ICS 43.040.20 
T38 
NATIONAL STANDARD OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA 
GB 17509-xxxx 
  Replaces GB17509-1998 
 
    
 
   
 
    
 
 
Photometric characteristics of direction indicators for motor vehicles 
and their trailers 
 
(Draft Submitted for Approval) 
 
    
 
    
 
          Announced XX-XX-200X   Effective XX-XX-200X
 
General Administration of Quality Supervis ion, Inspection and Quarantine of the 
People's Republic of China  
Announced by: 
Standardization Administration of China   GB-17509—xxxx 
 
Foreword 
  The entire technical content of the present standard is mandatory. 
 The present standard corresponds to United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ECE R6 Rev3 Amend5 
“Uniform provisions concerning the approval  of direction indicators for power-driven  vehicles and their trailers.” The level of  
conformity between the two documents is “non-equivalent.”  They differ primarily with respect to the following: 
  --deleted the administrative provisions; 
 --deleted the “Minimum requirements for conformity of  production control method s of manufacturer” annex; 
 --deleted the “Minimum requirements fo r sampling by an inspector” annex; 
 --added inspection rules.  The main technical requirements of the present standard, su ch as general requirements, photometric characteristics, 
light colours, and test methods, are the same as those of the Provisions above. 
 The present standard replaces GB 17509- 1998 “Photometric characteri stics of direction indicators for motor vehicles 
and their trailers” and changes the previous ve rsion primarily with respect to the following: 
 --revises Chapter 2 “Cited standards” of the previous version; 
 --revises Chapter 3 “Terms and classifications” of the previous standard, changing it to Chapter 3 “Terms and 
definitions” and Chapter 4 “Classifications;”  --revises Chapter 4 “Photometric charac teristics” of the previous version, ch anging it to “Requirements,” which is 
Chapter 6 of the present version;  --deletes Chapter 5 “Provisions on light bulbs” of the previo us version, with additional related contents added to the 
“Requirements,” which is Chapte r 6 of the present version; 
 --revises Chapter 6 “Photometric method s” of the previous version, changing it to Chapter 7 “Test methods” of the 
present version;  --deletes Chapter 7 “Colorimetric methods” of the previo us version, with additional related contents added to 
Chapter 6 “Requirements” and Chapter 7 “T est methods” of the previous version; 
 --revises Chapter 8 “Inspection provisions ” of the previous version, changing it to Chapter 8 “Inspection rules” of the 
present version;  --adds light source module-related content;  --adds testing requirements for flashing illumination; 
 --adds measurement methods for direction indi cators with non-replaceable light sources; 
 --adds photometric requirement limit ing installation of direction i ndicators to a height of 750 mm; 
 --adds photometric requirements when dire ction indicators have more than one position or have different positions 
within one field.  Beginning on the date that the present standard takes effect, lamps that are the subject of new requests for type 
inspections shall comply with the present standard. 
 Transitional requirements relating to  implementation of the present standard: If lamps that pass type inspections 
before the present standard takes effect are found not to comply in light of the relevant provis ions of the present version of the 
standard, a 24-month transition period shall be granted.  The present standard was put forward by th e National Development and Reform Commission. 
 The present standard is under the jurisdiction of the National Automotive Standard isation Technical Committee. 
 The Shanghai Automotive Lamp Research Institute was responsible for drafting the present standard.  The main authors of the present standard: Wang Hua, Chen Ji, Yu Peifeng.  The previous versions replaced by the present standard are:  JB 4131-85 and GB 17509-98. 
 
     
1 GB-17509—xxxx 
 
 Photometric characteristics of directio n indicators for motor vehicles and 
their trailers 
 
(Draft Submitted for Approval) 
 1 Scope   The present standard specifies the technical requirement s, test methods and inspection rules for photometric 
characteristics of directio n indicators for motor vehi cles and their trailers. 
 The present standard applies to various types of direction indicators used by vehicles of categories M, N and O. 
 In the present standard, the aforesaid directio n indicators are also referred to as devices. 
 2 Cited regulatory documents 
  The clauses in the documents below become clauses of the present standard by virtue of being cited by the present 
standard. If a date is indicated for a cited document, no s ubsequent revision sheet (not including corrigenda) or amended 
version shall apply to the present standard. Nevertheless, th e parties to agreements based on the present standard are 
encouraged to study whether the most recent versions of thes e documents can be used. If no date is indicated for a cited 
document, then the most recent version applies to the present standard. 
 GB 4599  Motor vehicle headlamps equipped with filament lamps  GB 4785  Installation regulations for car and tra iler exterior illumination and light signal devices 
 GB 15766.1 Filament lamps for road vehicles—Dim ensional, electrical a nd luminous requirements 
 ECE R37  Uniform provisions concerning the certific ation of filament lamps of power-driven vehicles and 
their trailers  3 Terms and definitions  
 The terms and definitions established in  GB 4785 apply to the present standard. 
 4 Classification  4.1 Categories of direction indicators  A device’s category and minimum light  distribution angle are prescribed ac cording to its mounting position and 
function on the vehicle (see Fig. 1):  a) Category 1 device Front direction signal whose mo unting position is at least 40 mm from the dipped-beam 
headlamp or front fog lamp  b) Category 1a device Front direction signal whose mounting position is more than 20 mm, but less than 40 
mm from the dipped-beam headlamp or front fog lamp 
 c) Category 1b device Front dire ction signal whose mounting position  is no more than 20 mm from the 
dipped-beam headlamp or front fog lamp.  d) Category 2a device Rear direct ion signal mounted on the rear of the vehicle and having one level of 
luminous intensity  e) Category 2b device Rear direction signal mounted on the rear of the vehicle and having two levels of 
luminous intensity  f) Category 3 device Front-side direction indicator for use on a vehicle equipped with this category of 
direction indicator only 
 g) Category 4 device Front-side direction indicator for use on a vehicle equipped with category 2a or 2b 
devices  h) Category 5 or category 6 device Supplementary side direction indicator for use on a vehicle also equipped with 
categories 1, 1a or 1b and 2a or 2b devices 4.2 The vertical angle V in Fig. 1 is the angle relative to the horizontal plane. Above the horizontal plane, the angle is positive, and below the plane it is negative . The horizontal angle H is the angle relative to the reference axis and the drivin g 
direction; in terms of device photometry, th e angle to the right of the reference axis is positive and to the left is negative.  
 
1 GB-17509—xxxx 
 
   R e f e r e n c e  a x i s     V e h i c l e  
  
 
      V e h i c l e      R e f e r e n c e  a x i s  
 
  a) Categories 1, 1a and 1b   b) Categories 2a and 2b   
  R e f e r e n c e  a x i s    R e f e r e n c e  a x i s    R e f e r e n c e  a x i s  
   
 V e h i c l e         V e h i c l e   
      V e h i c l e   
           C a t e g o r y  5  
  c )  C a t e g o r y  3    d )  C a t e g o r y  4    C a t e g o r y  6             c )  C a t e g o r i e s  5  a n d  6    
 
Arrow points in driving direction of vehicle 
 
Fig. 1  Categories and minimum light dist ribution angles of direction indicators 
 5 Different types of direction indicators  
 Devices that differ primarily with respect to the following: 
a) trademark name or trademark; b) optical system characteristics (level of luminous intens ity, minimum light distribution angle, the kinds of filament 
lamps or light source modules used, etc.); c) category of device.  However, devices that change with resp ect to filament lamp colour or filter colour may be regarded as being the 
same type.  6 Requirements  
6.1 The devices shall be designed and manufactured such th at, under normal use conditions, and even if subject to 
vibrations, they can ensure that use requirements are met and th at the provisions of the present standard are complied with. 
       
 
2 
  GB-17509—xxxx 
 6.2 In the area shown in Fig. 2, the colour of light from th e device shall be amber, and it s chrominance properties shall 
conform to the provisions of GB 4785. The colour of the light shall not undergo any obvious change outside the area. 
6.3 Devices whose light sources can be replaced shall employ  filament lamps that conform to the provisions of GB 
15766.1 or ECE R37. 
6.4 Light source modules that are used shall be designed so that they can be mounted in the correct positions even in 
darkness and so that they can prevent incorrect operation. 6.5 Photometric characteristics 6.5.1 See Fig. 2 for light distribution re quirements. The numbers at the intersections of the grid lines in Fig. 2 are 
percentages which indicate the ratio of the minimum luminous intensity in said direct ion to the minimum luminous intensity in 
the direction of the reference axis (categories 1, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3 or 4 (forward)) or direction A (category 6). Direction A i s the 
direction where H = 5° and V = 0°. 6.5.2 The luminous intensity of each catego ry of device in the reference axis direction or direction A shall conform to the 
specifications in Table 1. 
 
   
 
a) Categories 1, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3 and 4 (forward) 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
Towards the outer side of the vehicle  
b) Category 6 
Fig. 2  Photometric distribution 
 6.5.3 Directions other than the reference axis direction and direction A within the scope of luminous intensity distribution 
(see Fig. 2): 6.5.3.1 The luminous intensities of categori es of devices corresponding to other dire ctions shall be no less than the product 
of the minimum luminous intensity in Table 1 and the percentage indicated for th e corresponding direction. 
  
 
       
3 GB-17509—xxxx 
 6.5.3.2 Light shining within said scope sh all change uniformly. Luminous intensity me asured in any direction within the scope 
delimited by the grid lines shall be no less than the minimum lu minous intensity in the directio ns surrounding said direction. 
6.5.4 The requirements for each category of device within the scope of minimum light distribution angles (see Fig. 1): 
6.5.4.1 Luminous intensity shall comply with the following: 
 a) category 1b device no less than 0.7 cd;  b) categories 1, 1a, 2a, 3, and 4 (for ward) and 2b (day) no less than 0.3 cd; 
 c) category 2b (night) de vice no less than 0.07 cd; 
 d) category 4 (rear-direction) and ca tegory 5 device no less than 0.6 cd. 
 
 Table 1 Unit: candela 
Maximum luminous intensity 
Category Minimum luminous 
intensity Single lamp Single lamp marked 
“D” Assembly of two lamps 
1 
1a 
1b 175 
250 400 700
a 
800a 
860a 490a 
560a 
600a 980a 
1120a 
1200a 
2a 
2b (day) 
2b (night) 50 
175 
40 350a 
700a 
120a 350a 
490a 
84a 350a 
980a 
168a 
3 (forward) 
3 (reverse) 175 
50 700a 
200a 490a 
140a 980a 
280a 
4 (forward) 
4 (reverse) 175 
0.6 700a 
200a 490a 
140a 980a 
280a 
5 0.6 200a 140a 280a 
6 50 200a 140a 280a 
a With the exception of category 2a, two or more lamps that ha ve the same functions may, according to the definition in GB 
4785, be considered single in terms of thei r installation on a vehicle. In such a si tuation, when any one light source fails, i t still 
shall comply with the minimum luminous in tensity requirement. When all light sources are turned on, they shall not exceed the 
corresponding maximum luminous intensity in Table 1. Said maximum luminous intensity is 1.4 times the limit for a single lamp. 
As for single lamps that contain more than one light source: a) all serially-connected lights sources are considered to be one light source; 
b) when a light source fails, it shall still meet the minimu m luminous intensity requirement. However, for lamps that 
are designed to be used with only two light sources, th e minimum luminous intensity on the reference axis of the 
lamp is permitted to be 50% of the original value, provided  that the technical descriptio n states that the vehicle on 
which said lamp is mounted has an operating displa y which can display when either light source fails; 
c) when all light sources are illuminated, the maximum lumino us intensity is permitted to exceed the specified value 
for a single lamp (provided that it is not marked “D”), but is not permitted to exceed the specified value for the 
corresponding assembly of two lamps in Table 1. 
6.5.4.2 Outside the 10° visual field (i.e., H = ± 10°, V = ± 10°), the luminous intensit ies of devices of categories 1, 2b (nig ht), 3 
(forward), and 4 (forward) shall not exceed  the limits in Table 2. In the area betw een (inclusive of boundaries) the 10° visual  
field and the 5° visual field (i .e., H = ± 5°, V = ± 5°), the maximum luminous intensities permissible for these devices shall 
increase steadily to the maximum values specified in Table 1. 
 Table 2 Unit: candela  
Maximum luminous intensity ou tside the 10° visual field Category Single lamp Single lamp marked “D” Assembly of two lamps 
2b (night) 100 70 140 
1, 3 (forward) and 4 
(forward) 400 280 560 
6.5.4.3 Outside the 15° visual field (i.e., H = ± 15°, V = ± 15°), the luminous intensit ies of devices of categories 1a and 1b shall 
not exceed the value in Table 3. In the area between the 15° visual field and the 5° visual field, the maximum luminous intensities permissible for these devices shall also increase  steadily to the maximum values specified in Table 1. 
 
4 
 GB-17509—xxxx 
 
 Table 3 Unit: candela  
Maximum luminous intensity outside the 15° visual field Category Single lamp Single lamp marked “D” Assembly of two lamps 
1a 250 175 350 
1b 400 280 560 
6.5.5 Luminous intensity shall be no greater than the maximum value in Table 1 in any direction from which the device is visibl e. 
6.6 Category 2b devices shall be measured under night and day use conditions, with the time required for such measurement from when the light source is energised until the luminous intensity in the reference axis direction reaches 90% of the initial  
measurement taken when the light source was continuously alight. The time corresponding to night conditions shall not exceed th e 
time corresponding to day conditions. 6.7 When the device is mounted at a height no greater than 750 mm, h-h-5° measurement points and areas are not measured.  7 Test methods  7.1 The test dark room, devices, and equipment shall comply with the provisions of GB 4599. 7.2 The visual surface boundaries shall be determined in the reference axis direction of the device. 
7.3 Photometric test voltage 
7.3.1 In the case of devices that are equipped with replaceable filament lamps, measurement of photometric characteristics shal l 
make use of the standard filament lamps of the corresponding categories and shall be carried out under the specified luminous f lux for 
the test. 7.3.2 Photometric measurement of devices with non-replaceable light sources shall be conducted at 6.75 V, 13.5 V, or 28.0 V, respectively. 7.3.3 In the case of devices that require special power supplies, the manufacturer shall provide the special power supply requi red 
for this type of light source, and the measurement shall be carried out at the voltage specified by the manufacturer. 7.3.4 In the case of category 2b (night) devices that make use of supplementary devices to achieve night-time luminous intensit y, 
the voltage applied to the supplementary device for night-time luminous intensity shall  equal the voltage applied to the lamp to 
measure day-time luminous intensity. 7.4 Prior to photometric characteristics measurement, the light source shall be turned on at the measurement voltage so that the photometric characteristics tend to stabilize. 7.5 If, due to device structural constraints, overheating can be avoided only through use of a light-emitting diode (LED) or intermittent operation, the measurement may be carried out in flashing mode. 
7.5.1 Switching shall be effected at a frequency of f = (1.5 ± 0.5) Hz, and measurement shall be performed at 95% peak luminous  
intensity. Pulses shall have a continuous duration no greater than 0.3 s. 7.5.2 In devices equipped with replaceable filament lamps, the filament lamp shall  be illuminated at test luminous flux. In all other 
cases, the voltage specified in 6.3  shall be used, with a rise time and a fall time no greater than 0.01 s. 7.5.3 In flashing mode measurement, the final measured luminous intensity result is the maximum luminous intensity. 7.6 Photometric characteristics measur ement of each category of device: 
7.6.1 In the case of photometric measurement of devices with non-replaceable light sources, the existing light source in the de vice 
shall be used. 7.6.2 When several filament lamps have been installed, measurement may be carried out using mass-produced filament lamps at 6.75 V, 13.5 V, or 28.0 V voltages, a nd the luminous intensities produced shall  be corrected. The ratio of the corresponding test 
luminous flux specified in 6.3 to the mean luminous flux at the test voltage (6.75 V, 13.5 V, or 28.0 V) is the correction fact or. The 
actual luminous flux of each filament lamp shall deviate from its mean value by no more than ± 5%. Or measurements can be carri ed 
out using standard lamps, operating them in test luminous flux mode at each individual lamp position in turn and then totalling  the 
individual measurement results of each position. 7.6.3 In the case of devices that are not equipped with filament lamps, their luminous intensity shall, after 1 min and 30 min in 
flashing mode (f = 1.5 Hz, the ratio of illumination time to one entire flash period being 50%), comply with the maximum and mi nimum 
requirements in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3. The luminous intensity of each point after 1 min of illumination shall be calcul ated by 
multiplying the luminous intensity ratio in HV after 1 min of illumination and 30 min of illumination with the luminous intensi ty 
measurement result at each poin t after 30 min of illumination. 
7.7 When photometric tests are conducted, stray light shall be avoided by providing appropriate masking. 7.8 The distance of photometric characteristics measurement shall ensure that the optical law of the square of the inverse of distance can be applied. 7.9 When observations are made from the reference centre of the light, the field angle of the light receiver shall be between 1 0’ 
and 1°. 7.10 When measuring in an y direction in Fig. 1, the angle deviation shall be no greater than 15’. 
5 GB-17509—xxxx 
 7.11 If a device can be mounted on a vehicle in more than one position or in different positi ons of one field, photometric 
measurement shall be carried out at each position or at the extreme positions within the reference axis field specified by the manufacturer. 
7.12 A standard light source A (colour temperature 2856K) shall be  used for the colour inspection under 6.2. In the case of 
devices with non-replaceable lig ht sources, measurement shall be carried out at 6.75 V, 13.5 V, or 28.0 V. Observe colour 
changes outside of field 2 with the naked eye.  8 Inspection rules  8.1 Different types of devices are judged a ccording to the provisions of chapter 5. 
8.2 The device shall undergo a type inspection and a producti on conformity inspection. Devices that comply with the 
relevant provisions of 8.3 or 8.4 shall be regarded as having passed the type inspecti on or production conformity inspection fo r 
said devices. 
8.3 Type inspection 
8.3.1 The manufacturer shall provide:  a) drawings in triplicate sufficient to identify the type of de vice, with the following marked: reference axis (H = 0°, V = 
0°), reference centre, and the geometric positions for mounting on the vehicle;  b) a concise technical description, which,  excepting devices with non-replaceable light sources, specifies the category 
of filament lamp to be used;  c) two sample lights (including filament lamps in the case of  devices with non-replaceable light sources); in the case of 
category 2b devices, supplementary devices capable of two lu minous intensity levels shall be provided when necessary. 
8.3.2 Each sample light shall comply wi th the provisions of 6.1, 6.3, or 6.4 and with the provisions of 6.6. 
8.3.3 When testing in accordance with  the provisions of chapter 7, each samp le light shall comply with the relevant 
provisions of 6.2 and 6.5 . 
8.4 Production conformity inspection 8.4.1 In the case of devices that have passed type inspec tion, use sample lights randomly selected from mass-produced 
products to judge their production conformity. 
8.4.2 Randomly selected samples shall comply  with the provisions of 6.1, 6.3, or  6.4 and with the provisions of 6.6. 
8.4.3 When testing in accordance with th e provisions of chapter 7, the randomly se lected sample lights shall comply with 
the provisions of 6.2. 8.4.4 When testing in accordance with th e provisions of chapter 7, the randomly se lected sample lights shall comply with 
the relevant provisions of 6.5, permitting therein: 
 a) minimum luminous intensity no less th an 80% of the value specified in 6.5; 
 b) maximum luminous intensity no greater than 120% of the value specified in 6.5. 
        
 
        
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