exposure to the exterior environment fall within this purview, including street and area lighting, sports lighting, signage, and advertisement lighting, industrial lighting, light escaping the interior of commercial and residential buildings via windows, and landscape lighting. The beginning steps of a proactive response from the lighting community toward addressing the panoply of concerns are presented in the most well-rounded and practical manner possible. Improved understanding and estimation of the associated sources, quantities, characteristics, and resulting behaviors of light entering the night sky are essential components of a comprehensive remediation strategy. More information here.

UV-LED Performance, ANSI/IES/IUVA LM-92-22:

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) recently published the first standard on the measurement of UV product emissions in a series of planned American National Standards. ANSI/IES/IUVA LM-92-22 Approved Method: Optical and Electrical Measurement of Ultraviolet LEDs details a method for repeatable laboratory testing and measurement of UV-LED optical and electrical performance characteristics. LM-92 covers measurement of UV LEDs in the wavelength range of 200 nm to 400 nm under continuous-pulse operation. LEDs with wavelengths longer than 360 nm are covered in ANSI/IES LM-85-20. More information at LEDs Magazine here.

Expanded Digital Lighting Control, ANSI C137.4-2021:

Harmonization of international standards related to DALI lighting control continues with the publication of the updated ANSI C137.4-2021 standard in North America. ANSI C137.4-2021 builds on the international standard IEC 62386 (which underpins the DALI communication protocol) and has additional characteristics and features that align very closely with the D4i family of specifications from the DALI Alliance, a global lighting-industry organization.

D4i and ANSI C137.4-2021 specify the digital communication interface between luminaires and devices including sensors and network lighting controllers (NLCs). As well as including power-supply requirements, the standards define data models based on memory banks that enable the exchange of data. Implementation of these standards enables smart, connected luminaires, as well as interoperability between LED drivers and luminaire-mounted control devices. More information at inside.lighting here.

Tunable White SSL, ANSI/IES TM-38-21:

The ability to emit radiant power in hundreds or thousands of spectral combinations—only limited by the precision of the control signal being provided—poses a distinct challenge for measuring product performance. TM-38-21 establishes a common protocol for measuring photometric, colorimetric, and electrical characteristics of tunable-white solid-state lighting products—including lamps, luminaires, and light engines. It defines the minimum number and order in which measurements are to be made, and it provides a framework for data reporting. This TM also describes a method for interpolating between measured data, including for CCT range, Duv range, lumen output range (at full intensity control as color changes), efficacy at maximum output, efficacy range, color rendition, and chromaticity coordinates.

The protocol described herein applies to products for which the spectral power distribution can be adjusted with a single, one-dimensional input having a quantitative, interval format, either continuous or discrete, that is nominally independent of luminous flux control. The method described does not apply to products that intentionally change chromaticity with luminous flux (e.g., dim-to-warm), nor products with multiple color-control input signals (e.g., full-color-tunable) that cannot be set to operate with a single color-control input signal. More information here.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) published American National Standard for Lighting Systems—Non-Active Mode Power Measurement ANSI C137.63103-2021.

This newly published standard adopts IEC 63103, ed1.0 (2020-07) as a nationally acknowledged international standard with deviations. It provides manufacturers and testing laboratories with a harmonized way of determining standby power consumption for lighting systems, eliminating duplicative testing and streamlining global commerce.

“This regional adoption of an IEC standard benefits the industry by closely aligning lighting system standby power measurement with our international counterparts,” said Ernesto Mendoza, Senior Manager, Signify North America Corporation, and C137 Workgroup Chair.

ANSI C137.63103-2021 is available on the NEMA website for $50. Read the full NEMA press release here.