IEC 63013:2017

Overview

IEC 63013:2017 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that focuses on the long-term luminous and radiant flux maintenance projection of LED packages. This standard is specifically applicable to LED packages used for general lighting purposes, including horticultural lighting, and excludes LED packages for automotive road vehicles.

The standard defines standardized procedures and conditions for measuring luminous flux maintenance, as well as methods for projecting long-term flux maintenance based on short-term test data. Importantly, where luminous flux data is specified, equivalent procedures apply to radiant and photon flux measurements. IEC 63013 aims to provide manufacturers, testing laboratories, and end-users with reliable and repeatable methods to assess the durability and performance of LED packages over time.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  Applicable to LED packages suitable for general and horticultural lighting, IEC 63013 excludes road vehicle LED packages. It covers luminous flux maintenance testing and projection methods based on test data derived from industry-recognized procedures like ANSI/IES LM-80.

• Measurement Procedures
  The standard details standardized testing methods for obtaining luminous flux maintenance data, which could also be substituted or supplemented by radiant or photon flux measurements.

• Projection Methods
  IEC 63013 specifies two primary projection techniques to estimate the long-term luminous flux maintenance from limited test data:

  • Exponential Fit Function (EFF): Based on the TM-21 method widely accepted in the lighting industry to project LED lumen maintenance.
  • Border Function (BF): An alternative to EFF used when the TM-21 method is not applicable.

• Temperature Effects and Acceleration
  Recognizing the impact of temperature on LED performance, the standard includes temperature data interpolation methods and an informative annex discussing the Arrhenius temperature acceleration model to account for temperature-dependent degradation.

• Reporting and Documentation
  IEC 63013 outlines essential reporting requirements to ensure transparency and consistency, including test conditions, sample sizes, and data analysis details.

Applications

IEC 63013:2017 serves a critical role across several sectors within the LED lighting industry:

• LED Package Manufacturers
  Enables manufacturers to estimate the long-term performance of their LED packages reliably, supporting product development, quality control, and marketing claims regarding product lifespan.

• Testing Laboratories
  Provides standardized procedures to ensure credible, repeatable testing of LED packages' luminous flux maintenance, facilitating certification and compliance testing services.

• Lighting Product Designers and Specifiers
  Assists lighting designers and specifiers in selecting LED packages with predictable long-term luminous performance, crucial for building efficient and reliable lighting systems.

• Horticultural Lighting Industry
  Offers methods to evaluate LED packages designed for plant growth applications, where maintaining consistent photon flux is vital for crop yield and quality.

• Regulatory and Certification Bodies
  Assists in setting compliance benchmarks for LED package performance claims, promoting consumer confidence and market transparency.

Related Standards

IEC 63013 references and complements several other important standards and documents within the LED lighting and testing ecosystem:

• ANSI/IES LM-80 (Latest: LM-80-20): Approved method for measuring luminous flux and color maintenance of LED packages, arrays, and modules – serves as the foundational test procedure data source.

• ANSI/IES TM-21 (Latest: TM-21-21): Method for projecting long-term lumen, photon, and radiant flux maintenance of LED light sources – forms the basis for the exponential fit function projection method in IEC 63013.

• IEC 62504: Defines terms and definitions related to LED products and equipment, ensuring consistent terminology across LED standards.

• Other IEC and IES Publications: Supporting documents and technical reports that provide reference methods, definitions, and models applicable in LED flux measurement and projection.

Conclusion

IEC 63013:2017 is an essential standard that fills a critical gap in LED lighting technology by offering reliable and internationally accepted methods for projecting long-term luminous, radiant, and photon flux maintenance of LED packages. This enables stakeholders across the lighting industry to make informed decisions based on standardized performance metrics, promoting product quality, longevity, and customer satisfaction.

Keywords: IEC 63013, LED packages, luminous flux maintenance, radiant flux, photon flux, TM-21 method, LED lifetime projection, general lighting, horticultural lighting, LED testing standards, ANSI/IES LM-80, LED performance, LED degradation, long-term LED reliability.