ISO 13207-1:2012

Road vehicles — LED lamp characteristics for bulb compatible failure detection — Part 1: LED lamps used as direction indicators

This part of ISO 13207 specifies the characteristics of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamps used as direction indicators when optionally monitored. It applies primarily to those lamps which are installed on 24V truck/trailer combinations. It will enable lamp-failure detection of LED lamps on the drawn vehicle to be compatible with that for bulbs when analysed by the towing unit.

Véhicules routiers — Caractéristiques des lampes LED pour détection de défaut compatible avec l'ampoule — Partie 1: Lampes LED utilisées comme feux indicateurs de direction

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 13-Feb-2012
• ICS: 43.040.20 - Lighting, signalling and warning devices
• ICS: 43.040.30 - Indicating and control devices
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 32 - Electrical and electronic components and general system aspects
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 32/WG 9 - Electrical connections between towing and towed vehicles
• Current Stage: 9060 - Close of review
• Completion Date: 02-Dec-2029

Overview

ISO 13207-1:2012 specifies the characteristics of LED lamps used as direction indicators in road vehicles to ensure compatibility with bulb-failure detection systems. This standard is especially relevant for LED direction indicator lamps installed on 24V truck and trailer combinations. By standardizing how LED lamp failure is detected, the document facilitates seamless communication between the towing and towed vehicles, supporting both safety and reliability in vehicle lighting systems. Bulb-compatible failure detection enables modern LED lamps to work efficiently in systems originally designed for incandescent bulbs, minimizing compatibility issues during fleet upgrades or mixed-fleet operations.

Key Topics

• LED Lamp Characteristics: Specifies how LED direction indicator lamps must behave electrically and functionally to replicate the current signatures of traditional bulb lamps.
• Failure Detection Compatibility: Establishes methods for lamp-failure detection so that towing vehicles can reliably detect failed direction indicators - whether equipped with bulbs or LEDs - on trailers.
• Pulse Current Profiles: Details the timing, amplitude, and operational parameters for current pulses generated by LED lamps, allowing conventional electronic control units (ECUs) or intelligent flashers to detect failures accurately.
• Parallel Operation: Addresses the operation of systems with both LED and incandescent lamps connected in parallel, maintaining clear identification of failures.
• Powerless Trailer Detection: Provides standardized methods for the towing vehicle to detect trailer presence, including the specification of a resistance load for uniform detection.

Applications

ISO 13207-1:2012 finds key applications in the automotive sector, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles, trucks, and trailers with a 24V electrical system. Its use offers the following benefits:

• Fleet Modernization: Enables mixed use of LED and conventional lamps without compromising failure detection, important for phased upgrades.
• Safety Compliance: Ensures direction indicator failures are detected and communicated to the driver, supporting legal requirements and road safety.
• OEM Development: Supports vehicle and component manufacturers in designing lighting and monitoring systems that function across diverse vehicle types and generations.
• Aftermarket Integration: Assists in retrofitting LED indicator lamps into existing fleets equipped with traditional bulb-based monitoring systems.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to both international and local regulations concerning vehicle lighting and electronic monitoring.

Related Standards

Several other standards are referenced or related to ISO 13207-1:2012, providing a comprehensive framework for electrical and electronic equipment in road vehicles:

• ISO 4082 - Flasher units for motor vehicles
• ISO 1185 - 7-pole connector for 24V nominal voltage systems
• ISO 3731 - 7-pole supplementary connector for 24V systems
• ISO 12098 - 15-pole connector for 24V truck/trailer connections
• ISO 16750 (all parts) - Environmental conditions and testing for vehicle electrical and electronic equipment
• DIN 72601 - Lamps for road vehicles
• ECE-R37 - Requirements for filament lamps in vehicles

Practical Value

By implementing ISO 13207-1:2012, automotive manufacturers and fleet operators benefit from:

• Improved System Interoperability: Ensures compatibility between new-generation LED lamps and existing detection systems.
• Simplified Maintenance: Streamlines the process of identifying failed indicator lamps across mixed vehicle fleets.
• Enhanced Road Safety: Ensures prompt detection and indication of lamp failures, supporting timely repairs and safer road operations.
• Future-Proofing: Lays the groundwork for smooth technology transitions as the automotive industry moves increasingly towards LED-based lighting solutions.

In summary, ISO 13207-1:2012 is essential for standardizing LED lamp characteristics for bulb-compatible failure detection in direction indicators, making it a cornerstone for both manufacturing and operating modern, safe truck and trailer fleets.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 13207-1
First edition
2012-02-15
Road vehicles — LED lamp characteristics
for bulb compatible failure detection —
Part 1:
LED lamps used as direction indicators
Véhicules routiers — Caractéristiques des lampes LED pour détection
de défaut compatible avec l’ampoule —
Partie 1: Lampes LED utilisées comme feux indicateurs de direction
Reference number
©
ISO 2012
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Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
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Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 13207-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 3, Electrical
and electronic equipment.
ISO 13207 consists of the following parts, under the general title Road vehicles — LED lamp characteristics for
bulb compatible failure detection:
— Part 1: LED lamps used as direction indicators
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 13207-1:2012(E)
Road vehicles — LED lamp characteristics for bulb compatible
failure detection —
Part 1:
LED lamps used as direction indicators
1 Scope
This part of ISO 13207 specifies the characteristics of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamps used as direction
indicators when optionally monitored. It applies primarily to those lamps which are installed on 24V truck/trailer
combinations. It will enable lamp-failure detection of LED lamps on the drawn vehicle to be compatible with
that for bulbs when analysed by the towing unit.
2 Terminals
The connection between the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle should be either as described in ISO 1185
and ISO 3731 or as described in ISO 12098. Towing vehicles should be equipped with electronic control units
(ECUs), which drive the trailer direction indicator lamps as described in ISO 4082.
3 Functional description
3.1 Principle
Lamp-failure monitoring electronics are required for mandatory mounted direction-indicator functions. For this
purpose, the LED direction-indicator function generates a current impulse at a certain time; this current impulse
corresponds in terms of amount with the current of a conventional bulb lamp. If the LED direction indicator fails
(in relation to the legal requirement of the photometric output), this pulse is not generated. An ECU or intelligent
flasher interprets whether the LED direction indicator fails on the basis of this pulse. The result should be used
to inform the driver accordingly.
Key
1 first process
2 second process
3 non-failure
4 failure
5 voltage: power supply of direction indicator during two flashing processes
6 current of LED direction indicator during two flashing processes, the first with, and second without, current control
pulse added
I current
I nominal LED lamp current
I I + control pulse current
1 2
T time
T starting point of the designated pulse time frame
T end of the designated pulse time frame
T earliest start point for the control pulse
T latest end point for the control pulse
T time frame within which the designated control pulse should be detected by the monitoring circuit of the control unit
U voltage
U operational voltage
B
Y voltage, U, in volts; current, I, in amperes
Figure 1 — Profile diagram 1
The functional description of
...