IEC 63403-2:2024 - Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting

Standard No.: IEC 63403-2:2024
Release Date: 2024
Published By: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) IX / IEC
Latest: IEC 63403-2:2024

Introduction

IEC 63403-2:2024 Standard Overview and Technical Background

In February 2024, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) officially released the international standard IEC 63403-2:2024, "Horticultural Lighting - LED Horticultural Lighting Packages - Part 2: Sorting." As the second part of the IEC 63403 series of standards, this standard specifically specifies unified specifications for the sorting methods of

Analysis of the Standard's Core Technical Requirements

Temperature Condition Specification

Section 4.1 of the standard clearly stipulates the temperature conditions for sorting tests: all sorting operations for

Sorting current selection

Standard Table 1 lists 13 standard sorting current values, ranging from 30mA to 1800mA, covering the full range of applications from low-power to high-power LED packages. Manufacturers need to select the appropriate test current based on the most common application scenarios of LED packages, which ensures the consistency of the sorting results with actual usage conditions.

Current No.	Sorting Current (mA)	Applicable Power Range	Typical Applications
1-3	30-65	Low Power	Seedling Lighting, Microgreen Plants
4-6	100-150	Medium Power	Leafy Vegetable Planting, Tissue Culture Lighting /td>
7-10	350-850	High Power	Fruit and Vegetable Cultivation, Full-Cycle Lighting
11-13	1050-1800	Ultra-High Power	Field Supplemental Lighting, Vertical Farming

Detailed Explanation of the Sorting Parameter System

Forward Voltage Sorting

Article 6.1 of the standard stipulates that the bin size for forward voltage sorting must not exceed 100mV. This requirement ensures consistency in the electrical characteristics of LED devices within the same bin, facilitating driver circuit design and optimizing system energy efficiency. In actual production, it is recommended to control the bin size within 50mV for better matching. Article 6.2 clarifies that optical radiation classification is based on photon flux or radiant flux, where photon flux must be expressed in µmol/s. This regulation reflects the characteristics of plant photobiology, as plant photosynthesis efficiency is directly related to the number of photons, rather than the traditional visual light flux.

Chromaticity Sorting Specifications

The standard divides LED devices into two categories: narrowband emitters and achromatic emitters, using different sorting criteria:

Device type	Sorting basis	Measurement standard	Application characteristics
Narrowband emitter	Central wavelength or dominant wavelength	CIE related standards	Monochromatic light such as red light (660nm) and blue light (450nm)
Achromatic emitter	Chromaticity coordinates	ISO/CIE 11664-1 White Light, Broad-Spectrum Devices Measurement Methods and Technical Requirements Pre-treatment Requirements Section 4.3 of the standard emphasizes that before starting sorting measurements, the LED package must be stable at the selected junction temperature with a temperature tolerance of ±5°C. This requirement ensures repeatable measurement conditions and comparable results. Section 5 of the Optical Measurement Specification cites CIE 225:2017 (Steady-State Measurements) and CIE 226:2017 (High-Speed Transient Measurements) as the basis for measurement methods. It is worth noting that the standard indicates that the choice of measurement method affects junction temperature control, so the appropriate measurement solution must be selected based on device characteristics. Standard Implementation Recommendations and Technology Evolution Analysis Implementation Recommendations Based on the standard requirements, manufacturers are advised to establish a comprehensive sorting system: 1) configure precise temperature control equipment to ensure stability at an 85°C junction temperature; 2) select appropriate sorting current levels based on target markets; 3) establish a photon flux measurement system to ensure accurate conversion from µmol/s; and 4) develop corresponding colorimetric sorting schemes for different spectral types. Technology Evolution Trends The release of IEC 63403-2 reflects the evolution of horticultural LED technology from general lighting to specialized applications. Future technological evolution may focus on: 1) more refined photon efficiency grading; 2) sorting methods under dynamic spectral conditions; and 3) the integration of lifetime degradation models with sorting. Influence and Value of the Standard on the Industry The implementation of this standard will significantly improve the performance consistency and reliability of LED horticultural lighting products, reduce the difficulty of system integration, and promote the coordinated development of upstream and downstream industries. For growers, a standardized sorting system means more predictable planting results and higher energy efficiency. It is expected that this standard will become the technical benchmark for the global LED horticultural lighting market, driving the industry towards a more standardized and efficient direction. IEC 63403-2:2024 Referenced Document IEC 63403-1 Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 1: Specification sheet ISO/CIE 11664-1 Colorimétrie — Partie 1: Observateurs CIE de référence pour la colorimétrie IEC 63403-2:2024 history 2024 IEC 63403-2:2024 Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 2: Binning Standard and Specification BS EN IEC 63403-2:2024 Horticultural lighting — LED packages for horticultural lighting Part 2: Binning CEI EN IEC 63403-2:2024 Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting – Part 2: Binning EN IEC 63403-2:2024 lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 2: Binning GSO IEC 63403-2:2025 Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 2: Binning NF EN IEC 63403-2:2024 Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 2 : binning NF C73-003-2NF EN IEC 63403-2:2024 Horticultural* lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 2 : binning DANSK DS/EN IEC 63403-2:2024 Horticultural lighting – LED packages for horticultural lighting – Part 2: Binning SS-EN IEC 63403-2:2024 Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 2: Binning SFS-EN IEC 63403-2:2024 Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 2: Binning Copyright ©2026 All Rights Reserved Update: Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:54:28 +0000

Device type

Sorting basis

Measurement standard

Application characteristics

Narrowband emitter

Central wavelength or dominant wavelength

CIE related standards

Monochromatic light such as red light (660nm) and blue light (450nm)

Achromatic emitter

Chromaticity coordinates

ISO/CIE 11664-1 White Light, Broad-Spectrum Devices Measurement Methods and Technical Requirements Pre-treatment Requirements Section 4.3 of the standard emphasizes that before starting sorting measurements, the LED package must be stable at the selected junction temperature with a temperature tolerance of ±5°C. This requirement ensures repeatable measurement conditions and comparable results. Section 5 of the Optical Measurement Specification cites CIE 225:2017 (Steady-State Measurements) and CIE 226:2017 (High-Speed Transient Measurements) as the basis for measurement methods. It is worth noting that the standard indicates that the choice of measurement method affects junction temperature control, so the appropriate measurement solution must be selected based on device characteristics.

Standard Implementation Recommendations and Technology Evolution Analysis

Implementation Recommendations

Based on the standard requirements, manufacturers are advised to establish a comprehensive sorting system: 1) configure precise temperature control equipment to ensure stability at an 85°C junction temperature; 2) select appropriate sorting current levels based on target markets; 3) establish a photon flux measurement system to ensure accurate conversion from µmol/s; and 4) develop corresponding colorimetric sorting schemes for different spectral types.

Technology Evolution Trends

The release of IEC 63403-2 reflects the evolution of horticultural LED technology from general lighting to specialized applications. Future technological evolution may focus on: 1) more refined photon efficiency grading; 2) sorting methods under dynamic spectral conditions; and 3) the integration of lifetime degradation models with sorting.

Influence and Value of the Standard on the Industry

The implementation of this standard will significantly improve the performance consistency and reliability of LED horticultural lighting products, reduce the difficulty of system integration, and promote the coordinated development of upstream and downstream industries. For growers, a standardized sorting system means more predictable planting results and higher energy efficiency. It is expected that this standard will become the technical benchmark for the global LED horticultural lighting market, driving the industry towards a more standardized and efficient direction.

IEC 63403-2:2024 Referenced Document

IEC 63403-1 Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 1: Specification sheet
ISO/CIE 11664-1 Colorimétrie — Partie 1: Observateurs CIE de référence pour la colorimétrie

IEC 63403-2:2024 history

2024 IEC 63403-2:2024 Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 2: Binning

Standard and Specification

IEC 63403-2:2024Horticultural lighting - LED packages for horticultural lighting - Part 2: Binning