ANSI/PLATO FL1

Why does the ANSI/PLATO FL1 2019 Standard matter? 

When shopping for lights like flashlights, headlamps, bike lights, or spotlights, sometimes things can get confusing. But the ANSI/PLATO FL1 2019 standard, is here to help. It sets clear rules for testing and describing how these lights work.

When you see the ANSI FL1 symbols on the package, it means the product's claims have been checked against industry standards. This lets you trust the information and easily compare different lights to find the best one for you.

What does each ANSI/PLATO FL1 2019 icon mean?

 •  Light Output 

This tells you how bright the light is, measured in Lumens. Lumens show the total brightness, unlike Watts, which only tell you how much power the light uses. With LED lights being so efficient, a lower Wattage LED can actually be brighter than a higher-wattage one. That's why we use Lumens to compare brightness.

 •  Beam Distance 

This shows how far the light can shine effectively, measured in meters. Think of it as the distance where the light is still as bright as a full moon on a clear night in an open field.

 •  Run Time 

This is the length of time the light will work well, starting from 30 seconds after you turn it on until the brightness drops to 10% of what it was when you first turned it on. It tells you how long you'll get good light before needing new batteries.

 •  Peak Beam Intensity 

This is the brightest part of the light beam, measured in candela. Candela is the updated way to measure how intense the light is, replacing the old term "candlepower."

 •  Impact Resistance 

This measures how high the light can fall onto hard ground without breaking. They test it by dropping it six times from different sides to make sure it can take a hit. To pass, the light has to work perfectly and not have any cracks or damage, and it needs to survive a fall from at least one meter.

 •  Water Resistance 

This symbol shows the light can handle water splashes from every direction. They test this after checking its toughness, to make sure it can stay dry in real situations.

 •  Waterproof 

This icon means the light can be submerged underwater up to at least 1 meter deep for half an hour. Like with water resistance, they test this after the impact test to make sure it stays sealed shut in real life.