What is BS EN 4731 - LED luminaires about ?
BS EN 4731 is an international standard that defines a measure for the spectral quality of LED luminaires in terms of the ratio of the amount of visual light emitted by the luminaire versus the amount effective for charging photoluminescent products contained in that spectrum.
Fulfilment of BS EN 4731 by a LED luminaire will ensure general compatibility of the luminaire with photoluminescent marking systems.
BS EN 4731 alone does not provide any means of compliance to fulfil any airworthiness requirements.
For a specific aircraft installation, the spectral power distribution and illuminance at the photoluminescent marking systems are relevant.
Who is BS EN 4731 - LED luminaires for ?
BS EN 4731 on LED luminaires is applicable for:
- Aerospace avionic electrical and fibre optic technology
- Manufacturers of LED luminaires
- Aerospace and defence industries
- Designers of LED luminaire
- Airplanes manufacturers
- Design engineers for airplanes
Why should you use BS EN 4731 - LED luminaires ?
LED luminaires are lighting unit consisting of LED-based light-emitting elements and a matched driver together with parts to distribute light, to position and protect the light-emitting elements, and to connect the unit to a branch circuit.
Photoluminescent marking systems are commonly used in passenger airplanes to provide visual guidance in emergency events. Those marking systems need to be charged by ambient light during cabin preparation and/ or aircraft operation as to be operational if, at any phase of a flight, an emergency occurs.
While the certification regulations require photoluminescent marking system to be sufficiently charged solely by cabin interior lighting, i.e., without accounting for daylight entering the cabin through windows, only certain portions of the visual light spectrum emitted by a cabin interior luminaire are stored by the photoluminescent pigment and thus contribute to charging. Thus, BS EN 4731 guides you in designing a photoluminescent marking system with LED luminaires.
