ANSI Explained

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ANSI EXPLAINED

WHY CREATE STANDARDS?

While Peli was one of the first manufacturers to use quantifiable test procedures, the need was recognised to develop a common language that customers could use to select the right light for their specific needs.

As a result, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) with input from the light industry, developed performance standards and symbols to effectively communicate a light's features and benefits.

Resulting ANSI/NEMA FL 1 Standards include the six criteria described below:

	Light Output		Peak Beam Intensity
	Light Output is the total luminous flux. It is the total quantity of emitted overall light energy as measure by integrating the entire angular output of the portable light source. Light output in this standar is expressed in units of lumens.		Peak Beam Intensity is the maximum luminous intensity typically along the central axis of a cone of light. The value is reported in candela and does not change with distance.

	Run Time		Impact Resistance
	Run Time is defined as the duration of time from the initial light output value – defined as 30 secons after the point the device is first turned on – using fresh batteries, until the light output reaches 10% of the initial value.		Impact Resistance is the degree to which a device resists damage from dropping on a solid surface.


	Enclosure Protection Against Water Penetration Ratings		Beam Distance
	Based on the ANSI/IEC 6029 standard, the following enclosure ratings for the devices covered by this standard have been defined:		Beam Distance is defined as the distance from the device at which the light beam is 0.25 lux (0.25 lux is approximately the equivalent of the light emitted from the full moon "on a clear night in an open field").

ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
These standards are accredited by ANSI, which is a private non-profit organisation that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organisation also coordinates U.S. standards with international standards so American products can be used globally.

Glossary of Terms:
Candela – A unit of measurement of the intensity of light that is, power emitted by a light source in a particular direction.
Lux – The unit of luminous flux in the International System, equal to the amount of light given out through a solid angle by a source of one candela intensity radiating equally in all directions.
Lumen – A unit of measurement of the amount of brightness that comes from a light source. Lumens define "luminous flux," which is energy within the range of frequencies we perceive as light.
Integrating Sphere - An integrating sphere is a measurement device with an entrance port that can accept all the directional light output of the device under test, or can totally enclose the device itself. The walls of the sphere should be highly diffuse with high reflectivity (>80%) and the spectroradiometer should be shielded from direct view of the device under test by a baffle system.
IP (Ingress Protection) –Ingress Protection (IP) ratings specify the environmental protection the enclosure provides. The IP rating normally has two numbers (IPXX). The first number represents protection from solid objects or materials (dust) where the second number represents protection from liquids (water). With the IP rating IP 54, 5 describes the level of protection from solid objects and 4 describes the level of protection from liquids.

Peli's adoption of ANSI standards is ongoing and packaging is currently in the process of being converted. If you do not see dedicated ANSI icons and standards on your light's packaging, please refer to the Peli website for the most updated information.