The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) published ANSI C136.16-2014 American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment—Enclosed, Post Top-mounted Luminaires. This standard is useful to roadway and area lighting manufacturers, municipalities, and utilities; and provides requirements to allow for the interchangeability of enclosed, post top-mounted luminaires.

ANSI C136.16 was developed by ANSI Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) 136. It covers dimensional, maintenance, and light distribution features that permit the interchange of enclosed, post top-mounted high-intensity discharge lamps, solid-state light sources (i.e., light-emitting diode), compact fluorescent lamps, and induction luminaires whose center of mass is approximately over the mounting tenon.

Luminaires of similar size, shape, and weight meeting the requirements of this standard may be used interchangeably within a system with assurance that:

-they will fit the mounting tenon,

-pole strength requirements will not change,

-light distribution will be similar, and

-similar maintenance procedures can be used.

ANSI C136.16-2014 may be downloaded or purchased in hard copy for $38 on the NEMA website.

NEMA is the association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia. Nearly 400 members strong, its companies manufacture a diverse set of products including power transmission and distribution equipment, lighting systems, factory automation and control systems, and medical diagnostic imaging systems. Total U.S. shipments for electroindustry products exceed $100 billion annually.