EN 308 Cabin Lighting and Visual Comfort Testing
The European Standard EN 308 specifies requirements for cabin lighting in civil aircraft to ensure a high level of visual comfort, safety, and well-being for passengers. This standard applies to all types of commercial passenger aircraft, including regional jets, narrow-body, and wide-body planes.
Visual discomfort can arise from poor lighting design that causes glare or insufficient illumination, which may lead to eye strain, headaches, and reduced visibility in critical situations. Compliance with EN 308 ensures that cabin lighting systems are optimized for both daytime and nighttime operations while minimizing potential hazards to passengers and crew.
The standard covers various aspects of cabin lighting, including:
- Lighting levels and uniformity
- Glare control
- Color rendering index (CRI)
- Temporal luminance variations (TLV) during takeoff and landing phases
- Emergency lighting requirements
The testing procedure outlined in EN 308 involves measuring the cabin environment under different conditions to ensure that all lighting parameters meet specified criteria. This includes:
- Installation of a calibrated light meter at specific locations within the cabin.
- Measurement of illuminance, color temperature, and CRI at various points using standardized procedures.
- Evaluation of TLV during critical phases such as takeoff and landing.
- Inspection of emergency lighting systems to confirm they function correctly under power failure conditions.
The scope and methodology for EN 308 testing are detailed in the following table:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Cabin Lighting Levels | The standard specifies minimum and maximum levels of illuminance for different zones within the cabin, ensuring adequate lighting without causing discomfort. |
| Glare Control | Tests are conducted to ensure that there is no excessive glare from any source, which might impair visibility or cause visual strain. |
| Color Rendering Index (CRI) | The color rendering properties of the lighting system are assessed using standardized test samples and compared against acceptable thresholds. |
| Temporal Luminance Variations | Measurements are taken during critical phases like takeoff and landing to ensure that TLV does not exceed permissible limits, thus preventing visual discomfort for passengers. |
| Emergency Lighting Systems | Testing includes checking the functionality of emergency lighting systems under power failure conditions to ensure safety in critical situations. |
Scope and Methodology
The scope of EN 308 Cabin Lighting and Visual Comfort Testing encompasses the evaluation of cabin lighting systems for compliance with European safety standards. The methodology involves a series of precise measurements and evaluations aimed at ensuring that all aspects of cabin lighting meet the specified criteria.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Cabin Lighting Levels | The standard specifies minimum and maximum levels of illuminance for different zones within the cabin, ensuring adequate lighting without causing discomfort. |
| Glare Control | Tests are conducted to ensure that there is no excessive glare from any source, which might impair visibility or cause visual strain. |
| Color Rendering Index (CRI) | The color rendering properties of the lighting system are assessed using standardized test samples and compared against acceptable thresholds. |
| Temporal Luminance Variations | Measurements are taken during critical phases like takeoff and landing to ensure that TLV does not exceed permissible limits, thus preventing visual discomfort for passengers. |
| Emergency Lighting Systems | Testing includes checking the functionality of emergency lighting systems under power failure conditions to ensure safety in critical situations. |
Benefits
- Enhanced Safety: Ensures that passengers and crew are not exposed to glare or insufficient lighting, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Better Passenger Experience: Provides a comfortable environment for passengers, enhancing their overall travel experience.
