The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published SSL 3-2010 High-Power White LED Binning for General Illumination. This marks NEMA’s first solid state lighting (SSL) standard.

Produced by NEMA’s Solid State Lighting Section, SSL 3 provides standardized categorization areas (bins) for the colors of “white” light-emitting diodes (LEDs) used for general lighting. LED manufacturers use binning to manage variations in LED performance during mass production. When manufacturers use different binning structures and labeling, LED system integrators and assemblers face unnecessary testing, verification, qualification, and validation processes.

The bin structures established by SSL 3 promote continuity among suppliers. The standard also sets a level of expectation for color characterization that results in a reasonable number of bins for stocking purposes. The bin structures are based on ANSI color standards for fluorescent lamps as specific in ANSI_NEMA_ANSLG C78.377-2008.

“As the first solid state lighting application standard for color in general lighting, SSL 3 will streamline the binning process, alleviating stock and consistency issues for LED integrators,” said Robert Hick of Leviton, and chair of the section. “Upcoming revisions of the standard will address additional characteristics for binning. SSL 3 demonstrates lighting manufacturers’ commitment to work together to make energy-efficient SSL technology easier for integratorsto adopt on a large scale.”

The contents and scope of SSL 3 may be viewed, or a hardcopy or electronic copy purchased for $37, by visiting www.nema.org/stds/ssl3.cfm, or by contacting IHS at 800-854-7179 (within the U.S.), 303-397-7956 (international), 303-397-2740 (fax), or global.ihs.com.

NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The association’s Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.