The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published SSL 3-2011 High-Power White LED Binning for General Illumination. This standard, first published in 2010, was produced by NEMA’s Solid State Lighting Section.

SSL 3 offers categorization areas (bins) for chromaticity (colors), forward voltage measurements (an electrical designation), and luminous flux (light output) for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) used for general lighting. The binning process helps ensure continuity among suppliers. The standard also sets a level of expectation for characterization that results in a reasonable number of bins for stocking purposes.

Updates in this revision include bins for forward voltage measurements and luminous flux as well as a labeling scheme for chromaticity.

Robert Hick of Leviton, chair of the Solid State Lighting Section, said, “This new revision of SSL 3 provides additional binning characteristics for LEDs to streamline manufacturing processes and help ensure consistency for integrators and end users. NEMA is a global leader for solid state lighting and will continue to support the successful adoption of this vital energy-saving technology through standardization.”

The contents and scope of SSL 3 may be viewed, or a hardcopy or electronic copy purchased for $39, 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.

SSL 3 is the third solid state lighting standard published by NEMA in 2011, joining new publications SSL 1 and SSL 6. To learn more about the association’s lighting standards, visit www.nema.org/stds/lighting.cfm.