FDrive A GUIDE TO E MARKING & BULB QUALITY | страница 2

A guide to E marking & bulb quality

INTRODUCTION
It’s a fact the simple Autobulb is a safety critical
component of any vehicle on the road today.
Often overlooked, it’s a key part of providing
the right light ahead on a dark road or warning
other road users a driver is braking or about to
change direction. As it is vital to operate safely
the bulbs must be manufactured to
International Standards.

Bulb vibration testing

ECE Regulation 37
The Standard is ECE Regulation 37 more commonly shortened to the “E” mark. ECE Regulation 37 details exact
specifications that cover the light output, filament geometry, voltage and wattage and the size and shape of
the bulb.
The light output specification ensures the correct level of illumination from the light assembly. Too bright and
you could dazzle other road users. Too dim and you may simply not be able to see the way ahead.
Filament geometry specification ensures the correct alignment of the light source, (the filament, in the light
assembly) ensuring the light source is correctly focused for optimum light output.
Voltage and wattage specification ensures the bulb can safely be fitted to a vehicle’s electrical system without
overloading the switching or wiring harnesses.
Size and shape specification ensures the bulb fits correctly into a light unit or assembly.

THE STANDARD AROUND THE WORLD
Each country that has signed up to ECE Regulation 37 is
authorised via a government agency to issue E approvals with
a unique number. In the case of the UK the issuing agency is
the VCA. The numbers are issued in sequence as countries
join and issue approvals to the regulation. For instance,
Germany uses E1, France E2, UK E11, Korea E51.
Approvals can only be granted once the product and the
manufacturing process has been tested and verified by an
independent test laboratory. These test laboratories are
located across the world and test to the same ECE Regulation
37 standards. The testing or manufacturing may not be in the
country that issues the E approval. Therefore, it is possible to
have products made in Taiwan, tested in China and issued
with a German approval number.
The approval number also does not indicate the country of
origin, nor does it carry any indication of perceived quality, as
all the approvals are granted to the same specification and
testing regimes.

Ring Automotive Limited

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