ErP Energy Labeling Regulation: Integrating Sphere vs Goniophotometer for Energy Efficiency Class Testing
On December 5, 2019, the European Commission published the new ErP Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 and Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 for lighting products. The implementation date specified in the new regulations is September 1, 2021. The energy efficiency class assessment of ErP lighting products has become a focus of industry attention. According to ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 requirements, accurate testing of energy efficiency class is crucial for lighting product manufacturers. ErP Energy Labeling Regulation requires lighting products to be labeled with energy efficiency class (A-G, 7 classes), calculated based on luminous efficacy coefficient ƞTM = luminous flux (lm) ÷ power consumption (W).
When discussing energy efficiency class labels with engineers, there is still this question: Should we use the energy efficiency class from integrating sphere testing system or from goniophotometer? How to choose? Is energy efficiency class the same as luminous efficacy?
This article focuses on these two questions, analyzing them from the definition basis of energy efficiency class specified in ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 and the selection of testing solutions, with emphasis on the application of integrating sphere testing systems and goniophotometer testing systems in ErP energy efficiency class testing, hoping to provide help to everyone. Yiming Technology, as a professional testing equipment manufacturer, is committed to providing testing solutions that comply with ErP Energy Labeling Regulation requirements for the industry. Yiming Technology GMS Series Goniophotometer Testing System and SPM5000 Series Integrating Sphere Spectrometer Testing System fully comply with ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 testing requirements and can accurately measure all parameters required for energy efficiency class.
I. Definition Basis of Energy Efficiency Class Specified in Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015
From the definition basis, we can see the calculation method of energy efficiency and the division of energy efficiency classes. We know that energy efficiency class is not luminous efficacy. The calculation method of energy efficiency class requires determining 3 variable parameters: useful luminous flux φuse, power consumption Pon of the light source, and selection of correction factor FTM applicable to the light source type. Here, Pon and FTM can be easily determined based on lighting products, so we won't go into detail. The measurement of useful luminous flux φuse has a certain relationship with the light emission angle of lighting products. This is also an important reference condition for our testing solution selection.
II. Definition and Measurement Method of Useful Luminous Flux φuse
Useful luminous flux φuse: refers to the portion of luminous flux considered when determining the energy efficiency of a light source.
- Non-directional light source: It is the total luminous flux emitted within a solid angle of 4Π sr (corresponding to a 360° sphere)
- For directional light sources with beam angle ≥90°: It is the total luminous flux emitted within a solid angle of Π sr (corresponding to a cone with an angle of 120°)
- For directional light sources with beam angle <90°: It is the total luminous flux emitted within a solid angle of 0.586Π sr (corresponding to a cone with an angle of 90°)
Beam angle: Half-peak edge angle (Definition by CIE International Commission on Illumination and Chinese National Standard GB: On the plane where the beam axis is located, with the center point of the lamp front as the axis, the included angle of the region at 50% of the peak center light intensity, English name Beam Angle, unit: ° (degrees))
III. Should We Use Energy Efficiency Class from Integrating Sphere or from Goniophotometer? How to Choose? Why?
For directional light sources, choose the energy efficiency class from goniophotometer.
For non-directional light sources, either integrating sphere or goniophotometer can be chosen.
The main basis for selection is the correct testing of useful luminous flux.
Luminous flux is an extremely important parameter for evaluating lighting products. The equipment for testing luminaire luminous flux mainly includes integrating sphere testing systems and goniophotometer testing systems. The integrating sphere testing system is commonly used equipment for ErP lighting product energy efficiency class testing. The luminous flux of integrating sphere testing systems is a relative testing method. The closer the luminaire shape is to a point light source, the more accurate the test results. It is suitable for bulbs, small LED luminaires, and integrated LED luminaires with relatively large beam angles, and the integrating sphere diameter must be at least 6-10 times larger than the maximum size of the luminaire. The luminous flux of goniophotometer testing systems is an absolute testing method, with no special restrictions on luminaire shape, size, and beam angle. It is suitable for larger volume panel lights, spotlights, and street lights with smaller beam angles. The most accurate testing method is to use a goniophotometer with a standard darkroom for testing. If you want to use an integrating sphere testing system for testing, you need to use auxiliary lamps for assistance, and the testing process has relatively large uncertainties.
For the differences in luminous flux testing between the two, refer to "Measurement and Testing Technology Issue 4 - Electronic Product Reliability and Environmental Testing - There are Differences in Luminous Flux Measurement of Luminaires between Integrating Sphere and Goniophotometer"
The GMS Series Goniophotometer Testing System developed by Hangzhou Yiming Technology Co., Ltd. fully meets ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 testing requirements, and the required parameters are intuitively displayed in the test report showing energy efficiency and energy efficiency class. Yiming Technology GMS Goniophotometer Testing System can accurately measure useful luminous flux φuse for directional and non-directional light sources, ensuring accuracy of ErP energy efficiency class testing. Yiming Technology SPM5000 Series Integrating Sphere Spectrometer Testing System also complies with ErP Energy Labeling Regulation requirements and can quickly and accurately measure energy efficiency class of non-directional light sources. Whether using integrating sphere testing system or goniophotometer testing system, Yiming Technology can provide professional solutions for ErP lighting product energy efficiency class testing, helping enterprises successfully complete ErP energy label certification.
Summary
ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 became mandatory on September 1, 2021, requiring lighting products to be labeled with energy efficiency class (A-G, 7 classes), calculated based on luminous efficacy coefficient ƞTM = luminous flux (lm) ÷ power consumption (W). Energy efficiency class is not luminous efficacy. The calculation method of ErP energy efficiency class requires determining 3 variable parameters: useful luminous flux φuse, power consumption Pon, and correction factor FTM. The measurement of useful luminous flux φuse has a certain relationship with the light emission angle of lighting products, which is also an important reference condition for selecting integrating sphere testing system or goniophotometer testing solution.
For directional light sources, goniophotometer testing system should be chosen for energy efficiency class. According to ErP Energy Labeling Regulation requirements, goniophotometer can accurately measure useful luminous flux φuse of directional light sources, thereby accurately calculating energy efficiency class. For non-directional light sources, either integrating sphere testing system or goniophotometer testing system can be chosen. ErP Energy Labeling Regulation allows the use of both testing methods, but accuracy of test results must be ensured. Integrating sphere testing system is suitable for bulbs, small LED luminaires, and integrated LED luminaires with relatively large beam angles, and the integrating sphere diameter must be at least 6-10 times larger than the maximum size of the luminaire. Goniophotometer testing system is suitable for larger volume panel lights, spotlights, and street lights with smaller beam angles, with no special restrictions on luminaire shape, size, and beam angle.
As a professional LED lighting testing equipment manufacturer, Yiming Technology deeply understands the importance of ErP Energy Labeling Regulation and has developed GMS Series Goniophotometer Testing System and SPM5000 Series Integrating Sphere Spectrometer Testing System, fully compliant with ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 testing requirements. Yiming Technology GMS Goniophotometer Testing System can accurately measure useful luminous flux φuse for directional and non-directional light sources, ensuring accuracy of ErP energy efficiency class testing, with required parameters intuitively displayed in test reports showing energy efficiency and energy efficiency class. Yiming Technology SPM5000 Integrating Sphere Spectrometer Testing System can quickly and accurately measure energy efficiency class of non-directional light sources, suitable for products such as bulbs and small LED luminaires. Whether using integrating sphere testing system or goniophotometer testing system, Yiming Technology can provide professional solutions for ErP lighting product energy efficiency class testing, helping enterprises successfully complete ErP energy label certification, jointly promoting the standardized development of the lighting industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between ErP energy efficiency class and luminous efficacy?
Answer: ErP energy efficiency class and luminous efficacy are two different concepts:
- ErP Energy Efficiency Class: Calculated based on luminous efficacy coefficient ƞTM = luminous flux (lm) ÷ power consumption (W), divided into A-G (7 classes), mandatory indicator required by ErP Energy Labeling Regulation
- Luminous Efficacy: Usually refers to light source luminous efficacy (lm/W), a technical parameter, not ErP energy efficiency class
- Calculation Method: ErP energy efficiency class requires considering three variable parameters: useful luminous flux φuse, power consumption Pon, and correction factor FTM
- Application: ErP energy efficiency class is used for energy label marking, luminous efficacy is used for technical evaluation
2. How to choose between integrating sphere testing system and goniophotometer testing system?
Answer: Selection criteria:
- Directional Light Sources: Must choose goniophotometer testing system, can accurately measure useful luminous flux φuse of directional light sources
- Non-directional Light Sources: Can choose integrating sphere testing system or goniophotometer testing system, both methods comply with ErP regulation
- Integrating Sphere Applicable: Bulbs, small LED luminaires, integrated LED luminaires with relatively large beam angles, and integrating sphere diameter must be at least 6-10 times larger than maximum luminaire size
- Goniophotometer Applicable: Larger volume panel lights, spotlights, street lights with smaller beam angles, no special restrictions on luminaire shape, size, and beam angle
- Recommendation: Use goniophotometer when photometric curves and light distribution data are needed, use integrating sphere when only energy efficiency class is needed
3. How is useful luminous flux φuse defined in ErP Energy Labeling Regulation?
Answer: Definition of useful luminous flux φuse in ErP Energy Labeling Regulation:
- Non-directional Light Source: Total luminous flux emitted within solid angle of 4Π sr (corresponding to 360° sphere)
- Directional Light Source with Beam Angle ≥90°: Total luminous flux emitted within solid angle of Π sr (corresponding to 120° cone)
- Directional Light Source with Beam Angle <90°: Total luminous flux emitted within solid angle of 0.586Π sr (corresponding to 90° cone)
- Beam Angle Definition: Half-peak edge angle, on the plane where beam axis is located, with center point of lamp front as axis, included angle of region at 50% of peak center light intensity
4. What are the testing accuracy requirements for ErP Energy Labeling Regulation?
Answer: Testing accuracy requirements for ErP Energy Labeling Regulation:
- Luminous Flux Measurement: Uncertainty ≤5% (integrating sphere testing), uncertainty ≤3% (goniophotometer testing, more accurate for directional light sources)
- Power Measurement: Accuracy ±0.1%
- Test Environment: Temperature 25℃±1.2℃, humidity 10%-65%, stable operation for 30 minutes
- Standard Compliance: Testing per ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 requirements
5. What happens if products do not meet ErP Energy Labeling Regulation requirements?
Answer: If products do not meet ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 requirements, they will not be able to obtain ErP energy label certification, affecting product sales in the EU market. Enterprises need to improve product design, increase luminous efficacy coefficient ƞTM, and retest for verification. By using Yiming Technology GMS Goniophotometer Testing System or SPM5000 Integrating Sphere Spectrometer Testing System, ErP energy efficiency class of products can be accurately evaluated to ensure compliance with ErP Energy Labeling Regulation requirements, helping enterprises successfully complete ErP energy label certification.
Glossary
| Term | English | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| ErP Energy Efficiency Class | ErP Energy Efficiency Class | Calculated based on luminous efficacy coefficient ƞTM = luminous flux (lm) ÷ power consumption (W), divided into A-G (7 classes), mandatory requirement of ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 |
| Useful Luminous Flux φuse | Useful Luminous Flux φuse | Portion of luminous flux considered when determining light source energy efficiency, 4Π sr solid angle for non-directional light sources, Π sr or 0.586Π sr solid angle for directional light sources depending on beam angle |
| Luminous Efficacy Coefficient ƞTM | Luminous Efficacy Coefficient ƞTM | Ratio of luminous flux (lm) to power consumption (W), used to calculate ErP energy efficiency class, unit: lm/W |
| Beam Angle | Beam Angle | Half-peak edge angle, on the plane where beam axis is located, with center point of lamp front as axis, included angle of region at 50% of peak center light intensity, unit: degrees (°) |
| Goniophotometer | Goniophotometer | Testing equipment that measures luminaire luminous intensity distribution at different angles, absolute testing method for luminous flux, suitable for directional light sources and applications requiring light distribution data |
| Integrating Sphere | Integrating Sphere | Testing equipment that measures total luminous flux of luminaires, relative testing method for luminous flux, suitable for non-directional light sources and quick energy efficiency class testing |
| ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 | ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 | EU energy labeling regulation, became mandatory on September 1, 2021, requiring lighting products to be labeled with energy efficiency class (A-G, 7 classes) |
| GMS Goniophotometer | GMS Goniophotometer | Goniophotometer testing system developed by Yiming Technology, fully compliant with ErP Energy Labeling Regulation (EU) 2019/2015 testing requirements, can accurately measure useful luminous flux φuse |
| SPM5000 Integrating Sphere | SPM5000 Integrating Sphere | Integrating sphere spectrometer testing system developed by Yiming Technology, compliant with ErP Energy Labeling Regulation requirements, can quickly and accurately measure energy efficiency class of non-directional light sources |
