Regulation .09 Lighting.
Regulation .09 Lighting.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Definitions.
(1)
“Asymmetrical beam (nonsymmetrical)” means a beam in which both sides are not symmetrical with respect to the median vertical plane of the beam. All lower beams are asymmetrical.
(2)
“Auxiliary driving lamp, auxiliary upper beam lamp, or auxiliary high beam lamp” means a lighting device mounted to provide illumination forward of the vehicle and intended to supplement the upper beam of a standard headlamp system. It is not intended for use alone or with the lower beam of a standard headlamp system.
(3)
“Backup lamp” means a lamp used to provide illumination behind the vehicle, and to provide an indicator when the vehicle is in reverse gear.
(4)
“Charge indicator” means a light, gauge, or other source indicating battery charge remaining.
(5)
“Cornering lamp” means a steadily burning lamp used when the turn signal system is operating to supplement the headlamps by providing additional road illumination in the direction of the turn.
(6)
“Emergency warning lamp” means a lamp that provides a flashing light to identify an authorized vehicle on an emergency mission. The emergency signal may be an oscillating lamp, a rotating beacon, or pairs of alternately or simultaneously flashing lamps.
(7)
“Fog lamp” means a lamp that may be used with the lower beam headlights to provide illumination under condition of rain, snow, dust, or fog.
(8)
“Hazard warning lamp” means a turn signal lamp that flashes simultaneously to warn of the presence of a vehicular hazard.
(9)
Headlamps.
(a)
5 3/4 Inch Round Sealed Beam Unit.
(i)
“Type 1 sealed beam” means a sealed beam unit 5 3/4 inches in diameter having a single filament and providing only an upper beam distribution of light. This unit is identified by the number 1 on the lens and is aimed on the upper beam.
(ii)
“Type 2 sealed beam unit” means a sealed beam unit 5 3/4 inches in diameter having two filaments, one filament providing the lower beam and one filament providing fill-in light for the upper beam. This unit is identified by the number 2 on the lens and is aimed on the lower beam.
(b)
"7 inch round sealed beam unit" means a sealed beam unit 7 inches in diameter providing an upper and lower beam. This unit is identified by the number 2 on the lens and is aimed on the lower beam. If there is no identifying number on the lens, it means the sealed beam unit is 7 inches in diameter providing upper and lower beams.
(c)
"8 inch by 5 inch rectangular sealed beam unit" means a sealed beam unit providing an upper and lower beam. This unit is identified by the number 2B on the lens and is aimed on the lower beam.
(d)
6 1/2 by 4 1/4 Inch Rectangular Sealed Beam Unit.
(i)
“Type 1A” means a sealed beam unit having a single filament and providing only an upper beam distribution of light. The unit is identified by the number 1A on the lens and is aimed on the upper beam.
(ii)
“Type 2A” means a sealed beam unit having two filaments, one of which provides fill-in light for the upper beam. This unit is identified by the number 2A on the lens and is aimed on the lower beam.
(e)
5.93 X 3.64 inch Rectangular Sealed Beam Units.
(i)
“Type LF” means a sealed beam unit having a single beam filament and providing only a lower beam distribution of light. The unit is identified by the designation LF on the lens.
(ii)
“Type UF” means a sealed beam unit having a single beam filament and providing only an upper beam distribution of light. The unit is identified by the designation UF on the lens.
(f)
“Replaceable bulb headlamp” means a headlamp unit comprised of one or two replaceable standard light sources such as a bulb and a headlamp housing or a lens/reflector unit.
(10)
“Headlamp lower beam” means a distribution of light as directed to avoid glare in the eyes of oncoming drivers while providing illumination ahead of the vehicle, and intended for use in congested areas and on highways when meeting other vehicles within a distance of 500 feet.
(11)
“Headlamp upper beam” means a distribution of light intended primarily for distant illumination and for use on the open highway when not meeting other vehicles.
(12)
“Indicator lamp” means a lamp visible to the operator of a vehicle that indicates:
(a)
Appropriate electrical circuits are in operation;
(b)
Malfunction of vehicle performance; and
(c)
Requirement for remedial action by the operator of the vehicle.
(13)
“Lamp” means a device used to produce artificial light.
(14)
“Lane changer” means a device, usually incorporated in the turn signal switch, which will actuate the turn signal lamps when held by the driver. It is intended for momentary use for signaling a lane change. When released by the operator, it will return to neutral and deactivate the signal lamp.
(15)
“License-plate lamp” means a lamp used to illuminate the license plate on the rear of a vehicle.
(16)
“Operating units or switches” means devices by which the functioning of lamps is controlled.
(17)
“Parking lamp” means lamps used to designate the front of a parked vehicle.
(18)
“Reflective device” means a device used on vehicles to give an indication to an approaching driver by reflected light from the headlamps of approaching vehicles.
(19)
“SAE Lighting Identification Code” means a series of standardized markings for lighting devices that a manufacturer or a supplier may use to mark a product to indicate the SAE lighting standard or standards to which the device is designed to conform. The code is not intended to limit the manufacturer or supplier in applying other markings to the devices.
(20)
“Sealed beam headlamp assembly” means a major lighting device used to provide general illumination ahead of the vehicle. It consists of the following:
(a)
One or more sealed beam units (bulb assembly);
(b)
Means for mounting securely to the vehicle; and
(c)
Means to permit required aim adjustment.
(21)
“Sealed beam unit” means an integral and hermetically sealed optical assembly with the name “Sealed Beam” molded in the lens.
(22)
“Side marker lamp” means a lamp on the left and right sides, beamed to the side and intended to indicate vehicle length. They are located near the front and rear on each side and, for vehicles 30 feet or more in overall length, are also located at the midpoint (intermediate side marker).
(23)
“Stop lamp” means a lamp giving a steady warning light to the rear of the vehicle, to indicate the intention of the operator of the vehicle to reduce speed or stop.
(24)
“Symmetrical beam” means one in which both sides are symmetrical with respect to the median vertical plane of the beam. Lamps having symmetrical beams are:
(a)
5 3/4 inch diameter type 1, 1C, or 1C1;
(b)
5 3/4 inch diameter type 2, 2C, or 2C1 (upper beam filament);
(c)
6 1/2 by 4 1/4 inch type 1A or 1A1;
(d)
6 1/2 by 4 1/4 inch type 2A, 2A1, 2G1, 2E1, or 2H1 (upper beam filament);
(e)
8 by 5 inch type 2B or 2B1 (upper beam filament);
(f)
All 7 inch diameter units (upper beam filament); and
(g)
Replaceable bulb headlamp (upper beam filament).
(25)
“Tail lamp” means a lamp used to designate the rear of a vehicle.
(26)
“Turn signal lamp” means a lamp that provides a flashing warning light to indicate the intended direction of the turn.
Agency Note: The following are some examples of replaceable bulb headlamps, Type—HB1—9004 (low and high beam); HB2—9003 (low and high beam); HB3—9005 (high beam); HB4—9006 (low beam); and HB5—9007 (low and high beam). For more information and a complete list of replaceable bulb headlamps, consult an automotive lighting reference or specification guide, or vehicle manufacturer.
B.
General Lamp and Reflector Inspection. This includes all original or required equipment, exterior lighting plus whatever lights are authorized.
(3)
Aim Inspection.
C.
Headlamps. Only low beam headlamps are currently required on low speed vehicles. If a low speed vehicle is equipped with high and low beam headlamps, both lamps are required to function. A low beam headlamp shall have a minimum of 3,500 candlepower and a high beam headlamp a minimum of 5,000 candlepower. Headlamps that incorporate both high and low beam in the same assembly will be aligned on low beam. Headlamp inspection and aiming by computer image processing method requires a level area sufficient for the vehicle and test equipment. The test equipment shall be accurately calibrated to the floor and accurately aligned to the vehicle.
(2)
High Beam. Required to function, if so equipped. Inspect aim of high beam lamp only if high beam lamp has separate adjustment from low beam lamp.
(3)
Non-Headlamps. Lighting installed by the vehicle manufacturer and used as headlamps, which are not properly marked as headlamps, excluding multibeam road lighting (high and low beam headlamps) that are improperly marked, or are types of lamps identified as other than headlamps. See Agency Note in §C Headlamps.
D.
Fog Lamp and Auxiliary Driving Lamps. Only one spot lamp is allowed. It is not considered an auxiliary driving lamp and has no set mounting height by law. Therefore, it need not be inspected. If a vehicle is equipped with either fog lamps or auxiliary driving lamps, they shall be properly aimed. Fog lamps shall be mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height not more than 30 inches or less than 12 inches above the level surface on which the vehicle stands. Only two fog lamps are allowed by law. Auxiliary driving lamps shall be mounted on the front of the vehicle at a height not more than 42 inches or less than 16 inches above the level surface on which the vehicle stands. Only two auxiliary lamps are allowed by law. The mounting heights of auxiliary driving lamps do not apply to emergency vehicles. Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with required headlamps also is equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on its front, projecting a beam of intensity greater than 300 candlepower, not more than four of these lamps on the front of a vehicle may be lighted at any one time when on a highway.
E.
SAE Identification Code (J759 SAE Handbook).
(1)
The following list is an identifying code for lights and signaling devices:
(2)
All equipment for testing headlamps shall comply with the Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice for Headlamp Inspection Equipment.