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ITC Innovation Technological Center

Lighting testing & Laboratories

Enter the world of innovation. Discover our state-of-the-art laboratories and the continuous research behind every aesthetic and performance detail of our products.

ITC Innovation Technological Center

Research is the engine of innovation

In AEC Illuminazione we constantly invest in new laboratories to be creators and forerunners of change.

Ulbricht Sphere

Anechoic chamber

EMC Chamber

Goniophotometer

Thermal chambers

Vibration Chamber

Photometric laboratory Light measurement

Inside the AEC Illuminazione Headquarters, there are two photometric laboratories. The photometric laboratories are the fundamental place for the research and development of new optical solutions. They make it possible to accurately evaluate new components and materials as well as periodically check the performance of the products.

Electromagnetic compatibility

The electromagnetic compatibility measures make it possible to verify that the products and electronic components comply with the limits imposed by the standards to comply with the EMC directive, necessary for the CE marking of the products.

Strict performance tests for more safety

In a specific area of the AEC laboratories, the products are subjected to strict performance tests to offer levels of performance suitable for the installation environments. In addition, the necessary safety tests are performed for compliance with the LVD directive and for obtaining the ENEC marking.

Testing laboratories accredited by Accredia

The new AEC laboratories approved by the Ministry of Economic Development

The AEC testing laboratories are accredited by Accredia with No. 1931 L. The updated list of accredited tests can be consulted directly on the website www.accredia.it. The accreditation of the Laboratory involves the verification of the technical competence relating to the accredited tests and of its Management System, in compliance with the UNI CEI EN ISO / IEC 17025 standard. With the accreditation, Accredia ensures the technical competence of the personnel, the adequacy of equipment and equipment and the suitability of the facility.

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Ulbricht sphere

It allows you to measure the colour temperature and luminous flux of luminaires with extreme accuracy. The instrument consists of a sphere with a diffusing internal surface, at the center of which the luminaire under test is suspended.

Ulbricht sphere

It allows you to measure the colour temperature and luminous flux of luminaires with extreme accuracy. The instrument consists of a sphere with a diffusing internal surface, at the center of which the luminaire under test is suspended.

What is the Ulbricht sphere and how does it work?

Also called “Integrating Sphere”

The Ulbricht sphere is an instrument for measuring the luminous flux, colour rendering index (CRI) and colour temperature (CCT) of lighting fixtures. A hollow sphere with a highly diffusing internal surface that allows total reflection of light. The measurements are made through a spectroradiometer, fixed behind a very small slot on the surface of the sphere.

Two spheres present in the AEC laboratories

Measurement of LED luminaires

The size of the sphere determines the size and maximum flow of the luminaire under test. In AEC Illuminazione there are two different Ulbricht spheres of 1.5 and 2 meters in diameter, to be able to test both individual LED modules and complete luminaires directly within the AEC laboratories, even when dealing with large lighting fixtures.

Environmental simulation climate chamber

For temperature-controlled measurements

The largest Ulbricht sphere present in AEC Illuminazione is also connected to a climatic chamber, allowing accurate measurements of the luminous flux of the luminaires at a controlled temperature: specifically a temperature between 15° and 80° C, to test the products in real installation conditions.

Anechoic chamber

The lighting fixtures require a continuous and accurate control of all their electronic components and, in particular, of what concerns electromagnetic disturbances. For this AEC Illuminazione has installed an anechoic chamber, specifically a full anechoic chamber, to perform all the necessary tests required by the international standards of electromagnetic compatibility directly in-house.

Test pursuant to:

CISPR 15/EN 55015

Limits and methods of measuring the radio disturbance characteristics of electric lighting and similar equipment.

IEC/EN 61000-4-3

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Immunity test to radiated electromagnetic fields, radiofrequency.

What is an anechoic chamber used for?

Electromagnetic compatibility test

Before being placed on the market, any electrical device must be tested to verify that it cannot cause damage to the health of the user, that it does not cause interference with other devices in the vicinity and that it does not suffer from disturbances that these same devices spread. The electromagnetic compatibility tests (also called EMC tests) are performed in an anechoic chamber with the aim of ensuring that the luminaires continue to function correctly without interference between them and without being influenced by external frequencies. In fact, the anechoic chamber serves to recreate, in a closed environment, simulated conditions of open space of infinite size, given the absence of reflections of its fully shielded walls.

“The anechoic chamber serves to recreate, in a closed environment, simulated conditions of open space of infinite size, given the absence of reflections of its fully shielded walls”.

Anechoic chamber

The term derives from the Greek ανωχαϊκός which literally means “echo-free” and identifies a laboratory environment built in such a way as to reduce the reflection of signals on the walls.

How does it work?

The anechoic chambers are specially designed rooms in order to obtain the maximum possible isolation from the external environment, thanks to the material capable of absorbing electromagnetic waves.

How large is it?

The full anechoic chamber inside the AEC Illuminazione research and development laboratories is very large: it measures 4 × 8 meters at the base and is 3.5 meters high.

EMC Chamber

Verification test for electromagnetic compatibility.

EMC Chamber

Verification test for electromagnetic compatibility.

Test pursuant to:

CISPR 15/EN 55015

Limits and methods of measuring the radio disturbance characteristics of electric lighting and similar equipment.

IEC/EN 62493

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
Test and Measurement Techniques – Radiated, electromagnetic and radiofrequency immunity test.

Low-frequency emissions

Loop antenna

The Large Loop Antenna (LLA) is the instrument that allows the measurement of the electromagnetic field radiated by a luminaire in the low-frequency range. The field is linked with the antenna and a spectrum meter analyzes its content. It is used to perform the radiated emission test between 9kHz-30MHz.

Emissions through cables

Conducted emission

The conducted emission test 30MHz-300MHz allows evaluating the level of electromagnetic field emissions of the VHF type, which propagate through the cables to other luminaires connected to the same electrical system.

High-frequency emissions

Radiated emission

Unlike the previous one, this test of radiated emission between 30MHz-300MHz allows evaluating the level of electromagnetic field emissions of the VHF type, which propagate in space towards other devices that coexist in the same area.

Emissions immunity test

Conducted emission

Radiated emission

Loop antenna

Goniophotometer

The photometric laboratory within the Innovation Technological Center boasts the presence of two goniophotometers that allow you to measure the flux emitted by the luminaire and to detect the photometric distribution of the emission. The goniophotometers are installed inside two dark rooms covered with materials that limit the stray light within the allowed limits. The darkroom is equipped with air conditioning to keep the temperature, humidity and speed of the ambient air within the regulatory limits, fundamental factors for the measurement of LEDs.

Light intensity measurement

The mirror goniophotometer is an instrument used for measuring light intensities in different directions. The lighting fixture is mounted on a movable arm, supported by a mechanical base that supports, in addition to the mirror, a motor that allows the rotation of both.

Light intensity measurement

The mirror goniophotometer is an instrument used for measuring light intensities in different directions. The lighting fixture is mounted on a movable arm, supported by a mechanical base that supports, in addition to the mirror, a motor that allows the rotation of both.

“Our goniophotometers allow us to measure any type of light source or luminaire. Cutting-edge tools that few can boast and that allow us to achieve very high-quality standards”.

“By internally developing and testing the optical systems of our LED luminaires, we directly provide our customers with all the photometric and colorimetric information needed to qualitatively characterize a lighting fixture”.

Photometric survey

The mirror goniophotometer allows the measurement of the light intensity emitted by a luminaire or a light source in the different directions of space and consequently to obtain the photometric solid, together with the main quantities, such as luminous flux and absorbed power.

Color measure

Thanks to the presence of a spectroradiometer, it is possible to test the spatial uniformity of the colorimetric quantities of the light sources, as well as obtaining the values of colour temperature, colour rendering index and colour coordinates.

Flicker

The dedicated flicker module is used to evaluate the same phenomenon, literally the “flicker” of a light source. Testing this parameter is particularly important in products intended for lighting sports facilities: in these contexts, the lighting must in fact meet the particular needs of television shooting.

50 square meters of thermal chambers

Inside the two thermal chambers, with a controlled temperature of 35° C and 50° C, 200 light fixtures or LED modules can be installed.

50 square meters of thermal chambers

Inside the two thermal chambers, with a controlled temperature of 35° C and 50° C, 200 light fixtures or LED modules can be installed.

Extreme temperatures

The functionality of a luminaire must be guaranteed in all required environmental operating conditions. In particular, AEC Illuminazione luminaires are tested to be able to operate in a temperature range from -40 ° C to +50 ° C. The luminaire is turned on and brought to a thermal regime at the expected ambient temperature. The instruments used in our laboratories are the controlled temperature oven, the climatic chamber, the temperature data logger and the digital multimeter.

Products lifetime estimation

The estimation and verification of the lifespan of an LED luminaire coincide with the concepts of reliability and quality of the product itself. Inside the two climatic chambers present in AEC it is possible to install up to 200 lighting fixtures to carry out prolonged tests over time at controlled temperature and humidity. The purpose of these tests is to estimate the actual lifespan, not only of the components of the product but of the entire lighting fixture.

Lighting performance

In the two thermal chambers present in the AEC laboratories, we can perform the specific “Accelerated life” and “ON-OFF cycle” tests as defined by the EN 62717 standard “LED modules for general lighting – Performance requirements” which are necessary for obtaining the ENEC + certification of the products.

Other endurance tests

AEC Illuminazione offers a wide range of tests and verifications on its lighting and LED fixtures, in compliance with national and international regulations. The important investments in instrumentation and laboratories, as well as the accreditations for the standards of the lighting sector, allow us to carry out tests and issue certifications for all our products.

Test IP pour l'entrée de poussière et de liquide dans les laboratoires AEC Illuminazione

IP test

Protection against foreign bodies

In our laboratories, we perform resistance tests to the penetration of solid and liquid bodies. The first digit in the IP degree of the products indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against the access of dangerous parts and the ingress of solid foreign objects, the second digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against the access of liquids.

Luminaires testées et assurées. AEC Illuminazione teste la fiabilité et la résistance mécanique de ses corps d'éclairage.

IK test

Defines the mechanical strength

With a special test hammer and certain weights, the technicians check the mechanical strength of glass, hoods and other parts intended for the protection of the lighting fixture. The impact energy used as a reference for the test ranges from 0.15 J for IK01 up to 20 J for the IK10 grade. A high IK degree guarantees greater resistance even in the event of vandalism.

Test de corrosion au brouillard salin dans les laboratoires AEC Illuminazione

Corrosion test

Resistance tests in salt spray

The salt spray resistance tests are an important test that is performed by subjecting a product to a corrosive environment. This test verifies the resistance of the painting and the galvanic coupling of the materials to the passage of time and to atmospheric agents in general. These tests simulate in an accelerated way the exposure that would occur over several years. Corrosion resistance is an important quality feature of our products.

Vibration Test Chamber

In our laboratories, there is also the vibration room where a vibrating platform, connected to an accelerometer, allows us to test the mechanical resistance of our products.

Immunity test to electromagnetic disturbances

International standards require verifying the immunity of lighting fixtures to high voltage pulses. In the AEC laboratories, we have integrated all the necessary instrumentation to directly test the products internally and we carry out all the required immunity tests.

ESD

Immunity to electrostatic discharges

During installation or normal operation in the field, the lighting fixtures may be subject to electrostatic discharges due to atmospheric and/or human phenomena. The ESD test aims to analyze the resistance of the luminaire to electrostatic discharges of varying intensity. Electrostatic discharge occurs when a transfer of charges takes place between two adjacent or touching bodies. Electrostatic discharges, at first sight, may seem unimportant phenomena, however, they should not be underestimated as even if, of very short duration, they can reach high current values.

Surge

Immunity to high voltage impulses

Atmospheric phenomena and network disturbances can cause overvoltages, even of high value, and severely damage a lighting fixture. The test is used to verify immunity to high voltage impulses and as in any immunity test, the purpose is to verify the behaviour of the luminaire subjected to a very specific disturbance, in this case, an impulsive voltage with high energy content generated by switching and lightning effects.

Transients and bursts

Pulse train test

During their normal operation, the lighting fixtures are subject to all those possible disturbances due to the power supply network. Through the tests of fast transients, dips and voltage interruptions we are able to verify the sensitivity of the lighting fixtures to such disturbances, so as to ensure that they are not a source of possible malfunctions or disservices. The fast transient test consists of a test with trains of pulses coupled to the power, signal and control ports of the products to verify their resistance and their immunity.

Safe and certified products

ENEC certified products

ENEC is a voluntary European mark for electrical products which demonstrates compliance with European safety standards.

Zhaga D4i certification

AEC’s main public lighting products are “Zhaga D4i Luminaire” certified to ensure future plug & play interoperability.

RoHS compliant products

The directive restricts the use of lead and other potentially dangerous substances, including cadmium, mercury and chromium VI, in products.

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