Overview
LED lighting is sold on numbers: lumens, watts, efficacy, colour temperature and rated life. Buyers, tender committees and export customers increasingly want those numbers backed by recognised test methods. The two most widely quoted are published by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES):
- ANSI/IES LM-79, for optical and electrical measurement of complete solid-state lighting products.
- ANSI/IES LM-80, for measuring how the luminous flux and colour of LED light sources are maintained over time.
A third document, IES TM-21, turns LM-80 data into a lifetime projection, such as L70 hours.
Aaditech has supported LED manufacturers in India and abroad in getting these tests done at accredited laboratories and in presenting the results correctly.
Note: Aaditech does not operate a photometry laboratory. LM-79 and LM-80 tests are carried out by independent accredited laboratories; we provide planning, coordination and report review.
What we test
| Method | Applies to | Key outputs |
|---|---|---|
| LM-79 | LED luminaires, integrated LED lamps, light engines | Total luminous flux, input power, efficacy (lm/W), power factor, CCT, CRI, chromaticity, intensity distribution |
| LM-80 | LED packages, arrays and modules | Lumen maintenance and chromaticity shift over time at defined case temperatures and drive currents |
| TM-21 | LM-80 data sets | Projected lumen maintenance life, such as L70 or L80, within the method’s limits |
| Related tests | Luminaires | IP rating (IEC 60529), safety and performance to Indian standards, EMC |
LM-79 results are measured with an integrating sphere or a goniophotometer, depending on the parameters needed. LM-80 testing is a long-duration test, commonly at least 6,000 hours, with readings at regular intervals and three or more case temperatures.
Who it’s for
- Luminaire and lamp manufacturers needing performance data for catalogues, tenders and customer approvals.
- LED package and module makers who must provide LM-80 data to their customers.
- Exporters supplying markets and programmes that ask for LM-79 and LM-80 reports.
- Buyers and specifiers wanting to verify supplier claims on efficacy and life.
Our process
- Requirement check. We confirm which reports your customer or programme requires, and which editions of LM-79, LM-80 and TM-21 they reference.
- Sample planning. We define sample quantities, operating conditions and, for LM-80, case temperatures and drive currents.
- Lab coordination. We select a laboratory accredited for the relevant methods and agree the test programme.
- Monitoring. For LM-80, we track interim readings so problems surface early rather than at the end of a long test.
- Report review. We check product identification, test conditions, calculations and that any TM-21 projection respects the method’s limits.
- Use of results. We help you present results accurately in datasheets, tenders and certification files.
Standards & references
- ANSI/IES LM-79-24: optical and electrical measurements of solid-state lighting products (earlier edition LM-79-19 still referenced by some programmes).
- ANSI/IES LM-80-20: measuring luminous flux and colour maintenance of LED packages, arrays and modules.
- ANSI/IES TM-21-21: projecting long-term luminous flux maintenance of LED light sources.
- IEC 60529: degrees of protection (IP code) for luminaire enclosures.
- ISO/IEC 17025: the accreditation standard for the laboratories we use.
Why Aaditech
- Lighting experience. Lamps, LEDs and ballasts are within our NABCB-accredited inspection scope, so we know these products from the factory floor as well as the lab.
- Honest life claims. We make sure projected lifetimes stay within what TM-21 allows, which protects you in tenders and disputes.
- Joined-up testing. LM-79, IP, safety and BIS testing can be planned together to save samples and time.
- Standards background. Our CEO, Mr B.K. Jain, headed the BIS electrical laboratory.
