SURFACE J592

REV.
DEC94
VEHICLE
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
INFORMATION Issued 1937-01
REPORT Revised 1994-12

Superseding J592 JUN92

CLEARANCE, SIDE MARKER, AND IDENTIFICATION LAMPS

Foreword—This Document has also changed to comply with the new SAE Technical Standards Board format.

1. Scope—This SAE Information Report provides test procedures, requirements, and guidelines for clearance,
side marker, and identification lamps.

2. References

2.1 Applicable Publications—The following publications form a part of this specification to the extent specified
herein. The latest issue of SAE publications shall apply.

2.1.1 SAE PUBLICATIONS—Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.

SAE J567—Lamp Bulb Retention System

SAE J575—Tests for Motor Vehicle Lighting Devices and Components
SAE J576—Plastic Materials for Use in Optical Parts Such as Lenses and Reflectors of Motor Vehicle
Lighting Devices
SAE J578—Color Specification for Electric Signal Lighting Devices
SAE J759—Lighting Identification Code

2.2 Related Publications—The following publications are provided for information purposes only and are not a
required part of this document.

2.2.1 SAE PUBLICATIONS—Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.

SAE J222—Parking Lamps (Front Position Lamps)

SAE J585—Tail Lamps (Rear Position Lamps) for Use on Motor Vehicles Less Than 2032 mm in Overall
Width
SAE J586 FEB84—Stop Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles Less Than 2032 mm in Overall Width
SAE J588 NOV84—Turn Signal Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles Less Than 2032 mm in Overall Width
SAE J592—Clearance, Side Marker, and Identification Lamps
SAE J594—Reflex Reflectors
SAE J1395 APR85—Front and Rear Turn Signal Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles 2032 mm or More in
Overall Width
SAE J1398 MAY85—Stop Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width

SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”

SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS DOCUMENT: (724) 772-8512 FAX: (724) 776-0243

TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER; (724) 776-4970 FAX: (724) 776-0790
SAE WEB ADDRESS http://www.sae.org

Copyright 1994 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.

All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
 SAE J592 Revised DEC94

SAE J1957—Central High Mounted Stop Lamp Standard for Use on Vehicles Less Than 2032 mm Overall
Width
SAE J2040—Tail Lamps (Rear Position Lamps) for Use on Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width
SAE J2042—Clearance, Sidemarker, and Identification Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles 2032 mm or
More in Overall Width

2.2.2 FMVSS PUBLICATION—Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office,
Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9320.

FMVSS 108 56 FR 64733 - 64737

3. Definitions

3.1 Clearance Lamps—Lamps mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle as near as practicable to the
upper left and right extreme edges that provide light to the front or rear to indicate the overall width and height
of the vehicle.

3.2 Side Marker Lamps—Lamps mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle as near as practicable to the
front and rear edges, that provide light to the side to indicate the overall length of the vehicle. Additional lamps
may also be mounted at intermediate locations on the sides of the vehicle.

3.3 Combination Clearance and Side Marker Lamps—Single lamps which simultaneously fulfill the
performance requirements of clearance and side marker lamps.

3.4 Identification Lamps—Lamps used in groups of three, in a horizontal row, that provide light to the front or rear
or both, having lamp centers that are spaced not less than 150 mm nor more than 310 mm apart, mounted on
the permanent structure as near as practicable to the vertical centerline and the top of the vehicle to identify
vehicles 2032 mm or more in overall width.

4. Lighting Identification Code—Clearance, side marker, or identification lamps may be identified by the code
"P2," and combination clearance and marker lamps may be identified with the code "PC," and in accordance
with SAE J759.

5. Tests

5.1 SAE J575 is a part of this report. The following tests are applicable with the modifications as indicated.

5.1.1 VIBRATION TEST

5.1.2 MOISTURE TEST

5.1.3 D UST TEST

5.1.4 C ORROSION TEST

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 SAE J592 Revised DEC94

5.1.5 PHOTOMETRY TEST

5.1.5.1 Photometric tests shall be made at a lamp distance of at least 3 m. The H-V axis of a clearance lamp shall
be taken as parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The H-V axis of a combination clearance and
side marker lamp shall be taken as parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle when measuring
clearance lamp test points, and normal to this vehicle axis when measuring side marker test points. In all
cases, the H-V axis shall be taken as parallel to the surface on which the vehicle stands.

5.1.6 WARPAGE TEST ON D EVICES WITH PLASTIC COMPONENTS

5.2 Color Test—SAE J578 is a part of this report.

6. Requirements

6.1 Performance Requirements—A device which, when tested in accordance with the test procedures specified
in Section 5, shall meet the following requirements:

6.1.1 VIBRATION—SAE J575

6.1.2 MOISTURE—SAE J575

6.1.3 D UST—SAE J575

6.1.4 C ORROSION—SAE J575

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 SAE J592 Revised DEC94

6.1.5 PHOTOMETRY—SAE J575

6.1.5.1 The lamp under test shall meet the photometric performance requirements contained in Table 1 and its
footnotes. The summation of the luminous intensity measurements at the specified test points in a zone
shall be at least the value shown.

TABLE 1—PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Luminous Minimum Luminous
Intensity (cd) Intensity (cd)
Test Points(1),(2) See Notes(3) ,(4) See Notes(3),(4)
Zone (degrees) Red Yellow
45L-10U
1 45L-H 0.75 1.86
45L-10D

V-10U
2 V-H 0.75 1.86
V-10D

45R-10U
3 45R-H 0.75 1.86
45R-10D
1. Maximum luminous intensities of red clearance and identification lamps shall not exceed 18 cd within the solid cone angle
45L to 45R and 10U to 10D. When red clearance lamps are optically combined with stop or turn signal lamps, the maximum
applies only on or above horizontal. The maximum luminous intensity shall not be exceeded over any area larger than that
generated by a 0.5 degree radius within the solid cone angle prescribed by the test points.
2. The requirements for side markers used on vehicles less than 2032 mm wide need only be met for inboard test points at a dis-
tance of 4.6 m from the vehicle on a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and located mid-
way between the front and rear side marker lamps.
3. When calculating zone totals, the measured value at each test point shall not be less than 60% of the minimum values in
Table 2.
4. Combination clearance and side marker lamps shall conform with both clerance and side marker photometric performance
requirements.

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 SAE J592 Revised DEC94

TABLE 2—PHOTOMETRIC DESIGN GUIDELINES

Minimum Luminous Minimum Luminous
Intensity (cd) Intensity (cd)
Test Points See Notes(1) See Notes(1)
(degrees) (2) Yellow
Red
45L 0.25 0.62
10U V 0.25 0.62
45R 0.25 0.62

45L 0.25 0.62

H V 0.25 0.62
45R 0.25 0.62

45L 0.25 0.62

10D V 0.25 0.62
45R 0.25 0.62
1. For combined clearance and side marker lamps, both the clearance and side marker photometric design values should apply.
2. The maximum design value of a lamp intended for the rear of the vehicle should not exceed the listed design maximum; over
any area larger than that generated by 0.25 degree radius within the solid angle defined by the test points in Table 2.

6.1.6 WARPAGE—SAE J575

6.1.7 C OLOR—The color of light from front clearance lamps, front and intermediate side marker lamps, and front
identification lamps shall be yellow. The color of light from rear clearance, side marker, and identification
lamps shall be red. Color shall be as specified in SAE J578.

6.2 Materials Requirements—Plastic materials used in optical parts shall meet the requirements of SAE J576.

6.3 Design Requirements

6.3.1 A clearance lamp and/or side marker lamp may be combined optically with a turn signal and/or a stop lamp.
A clearance lamp may not be combined optically with a tail lamp or an identification lamp.

6.3.2 If a clearance lamp or a side marker lamp is optically combined with a turn signal lamp or a stop lamp and a
two-light source (two filament) bulb is used, the bulb shall have an indexing base and the socket shall be
designed so that bulbs with nonindexing bases cannot be inserted. In addition, removable sockets shall have
an indexing feature so that they cannot be reinserted into lamp housings in random positions, unless the
lamp will perform its intended function with random light source orientation.

6.4 Installation Requirements—Clearance, side marker, and identification lamps shall be designed to comply
with all photometric requirements of Table 1 as installed on the vehicle, with all vehicular obstructions
considered.

7. Guidelines

7.1 Photometric Design Guidelines—Photometric design guidelines for clearance, side marker, and
identification lamps, when tested in accordance with 5.1.5 of this report, are contained in Table 2 and its
footnotes.

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 SAE J592 Revised DEC94

7.2 Installation Guidelines—The following guidelines apply to clearance, side marker, and identification lamps as
used on the vehicle and shall not be considered part of the requirements.

7.2.1 The luminous intensity of incandescent filament bulbs will vary with applied voltage. The electrical wiring in
the vehicle should be adequate to supply design voltage to the lamp filament.

7.2.2 Performance of lamps can deteriorate significantly as a result of dirt, grime, and/or snow accumulation on
their optical surfaces. Installation of lamps on vehicles should be considered to minimize the effect of these
factors.

7.2.3 Where it is expected that lamps must perform in extremely severe environments, such as in off-highway,
mining, fuel haulage, or where it is expected that they will be totally immersed in water, the user should
specify lamps specifically designed for such use.

8. Notes

8.1 Marginal Indicia—The change bar (l) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating
areas where technical revisions have been made to the previous issue of the report. An (R) symbol to the left
of the document title indicates a complete revision of the report.

PREPARED BY THE SAE SIGNALLING AND MARKING DEVICES STANDARDS COMMITTEE

AND THE SAE LIGHTING COORDINATING COMMITTEE

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 SAE J592 Revised DEC94

APPENDIX A

A.1 As a matter of additional information, attention is called to SAE J567 for requirements and gages used in
socket design.

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 SAE J592 Revised DEC94

Rationale—A Geometric Visibility Task Force was established by the May 12, 1993 meeting of the Signalling
and Marking Devices Standards Committee for the purpose of reviewing geometric visibility
requirements in existing signalling and marking device SAE Standards. The objective of the Task Force
was to develop common, unambiguous specifications appropriate to each type of device, based on
existing specifications and to provide for harmonization with European and Japanese standards, where
applicable.

Impetus for establishing the Task Force derived from a December 12, 1991 National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) interpretation of FMVSS No. 108 turn signal geometric visibility
requirements (56 FR 64733 - 64737). That interpretation set forth NHTSA's understanding of the
visibility requirements specified in SAE J1395 APR85, SAE J1398 MAY85, SAE J588 NOV84, and SAE
J586 FEB84. NHTSA's interpretation differed substantially from the industry's intent for geometric
visibility requirements, in part, evidently, because of differing expressions of visibility requirements
among those SAE Standards. NHTSA subsequently revoked its December 12, 1991 interpretation by
letter of October 5, 1992 from NHTSA Chief Counsel Paul Jackson Rice to Mr. J. W. Lawrence of Volvo
GM Heavy Truck Corporation, cc to Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association, Truck Trailer
Manufacturers Association, Ford Motor Company, and Freightliner Corp.

The Task Force developed proposed revisions to geometric visibility requirements for SAE J585, J586,
J588, J594, J1398, J1957, J2040, and J2042. Proposed requirements also were developed for SAE
J222 and J592. Alternative (a) of the proposals is based upon existing SAE geometric visibility
requirements; Alternative (b) of the proposals is based upon European proposals. The visibility angle
values help to ensure that drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists are able to detect motor vehicles and their
signal and marker lamps when vehicles are viewed from various angles generated by typical vehicle
maneuvers and roadway configurations, and thereby to minimize their risk of collision. Alternative (a)
and Alternative (b) specifications have been found by regulatory agencies in the North America and
Europe, respectively, to meet the lighting device visibility needs for motor vehicle safety in their
respective jurisdictions. These proposals were presented to the Signalling and Marking Devices
Committee for comment at its April 12, 1994 meeting. Except for SAE J1398, J2040, and J2042,
consensus was reached to ballot the proposed revisions as presented. The Heavy Duty Lighting
Standards Committee elected to separately ballot geometric visibility requirement revisions for SAE
J1398, J2040, and J2042, choosing not to include Task Force recommendations for "option (b)," relating
to harmonization.

Relationship of SAE Standard to ISO Standard—Not applicable.

Application—This SAE Information Report provides test procedures, requirements, and guidelines for
clearance, side marker, and identification lamps.

Reference Section

SAE J222—Parking Lamps (Front Position Lamps)

SAE J567—Lamp Bulb Retention System

SAE J575—Tests for Motor Vehicle Lighting Devices and Components

SAE J576—Plastic Materials for Use in Optical Parts Such as Lenses and Reflectors of Motor Vehicle
Lighting Devices

SAE J578—Color Specification for Electric SIgnal Lighting Devices

SAE J585—Tail Lamps (Rear Position Lamps) for Use on Motor Vehicles Less Than 2032 mm in Overall
Width
 SAE J592 Revised DEC94

SAE J586 FEB84—Stop Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles Less Than 2032 mm in Overall Width

SAE J588 NOV84—Turn Signal Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles Less Than 2032 mm in Overall Width

SAE J592—Clearance, Side Marker, and Identification Lamps

SAE J594—Reflex Reflectors

SAE J759—Lighting Identification Code

SAE J1395 APR85—Front and Rear Turn Signal Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles 2032 mm or More in
Overall Width

SAE J1398 MAY85—Stop Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width

SAE J1957—Central High Mounted Stop Lamp Standard for Use on Vehicles Less Than 2032 mm
Overall Width

SAE J2040—Tail Lamps (Rear Position Lamps) for Use on Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width

SAE J2042—Clearance, Sidemarker, and Identification Lamps for Use on Motor Vehicles 2032 mm or
More in Overall Width

FMVSS 108 56 FR 64733 - 64737

Developed by the SAE Signalling and Marking Devices Standards Committee

Sponsored by the SAE Lighting Coordinating Committee