From the housing to the socket on top.
Learning Track · Module 2: Luminaires · Step 6 of 101
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| Part | What it does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Holds all parts. Usually die-cast aluminium. | Corrosion protection. Coastal-grade finish near the sea. |
| Heat sink | Moves heat away from the LEDs | Fins clear of dirt and nests |
| LED module | A board with many LED packages | Replaceable on site |
| Optic | Lenses or reflectors that send light to the road | Distribution for your road width and spacing |
| Cover | Flat glass or polycarbonate over the optic | Glass resists yellowing and UV better |
| Driver | Converts mains to LED current | Dimming interface, programme, surge rating |
| Surge protector | Protects the driver and LEDs | kV rating, status indicator |
| Controller socket | Receptacle for a node or photocell | Zhaga Book 18 or ANSI C136.41. See Sockets. |
| Mounting | Fixes the luminaire to the arm or post top | Spigot size, tilt, wind load |
| Gaskets and gland | Keep water and dust out | IP rating, gland size |
Middle East: In hot climates, heat decides the life of the luminaire. Ask for the rated ambient temperature (ta) of at least +50 °C, and the driver case temperature at that ambient.
South Asia: Ask for a surge rating of 10 kV or more. Supply surges and lightning are common causes of driver failure in the region.
Note
Ask if a technician can change the driver and LED module on site with normal tools. This decides your repair cost for the next 20 years.
Sources
- IEC 60598-2-3 Luminaires for road and street lighting
- Zhaga Book 15 and Book 18
Changes: 30 October 2026: First publication: guides for Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the USA; failure library; tender clause library; comparisons; tools; downloads. See the changelog. Found a mistake? Report it.