DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS?

LUMEN (LM)
Lumen is a unit of measurement of luminous flux. When comparing different luminaires, attention should be paid to whether the values are theoretical or measured lumen values. There is often a big difference between theoretical and measured values, and when choosing luminaires, you should take into account which value is referenced.

LUX
Lux is a unit of measurement of light intensity, indicating the amount of luminous flux (lumens). One lux equals the luminous flux of 1 lumen on an area of one square meter.

CANDELA (CD)
Light intensity. The higher the intensity of the luminaire, the further the luminaire’s beam can reach. One candela corresponds roughly to the luminous intensity of an ordinary candle.

RANGE
In auxiliary and work lights, range refers to the distance in metres that the luminaire provides light. The range is described in lux (lux@m). The measured distance indicates how far the light in question can illuminate with a power of 0.25 lux. 0.25 lux corresponds roughly to the light of a full moon on a clear night.

LIGHT DISTRIBUTION PATTERN
Light distribution pattern refers to light distribution. When choosing a luminaire, it is important to consider the purpose it will be used for. A spot-like luminaire with a long range is suitable for some, while others will want a wide distribution pattern that also illuminates the immediate area. There is no single correct light distribution pattern: but the choice is also influenced by personal preference.

KELVIN (K)
The Kelvin value indicates the colour temperature of light. A low Kelvin value represents a warm tone, and a high Kelvin value describes a cold tone. The colour temperature of a traditional halogen bulb is about 2800K, and any light above 6000K is very cold in tone, even bluish. The colour temperature often found in LED luminaires for automotive lighting is 4500K–5500K.

WATT (W)
The power of a luminaire is indicated in watts (W). Watt, or power, tells the energy consumption of the light source. However, the wattage has nothing to do with the amount of light produced by the luminaire.

IP RATING
The IP rating indicates the tightness of the electrical product in question, for example, against dust and water. The first digit of the IP rating indicates the protection of the product against the ingress of foreign objects and dust, and the second digit indicates the protection of the product against the ingress of water and moisture.

DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT APPROVAL MARKINGS

REFERENCE NUMBER
The reference number is a computational ratio that indicates the luminous intensity per area unit of an individual full beam headlight. The combined reference number of a vehicle’s full beam headlights in Finnish road traffic may be at most 100. If you use the car’s own full beam headlights at the same time as the auxiliary high beams, the reference numbers of the car’s full beam headlights and the auxiliary high beam must be added together. If the values of the auxiliary high beam and the car’s own lights together exceed 100, the lights must be connected with a separate switch to prevent the reference number of the luminaires in use at the same time from being exceeded.

ECE R112/R149
In order for luminaires to be legally used in road traffic, the product must be E-approved. E-approval ensures, for example, that the colour of the light is correct and that the light does not dazzle oncoming passengers too much. When a luminaire has been approved for road traffic, the marking R149 (R112) or the reference number must be affixed to the approval marking.

ECE R6
Indicator approval, which ensures that the product meets the required criteria in terms of light colour and intensity, among other things. Indicators with this approval may be used on the road.

ECE R7
Parking light approval. Parking lights with this approval can be used on the road when the car’s own parking lights are not in use.

ECE R10
The approval indicates that the product is protected against radio interference.

ECE R23
Indicates that the luminaire is also approved as a reversing light for road use. It is allowed to install one additional reversing light on the car.

ECE R65
E-approval mark for hazard warning lights. In order to be approved, the luminaire must be safe to use in road traffic, and it must meet the required criteria, such as light output and colour. Today, R65 approval has been supplemented by Class 1 and Class 2 markings.

CLASS 1
Luminaires of this class are mainly intended for evening and night use due to their lower light output.

CLASS 2
In addition to the Class 1 power mode, a luminaire of this class has at least one brighter power mode intended for daytime use.