Questions and answers

No. If the product is only approved as a side marker, it's only legal to use it in that capacity. If you want different functions in a light, all functions need to be E-approved for their respective uses. The E-approval mark should be imprinted on the lamp’s lens. 

The relay should be rated at least 10% above the maximum load of the installation and have a higher amp rating than the fuse. The fuse rating should be set just above the total maximum load. It is important that this is correct so the fuse is always the weakest link in the installation. That way, it will fail first if something goes wrong. The required cable cross-section depends on the load, the length of the wiring, and the cable material. For this reason, there is no universal answer, as every installation is unique. If you are unsure, it is safest to consult a vehicle electrician.

The beam pattern can vary in appearance and is influenced by the design of the lamp’s reflector and lens. Some beam patterns are designed to reach as far as possible, others to be wider, and some are a combination of both distance and width. Which one suits you best depends on personal preference and the types of roads you usually drive on. On long, straight roads such as highways or mountain roads, a long-range beam pattern may be the best choice. If you mostly drive on winding forest or country roads, a slightly wider beam pattern can be a good option, as it makes it easier to spot animals and other hazards along the roadside.
At Strands, we refer to our beam patterns as optimized, extended, and long-distance. Optimized is the widest beam pattern, extended offers both width and reach, and long-distance is a narrow beam with maximum range. These are also commonly referred to as flood, combo, and pencil.

The ECE regulations, commonly referred to as E-approved in everyday language, are laws that regulate which lights are permitted on a vehicle, their intensity, and how and where they may be installed. For example, a driving light must not be too powerful, and position lights must have the correct color. However, an approved light cannot be installed arbitrarily just because it is approved. An approved side marker light, for instance, can not be connected to the indicator function or installed facing forward or rearward. You are also not allowed to install an unlimited number of lights simply because they are approved: there are rules governing both the quantity and placement on the vehicle. If a driving light includes a position light, you must comply with the regulations for both the driving light and the position light.
If you drive internationally, you also need to consider reference numbers and the number of light sources. The lights must still be E-approved. Many Strands driving lights feature two light modes: an approved E-mode and an Xperience mode.
The ECE regulations cover the following categories of lights:
ECE R3 – Reflectors
ECE R4 – License plate lights
ECE R6 – Direction indicators, front, rear, and side
ECE R7 – Position, tail, brake, and clearance lights
ECE R19 – Front fog lights
ECE R23 – Reversing lights
ECE R38 – Rear fog lights
ECE R65 – Warning lights
ECE R77 – Front and rear parking lights
ECE R87 – Daytime running lights
ECE R91 – Side marker lights
ECE R98 – Xenon headlamps (auxiliary beams)
ECE R112 – Halogen and LED headlamps (auxiliary beams)

The reference number indicates a lamp’s light output in terms of intensity, range, and the relationship between beam width and length. The higher the value, the more powerful the light. According to the ECE regulations, a vehicle’s total lighting, in addition to being approved, must have a combined reference number of no more than 100. This total includes both auxiliary driving lights and the vehicle’s original lighting. The reference number must be embossed on the lamp’s lens.
However, if you’re a Swedish driver, Sweden has a national exemption from this rule. Because reference numbers are not calculated in Sweden, it is possible to install a large number of auxiliary driving lights. These lights must still be E-approved to be considered legal. If you frequently drive abroad and have many driving lights with high reference numbers, it may be wise to disconnect them to avoid fines.

IP rating is an international standard that indicates how well a product is protected against liquids and solid objects, such as water and particles. The first digit specifies the level of protection against dust and solid objects, rated on a scale from 0 to 6, with 6 meaning the product is completely dust-tight. The second digit indicates the level of protection against water, with 9 or 9K representing the highest level. Vehicle lighting is often exposed to heavy wear, which makes choosing the right IP rating essential. This is also important to consider when washing your vehicle: a lower IP rating may mean the light cannot withstand a car wash or exposure to very hot water.
First digit (protection against solid objects):
5 = Dust protected
6 = Dust-tight
Second digit (protection against water):
5 = Protected against water jets from a nozzle
6 = Protected against powerful water jets
7 = Can be temporarily submerged in water without damage
8 = Suitable for continuous immersion in water
9(K) = Suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature water
Example: IP66 – dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets.

Kelvin is a measure of color temperature. A higher value produces a cooler light, while a lower value results in a warmer light. Fluorescent lighting often leans toward the cooler, bluish end of the spectrum, while dimmer lighting shifts toward the warmer, redder end. The optimal color temperature depends on the intended use of the light. A cooler color temperature is usually well-suited for driving and work lights, as it provides a clear, distinct beam pattern that makes it easy to see what’s ahead. A warmer color temperature could be better for driving in rain and snow, as it lessens glare from water particles.

In simple terms, lumen refers to the luminous flux from a light source: in short, the strength of the light. It depends only on what is emitted from the light source itself, not on the overall design of the lamp. There are theoretical and actual lumens. Theoretical lumens indicate light output under optimal conditions that rarely occur in real life and it´s impossible to create products with 100% actuall lumens. That is why we always try to refer to actual lumens.
Lux is a unit of illuminance, measuring the amount of light that reaches a specific surface. 1 lux equals 1 lumen per square meter. When stating the intensity and illuminance of a driving light, the measurement 1 lux @ x meters is commonly used. If a driving light has a range of 700 meters, it is specified as 1 lux @ 700 meters, meaning you get 1 lumen per square meter at a distance of 700 meters from the vehicle.
At Strands, we have an advanced light laboratory where we test all our lights to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.

The most common types of lamps are halogen, xenon, and LED. Halogen lamps use halogen gas and a filament. They are brighter than regular bulbs but are less luminous and have a shorter lifespan than xenon and LED lights.
Xenon lights contain the gas xenon but no filament; they last longer and consume less power than halogen lights. However, xenon lights take some time to reach full power. Both halogen and xenon lights generate heat.
LED is the most modern technology and is most commonly used in the Strands range. LED diodes have a very long lifespan, low power consumption, short ignition time, and better resistance to vibrations. To find out more about what this means when choosing a driving light, check out this article in our knowledge bank.