Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
CSA C653-18: Energy Performance Standard for Roadway Lighting Equipment
Comprehensive technical overview of the Canadian standard for evaluating the energy efficiency and photometric performance of street and highway luminaires
Introduction
CSA C653-18 establishes a comprehensive framework for evaluating the energy performance of roadway lighting equipment used on public streets, highways, parking lots, and pedestrian pathways. Published by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) and reaffirmed in 2023, this standard applies to luminaires operating with line voltage electrical supplies, including solid-state (LED) light sources as well as conventional technologies such as high-pressure sodium (HPS) and induction lamps. By defining rigorous test procedures, calculation methods, and minimum efficacy thresholds, CSA C653-18 helps municipalities, consulting engineers, and lighting manufacturers select and verify luminaires that deliver adequate illumination while minimizing energy consumption. The standard is referenced in Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations and supports greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Scope and Application
CSA C653-18 covers luminaires intended for permanent installation in roadway lighting systems. The scope includes:
- Luminaires for Class A (freeway), Class B (arterial), Class C (collector), and Class D (local) roadways as defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) RP-8.
- Products with a rated input power of up to 400 W per luminaire.
- Luminaires that incorporate integrated control gear, sockets, and optical assemblies.
- Both AC mains and DC (e.g., solar-powered) configurations when connected to a utility grid.
Exclusions: The standard does not apply to tunnel lighting, decorative architectural fixtures, portable work lights, or luminaires with integral occupancy sensors that modulate output by more than 20 %.
Technical Requirements
Minimum Luminous Efficacy
The core metric of CSA C653-18 is the Luminaire Efficacy Rating (LER), expressed in lumens per watt (lm/W). LER is defined as the total initial luminous flux of the luminaire divided by its input power under steady-state conditions. The standard sets minimum LER thresholds based on the nominal correlated color temperature (CCT) category:
| CCT Category | Minimum LER (lm/W) | Test Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| 3000 K (warm white) | 110 | ± 3 % |
| 4000 K (neutral white) | 125 | ± 3 % |
| 5000 K (cool white) | 135 | ± 5 % |
| 5700 K (daylight) | 140 | ± 5 % |
Manufacturers must declare the CCT and the measured LER in the product documentation. For multi-level or dimmable luminaires, the LER must be measured at the highest power setting and at the 50 % output setting.
Power Factor and Electrical Quality
All luminaires under CSA C653-18 must have a minimum power factor (PF) of 0.90 at full rated load when driven by a line voltage of 120 V or 277 V (60 Hz). For luminaires rated above 100 W, the total harmonic current distortion (THDi) must not exceed 20 % of the fundamental current. These requirements ensure compatibility with utility grids and prevent excessive neutral currents in three-phase systems.
Photometric Distribution and Control
Luminaires must be tested using goniophotometric methods per IES LM-79-08 or equivalent. The standard specifies:
- A minimum beam utilization factor (BUF) of 0.80 for Type II and Type III distributions.
- Maximum uplight ratio (ULR) of 3 % to limit skyglow.
- For luminaires with adjustable optics, the manufacturer must provide verified photometric files for the three most common aiming angles.
Durability and Environmental Stress
Products must pass a 1000-hour salt spray test (ASTM B117) and a 600-hour damp-heat test at 85 % RH and 40 °C. Additionally, a thermal shock test (5 cycles from –40 °C to +60 °C) is required for luminaires intended for extreme climate zones in Canada.
Note: CSA C653-18 does not replace safety requirements. All luminaires must also comply with the applicable CSA C22.2 safety standards (e.g., CSA C22.2 No. 250.0) and local electrical codes.
Implementation Highlights
Adoption of CSA C653-18 typically involves the following steps:
- Product design: Optical engineers select high-efficacy LED packages, optimized drivers, and low-loss secondary optics to meet LER targets. Thermal management is critical because junction temperature directly affects luminous flux and color stability.
- Testing and reporting: Accredited laboratories perform photometric and electrical tests. Results are recorded in a standardized Energy Performance Report (EPR) that includes LER, PF, THDi, and photometric files in IES/ENSA format.
- Certification: Manufacturers submit EPRs to a CSA-recognized certification body (e.g., CSA Group itself). A quarterly verification program ensures ongoing compliance by retesting a statistically relevant sample from production lines.
Tip: When specifying lighting on road projects, require that each luminaire model be listed in the CSA C653-18 Product Registry maintained by NRCan. This ensures independent validation of energy performance claims.
Compliance and Enforcement
In Canada, CSA C653-18 is mandated by the federal Energy Efficiency Regulations (SOR/94-651) for roadway luminaires sold or imported into Canada. Enforcement is carried out by the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) under the Energy Efficiency Act. Key compliance aspects include:
- Verification testing: Authorities may select products at retail or on-site for audit testing at Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) accredited labs.
- Labelling: Each luminaire must bear a CSA Group certification mark or an approved accredited certification body (CB) mark along with the LER value.
- Penalties: Non‑compliant products can be prohibited from sale, and manufacturers may be subject to financial penalties up to $50,000 per occurrence.
Retrofit kits intended to upgrade existing luminaires are also within scope; they must achieve the same LER thresholds as complete luminaires when measured with the installed optical assembly.
Important: Failure to comply with CSA C653-18 can result in product removal from the Canadian market and potential legal action by NRCan. Always reference the current edition (2018, with reaffirmation in 2023) in procurement documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does CSA C653-18 apply to solar-powered roadway luminaires?
A: Yes, but only if the luminaire is primarily powered by a utility grid charge controller. Standalone off‑grid solar luminaires are not within the current scope. The LER measurement must be performed with the luminaire connected to a stable AC supply.
A: Yes, but only if the luminaire is primarily powered by a utility grid charge controller. Standalone off‑grid solar luminaires are not within the current scope. The LER measurement must be performed with the luminaire connected to a stable AC supply.
Q: How often should manufacturers retest to maintain compliance?
A: CSA C653-18 requires that each luminaire model be retested at least every two years or whenever a significant design change is made (e.g., new LED array, driver, or optics). Certification bodies may also require random sample testing from production batches.
A: CSA C653-18 requires that each luminaire model be retested at least every two years or whenever a significant design change is made (e.g., new LED array, driver, or optics). Certification bodies may also require random sample testing from production batches.
Q: Can a luminaire with a LER below the threshold be sold in Canada if it has a special purpose (e.g., decorative bollards)?
A: No. The standard does not provide exceptions for decorative or specialty roadway fixtures. If the product falls within the scope (permanent installation on roads), it must meet the LER table. Only tunnel lighting and portable work lights are explicitly excluded.
A: No. The standard does not provide exceptions for decorative or specialty roadway fixtures. If the product falls within the scope (permanent installation on roads), it must meet the LER table. Only tunnel lighting and portable work lights are explicitly excluded.
Q: What is the relationship between CSA C653-18 and the IES RP-8 recommended practices?
A: CSA C653-18 references IES RP-8 for roadway classification and photometric requirements. Compliance with this standard ensures that the luminaire is suitable for a given roadway class, but the final selection remains the designer’s responsibility to meet local illumination levels and uniformity.
A: CSA C653-18 references IES RP-8 for roadway classification and photometric requirements. Compliance with this standard ensures that the luminaire is suitable for a given roadway class, but the final selection remains the designer’s responsibility to meet local illumination levels and uniformity.
This article is published for technical reference purposes only. Always refer to the official CSA C653-18 document (2026 edition) for complete and authoritative requirements.