China produces more than 85% of the world’s LED lights that are energy-saving and customizable. Even though it is relatively simple, importing LEDs from China can be difficult if you do not have prior knowledge of the Chinese wholesale light market. It is critical to research and surveys the market in which we intend to establish our business.
It is vital to carry out a pre-shipment Chinese LED light inspection and stringent on-site lighting testing. By doing so, LED light distributors can better meet the LED lighting safety standards and trade laws. You’ll be able to prevent safety, functional, and performance issues. LED light manufacturers should keep in mind this when importing LED lights.
This article shares everything you need to know about the quality inspection of LED lights. Let’s dive right in!
Why Do You Need Quality Inspection When Importing LED Lights?
The lighting supplier is constantly innovating to meet consumer demands by improving design aesthetics and integrating with other technologies. LED light manufacturers must ensure that the products manufactured, shipped, and distributed under their brand name comply with industry, government, or specific requirements.
Product Quality Inspections can assist Chinese LED light manufacturers in the following ways:
- Avoid electric hazards like an electric shock or catching fire.
- Minimize late deliveries or product recalls caused by non-compliance with regulations.
- Reduce customer complaints caused by substandard products.
- Build a better brand reputation and enhance long-term sales.
Inspection Process for LED Lights Production
Inspection for Incoming Material
You can inform your LED lights suppliers to address quality issues by inspecting raw materials before production begins. After receiving product samples, LED light manufacturers will verify that their LED light factory ordered the correct materials, components, and accessories. Inspectors will randomly select and inspect partially manufactured products for potential defects before reporting their findings to customers. Light companies can provide the factory with technical advice to improve product quality and reduce the possibility of defects during production.
Production Control
The lights supplier performs routine inspections on all their LED lights throughout the manufacturing process that follow the standard operating procedure. They concentrate on the quality processes such as welding, soldering, LED chip mounting, lamp color, wiring connections, controller settings, battery test, labels, carton box print, and other special requirements specified in the SOP.
Inspection on Appearance
The Chinese LED light manufacturers have to ensure the appearance of products before selling to customers.
The list below shows the things that require inspection:
- Ensure the product has a clear and firm marking.
- The packaging is protected and trustable.
- No dust and oil on the surface.
Inspection of Structure-Function
During the LED lights inspection checking, the product structure size must fulfill the criteria of sample or design. The thickness of the glass for ultra-white tempered glass should meet the specification. Furthermore, the screw connection should be in strong and dependable condition, and the screw head is undamaged.
Parameter Test
Some parameter tests need to be done before selling the products to customers. Below is the list of some required parameter tests:
- Lumens test.
- Check the luminous efficiency of an LED light.
- Check the color temperature of the bulb.
Safety & Function Performance Test
The LED light suppliers must conduct a list of tests in the LED lighting inspection to ensure product performance and safety. We will discuss them in the next section.
List of Tests for LED Lighting Inspection
Here are the tests that the Chinese LED light manufacturers should carry out:
Rub Test On Lighting Rating Label
Most China LED light manufacturers are suggesting a rub test for LED lights. It is vital to ensure that the rating labels are well attached to the product. A rating label is a printed mark on electronic devices that usually includes specific models, voltage details, warning labels, and regulatory compliance symbols.
The rub test is easy. Below shows the procedure:
- First, soak a white cloth in water for 15 seconds and use it to rub on the rating label
- Then, use a piece of white cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol for 15 seconds to rub the rating label.
- All markings must still be visible, and the label must not peel off to pass this test.
Item Drop Test
Generally, the item drop test is only performed on portable electric luminaires such as torch lights and table lamps. You’ll be able to guarantee the safety of your customers when your product falls to the floor.
To conduct this test, a shelf-mounted unit is dropped from a height of 3 feet (91.4 cm). The luminaire will fall onto a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) thick knot-free softwood sheet, which is covered with tissue paper and supported by a hard floor.
During and after the test, the Chinese LED light manufacturers should ensure that there are:
- No emission of flame or molten metal
- No surface combustion of the product or the test
- No parts are exposed to the risk of electric shock
Endurance Testing
An endurance test is also known as a running test. It is a way to evaluate the safety and functionality of your lighting products over time.
In this test, the inspector will keep the light on with the highest setting for 4 hours. During this time, the inspector carefully monitors the product performance to look for defects. After that, they should repeat the hi-pot and full function tests to assure that the product is still safe and functional. S-1 is the recommended sample size for this test.
Hi-Pot Test For Compliance With Led Lighting Safety Standards
Hi-pot test is the abbreviation of a high-potential test for electrical products. It is one of the necessary tests for an LED lighting safety standard. Most LED light manufacturers conduct a hi-pot test on the whole sample size drawn for inspection. It helps you detect electrical or dielectric breakdowns and measure current leakage.
In general, your LED lights suppliers must provide a hi-pot tester/dielectric strength tester on-site for the inspection.
Assembly Check For LED Products
The light suppliers usually pack the LED light bulbs separately from the other parts like a lamp holder or mounting bracket. Thus, you can use an on-site assembly check to determine if the product is simple to assemble, install, and use by the customers. In this case, the quality inspectors will install the product to check whether it complies with the assembly instructions.
Torque Test For Lighting Components
The torque test determines the rotational force required to open, close, or turn these parts. It is a vital test to determine any possible quality issues. If the torque is too high, the parts may stretch and weaken. In contrast, a part with an overly low torque may easily loosen.
A torque tester, which is a piece of specialized equipment, is required for this test. In most cases, LED lights suppliers must provide the torque tester for the inspection.
Lighting Source/Integrating Sphere Test
The lighting source can be measured using metrics with an integrating sphere test. Every LED light manufacturer must own the integrating sphere system. These systems are equipped with a spectroradiometer for computing software spectral mismatch corrections.
To run the test, the inspector will insert the LED light into the integrating sphere, which is suggested to be at least three units. Then, they will monitor the results with software.
Fatigue Test For Led Lighting
The light companies’ inspector will test any product parts that are adjustable or functional during the fatigue test. This test allows you to define the long-term durability of functional parts.
Inspector needs to press buttons and switches multiple times for the fatigue test.
- First, the inspector will use the part about 20 times in a row and, depending on time constraints, up to 50 times.
- Next, they will try to look for other problems with the parts.
Internal Check Against A Component Data Form
A Component Data Form (CDF) lists critical components and their authorized manufacturers. LED light manufacturers should provide the inspector with a certified CDF for the inspection.
CDF is important because the product quality issues are not readily apparent simply by inspecting the product looks. Thus, CDF is required to certify the safety and function of LED lights.
During this test, the inspector will dismantle the product and compare the components of the products to the CDF. The comparison is made between the CDF conformity marks and the actual marks found on the product components. A reminder that this test should be performed after the function and hi-pot tests to ensure that the product can be disassembled safely.
Function Test For Lighting
A function test is also one of the most crucial lighting tests that should be applied to the whole inspection sample size. It ensures that your LED lighting product works as it should according to the user manual.
This test usually does not involve the use of any special tools. The inspector will examine all of the intended functions of the product, like:
- Switching on and off the light
- Examining lighting system
- Verifying that the light dims properly
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Test (TUV-EMC)
Electronic devices can be disrupted or damaged by high electromagnetic interference. So, the emissions of your lighting product and other products in the same environment should not affect each other.
In this case, it is vital to conduct the EMC test, which is the lighting testing for electromagnetic compatibility. This test helps assures that your LED light does not radiate too much electromagnetic interference when in use.
This test will need a sample size of five to eight units. Then, carry out this test in a separate room, preferably in a specialized EMC lighting testing chamber.
Spectrum Test Reports
The spectrum test report summarizes all the test conditions for LED lights. There are different types of spectrum test reports.
- Underwriters Laboratories (“UL“) certification verifies that the products meet safety, performance, regulatory codes, and other international standards.
- The European Commission (the “CE“) demonstrates that the products have met EU health, safety, and environmental standards.
- SASO certificate is required when you are importing lighting products into Saudi Arabia.
- SAA certifies all types of LED products that have proven to comply with the safety requirements of Australia and New Zealand.
- FCC certification is compulsive for electronic products sold in America.
- CCC certification is required to apply for LED products to be sold in China.
- BIS is a certificate required for importing LED lights into India.
- PSE certification is mainly applicable to the Japanese market.
- Importing LED lights into Korea will require KCC and ATT certification.
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (TUV-EMC) validates that the device is compatible with its electromagnetic (“EM”) environment.
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS or TUV-RoHS) is EU legislation limiting the concentration of hazardous substances in LED.
- The low voltage directive (TUV-LVD) assure the LED within certain voltage limits protects European citizens and fully benefits from the single market.
You can also look at the list of LED certifications at this link.
Below are two luminaire photometric test reports essential during the inspection process.
LM-79 testing measures the performance of products that use solid-state lighting (SSL) technology, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
The LM-80 test is a standardized method for determining the lumen depreciation of LED modules or chips over time and under specific conditions.
How to Measure Lumen Maintenance of LED Light Source?
A lumen is measured by a square meter or a lux in the metric system. A higher lumen count indicates brighter, more intense lighting, whereas a lower lumen count indicates dimmer, more gloomy lighting.
Summary
In short, it is crucial to understand the processes when importing LED lights from China. You should be clear of the customs clearance process, payment methods, transportation modes, factors to consider, and the quality inspection.
Every LED lighting inspection should include extensive lighting testing. Lighting testing helps you ensure that LED lighting safety and performance standards are met. It will ease your business and improve your brand reputation.
As a professional LED lights wholesale manufacturer in China, we provide consistently high-quality solar and LED lights. If you are still confused about how to source LED lights in China, our company is the place for you. Talk to us today and get all your queries answered!
