BS EN 60809:1996+A5:2012:2013 Edition

This International Standard is applicable to replaceable lamps (filament lamps and discharge lamps) to be used in headlamps, fog-lamps and signalling lamps for road vehicles.

It is especially applicable to those lamps which are the subject of legislation. In particular, it includes the lamps contained in Regulations¹⁾ No. 37 and No. 99 of the Geneva Agreement of 20 March 1958 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). However, the standard may be used for other lamps falling under the scope of this standard.

The standard specifies the technical requirements with methods of tests and basic interchangeability (dimensional, electrical and luminous) for lamps of normal production and for standard (étalon) lamps.

For most of the requirements given in this standard, reference is made to the “relevant lamp data sheet”. For all lamps listed in Clause 5, data sheets are contained in this standard or included by reference. For other lamps, the relevant data are supplied by the lamp manufacturer or responsible vendor. It could be based on national legislation.

Other requirements such as lamp life, lumen maintenance, torsion strength and resistance to vibration and shock are specified in IEC 60810. The latter standard also gives information for guidance of lighting equipment design, such as temperature limits and maximum lamp outlines.

Road vehicle lamps for supplementary purposes which are not the subject of legislation are specified in IEC 60983.

In countries which legislate for approval, for example under the terms of the aforementioned ECE Regulations, it is suggested that reference is made to this standard for assessment of compliance. IEC 60810 and IEC 60983 are not intended for that purpose.

NOTE In the various vocabularies and standards, different terms are used for “incandescent lamp” (IEV 845-07-04) and “discharge lamp” (IEV 845-07-17). In this standard “filament lamp” and “discharge lamp” are used. However, where only “lamp” is written both types are meant, unless the context clearly shows that it applies to one type only.