SAE J377

Description / Abstract: GENERAL

This SAE Standard establishes the minimum operational life, environmental requirements, and sound level output for electrically driven Vehicular Traffic Sound Signalling Devices (hereinafter referred to as Horns) on new automotive vehicles. Test equipment, environment, and procedures are specified.

Intended Usage and Life Expectation

The horns meeting this specification are intended to be used on automotive vehicles, in defined climatic conditions and environments.

Any device functioning as a horn, is intended to perform its function, to this specification for at least 10 years or 250 000 km (150 000 miles). Two levels of usage shall be defined: A — Normal Usage; and B — High Usage.

For the purposes of this specification, Normal Usage (A) life shall be interpreted as:

Nominal Duty—50 000 actuations

Chirp Duty—40 000 actuations

Long Duty—200 actuations

Continuous Duty—4.0 minutes (per section 8.14)

These duty cycles are defined in Appendix B (figure B1):

For purposes of this specification, High Usage (B) life shall be interpreted as Normal Usage (A) followed by an additional 450 000 Nominal Duty Actuations.

These duty definitions shall be modified for Combined Environment Testing as shown in the Combined Environment section.