My Hella Lights :: Testing

Testing Information

Auxilliary Lamp Testing

Hella auxiliary lamps are legendary for their ruggedness and dependability. Every one of our lamps must pass a series of endurance tests before we will brand it “Hella”.

1. Five hours of off-road driving are simulated by uniform spraying with mud.
2. For one hour, the headlamps are subjected to temperatures between -4O°F and +176°F. Shock treatment between the arctic and tropics.
3. For one hour, the headlamps are sprayed with water at a pressure of 58 psi. This simulates driving in torrential rain.
4. One hour of vibration testing at 750 oscillations per minute. This simulates the toughest conditions resulting from potholes, cobblestone pavement, and other off-road tortures.

Quality Testing

	Test 1: Heat Test – Part 1 – 24-hour Test The headlamp remains switched on constantly for 24 hours – alternating between low beam and high beam. Heat Test – Part 2 The headlamp is subsequently exposed to a temperature of 122ºF for one hour.
	Test 2: Vibration Test This test simulates the behavior of the headlamp during driving.
	Test 3: Splash Test How does the headlamp react when it is exposed to rain, splashes of water and the car wash?
	Test 4: Fogging Test The headlamp is left switched off and exposed to water stem (68ºF, 100% air humidity).
	Test 5: Evaluation of Lighting Technology Technical lighting investigations are carried out at Hella. The technical specifications must meet Hella standards before considering production.

Bulb Testing

All Hella bulbs undergo painstaking tests. The engineers in Hella’s Quality Assurance department have specified a clear requirement profile for every bulb type. Headlight bulbs, for example, are scrutinized by our engineers for their light distribution properties, using state-of-the-art light measuring equipment. Paint adhesion tests in accordance with FAKRA guidelines (German Association of Automotive Experts), vibration and shock tests in line with IEC requirements, geometry measurements, light flux and power measurements as well as service life tests guarantee that wholesalers and garages receive perfect quality. These and further tests are carried out by Hella’s quality assurance engineers. All Hella quality bulbs fulfill this performance spectrum.
	Service life test Sophisticated tests are used to prove the high reliability of the Hella bulbs over a long period.
	Vibration and shock test Vibration resistance of the bulbs and the filament in particular is tested on an electrodynamic vibration table.
	Geometrical measurement A measuring project is used to check the filament geometry with regard to the statutory standards in accordance with IEC 60810. The filament has to have the size and position within the bulb specified in the standard. This is the only way to achieve optimum light power in the headlights and prevents oncoming drivers from being blinded.
	Light flux measurement The Ulbricht sphere and goniometer are used to determine the light fluxes and luminous intensities of the Hella bulbs. This guarantees optimum light output of the bulbs.
	Paint adhesion test The adhesion of paint on colored glass bulbs - such as the PY21W for example - is tested in a climate chamber at different temperatures and air humidities. Optimum adhesion of glass bulb paint guarantees the prescribed amber indicator light over the complete service life period.