It’s not often a quiet day for a lighting supplier when a tender deadline is near. The product is ready, and BIS registration is in place. Then the technical specification demands test reports you don't have, such as IP ratings, IK ratings and surge protection results.

This is where lamp and luminaries testing services makes practical sense. Buyers may ask for reports on ingress protection, impact resistance and surge performance in addition to BIS requirements. The exact requirements depend on the tender and product type. This post explains each check in plain language and how to plan the tests early. 

What a Tender Asks For Beyond BIS

BIS registration confirms that a product meets the applicable requirements for its category. A tender is a purchase document that may include extra conditions based on where the light will be installed. A street light on a highway faces different conditions than a ceiling light in an office. This is why testing of luminaries may involve additional reports even when the product has valid BIS registration. 

It is a legal requirement of every seller. That tender condition only applies to that tender. Not every tender calls for every test.

Read the technical specification before booking anything. Search for: 

·         What the buyer wants to rate 

·         The standard each report must reference 

·         If the report needs to mention your exact model 

·         if the lab should be accredited or recognised 

Ingress Protection Under IS/IEC 60529: IP65 vs IP66 for Outdoor Fittings 

The IP code consists of two digits. The first one is dust. The second is on water. The 6 is for dust for both IP65 and IP66. This means that the fitting is dust tight. They differ in the water digit. 5 means water jets. A 6 is water jets that are strong.

So IP66 is the harder water test. A test of an IP66 luminaire may be appropriate for fittings exposed to hard spray or high-pressure cleaning or heavy rain. Elsewhere, IP65 may be sufficient. Neither rating is right for all sites. Depends on the installation environment and the tender. 

Luminaires testing at environmental testing laboratories checks potential weak points, such as gaskets, cable glands and housing joints. The laboratory conducts the relevant water test to check whether water enters the fitting. 

Impact Resistance Under IEC 62262: Choosing IK07, IK08 or IK10 

The IK code is for impact resistance of a building. Higher number = more impact energy. IK07 is 2 joules. IK08 is a short form for 5 joules. IK10 is 20 joules.

Outdoor fittings may face impacts from stones, tools, careless handling or vandalism. Testing of luminaries can include an IK08 impact test to check whether a fitting withstands the specified impact level. 

The rating you need depends on the location and the build. So does the spec of the project. Make sure the report states the model you are selling.

Surge and EMC Checks for LED Drivers 

An LED driver is an electronic device. Power lines can get sudden spikes in voltage. They can be formed by nearby lightning. A sharp spike can injure the driver. 

Surge testing of LED luminaires involves applying high-voltage pulses to the input and checking whether the luminaire continues to work. An LED light testing lab in India can help manufacturers identify the applicable test requirements. Surge testing differs from EMC testing for lighting products, which checks the interference a luminaire produces and how well it handles external interference. Surge immunity is one part of this assessment. 

Check the standard and test level and set-up against your tender. BIS registration does not necessarily include surge testing. And each of the models is not covered by one report.

Building a Test Plan for a Luminaire Family 

Start with a list. Before you call a lab, put these on: 

·         Product category, model numbers and application 

·         housing, seals, lenses, mounting, and driver differences 

·         The standards and the IP and the IK and the surge and the EMC checks required 

·         Tender deadline and sample quantity and technical documentation 

·         If the report is on the exact model that you are going to be offering 

They may not give the same results even if the lights look similar. Another driver or gasket can change the result. 

Street light testing lab work and flood light testing could be similar in housing design. They still have to measure themselves by their own standards. 

BIS has released 2026 editions of parts of IS 10322, and IS 16102 Part 1 may also have been updated. Confirm which editions your tender refers to before testing. Testing requirements vary across product categories, including those covered by Household Appliances Testing Services. See ACE’s blog on LED luminaire standards for more information. [Internal link placeholder: ACE’s blog on LED luminaire standards. URL to be provided by ACE before publication.] 

Why Choose ACE Test Labs? 

ACE Test Labs & Metrology Pvt. Ltd., is an accredited product testing lab in Sonipat, Haryana. Our luminaire testing lab in India offers testing for floodlights as per applicable requirements and also covers IS 16102 Part 1. We state that the lab is NABL-accredited. Before booking, confirm that the current NABL testing lab accreditation scope covers the exact tests required for your product.

You can contact our team directly to check whether these tests are currently available and covered by the relevant scope. A BIS test lab can help with applicable product testing, but ACE does not guarantee tender acceptance or a passing result. Check the accreditation scope against the exact standard specified in your tender. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1.    What IP rating does a street light need? 

Depending on the installation environment and the tender specification. It also depends on the applicable product requirements. “There’s not one rating for every street light. Follow the rating of your tender names

2.    What does IK08 mean? 

IK08 is a class of impact protection according to IEC 62262. It is equivalent to 5 joules of impact energy. It says nothing at all about dust or water. They are in the IP code. 

3.    Is surge testing part of BIS for luminaires? 

Don’t assume it. It is contingent upon the BIS scheme and the product standard. It also depends on the tender. See if your case needs a stand-alone surge test. 

Lighting suppliers are invited to contact ACE Test Labs to discuss their product type and tender requirements. The team can also discuss the scope of testing. 

About the Author 

Dimpy Narang is a Content Writer at ACE Test Labs. She writes about product testing, safety standards and Electronics & IT testing services, helping manufacturers understand testing processes, regulatory requirements and product documentation.