Reversing lights
The reversing light (in Switzerland reversing light) is considered to be the lighting equipment of a vehicle.
In Germany, according to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations ( StVZO ) Section 52a, it is "a light that illuminates the lane behind and possibly next to the vehicle and indicates to other road users that the vehicle is reversing or is starting to drive."
Legal Aspects
Situation in Germany
Although the lighting equipment of a vehicle has to be checked regularly as part of the general inspection according to the StVZO and the Vehicle Parts Ordinance (FzTV), when installing them they have to comply with the regulations of the Economic Commission for Europe for motor vehicles and their trailers (in short: ECE regulations ).
To understand it, it should be mentioned at this point that the ECE regulations were created in cooperation with the European states and are therefore to be seen in principle as the basis of the StVZO. In practice, this is also reflected in the scope of the respective plants: Where the StVZO § 52a for reversing lights is limited to about half a DIN A4 page, the ECE-R 23 currently comprises a little over 60 pages on the same topic, plus one Part of ECE-R 48, which is also relevant for this facility.
The ECE regulation also describes all approval-relevant subject areas for reversing lights. It regulates how many lights are permitted in which vehicle class and describes where (direction and distance) and how (how) the light is to be attached. In addition, the ECE regulates the lighting aspects of the luminaire and thus defines which areas around the vehicle must be illuminated , which areas can be illuminated and which areas may not be illuminated . The ECE describes the permissible color point of the emitted light, how the luminaire is to be approved and which measures the manufacturer must use to control its production.
Trailers can have one or two reversing lights, but normal 7-pin trailer plugs are not suitable. Motorcycles (motorcycles) and certain slow vehicles do not need them.
history
Reversing lights were originally separate accessories that were screwed to the bumper or body. Today, reversing lights are generally integrated into the rear light unit in passenger cars .
A requirement for the presence of at least one reversing light on cars has existed in Germany since January 1, 1987.
literature
- Hans-Hermann Braess , Ulrich Seiffert (Hrsg.): Vieweg manual automotive technology. 6th, updated and expanded edition. Vieweg + Teubner publisher, Wiesbaden 2011, ISBN 978-3-8348-1011-3 .
- Rudolf Hüppen, Dieter Korp : Auto electrics (all types). Ignition, battery, alternator, starter, instruments, devices, lighting (= Now I'll help myself 20, ZDB -ID 2379181-0 ). Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1968.
- Jürgen Kasedorf, Richard Koch: Service primer for vehicle electrics. An introduction to automotive electronics. , 15th, revised edition. Vogel, Würzburg 2007, ISBN 978-3-8343-3098-7 .
Web links
Single receipts
- ↑ §52a StVZO
- ↑ Mandatory reversing lights ( memento of the original from January 13, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF file; 105 kB)
