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DO YOU KNOW THE STANDARDS THAT CERTIFY OUR FENIX TORCHES?
In simpler terms, like the various other commodities in India and abroad are authenticated, measured and tested in order to maintain their standard quality, torches around the world have their mark too. Fenix being an International brand thats spread across the globe are standardised with the ANSI Mark (American National Standards Institute).
To have a clearer understanding, here are few examples for various commodities:
Indian Standards Institute | Products deemed for safe consumers use.
AGMARK | Agricultural Product/produce
BIS HALLMARK | Purity of Precious Metals like Gold & Silver jewellery
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) | ANSI represent more than 270,000 companies, professional societies, trade associations, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations. ANSI lobbies for over 30 million professionals and covers nearly every industry across the globe
ANSI / NEMA FL-1 Standard
Fenix Has Implemented the ANSI Standard for measuring performance and quality across our complete product range. ANSI Standards refer to:
LIGHT OUTPUT
RUNTIME
BEAM DISTANCE
BEAM INTENSITY
IMPACT RESISTANCE
WATER RESISTANCE
ALL ABOUT ANSI:
1. A brief introduction of ANSI/NEMA FL1-2009 Standard
2. Why was it created?
3. Who approved the standard?
4. What does it mean to Consumers and Distributors?
5. The descriptions of the contents
- Light Output
- Runtime
- Beam Distance
- Beam Intensity
- Impact Resistance
- Water Resistance
6. How will Fenix use it?
- In line with the ANSI Standard,
- Fenix tests the output and runtime.
- Fenix tests the beam distance.
- Fenix tests the peak beam intensity.
- Fenix tests the impact resistance
- Fenix tests the water resistance.
- Fenix carries out other tests.
Ⅰ.A brief introduction to the ANSI/NEMA FL 1-2009 Standard
American National Standards Institute (ANSI for short) was established in 1918. It is a non-profit non governmental standards institute.
ANSI is one of the five permanent members in International Standardization Organization (ISO for short) as well as one of the four permanent members in the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC for short). It takes part in 79% activities of ISO/TC and 89% activities of IEC/TC. ANSI is a member of COPANT and PASC respectively.
ANSI is the potential national standards institute and actually it has turned into the national standards center. Various standardizing activities have connections with
it. In the meantime, the ANSI Standard has been voluntarily adopted.
Ⅱ.Why was it created?
For a long time, there had been no standardized tests or uniform rating systems for consumers to judge flashlight performance.
Without any uniform rating systems, it frustrated the manufacturers who were working hard to make high quality lighting tools.
The establishment of ANSI/NEMA FL 1-2009 Standard allowed consumers to compare flashlight performance.
The standard provides a guide for consumers to rate and compare the claims on the packages for each manufacturer’s products.
Distributors and consumers are more informed. Therefore, it is much easier for them to make the best choices for their needs.
Ⅲ.Who approved the standard?
American National Standards Institute (ANSI for short)
National Electrical Manufactures Association (NEMA for short)
Representatives from 14 illuminating companies, such as Princeton, Surefire, Petzl, Streamlight, Black Diamond and Duracell, etc.
Representatives from flashlight users and flashaholics
Ⅳ.What does it mean to consumers and distributors?
The ANSI Standard helps the consumers know about the technical parameters of flashlights quickly which allows them to make a comprehensive comparison of various flashlights.
It can provide a guide for distributors and end users to know more about the products and make the best choices for their needs.
It evens the playing field for those manufacturers that participate.
It’s important to know that adherence to these standards and reporting results is strictly voluntary.
Many leading flashlight manufacturers are now adopting the standard.
Ⅴ.Description Of Test Conditions
The testing contents of ANSI Standard include light output, runtime, beam distance, peak beam intensity, impact resistance and water resistance.
1.Output:
A measurement of the total quantity of emitted overall light energy as measured by integrating the entire angular output of the portable light source. The result is
reported in lumen.
Purpose:
To provide a procedure for the measurement of the quantity of overall light energy emitted by the device.
Power resource:
All tests are conducted with fresh batteries or fully charged batteries/energy storage devices.
12V DC devices that are only tethered shall be powered with 13.8V DC using a power supply.
Batteries used for testing and claim substantiation shall be of the same type and/or brand as those offered for sale with the product.
If the product is sold without batteries and a light output claim is made, a specific battery type and chemistry shall be recommended with the package.
The batteries recommended by the manufacturer are to be used for testing.
Procedures:
Devices are to be mounted or held against an external port adapter or placed inside the sphere. Exposure should be set to produce test equipment manufacturer’s
detector saturation level.
Results:
Light output is the average lumen value of the 3 samples.
2.Runtime:
The duration of time from the initial light output value (that’s 30 seconds after the light is turned on with fresh batteries ) until the light output drops to 10% of the initial value.
Purpose:
To determine the amount of time elapsed (under continuous operation) at which the device’s light output reaches a level when users will commonly replace the batteries.
Conditions:
If the device offers multiple output levels, the runtime will be measured at the maximum level or as otherwise identified.
Procedures:
The initial reading is taken at 30s of continuous operation when using a luxmeter, ensure that the light is operated continuously without any off time.
ANSI/NEMA FL-1 standard
3.Beam Distance:
The distance from device at which the light beam is 0.25 lux.
Results are reported in meters.
Purpose:
To provide a procedure to determine the maximum distance at which the devices is capable of producing 0.25 lux of light within 30s to 2 min of operation.
Procedure:
Place the luxmeter at a test distance of either 2 or 10 or 30 meters from the lens of the device to be tested. Use the luxmeter to identify the brightest point of the beam pattern and record the highest indicated value.
Final calculation:
To determine the beam distance, the Inverse Square Law formula is used:
√( peak beam intensity (cd) /0.25 (lux)) = Max Beam Distance (m)
4.Peak Beam Intensity:
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.
Purpose:
To provide a procedure to determine the peak beam intensity, reported in units of candela, of the device’s beam pattern within 30s to 2 min of operation.
Procedure:
Place the luxmeter at a test distance of either 2 or 10 or 30 meters from the lens of the device to be tested. Use the luxmeter to identify the brightest point of the beam
pattern and record the highest indicated value. Results are reported in candela.
Measurements shall be taken 30s to 2 min of turning on the device.
Final Calculations:
Surface light intensity (lux) x distance (m)2 = peak beam intensity (cd)
5.Impact Resistance:
The degree to which a portable light resists damage when dropped on a solid surface. Dropped samples must not exhibit any cracks or breaks, and must remain fully functional in order to pass the impact resistance test.
Purpose:
To ensure the structural integrity of hand-held/portable lighting devices under specified impact conditions.
The test procedure provide specifications and methods that will ensure products meet a minimum standards of reliability as a result of impact testing.
Drop test should be a priority to any other reliability tests.
Drop Test:
Products are dropped with all intended additions: batteries ,elastic, tethers, hand straps, etc.
Drop height for product samples shall be 1m minimum.
When measured, all the requirements listed below must be passed:
Each sample is dropped 6 times using impact orientations that approximate a cube.
Samples must be marked prior to the drop test in a manner that can assure that all 6 drop orientations are tested.
Each sample must be released on each orientation of the approximated cube. Samples should be in the “off” position with batteries in place.
Passing Criteria:
Dropped samples must not exhibit any cracks or breaks visible with normal vision.
The product must remain fully functional.
Some reassembly is allowed provided that is done without any tool or replacement components.
Cosmetic defects such as scuffs, scratches, rubs, abrasion will not be considered reasons for failure.
Impact Resistance Rating:
Test samples must pass a drop test from a minimum of 1m in order for the impact resistance claim to be made.
Rating in excess of 1m shall be reported with values rounded down to the nearest whole meter.
6. Water Resistance:
Purpose:
To test whether the flashlight water resistance can satisfy the lowest requirements for the reliability.
Procedure:
All test samples shall function normally immediately after the test and 30 min after the test.
Water ingress is allowed as long as the above conditions are met.
Water Resistance:
There are three tests that measure water resistance:
Resistance to Temporary Immersion in Water
Resistance to Continuous Immersion in Water
Resistance to Splashing Water
Ⅵ. How will Fenix use ANSI?
1. Fenix will strictly adhere to the ANSI Standard to measure the various fundamental features of its products.
Fenix will spare no efforts to provide more reliable products and perfect services. The consumers can better evaluate, compare and choose their products provided that they know about the output, beam distance, impact resistance, water resistance and the runtime.
In order to meet this target, Fenix was the first manufacturer to participate in the ANSI/NEMA FL1-2009 Standard in China.
It will adhere to ANSI/NEMA FL1-2009 Standard with its products.
For instance, the ANSI Standard was introduced to E21, LD25, LD40 and HP20.
Later products continue to be line with the ANSI Standard.
A. In line with the ANSI Standard, Fenix tests the output and runtime.
Output Test: Devices are to be mounted or held against an external port adapter or placed inside the sphere.
Exposure should be set to produce test equipment manufacturer’s detector saturation level.
Light output is the average lumen value of the 3 samples.
Runtime Test: The duration of time from the initial output value ( that’s 30 seconds after the light is turned on with fresh batteries) until the light output drops to 10% of the initial value.
Ensure that the light is operated continuously without any off time.
B. According to the ANSI Standard, Fenix tests the beam distance.
Beam Distance Test: To place the luxmeter at a test distance of either 2 or 10 or 30 meters from the lens of the device to be tested.
Use the luxmeter to identity the brightest point of the beam pattern and record the highest indicated in value.
To determine the beam distance, the Inverse Square Law formula is used:
√( peak beam intensity (cd) /0.25 (lux)) = Max Beam Distance (m)
C. Fenix tests the peak beam intensity, abiding by the ANSI Standard.
Peak Beam Intensity test: Place the luxmeter at a test distance of either 2 or 10 or 30 meters from the lens of the device to be tested.
Use the luxmeter to identify the brightest point of the beam pattern and record the highest indicated value.
Results are reported in candela.
Measurements shall be taken 30s to 2 min of turning on the device.
D. Fenix tests the impact resistance according to the ANSI Standard.
Impact Resistance Test:
Samples should be in the “off” position with batteries in place.
Each sample is dropped 6 times using impact orientations that approximate a cube.
Each sample must be released on each orientation of the approximated cube.
Test samples must pass a drop test from a minimum of 1m in order for the impact resistance claim to be made.
Dropped samples must not exhibit any cracks or breaks visible with normal vision.
Cosmetic defects such as scuffs, scratches, burs, abrasion will not be considered reasons for failure.
E. With the ANSI Standard , Fenix tests the water resistance.
Water Resistance Test:
All test samples shall function normally immediately after the test and 30 min after the test.
Water ingress is allowed as long as the above conditions are met.
2. Fenix carries out other tests.
Besides the ANSI Standard and to allow for consumers’ various real life usage conditions, Fenix performs other tests set by itself, such as the salt spray test, bending test, vibration test, ultraviolet radiation test, etc.
Only the products which completely meet the ANSI Standard and its internal standards can be called Fenix products.
A. Shakeout Test
Shakeout test: To provide a procedure to determine the scratch-resistant and wear-resistant abilities of the surface of flashlight.
B. Bending Test
Bending test: mainly use to test the bending degree and the strength of wires.
C. Salty Spray Test
Salty spray test: mainly use to test the corrosion-resistant ability.
D. Ultraviolet Radiation Test
Ultraviolet radiation test: mainly use to test the changes of flashlight after it goes through the ultraviolet test.
E. Environmental Test
The environmental test includes the high temperature test and low temperature test, which are used to test the high-temperature-resistant and the low-temperature-resistant abilities respectively.
F. Vibration Test
Vibration test: To provide a procedure to determine the anti-vibration ability.
G. Switch Test
Switch test: To provide a procedure to determine the lifespan of the switch and the resistivity.
H. Temperature Test
Temperature test: To provide a procedure to determine the conditions of the heat generation and the heat dissipation and the relevant temperatures, etc.
Fenix has introduced the ANSI Standard to its new products. All technical parameters of the products, such as E21, LD25, LD40 and HP20, were produced in line with the ANSI Standard. As a result the output and the runtime figures have become much more accurate and scientific. Later products have been produced in line with the standard to meet the international needs.
3. Fenix has introduced the ANSI Standard to its product packages.
Fenix now records ANSI test results on its product packaging to allow customers to quickly understand the product capabilities.
4. Fenix has introduced the standard to the product manuals.
Fenix has made some modifications to its product manuals. The modifications help the consumers to easily identify, compare and rate the flashlights. Fenix will continue to report the ANSI Standard of its later products to meet the international consumer needs.
5. The description of the flashlight tests.
All tests are conducted with fresh batteries or fully charged batteries /energy storage devices.
12V DC devices that are only tethered shall be powered with 13.8V DC using a power supply.
Peak beam intensity and beam distance are both measured by the same test.
To provide a procedure to determine the peak beam intensity, reported in units of candela, of the device at which the light beam is 0.25 lux within 30 seconds to 2 minutes of operation.
Batteries used for testing and claim substantiation shall be of the same type and/or brand as those offered for sale with the product.
If the product is sold without batteries and a peak beam intensity claim is made, a specific battery type and chemistry shall be recommended with the package.
Lab conditions shall be a controlled temperature of 21±2℃ and a relative humidity of 50±40%. The lab environment must minimize any redirecting of light that would affect the measurement outcome.
If the device offers multiple focusing or adjustable beam angle, the peak beam intensity will be measured at the maximum level or as otherwise identified.