Measurement Methods and Performance Variation for Verification Testing of General Purpose Lamps and Systems

Abstract

A product’s rated performance is generally based on a large database, acquired over a long term for that product or a similar performing product, in the case of a new introduction.

Manufacturers often have years of test data upon which to base such ratings.

This document establishes variations that can be expected when independent verification testing, generally based on small samples of lamps or ballasts, is performed to estimate product performance characteristics and for comparison to manufacturer’s ratings.

This document specifies the test methods and the statistical tools used in assessing measured values to ratings for luminous flux, lamp wattage, efficacy, lamp life, Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), Color Rendering Index (CRI or Ra) center beam intensity (CBCP), power factor, frequency, elevated temperature light output ratio (ETLOR), and ballast efficiency values as given on the lamp, ballast, packaging or elsewhere in the manufacturer's literature.

It also describes a recommended procedure for sample selection.

This document specifies lighting industry consensus of long-term population variation expected for high volume manufacturing operations.

Any small sample data comparison must consider the long-term population characteristics in order to make valid comparisons and conclusions, and this document provides this critical information.

Knowledge of the measurement system uncertainty for each measured characteristic is also required for proper analysis.

This document includes the general lamp and ballast types typically used in residential and commercial applications for general illumination service, which are:

a.

Line voltage tungsten filament general lighting service (GLS) lamps, including reflector types, with a rated wattage above 30 watts, an E26/24 medium base, and a rated voltage or voltage range that lies at least partially in the range of 115 to 130 volts

b.

Line voltage tungsten halogen GLS lamps, including reflector types with a rated wattage above 30 watts, an E26/24 medium base, and a rated voltage or voltage range that lies at least partially in the range of 115 to 130 volts

c.

Medium-based compact (self-ballasted) fluorescent lamps

d.

Double-based fluorescent lamps

e.

Single-based compact fluorescent lamps

f. LED lamps, integrated

g.

High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps

1.

Quartz Metal Halide

2.

Ceramic Metal Halide

3.

High-Pressure Sodium

h.

Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

i. HID Lamp Ballasts

1.

Magnetic

2.

Electronic