Complete light output and color evaluation in one location
Today’s lighting systems do more than just illuminate our surroundings. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), complex digital controls, and power electronics increase energy efficiency and customize output performance.
From aviation to automotive lighting testing, Elite’s photometric testing lab is fully equipped with state-of-the-art measurement equipment to make sure you get accurate and repeatable results on your schedule. Our photometric testing lab offers broad measurement capabilities and ISO 17025 accreditation to meet FMVSS, SAE, FAA, ICAO, IES, MIL-STD, and other common industry specifications as well as customer-defined requirements. For automotive lighting testing, Elite offers complete testing of exterior lighting, warning lights, and interior displays in one location. In addition to steady light sources, we can accommodate flashing sources to measure Peak and Effective Intensity, Flash Energy, and Optical Power. We can also design and build custom mounting fixtures to support lamps, luminaries, LED sources, and complete lighting systems while under test.
3 Reasons to Choose Elite for Photometric Testing
ISO 17025 Accredited Testing
- Automotive Lighting Testing – FMVSS 108, GMW14906, SAE J575, J2139, J1889, J578
- Aviation Lighting – FAA Part 23/25/27/29, SAE AS8037, AS8017, AS25050
- Airport Ground and Obstruction Lighting – Certification and Qualification Testing for FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5345 Series, EB-67D, ICAO Annex 14, Canada TP312
- Warning Lights – SAE J845, J595, NFPA 1901, GSA-1822F
- LED Lamps and Luminaires – IES LM-79 (Sections 9 and 12), TM-30, DesignLights Consortium (DLC) flux and color
- Handheld Flashlights and Headlamps – ANSI/PLATO FL 1-2019 Light Output, Beam Intensity/Distance, Run Time, Impact and Water Resistance
Industry Approvals
As a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Third-Party Certification Body for all product types covered by the FAA Airport Lighting Equipment Certification Program (ALECP), we can test and list your products quickly in our photometric testing lab..
Elite is an approved photometric testing laboratory for the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) product qualification program, providing IES LM-79 luminous flux and color measurements.
Equipped for Signal Lights and More
Our specialty is signal lighting for automotive, aerospace, and airport ground lighting applications. But our knowledge and equipment extends to marine lanterns, flashlights, displays, instrument clusters, and switches to evaluate lighting performance and NVIS compatibility.
Contact us to find out how we can assist with your specific test requirements.
Photometric Testing Capabilities
Complete Test Facility DetailsAdvanced Equipment for Trusted Results
- Type A goniophotometer with 62 ft test distance.
- 2-meter integrating sphere with spectroradiometer for 4pi and 2pi geometries.
- High-sensitivity spectroradiometer for luminance/radiance down to 0.17 mm spots and extremely low-light levels.
- NIST-traceable calibration for all instruments.
- Integrated power supply and analyzer with software control.
- Custom mounting fixtures for every application.
Specialized Measurements for Every Application

- Obstruction Lighting Infrared (IR) – FAA AC 150/5345-43J IR radiant intensity verification in the 800-900 nm band.
- Instrument Panels & Displays – Luminance and radiance down to 0.17 mm spot size and extremely low-light levels.
- NVIS Compatibility – MIL-STD-3009 NVIS radiance on instrument panels, flat panel displays, and indicator lights.
- Aircraft Covert Lighting – Infrared (IR) radiant intensity verification for “covert” and “dual-mode” exterior lighting.
- Railway – FRA Locomotive Headlight Safety Requirements (49 CFR 229.125) for minimum intensity and beam pattern.
- Horticulture Lighting – Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) measurements or PPF, PPFD, PRF, Photon Efficiency, and Irradiance.
Light Measurements to Meet Your Needs

- Photometry – Luminous Flux (lumens), Intensity (candela), Illuminance (lux, foot-candles), Luminance (candela/square meter, foot-lambert), Flash Energy (candela-seconds), Optical Power (candela-seconds/minute)
- Radiometry – Radiant Flux (Watts), Intensity (Watts/sr), Irradiance (Watts/square meter), Radiance (Watts/square meter-sr), NVIS Radiance (NRa, NRb)
- Colorimetry – CIE Chromaticity Coordinates, Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), Color Rendering Index (CRI), IES TM-30-15
- Spectral – Flux (Watts/nm), Intensity (Watts/sr-nm), Irradiance/Radiance (Watts/square meter/nm), Peak & Dominant Wavelengths
- Electrical – Efficacy (lumens/watt), Voltage, Current, Power, Power Factor, etc.
Ready to Connect with an Elite Expert?
Our testing experts are available to answer your questions about our capabilities. Connect with us to discuss your requirements.
Our Photometric Testing Specialists
Industry standards and regulatory requirements for transportation lighting are complex, so rely of our experts to answer your questions. Elite’s experts staff one of few labs equipped to give you the trusted results you need for your automotive and aerospace lighting equipment.

Dan Mon
Technical Sales Engineer

Kevin Halpin
Deputy Quality Manager / Project Engineer

Brad DeGrave
FAA Program Administrator / Senior Mechanical Engineer