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Frequently Asked Questions

Q's on the DLC QPL Application requirements

1. Where can I find labs that test for LM-79?
2. What if we are working with a lab that is NOT on the CALiPER list?
3. What if the lab module does not have full LM 80 results?
4. If we conduct our own UL 1598 testing will that meet the DLC QPL requirements?
5. I know I can apply for a product but can I apply for a ‘product family’?
6. Referring to the online application form, what is the LED Package Part number?
7. How is lumen maintenance in Option 1 calculated?
8. Why is a Temperature Measurement Point needed for DLC requirement?
9. Under what version of technical requirements is my application evaluated?
10. During the manufacturing of a luminaire, can thermocouples be attached to the LED at the specified TMP, take photos of the internal attachments showing location, and run the wires out through a hole as described in Energy Star® Manufacturer’s Guide for Qualifying
Solid State Lighting Luminaires – Version 2.1?
11. How should center refrigerated case fixtures be submitted?
12. What orientation is required for reporting zonal lumen densities?
13. Under the technical requirements, Is the The minimum lumen capacity of 35 lm/w is measured at the center or at the side?
14. How should luminaire efficacy be reported?
15. In the extreme case where the insitu temp is lower than all of the LM 80 results. What would the 3rd temperature be?

1. Where can I find labs that test for LM-79?
Testing labs may be referenced in the ENERGY STAR Manufacturers Guide and DOE’s CALiPER literature. If your lab is in the process of certifying with DOE, than we can make an exception in this case. We will need supporting documentation showing where you stand in becoming listed with DOE.

Reference: ENERGY STAR Manufactures Guide v2.1 http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/manuf_res/downloads/ENERGYSTAR_Manufacturers_Guide_v2.1.pdf

2. If we conduct our own UL 1598 testing will that meet the DLC QPL requirements?
Similar to ENERGY STAR (stated in the Manufacturers’ Guide), In-house laboratory testing for UL is acceptable as long as you provide UL numbers identifying your lab as ‘accepted’.

Reference: ENERGY STAR Manufactures Guide v2.1 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/test_labs.html

3. I know I can apply for a product but can I apply for a ‘product family’?
Yes you may but certain conditions apply. We can ONLY accept types of variations for worst case family submittals for the following: 1) changes in housing that DO NOT affect photometric performance and 2) changes in CCT where the lowest CCT is worst case. For more details and an example can be found on the Product Families page.

4. What if we are working with a lab that is NOT on the CALiPER list?
As stated on page 8 of the ENERGY STAR's Manufacturer Guide, "the lab should have an NVLAP certification."

5. What if the lab module does not have full LM 80 results?
As stated on page 5 of the ENERGY STAR's Manufacturer Guide , Lumen maintenance: "DOE recognizes.." They will allow prior data until March 31, 2010.

6.Referring to the online application form, what is the LED Package Part number?
The LED Package Part number describes the LED color (i.e. white), CCT (i.e. warm white), etc. Every LED must be specified with a LED Package Part number. i.e. XPEWHT-L1-XXX-XX-X-XX. This specific part number must be consistent throughout the application and supporting documentation, such as an LM-80 report.

7. How is lumen maintenance in Option 1 calculated?
The lumen maintenance in Option 1 should be a fraction given as a percentage, and it is equal to the lumen value at 6,000 hrs divided by the inital lumen value (at 0 hr). The value should have three significant digits, e.g. 94.1%.

8. Why is a Temperature Measurement Point needed for DLC requirement?
The In Situ Temperature Measurement Test report needs to show proof that the LED case
temperature is measured at the TMP specified by the LED package manufacturer. This is
documented with both a schematic or photograph of the correct TMP location from the LED package
manufacturer and a photograph of the thermocouple attached at the measurement location in the luminaire.

9. Under what version of technical requirements is my application evaluated?
The application is evaluated against the requirements version in effect when the application is
submitted. The resubmission, if one is required, is evaluated against the original technical requirements
version or the version in effect when the resubmission is received, at the discretion of the applicant.

10. During the manufacturing of a luminaire, can thermocouples be attached to the LED at the specified
TMP, take photos of the internal attachments showing location, and run the wires out through a hole as
described in Energy Star® Manufacturer’s Guide for Qualifying Solid State Lighting Luminaires – Version 2.1?
Yes, it is acceptable for manufacturers to install the thermocouples themselves as long as it doesn’t alter the thermal characteristics of the luminaire housing.

11. How should center refrigerated case fixtures be submitted?
They should be submitted under separate applications and that they are not family members of one another.

12. What orientation is required for reporting zonal lumen densities?
For our Outdoor Pole/Arm-Mounted Area and Roadway, Decorative, Wall Mounted, Parking Garage, Linear Panels and High-bay, 0 degrees is the nadir (perpendicular to ground).
For our Track or Mono-point Directional category, 0 degrees is along axis of fixture head.
For Refrigerated Case Lighting, 0 deg is perpendicular to refrigerator door.
For Display Case Lighting, 0 degrees is perpendicular to the surface it's mounted to.
The zonal lumen density table on the LM-79 report and the data in the IES file must be reported in this orientation.

13. Under the technical requirements, Is the The minimum lumen capacity of 35 lm/w is measured at the center or at the side?
Refrigerated case efficacy of 35 lm/W is based on the total luminous flux from the fixture and the total power input.

14. How should luminaire efficacy be reported?
The total luminous flux from the fixture divided by the total input power input. Luminous flux is based on the photopic luminous efficiency function (V lambda), not scotopic or mesopic efficiency.

15. In the extreme case where the insitu temp is lower than all of the LM 80 results. What would the 3rd temperature be?
In cases where the ISTMT temperature is lower than any of the three LM-80 temperatures, the manufacturer should base the lumen maintenance on the lowest LM-80 temperature (so there is no interpolation). This follows the ENERGY STAR Manufacturer's Guide, page 22, Scenario 2.