Codes + Standards

One of the most important standards in the lighting industry is LM-79 that defines the electrical and photometric test methods for most LED lamps and fixtures. The IES has updated ANSI/IES LM-79-24 Approved Method: Optical and Electrical Measurements of Solid-State Lighting Products. Changes have been made to update information and provide better guidance based on information [...]

In mid-April, the TALQ Consortium released a new version 2.6.0 of its Smart City Protocol. Version 2.6.0 introduces a new Cabinet Control profile, an extension of active periods and new commands for color lights – the latter being aligned with the DALI-2 (IEC 82386) Part 209 definition. The updated TALQ protocol (both data model and [...]

  E-labeling is a technology alternative to traditional physical labeling of products. The new practice provides web-based product information on mobile devices, like smartphones, tablets, and computers. Many industries are adopting e-labels for regulatory compliance, increased efficiency, and expanded product information. E-labels should NOT be confused with electronic shelf labels (ESL) which are tiny display [...]

  The 2023 National Electric Code (NEC) language initially banned battery-only wall light switches. However, the NFPA published a Temporary Interim Amendment to the 2023 NEC that now allows some battery-only wall light switches IF they incorporate a positive means of notification of impending battery depletion. LightNOW published a story on May 4, 2023: 2023 NEC [...]

  Yesterday’s LightNOW post was about the Design Lights Consortium DRAFT Networked Lighting Control v5.1 standard (DLC NLC5.1). This post is about another NLC industry standard, the Bluetooth NLC standard. In September, 2023, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced the completion of Bluetooth Networked Lighting Control (NLC), the first full-stack standard for wireless lighting control. [...]

  The Design Lights Consortium (DLC) has released their draft of v5.1 Networked Lighting Control technical requirements (NLC5.1). NLC5.1 is a minor revision that contains updates to the policy’s energy monitoring and cybersecurity requirements. There will not be a delisting associated with the policy. Existing listed v5.0 NLC will continue to be DLC listed. Energy Monitoring Updates: [...]

  The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) has published three new lighting standards: ANSI/IES TM-40-24 IES Technical Memorandum: IES Method for Determining Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) and Distance from the Planckian Locus of Light Sources Prior to the publication of this Technical Memorandum, no method for calculating CCT (nor Duv) has been formalized by a relevant [...]

  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) launched a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for wireless consumer Internet of Things (IoT) products, including lighting, on March 14, 2024. The program is called the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Program and it is designed to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions, as well as incentivize manufacturers to meet higher [...]

  IES has published ANSI/IES RP-46-23, Recommended Practice: Supporting the Physiological and Behavioral Effects of Lighting in Interior Daytime Environments. It is designed to be a companion to IES TM-18, translating the basic science of how light affects visual, circadian, neuroendocrine, and neurobehavioral responses in daytime interior environments, such as schools and offices. This recommended practice (RP) [...]