Green Frog Systems luminaires pass ANSI C136.31-2010 Luminaire Vibration Test, paving the way for use on roadways by US Department of Transport.
With the growing usage of solar powered technology on roadways its important that a solar lighting fixture can withstand the harsh conditions it will endure on top of a pole. International standards have been created that directly assess the suitability of a luminaire to endure the constant effects of high winds and heavy traffic whilst operating reliably reliable in a roadway use situation.
Solar lighting fixtures are considerably heavier than a mains powered light fixture, and so the strength and the design of the mount and internal structures is even more important.
Green Frog Systems have just certified our latest range of products through the rigorous ANSI C136.31 vibration testing standard. Our ongoing development and testing ensures that only the safest, most reliable solar street lights carry the Green Frog Systems name.
The vibration testing (conducted by TUV Rheinland) simulates the vibration levels that may be induced upon a luminaire by Wind and Traffic vibration transfer from vehicles on roadways, bridges, or overpasses.
The testing involves locating the central balance point of the luminaire then identifying the fundamental resonant frequency of each luminaire on each of the X,Y and Z planes.
The luminaire is then mounted onto an exciter plate and vibrated with 3G acceleration intensities, for 100,000 cycles on each of the planes. After 300,000 cycles, each luminaire is thoroughly inspected for any signs of fatigue cracking or structural failure.
Each bolt is then tested to ensure that all mounting bolts retain torque settings of at least 80% of the specified setting before and after the test.
ANSI C136.31 Luminaire vibration is the standard that covers the vibration test methods for roadway luminaires and area luminaires and the minimum vibration withstand capability.
What is ANSI C136.31 Luminaire Compliance Testing?
ANSI C136.31 testing specifies a luminaire as a complete lighting unit consisting of a lamp or lamps, or solid-state light source, together with the parts designed to distribute the light, to position and protect the lamp(s), and connect the lamp(s) to the power supply.
The types of vibration are limited to externally induced vibration including wind-induced vibration and traffic-induced vibration. ANSI-C136.31 does not pertain to or address natural or catastrophic disasters.
The specific ANSI C136.31 roadway light test plan depends on the application of the luminaire. If the luminaire is to be placed on a bridge or overpass, the luminaire system is to be tested at 3.0 G. All other applications of luminaire systems shall be tested at 1.5 G.
The luminaire shall be vibrated at or near the fundamental resonant frequency. This frequency shall be determined for each of the three mutually perpendicular planes (x, y, and z) and should be between 2 and 30 hertz.
During the vibration test, the frequency and displacement is closely monitored. A major change in frequency or displacement is an indication of structural failure. ANSI-C136.31 tests require that the luminaire is capable of withstanding the vibration for 100,000 cycles on each plane.
