VDE opened new test center for lighting technology

VDE opened new test center for lighting technology 

Photometry and spectrometry are becoming increasingly important for the lighting industry, as with the new developments in lighting technology, there is also a growing demand for transparent evaluation capabilities for the products. Moreover, the LED technology creates new challenges for the industry since – contrary to the light sources commonly used so far – LED technology is asking for new approaches.

Performance properties such as luminous efficiency, service life or luminous flux are becoming essential quality parameters in an ever more confusing market. Moreover, with the ecodesign directive (2009/125/EC), the European Commission is making clear demands on these and other properties.

To meet the demand for independent testing covering all aspects of the performance properties of lamps and luminaires, VDE Institute has opened its test center for photometry and spectrometry for the lighting industry. Thanks to state-of-the-art measuring equipment such as the integrating sphere, high-resolution spectrometers, double monochromators and moving mirror goniophotometer, the VDE experts can measure and evaluate light sources in an area of 300 m², using the latest measuring technology and equipment. The service scope ranges from measuring luminous flux, color rendering index, tri-stimulus value shares and color temperature, through the evaluation of photobiological safety to the recording of the light distribution curve and the spatially resolved measurements of spectral distributions.

The moving mirror goniophotometer, for example, is used to measure the light distribution curve. For this purpose, the light source is attached to the moving mirror goniophotometer with special mounting devices. A 4-C-level scan is then used to decide at which angle resolution the light distribution curve must be measured. For light sources with a narrow-angled or extreme distribution, measurements are carried out in angle increments of 1°, and in increments of 2.5° or 5° for normal distribution. The deciding factors here are the customer requirements and the necessary accuracy.

VDE Institute is a center of competence for LED technologies and as such part of the research project for a Performance Quality Label (PQL). To this end, five research institutions establishments and 13 lighting companies have formed a project consortium. The project objective is to jointly develop standards for LED products and to create a quality mark based upon these standards. VDE Institute participates in this project as a reference laboratory. The Performance Quality Label aims at facilitating the buyers' decision by achieving maximum transparency on the products, and by improving the light quality of the LED lamps at the same time.

Already today, VDE Institute awards the "VDE Quality Tested" mark on the basis of these tests. It comprises all the requirements that must be fulfilled in terms of safety, EMC and performance, and it earmarks high-quality luminaires, lamps and components, allowing for a clear positioning in the market. For the consumer, this ensures a clear distinction of products available on the market.

Among the products tested by VDE Institute are all types of luminaires including LED lamps, LED fluorescent tubes, LED retrofit lamps, LED conversion kits and other LED modules. VDE Institute also offers product testing and certification for energy-saving lamps, ballast devices, sockets, converters for halogen light bulbs and other lighting components.

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