1. Leslie Lyons Technical Support Manager Bentham Instruments Ltd
Beyond Illumination
Evaluating the Non-Visual Emission Characteristics of Lighting Products
Leslie Lyons
Technical Support Manager
Bentham Instruments Ltd

2.
Optical Radiation
Optical radiation is defined as electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths between 100nm to 1mm
Consideration typically restricted to nm due to atmospheric absorption <200nm and the negligible effect of low energy photons in the far IR
Band
Wavelength Range (nm)
UVC
(<180nm, vacuum UV)
UVB
UVA
Visible
IRA
IRB
IRC

3. Lighting Products: Visual Characteristics
Lighting Products: Visual Characteristics
We are all familiar with the visual characteristics of lighting products

4. Sources Having Non-Visual Impact
Sources Having Non-Visual Impact
We are also familiar with sources of light having a non-visual effect…

5. What Other Impact Might Lamps Have?
What Other Impact Might Lamps Have?
It is therefore reasonable that lamps may also have other effects than visual…but what?
Photometric Flicker?
Circadian Disruption (or therapy)?
Photobiological Safety Hazards?

6.
Photometric Flicker
Recent reports have suggested that some SSL systems, particularly those paired with dimming controls, demonstrate significant photometric flicker
Photometric Flicker is defined as the cyclical variation in visual perception of a light source over time thought to cause photosensitive epilepsy, migraines, headaches and non-specific malaise
Seizures thought to result from flicker in 3-70 Hz region, whilst “invisible” flicker effects may occur up to 165 Hz

7.
Flicker Metrics
Two metrics are currently defined for the evaluation of flicker: percent flicker, and flicker index
The latter is generally preferred since it takes account of difference in waveform shape or duty cycle
As standards for the evaluation of flicker are developed, account may also be taken of flicker frequency

8. Measurement of Flicker
Measurement of Flicker
Whilst flicker is a luminance-based property, one can use any input optic to perform this measurement (telescope, cosine-corrected input optic, integrating sphere)
Light detection by close-match photometric detector, the output of which coupled to an amplifier and data acquisition system fast enough to respond at least to 100 Hz
Time–resolved source emission captured, flicker calculations performed thereupon

9. Examples of Flicker Halogen CFL GU10 LED 1 GU10 LED 2 Frequency (Hz)
Examples of Flicker
Halogen
CFL
GU10 LED 1
GU10 LED 2
Frequency (Hz)
100.13
100.1
100.15
100.18
Flicker
Percent (%)
4.96
1.13
1.36
8.4
Flicker Index
0.016
0.004
0.003
0.026

10.
Circadian Rhythm
A circadian rhythm is a ~24 hour cycle in the physiological processes of living beings impacting sleep-wake cycles, alertness, performance, core body temperature and the production of the hormones
Whilst endogenously generated, the circadian rhythm can be modulated, or entrained, by external cues such as light and heat
Research has confirmed existence of melanopsin-based non-visual photoreceptor in eye having inputs to circadian rhythm and pupil response
Whilst light stimulus at the “wrong” time may disrupt the circadian rhythm, light therapy could be used for example to entrain the circadian rhythm of house-bound individuals

11. Circadian Disruption Metric
Circadian Disruption Metric
Whilst most literature cites a 480nm peak response, the only published data in German DIN V pre-standard suggests a 450nm peak
A metric, comparing the circadian response to visual response, is proposed

12. Evaluation of Circadian Disruption
Evaluation of Circadian Disruption
The spectral distribution of the source is required for this evaluation with subsequent evaluation of acv
acv
Incandescent
0.046
CFL
0.102
3000K White LED
0.043
10000K White LED
0.493
Blue LED
0.541

13. Introduction to Photobiological Safety
Introduction to Photobiological Safety
Photobiology is the study of the interaction of optical radiation with living organisms
Optical radiation is strongly absorbed in tissue, with penetration depths of a few microns in the UV to millimetres in the IR
It is the skin and eyes of the human body that are most at risk of exposure

14.
IEC62471 Series Standards
IEC :2006 “Photobiological Safety of Lamps and Lamp Systems”
- Gives guidance for evaluating the photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems emitting optical radiation in the range nm
- Provides exposure limits and framework for classification including risk groups exempt to RG3
- Intended as a horizontal standard
IEC TR :2009 “Guidance on manufacturing requirements relating to non-laser optical radiation safety”
- Provides further guidance in absence of vertical product standards
- Non-normative
IEC62471 published as EN62471:2008 and harmonised to low voltage directive (LVD)

15.
Scope of IEC62471
Consideration is given to six hazards to skin and eye:
Hazard
Wavelength
Range
(nm)
Bioeffect
Eye
Skin
Actinic UV †
Cornea - Photokeratitis
Conjunctiva - Conjunctivitis
Lens – Cataractogenesis
Erythema
Elastosis
Near UV
Blue Light †
Retina – Photoretinitis
Retinal Thermal †
Retina - Retinal burn
IR Radiation Eye
Cornea - Corneal burn
Thermal Skin
Skin burn
General Lighting Service lamp (GLS) sources used to illuminate “spaces”, measure at distance at which source produces illuminance of 500 lux
All other sources measured at 200mm from (apparent) source

16. The Case of Lamps and Luminaires
The Case of Lamps and Luminaires
Implementation of GLS classification criterion of IEC62471 has provided little satisfaction in the lighting industry, prompting IEC sub-committee SC34A to take action
Publication in 2012 of IEC TR : “Application of IEC for the assessment of blue light hazard to light sources and luminaires”
Amendment of lamp and luminaire standards (many of which have already been published) and updated under the LVD

17. The New Lamp/ Luminaire Approach
The New Lamp/ Luminaire Approach
A consideration of photobiological safety depends on lamp type
In certain instances, consideration of UV hazard will remain, as was hitherto the case, in implementing the 2mW/ klm specific effective irradiance limit
IR hazard will be considered by one incandescent lamp vertical standard
Blue light hazard will be dealt with, where required, in implementation of IEC TR 62778

18. A Few Words on Blue Light Hazard
A Few Words on Blue Light Hazard
Blue light hazard describes the photochemical damage of photoreceptors and the retinal pigmented epithelium
Strong wavelength dependence, peaking in the blue spectral region (hence the name)
The evaluation of the retinal blue light hazard requires taking account of the irradiance of the retinal image and the area of the retina irradiated for a given exposure time
Exposure time

19.
IEC TR 62778
Applies to the evaluation of component lamps/ LEDs to finished product luminaires
Evaluation to be performed at 200mm in an 11mrad FOV
Where result yields Exempt/ RG1 no further action required => Exempt / RG1 “Unlimited”
Where results yields RG2 (LB > W.m-2.sr-1), the distance at which source becomes RG1 should be determined using the RG1 blue light small source limit of 1 W.m-2
Hazard
Exempt
RG1
RG2
RG3
Blue Light -
CAUTION. Possibly hazardous optical radiation emitted from this product. Do not stare at operating lamp. May be harmful to the eye
WARNING. Possibly hazardous optical radiation emitted from this product. Do not look at operating lamp. Eye injury may result.

20. Recommended Determination of dthr
Recommended Determination of dthr
From spectral measurement of source nm, can determine ratio of illuminance/ luminance to blue light irradiance/ radiance (numerically the same)
Determine illuminance, Ethr, at which blue light small source RG1 limit of 1 W.m-2 obtained (= luminance (cd.m-2)/ blue light radiance (W.m-2.sr-1))
For component LEDs, report Ethr, for finished products determine dthr
The TR recommended method to determine dthr is to use goniophotometric data and the inverse square law
Luminance
(cd.m-2) )
1.55E+07
Blue Light Radiance
(W.m-2.sr-1)

21. More Accurate Determination of dthr
More Accurate Determination of dthr
In many cases, use of the inverse square law is not valid since dthr is close to the source
As an alternative, an illuminance meter may be used to determine the location of dthr
For arrays, this procedure is incorrect since does not measure in the required 11mrad FOV resulting in the determination of an overly-conservative dthr

22.
Future Prospects
As lamp and luminaire standards are harmonised to the LVD, IEC will no longer be applied directly
The implementation of standards on flicker and circadian disruption a long way off
Chronic low level exposure should be considered (for example, potential age-related macular degeneration)
Lamp technology is still on the move with the use of UV rather than blue LEDs and even laser diodes to pump phosphors- the impact of which is yet to be seen

23. Thank You for Your Attention
Thank You for Your Attention
Any Questions?