5.

TESTING PROCEDURES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR NAVIGATION LIGHTS

5.1

COLLISION REGULATIONS, ANNEX I STANDARDS

5.1.1

Samples

5.1.1.1

Samples submitted for testing shall be representative of the devices as regularly manufactured and marketed.

5.1.2

Bulbs

5.1.2.1

Lights shall be tested using the types of bulbs specified to be used by the manufacturer.  They shall be selected for accuracy as to filament position and shall be operated at the specified lumen output.

5.1.2.2

Alternately the lights may be tested using selected bulbs to place the filament at the lowest, the mean and the maximum vertical position and operated at design voltage.

5.1.3

Photometric Testing ^

5.1.3.1

The light shall be mounted on a two axis-goniometer so that the “horizontal” motion table is supported by the vertical motion supports, (see diagram 2).

5.1.3.2  

Alternatively the light may be mounted on a horizontal rotating plate and the sensor moved vertically to obtain vertical displacements.  During this period the distance between the centre of the light filament and the sensor must be kept constant.

5.1.3.3

Positional measurements shall be accurate to ±0.25 degrees.

5.1.3.4

Sensor to filament distance and sensor aperture size (or sensor acceptance angle) shall be selected to ensure that the sensor acceptance angle at the light is smaller than the smallest increment of motion that will be used in determining critical measurements.  Cut-off angles and measurements made in the vicinity of lens deformities and support obstructions are examples of such critical measurements.

5.1.3.5

Sufficient readings shall be taken, particularly in the vicinity of lens deformities and support obstructions and when defining screen cut-offs, to adequately determine compliance.

5.1.3.6

Polar diagram recorders shall not be used in determining satisfactory cut-offs unless the recorder sensitivity and zero base line can be adjusted such that angles can be read to an accuracy of ±0.25 degrees at a light level equivalent to 10 per cent of the minimum required candela.

5.1.3.7

A suggested procedure would be to perform five (5) horizontal scans each covering the full arc of visibility at 0 degrees, ±5 degrees and ±7.5 degrees of elevation, and plotting on an x-y co-ordinate system.  The areas in the vicinity of screen cut-offs could be plotted on an expanded scale as an aid in determining compliance.

5.1.3.8

The sensor shall be corrected by suitable filters to that of the standard CIE observer and shall be calibrated against a NRCC laboratory or another recognized national laboratory traceable standard lamp.

5.1.3.9

The response of the sensor and measuring amplifier shall be such that the rise time and decay time are approximately equal and sufficiently fast to reach 100 per cent of the incident light intensity when a step function is applied at a rate equal to the proposed sampling rate.

5.1.4

Chromaticity Testing ^

The colour of the light being emitted from the device shall be checked using one of the following methods.

5.1.4.1 

Visual Method ^

The colour of the light from the device is compared visually with the colour of the light from a standard.  The standard consists of a filter, the colour of which is determined spectra-chromatically, illuminated by a CIE source A.  The chromaticity coordinates of the standard filters shall be as close as possible to the limits of the appropriate colour under test.

5.1.4.2

Tristimulus Method ^

In the method, photo-electric receivers, with filters to match the spectral responses of the CIE standard spectral tristimulus valves, are used to make colour measurements.  The light being emitted may be collected in an intergrating sphere which in turn is used to illuminate the photo-electric receivers.  If a two-beam telecolorimeter is used, portions of the light beam may be directed onto a pressed magnesium block from which the telecolorimeter will receive its input.

5.1.4.3 

Spectroradiometric or Spectrophotometric Method ^

In these methods the actual spectral energy distribution is measured from which the chromaticity coordinates are computed.  Any shift resulting from the sphere shall be corrected by filters, correction factor, or appropriate calibration.  Sufficient portions of the beam shall be checked to obtain an overall colour measurement.

5.1.4.4

Precautions ^

1. The lamp shall be allowed to reach operating temperature before measurements are made.
   
   
2. Measurements should be made in as many directions as required to define the characteristics of the light.
   
   
3. Testing shall be done at such a distance, between the test instrument and the device, so that no further increase in distance will affect the measurement.
   
   
4. The entire light emitting surface of the device must be visible from any point on the entrance window of the test instrument.

5.1.5

Mechanical And Environmental Testing ^

5.1.5.1

Mechanical Strength ^

To ensure adequate mechanical strength for sea-going service and dimensional stability of the device, tests representative of the service to which the vessel will be subjected, shall be carried out.

5.1.5.2

Temperature ^

Lights shall be operated at ambient temperatures of 50 degrees C, 30 degrees C and -25 degrees C.  Once temperature stabilization has been achieved at each of these three temperature stages, the lights shall be checked for distortion and damage.  In addition, lights shall be cold soaked to -40 degrees C in a non-operating condition to check for permanent distortion or damage.

5.1.5.3

Water Resistance ^

Prior to water impingement testing, lamps shall be removed and replaced.  The light shall be energized at rated voltage for a period of 1 hour a approximately 25±2 degrees C.  A solid stream of water from a nozzle not less than 25.4 mm in diameter and under a pressure of 103.4 kPa, measured at the nozzle, is to be directed at the enclosure from a distance of 3.1 metres for a period of 5 minutes.  The water temperature of the stream measured at the nozzle shall be 10 degrees C.

On completion of the test, the outside of the light is to be dried with a cloth and the enclosure then opened and examined for any evidence of leakage and for cracked or broken lenses or globes due to the impingement of cold water on the heated assembly.  There shall be no evidence of liquid leakage or evidence of thermal shock damage to lamps, lenses or seals.

5.1.5.4

Salt Spray ^

The light shall be subjected to a Salt Fog Corrosion Test in accordance with ASTM Standard B117-73, Method of Salt Spray (Fog) Testing, for 2 hours, using a 5 per cent salt solution.  Subsequently, the light is to be placed in a high humidity chamber (relative humidity 95±5 per cent) at 35 degrees C for a 24 hour period.  The light is then to be stored at normal ambient conditions (25 degrees C with a relative humidity of 50±5 per cent) for 3 days after which the light shall still be mechanically and electrically operative.

5.1.5.5

Vibration ^

The light is to be mounted to a rigid test fixture in a vertical position simulating a normal ship installation.  The light is to be operable throughout the test.

The light sample is to be subjected to a variable frequency test in each of three rectilinear orientation axes (horizontal, lateral, and vertical) for a period of 2 hours in each axial position (total 6 hours) at a peak-to-peak amplitude of 0.51±0.03 mm.  The vibration table shall be automatically cycled between 5 and 60 hertz (Hz) every 5 minutes.  For this test, peak-to-peak amplitude is defined as the maximum displacement of sinusoidal motion (i.e. total table displacement).

The light shall not fail to function during the test and there shall be no evidence of a failure of the enclosure, the mounting means, and electrical devices, or evidence of changes in spacing or orientation of components that could alter the arc of visibility.  Gaskets or other means provided to ensure weathertight or watertight construction shall not be displaced or otherwise made ineffective.  The failure of a lamp will not be cause for failure of the navigation light.

5.2

ABYC A-16 STANDARD ^

5.2.1

Testing Navigation Light Fixtures

The navigation lights to be fitted on uninspected vessels of less than 20 metres in length may be tested for compliance with the American Boat and Yacht Council A-16 Standard.