PREAMBLE (NOT PART OF THE STANDARD)

In order to promote public education and public safety, equal justice for all, a better informed citizenry, the rule of law, world trade and world peace, this legal document is hereby made available on a noncommercial basis, as it is the right of all humans to know and speak the laws that govern them.

END OF PREAMBLE (NOT PART OF THE STANDARD)

SAE-J759

ADOPTION NOTICE

SAE-J759, “LIGHTNING IDENTIFICATION CODE”, was adopted on 03-OCT-94 for use by the Department of Defense (DoD). Proposed changes by DoD activities must be submitted to the DoD Adopting Activity: Commander, US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, ATTN: AMSTA-TR-E/IE, Warren, MI 48397-5000. Copies of this document may be purchased from the Society of Automotive Engineers 400 Commonwealth Drive Warrendale, Pennsylvania, United States, 15096-0001. http://www.sae.org/

Adopting Activity:
Army - AT         

Custodians:
   Army - AT
   Navy - SA
   Air Force - 68

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DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

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SURFACE VECHICLE RECOMMENDED PRACTICE

Submitted for recognition as an American National Standard

Image J759      REV. JAN95

Issued          1960-11
Revised        1995-01

Superseding J759 JUN91

LIGHTING IDENTIFICATION CODE

1. Scope— This SAE Recommended Practice provides the lighting function identification codes for use on all passenger cars and trucks.

2.References

2.1 Applicable Publication— The following publication forms a part of this specification to the extent specified herein.

2.1.1 GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION—Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

FMVSS 108—Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment

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

SAE J587—License Plate Illumination Devices (Rear Registration Plate Illumination Devices)
SAE J914—Side Turn Signal Lamps
SAE J1432—High Mounted Stop Lamps for Use on Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width
SAE J2009—Discharge Forward Lighting System
SAE J2039—Side Turn Signal Lamp for Large Vehicles or Trains of Vehicles
SAE J2041—Reflex Reflectors for Use on Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width

3. DefinitionsA lighting identification code is a series of standardized markings for lighting devices which a manufacturer or a supplier may use to mark his product to indicate the SAE Lighting Specification or Specifications to which the device is designed. The code is not intended to limit the manufacturer or supplier in applying other markings to the devices.

NOTE—SAE does not approve products; hence; the use of markings in accordance with this code should not be interpreted to mean that a device so marked has SAE approval.

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.

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Copyright 1995 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc,
All rights reserved.

Printed in U.S.A

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4. Requirements

4.1 Code Location—The identification code should be permanently marked on the lens or body where it can be observed with the device mounted in its normal position on the vehicle, except that headlamps, turn signal switches, hazard warning switches, and flashers may have the markings located where they can be observed by removing other parts. This exception is granted because many of these devices are not visible as installed on the vehicle. However, when these same devices are externally mounted, the markings must be visible. The manufacturer's identification and model designation (or part number) is required on both the housing and lens of separable devices.

4.2 Size of Markings—Identification numerals and letters shall be at least 3 mm high, except that raised molded markings 2 mm high may be used on lenses containing less than 12.5 cm2 of area. The smaller markings are permitted when they are raised, molded markings (not stamped, etched, or lettered in indelible ink).

4.3 Flashers—Flashers, because of their small size, may use 2 mm high markings and these may be permanently stamped, etched, or lettered in indelible ink. The markings required on flashers are:

  1. The manufacturer's identification and model number (or part number).
  2. The appropriate SAE Specification.

EXAMPLE—

Flasher Co. 200
SAE J590e

4.4 Multicompartment and Multiple Lamp Arrangements—Multicompartment lamps or individual lamps designed to use more than one compartment or lamp to comply with the appropriate SAE requirements shall be marked to indicate the number of compartments or lamps that are to be operated together to meet this requirement. Lamps which do not carry a number within a circle or parentheses to indicate that more than one lamp is to be used are intended to be used alone unless exceptions are noted in the appropriate SAE Specification. See example in Section 5.

4.5 Content of Identification Code—The identification code should consist of a series of letters and numbers in the following sequence:

4.5.1 SAE.

4.5.2 A number within a circle or parentheses indicating the number of compartments in a multicompartment device or the number of separate lamps when more than one compartment or one lamp is needed to satisfy the requirements of the applicable SAE Specification. No number is required for a single compartment device.

4.5.3 One or more letters identifying the function or functions for which the device was designed. Multipurpose devices shall be marked to cover each function for which the device was originally designed. Such devices may be used to carry out one or more of these functions. Table 1 lists the identifying designations for SAE Specifications.

4.5.4 The last two numbers of a year which means that the code letters refer to SAE Specifications listed in the SAE Handbook current in the year indicated, or the applicable requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 specified for the device function in the year indicated. To denote that a function meets the requirements of FMVSS 108, but not the current SAE Specification, a dash line shall be placed under the function letter. Example: AIRST 75.

Devices marked prior to the adoption of this SAE Specification need not be remarked.

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TABLE 1—LETTERS INDICATING DEVICE FUNCTIONS
A Reflex reflectors
A2 Wide angle reflex reflectors
C Motorcycle auxilliary front lamps
D Motorcycle and motor-driven cycle turn signal lamps
E Side turn signal lamps—vehicles 12m or more in length
E2 Side turn signal lamps—vehicles less than 12m in length
F Front fog lamps
F2 Fog tail lamps
G Truck cargo lamp
H Sealed beam headlamp
HG Discharge forward lighting (headlamp)
HH Sealed beam headlamp housing
HR Replaceable bulb headlamp
I Turn signal lamps
13 Turn signal lamps spaced from 75 mm to less than 100 mm from headlamp
14 Turn signal lamps spaced from 60 mm to less than 75 mm from headlamp
15 Turn signal lamps spaced less than 60 mm from headlamp
16 Rear mounted turn signal lamps and front mounted turn signal lamps mounted 100 mm or more from the headlamp, for use on vehicles 2032 mm or more in overall width
17 Front mounted turn signal lamps mounted less than 100 mm from the headlamp, for use on vehicles 2032 mm or more in overall width
J590 Turn signal flasher
J945 Hazard warning signal flasher
J1054 Warning lamp alternating flasher
K Front cornering lamps
K2 Rear cornering lamps
L License plate lamps
M Motorcycle and motor-driven cycle headlamps—motorcycle type
N Motorcycle and motor-driven cycle headlamps—motor driven cycle type
O Spot lamps
P Parking lamps
P2 Clearance, sidemarker, and identification lamps
P3 Clearance, sidemarker, and identification lamps for use on vehicles 2032 mm or more in overall width
PC Combination clearance and sidemarker lamps
PC2 Combination clearance and sidemarker lamps for use on vehicles 2032 mm or more in overall width
Q Turn signal operating units—Class A
QB Turn signal operating units—Class B
QC Vehicular hazard warning signal operating unit
R Backup lamps
S Stop lamps
S2 Stop lamp for use on vehicles 2032 mm or more in overall width
T Tail lamps (rear position lamps)
T2 Tail lamps (rear position lamps) for use on vehicles 2032 mm or more in overall width
U Supplemental high-mounted stop and turn signal lamps
U2 High-mounted stop lamps for trucks 2032 mm or more in overall width
U3 Center high-mounted stop lamp for passenger cars, light trucks, and MPVs
W Warning lamps for emergency, maintenance, and service vehicles
W2 Warning lamps for school buses
W3 360 degree emergency warning lamps
W4 Emergency warning device
W5-1 360 degree gaseous discharge lamp—Class 1
W5-2 360 degree gaseous discharge lamp—Class 2
W5-3 360 degree gaseous discharge lamp—Class 3
Y Driving lamps
Y2 Daytime running lamps
Z Auxiliary low beam lamps
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4.6 Content of Manufacturer's Identification—The manufacturer's lettered identification and model designation (or part number). Pictorial trademarks are permitted but they must be in addition to the required lettered identification. The lettered identification must be reproducible on a typewriter or computer. The manufacturer's identification does not have to be located in sequence with the identification code markings but may be located on a different area of the lens or body.

5. ExamplesExamples of code and manufacturer's identification markings:

SAE AIST 75

XYZ Corp. 400

Translated, this means SAE Specifications current in 1975 for stop lamps, tail lamps, turn signals, and reflectors. The manufacturer is the XYZ Corp. (the word corporation is shown for example only, since this is generally not used) and their model number is Model 400.

SAE A (2) I (2) S (3) T 75

Translated, this means a three-compartment or three-lamp arrangement with two of the compartments needed to meet optically the stop and turn signal requirements, and all three of the compartments needed to meet the tail lamp requirements. If, for example, each of the compartments fully complied with the tail lamp requirements, the 3 preceding the letter T would be omitted. This would signify that all of the compartments were not necessary to meet the tail lamp requirement and that each individual compartment met it as a separate single function. If the SAE Specifications referenced in the examples were not revised and would still be current in the year 1976, for example, the manufacturer could change the marking on this device to 76, if he so desired. This coding change regarding the year might also be made if the SAE Specifications have been revised in the interim and the device meets the new requirements.

6. Notes

6.1 Marginal Indicia—The change bar (1) 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 LIGHTING COORDINATING COMMITTEE

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Rationale—The following changes have been made to Table 1 as a result of ballot approval of SAE J2009 and a request to remove the code "L2". This code was intended for SAE J2239 large vehicle license lamps but the committee has decided to stay with SAE J587:

  1. Add—HG–Discharge Forward Lighting (Headlamp)
  2. Delete—L2–License plate lamps for use on vehicles of 2032 mm or more in overall width

    In addition, the following revisions have been made to Table 1:

  3. Add A2—"Wide angle reflex reflectors," to be consistent with existing specifications (SAE J2041)
  4. Revise E—change vehicle length to 12m from 9.1 (SAE J2039)
  5. Revise E2—change vehicle length to 12m from 9.1 (SAE J914)
  6. Delete I8—not used in any existing standard
  7. Revise U2—remove "supplemental center" and add "2032 mm or more in overall width" (SAE J1432)

Relationship of SAE Standard to ISO Standard—Not applicable.

Application—This SAE Recommended Practice provides the lighting function identification codes for use on all passenger cars and trucks.

Reference Section

FMVSS 108—Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment

SAE J587—License Plate Illumination Devices (Rear Registration Plate Illumination Devices)

SAE J914—Side Turn Signal Lamps

SAE J1432—High Mounted Stop Lamps for Use on Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width

SAE J2009—Discharge Forward Lighting System

SAE J2039—Side Turn Signal Lamp for Large Vehicles or Trains of Vehicles

SAE J2041—Reflex Reflectors for Use on Vehicles 2032 mm or More in Overall Width

Developed by the SAE Lighting Coordinating Committee

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