The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) published ANSI C78.50-2014 American National Standard for Electric Lamps—Assigned LED Lamp Codes and ANSI C78.79-2014 American National Standard for Electric Lamps—Nomenclature for Envelope Shapes Intended for Use with Electric Lamps. Both standards are referenced in the updated version of the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR® Lamps Program, which was released August 28.

A new standard, ANSI C78.50 defines the physical and electrical characteristics of the LED (light-emitting diode) lamps included in it. Specifically, the standard provides the lamp space drawings and electrical features of two highly anticipated LED lamp designations: the MRX16 and the PAR16. As the LED industry moves forward, this will become the standard to which it refers for LED lamp codes and descriptions.

ANSI C78.50-2014 may be purchased for $65 in electronic or hardcopy format on the NEMA website.

ANSI C78.79, a re-designation of ANSI C79.1, describes a system of nomenclature that provides designations for envelope shapes used for all electric lamps. This revision adds the solid state lighting category and includes, as a new envelope shape, the MRX. Inclusion of the MRX lamp standardizes this lamp shape to allow industry consistency and consumers' ease of identification.

ANSI C78.79-2014 may be purchased for $125 in electronic or hardcopy format on the NEMA website.

NEMA is the association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia. Its 400-plus member 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.