A Practical, RP-6-Aligned Commissioning Guide

Sports-lighting design is theoretical until the floodlights are aimed, tuned, and measured on site during commissioning. This stage reveals if the lighting meets the promised visibility, safety, and uniformity. The ANSI/IES RP-6 standard guides aiming, measurements, and documentation. Here is a practical, RP-6-aligned commissioning method for AEON’s PRO, PNR, and ECO luminaires and HyLink™ system.

Commissioning begins before fixture placement. Technicians need the approved lighting layout, pole map, luminaire schedule, and RP-6 annex requirements. Guidance on aiming (Annex C/D) and measurement (Annex E) should be on site. A calibrated, cosine-corrected light meter, a digital inclinometer, a sighting tool, and access to the control system are essential.

AEON installations with our HyLink™ on-site wireless controls include an additional checkpoint to verify that you can override all groups, turn off schedules, and force 100% output, ensuring that neither dimming nor automation interferes with the aiming process.

Field Equipment That Matches the Submittals

Before any floodlight is handled, it’s important to verify that the installed unit matches the approved design. Check the model, wattage, voltage, CCT, beam distribution, and any specified options.

AEON’s product families simplify this process: the PRO Series for long-throw, high-mast applications; the PNR Series for parks, recreational areas, and budget-conscious installations; and the ECO Series for high-efficiency, compact performance.

Each product line includes features RP-6 consistently encourages: high CRI (>85), UGR<19 glare control, multiple NEMA distributions, and IP67 protection. Catching discrepancies early prevents wasted time later when measurements fail to match targets simply because a beam pattern or wattage was wrong from the start.

Tight, Square, and Ready

Floodlight aiming depends on the hardware being torqued correctly, with the brackets sitting square, and no fixture being unintentionally tilted by shipping, handling, or seasonal adjustments.

Verify the forward-throw orientation and ensure nothing, such as sails, signage, architectural elements, or netting, blocks the beam path.

AEON’s housings and field-serviceable modules simplify prep work and make sure the final aiming is stable over time. With high-mast systems, a small correction at the bracket can result in major shifts on the field, so this step should be slow and deliberate.

Lighting Control as a Commissioning Tool

Once everything is secure, set all luminaire groups to full output. HyLink™ makes this painless: disable scenes, lock each pole to 100%, and provide the aiming team with consistent baseline conditions.

With older relay-type systems, technicians often fight inconsistent warm-up cycles or unexpected dimming. With HyLink™’s site-based architecture, the commissioning team has reliable, local control without depending on cloud access or external networks.

This eliminates the most common cause of “rogue” output levels during measurement: automated schedules resetting fixtures mid-test.

RP-6 Annex C/D in Action

Proper aiming begins with a simple but powerful principle from RP-6: start with the farthest zones first. Use the aiming chart from the photometric design and align each fixture’s tilt and azimuth using your inclinometer and sighting tool. Whether the project uses geometric target-point aiming, cross-aiming, or an annex-approved hybrid technique, consistency is what drives final uniformity.

On tall poles, begin with the narrow-beam luminaires, often the PRO Series, because they handle the longest throws and define the backbone of the lighting pattern. Then move to the mid-range and near-field zones using wider NEMA optics, where PNR or ECO Series distributions often take over.

AEON’s optical variety (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, depending on family) allows sculpting light so the RP-6 visibility goals are met without over-lighting certain zones.

After the rough aim is complete, step off the field and walk spectator areas, player benches, and property edges. RP-6 emphasizes visual comfort rather than target illuminance. Thanks to AEON’s glare-controlled optics (UGR<19) and excellent CRI, small tilt adjustments can greatly improve how effortlessly players and spectators see the action. This part of the process blends quantitative science with human-centered evaluation.

Field Measurements (RP-6 Annex E)

With aiming complete, you now measure actual field performance. RP-6 specifies the grid spacing, measurement height, and whether vertical illuminance readings are required, depending on the sport and class of play. This is where your calibrated meter earns its keep.

At each grid point, record the reading steadily and consistently. Environmental conditions matter; avoid extreme moisture, glare from low sun angles, or shadows from nearby structures.

Once you have the complete dataset, compute the averages, minimums, and maximums, and then evaluate uniformity ratios and gradient metrics as defined by RP-6. The standard emphasizes both horizontal and vertical visibility, and AEON’s optical packages are specifically designed to help meet these criteria with fewer luminaires.

If the results are inadequate, possibly due to pole placement restrictions or unforeseen local glare, try correcting by re-aiming a few fixtures instead of making large adjustments. RP-6 advocates for small, measurement-based adjustments over guesswork.

Programming Final Scenes and Handing Off the System

Once illumination reaches RP-6 levels, program operating modes. HyLink™ offers scenes like “Game,” “Practice,” “Broadcast,” “Cleanup,” and “Security” with various dimming and schedules. These cut energy use and prolong luminaire life.

The final commissioning package should include as-designed diagrams, tilt and azimuth logs, measurement reports, and a maintenance plan aligned with RP-6 guidelines. AEON’s sealed optical chambers and rugged construction mean maintenance intervals can be longer, but documenting recommendations helps facilities plan budgets and staffing.

Ready to Upgrade Your Facility Lighting?

If you’re planning a new sports-lighting system or retrofitting an older HID installation, AEON can provide a free, RP-6-aligned lighting layout customized for your exact field.

Let us help you design a system that performs perfectly from day one and stays that way for the next decade. You can also estimate project costs, energy savings, and operating expenses using our Sports Lighting Cost Calculator or Request a Free Lighting Layout.