IES:LM-63-2019 File Format: Photometric Curve and Light Distribution Analysis with GMS Goniophotometer

The IES:TM-63-2019 file format is an important file format in luminaire photometric testing, widely used in lighting design and luminaire testing fields. This article provides a detailed introduction to the various components of the IES:TM-63-2019 file format, including file header information, test parameters, angle data, and luminous intensity data, helping readers understand how to read and use IES files. IES files are the standard output format for luminaire photometric testing, generated by goniophotometer testing systems. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system can generate photometric files that comply with the IES:LM-63-2019 standard. Through the IES:LM-63 files generated by Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system, the light distribution characteristics of luminaires can be accurately described, generating complete photometric curve data, providing reliable light distribution analysis basis for lighting design.

I. IES:TM-63-2019 File Format and Photometric Curves

The IES:TM-63-2019 file format interface is shown below. This file was measured by Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system. IES:LM-63-2019 standard files contain complete light distribution data and photometric curve information of luminaires, which is an important basis for analyzing luminaire light distribution characteristics. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system can accurately measure luminaire light distribution and generate photometric curve data that complies with the IES:LM-63 standard.

1. IES:LM-63-2019 Standard and Photometric Curves

IES:LM-63-2019 is the currently used 2019 standard, approved and recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). IES:LM-63-2019 has become the only photometric file format "*.ies" used in North America. The IES:LM-63-2019 standard specifies the standard format for luminaire photometric data, ensuring that photometric data can be correctly read and used between different software and equipment. IES:LM-63 standard files contain complete light distribution information of luminaires, which can generate precise photometric curves for analyzing luminaire luminous intensity distribution characteristics at different angles. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system fully complies with IES:LM-63-2019 standard requirements and can generate standard IES photometric files, accurately recording luminaire light distribution data and photometric curves.

2. [TEST] 2: GSC Report Number

The [TEST] field represents the test report number, where "2" is the GSC report number. Test report numbers are used to identify and track specific test reports, facilitating management and queries. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system automatically includes test report number information when generating IES files.

3. [TESTLAB]: Laboratory Name

The [TESTLAB] field represents the name of the laboratory that conducted the test. Laboratory name information is very important for tracing test sources and verifying the credibility of test reports. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system supports custom laboratory names, ensuring traceability of test reports.

4. [ISSUEDATE]: 2021-09-02 11:53:25: Test Date

The [ISSUEDATE] field represents the test date, in the format "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS". The test date records the specific date and time of the test, which is very important for time tracing and version management of test reports. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system automatically records test time and writes it to IES files.

5. [MANUFAC]: Luminaire Manufacturer

The [MANUFAC] field represents the name of the luminaire manufacturer. Manufacturer information helps identify the source and manufacturer of luminaires, which is very important for luminaire quality tracing and certification. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system supports recording manufacturer information in IES files.

6. TILT=NONE: Light Source Tilt Setting

TILT=NONE indicates that the light output change caused by light source tilt for this luminaire is "no light output change". The TILT parameter is used to describe the light output characteristics of luminaires at different tilt angles. When TILT=NONE, it indicates that the luminaire will not produce light output changes when tilted, which is very important for certain fixed-installation luminaires. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system can accurately measure and record the tilt characteristics of luminaires.

7. Light Source and Test Parameters

1 1000 1.000 91 17 1 2 0.296 1.195 0.000

1.0 1.00000 34.14: Representing respectively the number of light sources (1), luminous flux of light source (1000), luminous intensity multiplier (1.000), number of vertical angles (91), number of horizontal angles (17), test type Type C (1), unit meter (2), luminous surface width (0.296), luminous surface length (1.195), luminous surface height (0.000), ballast factor (1.000), future use factor (1.00000), luminaire output power (34.14)

These parameters describe in detail the basic test settings and physical characteristics of the luminaire:

• Number of Light Sources: Number of light sources included in the test luminaire
• Luminous Flux of Light Source: Total luminous flux value of the light source, in lumens (lm)
• Luminous Intensity Multiplier: Multiplier factor for luminous intensity values
• Number of Vertical Angles: Number of vertical angles used in the test
• Number of Horizontal Angles: Number of horizontal angles used in the test
• Test Type: Type C indicates C-plane test method
• Unit: meter indicates using meters as the unit
• Luminous Surface Dimensions: Width, length, and height, used to describe the luminous surface dimensions of the luminaire
• Ballast Factor: Used to correct the effect of ballast on light output
• Luminaire Output Power: Total power consumption of the luminaire

Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system can accurately measure and record all these parameters, ensuring the completeness and accuracy of IES files.

8. Vertical Angle Data

0.0 1.0 2.0 ...... 89.0 90.0 (91 data points total): Vertical angles in the photometric test report increase by 1° increments. For Type C test plane, the first value is 0 and the last value is 90.

Vertical angle data defines all vertical angle positions used in the test. For Type C test plane, vertical angles start from 0° and increase in 1° steps to 90°, totaling 91 angle values. These angle values define the test positions of the luminaire in the vertical direction, used to measure the luminous intensity distribution and light distribution characteristics at different vertical angles. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system can precisely control vertical angles, ensuring the accuracy of test data, providing reliable light distribution data foundation for generating accurate photometric curves.

9. Horizontal Angle Data

0.0 22.5 45.0 67.5 ...... 315.0 337.5 360.0 (17 data points total): Horizontal angles in the photometric test report increase by 22.5° increments. For Type C test plane, the first value is always 0.

Horizontal angle data defines all horizontal angle positions used in the test. For Type C test plane, horizontal angles start from 0° and increase in 22.5° steps to 360°, totaling 17 angle values. These angle values define the test positions of the luminaire in the horizontal direction, used to measure the luminous intensity distribution and light distribution characteristics at different horizontal angles. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system can precisely control horizontal angles, ensuring the completeness and accuracy of test data, providing comprehensive data support for analyzing three-dimensional light distribution of luminaires and generating photometric curves.

10. Luminous Intensity Data

2013.37 2013.07 2012.58 2011.98 2010.99 2009.49 2007.11 2003.63 1998.56 1992.90 1985.35 1977.10 1967.66 1957.12 1944.10 1930.99 1914.69 1897.99 1879.11 1855.46 1830.42 1798.62 1766.02 1730.05 1686.52 1642.60 1588.63 1536.06 1481.80 1421.58 1367.52 1315.15 1260.49 1213.98 1170.76 1126.63 1089.76 1052.60 1021.00 990.78 957.99 927.68 896.28 860.10 824.93 786.96 742.14 699.21 650.02 604.61 559.99 513.38 474.42 435.77 403.67 373.56 342.15 315.12 289.88 263.55 240.89 217.63 198.36 181.26 164.77 151.95 141.51 132.57 126.61 121.94 119.05 117.07 115.48 113.98 112.39 110.01 106.93 103.15 98.28 92.42 86.16 79.20 72.25 64.50 56.45 47.60 38.96 29.51 19.88 12.12 7.06 (91 data points total)

Luminous intensity data is the core content of IES files, recording the luminous intensity values of luminaires at different angle combinations. From the first row to the last row, each row contains all luminous intensity values for horizontal angles, while each column corresponds to all luminous intensity values for vertical angles. Although there is a lot of data above, the meaning is simple: they are actually the luminous intensity values corresponding to which two angles.

Organization of luminous intensity data:

• Rows: Each row corresponds to a horizontal angle, containing luminous intensity values for all vertical angles at that horizontal angle
• Columns: Each column corresponds to a vertical angle, containing luminous intensity values for all horizontal angles at that vertical angle
• Data Matrix: Luminous intensity data forms a matrix with the number of rows equal to the number of horizontal angles (17) and the number of columns equal to the number of vertical angles (91)

Through this luminous intensity matrix, the luminous intensity distribution characteristics and light distribution patterns of luminaires in three-dimensional space can be completely described. These luminous intensity data are the foundation for generating photometric curves. By analyzing luminous intensity values at different angles, complete photometric curve diagrams can be drawn to intuitively display luminaire light distribution characteristics. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system can accurately measure luminous intensity values at each angle combination, generating complete and accurate IES:LM-63 standard photometric files, providing reliable data support for photometric curve analysis and light distribution research.

II. Opening .ies Files with Luminaire Design Software for Photometric Curve Analysis

IES files are standard photometric data file formats that comply with the IES:LM-63 standard and can be opened and used by various luminaire design software. IES:LM-63 standard files contain complete light distribution data of luminaires, which can be used to generate photometric curves and analyze light distribution characteristics. Commonly used luminaire design software includes:

1. Photometric: Professional luminaire photometric analysis software that can open IES:LM-63 standard files and perform photometric curve analysis, generating light distribution charts
2. Dialux: Professional lighting design software that supports importing IES:LM-63 standard files for lighting calculations and design, analyzing luminaire light distribution characteristics
3. LDT Editor: IES file editing and viewing tool that can open and edit IES:LM-63 standard files, viewing photometric curves and light distribution data

These software can read photometric data from IES:LM-63 standard files and perform the following applications:

• Photometric Curve Analysis: Visually display the luminous intensity distribution curve of luminaires, analyzing luminaire light distribution characteristics at different angles. IES:LM-63 standard files generated by Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system contain complete photometric curve data
• Light Distribution Analysis: Based on light distribution data in IES:LM-63 standard files, analyze three-dimensional light distribution patterns and luminous intensity distribution modes of luminaires
• Lighting Calculations: Perform illuminance calculations and lighting design based on photometric curves and light distribution data. Light distribution data provided by Yiming Technology's GMS testing system ensures calculation accuracy
• 3D Photometric Diagrams: Generate three-dimensional photometric diagrams to intuitively display luminaire light distribution characteristics and luminous intensity distribution patterns
• Isolux Curves: Generate isolux curve diagrams for lighting design analysis and light distribution evaluation

IES files generated by Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system fully comply with the IES:LM-63-2019 standard, containing complete light distribution data and photometric curve information of luminaires, and can be correctly recognized and used by all mainstream luminaire design software, providing accurate photometric curve and light distribution data support for lighting design.

Summary

The IES:TM-63-2019 file format is the standard output format for luminaire photometric testing, widely used in lighting design and luminaire testing fields. This article provides a detailed introduction to the various components of the IES:TM-63-2019 file format, including file header information (IES:LM-63-2019 standard, test report number, laboratory name, test date, manufacturer), test parameters (number of light sources, luminous flux, number of angles, test type, luminous surface dimensions, power, etc.), angle data (vertical angles and horizontal angles), and luminous intensity data (luminous intensity matrix). IES:LM-63 standard files contain complete light distribution data and photometric curve information of luminaires. Understanding the IES:LM-63 file format is very important for correctly using photometric curve data and conducting lighting design.

IES:LM-63 standard files can be opened and used by various luminaire design software, including professional software such as Photometric, Dialux, and LDT Editor. These software can read photometric data from IES:LM-63 standard files and perform applications such as photometric curve analysis, light distribution analysis, lighting calculations, 3D photometric diagram generation, and isolux curve analysis. The standardization of the IES:LM-63 file format ensures that photometric curve and light distribution data can be correctly read and used between different software and equipment, providing important support for the development of the lighting industry.

As a professional LED lighting testing equipment manufacturer, Yiming Technology deeply understands the importance of the IES:LM-63 file format and photometric curve analysis, and has developed the GMS goniophotometer testing system, which can accurately measure luminaire photometric characteristics and light distribution patterns, generating photometric files that comply with the IES:LM-63-2019 standard. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system fully complies with IES:LM-63-2019 standard requirements and can generate standard, complete, and accurate IES photometric files, containing complete photometric curve and light distribution data, providing reliable data support for lighting design and luminaire testing. Yiming Technology's GMS goniophotometer testing system is a professional equipment for photometric curve analysis and light distribution testing. Yiming Technology is committed to providing professional photometric testing services and GMS goniophotometer testing systems for customers, helping customers accurately analyze luminaire light distribution characteristics and generate precise photometric curves, jointly promoting the standardized development of the lighting industry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between IES file format and LDT file format?

Answer: IES:LM-63-2019 and LDT (European standard) are two different photometric file formats:

• IES:LM-63-2019: North American standard, ANSI-approved, file extension *.ies, widely used in North America
• LDT: European standard, file extension *.ldt, widely used in Europe
• Conversion: Most lighting design software supports both formats and can convert between them
• Yiming Technology GMS System: Can generate IES files compliant with IES:LM-63-2019 standard, and can also export LDT format files

2. How to understand the luminous intensity matrix in IES files?

Answer: Organization of luminous intensity matrix in IES files:

• Matrix Dimensions: Number of rows = number of horizontal angles (typically 17), number of columns = number of vertical angles (typically 91)
• Row Meaning: Each row corresponds to a horizontal angle, containing luminous intensity values for all vertical angles at that horizontal angle
• Column Meaning: Each column corresponds to a vertical angle, containing luminous intensity values for all horizontal angles at that vertical angle
• Data Reading: Luminous intensity values for specific angle combinations can be found through row and column indices
• Application: The luminous intensity matrix is the foundation data for generating photometric curves and 3D light distribution diagrams

3. What does Type C test type mean? Are there other test types?

Answer: The IES:LM-63 standard defines multiple test types:

• Type C: C-plane test method, vertical angles 0°-90°, horizontal angles 0°-360°, the most commonly used test type
• Type A: A-plane test method, applicable to signal lights
• Type B: B-plane test method, applicable to floodlights
• Selection Criteria: Select appropriate test type based on luminaire type and test requirements (signal lights use Type A, floodlights use Type B, general luminaires use Type C)
• Yiming Technology GMS System: Supports multiple test types including Type C, Type A, and Type B

4. How to verify the correctness of IES files?

Answer: Methods to verify IES file correctness:

• File Format Check: Open file with software such as LDT Editor to check if it can be read normally
• Data Completeness: Check if file header information, test parameters, angle data, and luminous intensity matrix are complete
• Value Reasonableness: Check if luminous intensity values are within reasonable range and angle data complies with standards
• Software Compatibility: Import into software such as Photometric and Dialux to check if it can be used normally
• Standard Compliance: Confirm file complies with IES:LM-63-2019 standard requirements

5. What lighting design applications can IES files be used for?

Answer: Main applications of IES files in lighting design:

• Photometric Curve Analysis: Visually display luminaire luminous intensity distribution curves, analyze light distribution characteristics
• Illuminance Calculations: Perform illuminance calculations and lighting design based on photometric curves and light distribution data
• 3D Light Distribution Visualization: Generate three-dimensional photometric diagrams to intuitively display luminaire light distribution characteristics
• Isolux Curves: Generate isolux curve diagrams for lighting design analysis and light distribution evaluation
• Luminaire Selection: Compare IES files of different luminaires to select appropriate luminaire products
• Lighting Simulation: Perform complete lighting scene simulation in software such as Dialux

6. What is the difference between goniophotometer testing and integrating sphere testing?

Answer: Differences between goniophotometer testing and integrating sphere testing:

• Goniophotometer Testing: Measures luminaire luminous intensity distribution at different angles, generates photometric curves and IES files, suitable for applications requiring light distribution data
• Integrating Sphere Testing: Measures total luminous flux, spectral distribution, color temperature, color rendering index and other parameters, does not provide light distribution data
• Application Scenarios: Use goniophotometer when photometric curves and light distribution data are needed, use integrating sphere when only total luminous flux is needed
• IES Files: Can only be generated through goniophotometer testing, integrating sphere testing cannot generate IES files
• Yiming Technology: Provides GMS goniophotometer testing system and SPM5000 integrating sphere spectrometer testing system to meet different testing needs

Glossary

Term	English	Definition
IES File	IES File	Photometric data file compliant with IES:LM-63-2019 standard, file extension *.ies, containing complete light distribution data of luminaires
Photometric Curve	Photometric Curve	Curve diagram describing luminaire luminous intensity distribution at different angles, used to analyze luminaire light distribution characteristics
Luminous Intensity Matrix	Luminous Intensity Matrix	Core data in IES files, recording luminaire luminous intensity values at different angle combinations, rows×columns = number of horizontal angles × number of vertical angles
Goniophotometer	Goniophotometer	Testing equipment that measures luminaire luminous intensity distribution at different angles, used to generate IES photometric files
IES:LM-63-2019	IES:LM-63-2019 Standard	ANSI/IES LM-63-2019 standard, standard format for luminaire photometric data, the only photometric file format used in North America