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.

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) recently announced two additions to its Networked Lighting Controls (NLC) Technical Requirements, Version 5. These additions became effective December 22, 2021.

These are:

• The DLC now recognizes the PSA-certified cybersecurity standard with Chip Level 2 or 3 certification and with System Level 1, 2, or 3, and Device Level 1, 2, or 3 certification. This certification may now be used to meet the NLC5 cybersecurity requirement.
• The DLC now recognizes accredited certifications from an organization accredited as “Management Systems Certification Bodies” by the International Accreditation Service (IAS) as valid proof of compliance with the ISO 27001 cybersecurity standard.

NLC5 becomes required February 28, 2022. Products that comply with NLC4 but not NLC5 will be de-listed.

Click here to learn more.

NEMA announced it has published American National Standard for Lighting Equipment—LED Drivers Robustness (ANSI C82.15-2021). This is the first standard defining test procedures for LED driver robustness, and applies to hardware and microcontroller and microprocessor-based LED drivers. The test methods confirm a driver’s ability to withstand specific stresses.

This document’s core audience is LED driver manufacturers and testing laboratories. ANSI C82.15-2021 is available on the NEMA website for $100.