Electrical characteristics are indicated on luminaires to ensure reliable, trouble-free operation. This makes it possible to establish whether a luminaire that is selected for an application is indeed suitable for that application.

Take moisture protection, for example. Luminaires installed in dry interiors do not need to be protected against moisture. In a bathroom and outdoors, however, that protection is imperative.

Major electrical characteristics include:

• protection against dangerous contact voltage: three classes of protection are defined here.
• protection against the ingress of solid foreign bodies and moisture: 14 degrees of protection are defined here.
• electromagnetic compatibility (EMC),
• fire safety
• impact resistance: in indoor sports facilities, luminaires need to be protected against mechanical damage by flying balls. The standard test involves exposing a luminaire to 36 shots with a handball from three directions. The maximum impact velocity is 60 km/h.