Industrial spaces are task oriented and run round the clock. The infrastructure is laid upon the basic requirements that is uninterrupted energy supply which includes lighting layout. An industry cannot physically function properly without a lighting layout. It requires a constant supply of powerful bright lighting so the usual tasks can be carried out in an orderly manner.
Traditional usage includes use of high bay lights as the requirement of light is increased with respect to area per square foot and importantly, the ceiling height.
High bay lighting is for high ceiling areas, those with ceilings extending above 40-50 feet. It generates a lot of room to cover and the severity of the tasks are also an important consideration.
High Bay Lights and their Function
High bay light fixtures are purpose based light fixtures for areas which require powerful and essentially bright light as it helps in creating a professional task-based environment. In industries several processes are on the go and have various requirements. A general layout depends on a high power light structure which creates daylight like ambiance and visibility.
High bay light fixtures are linear or round, predominantly large light fixtures to accommodate large spaces. These fixtures tend to have a structure which can withstand the environmental features of a fast paced environment. The structure of a high bay light needs to be quite resilient in terms of endurance and function.
Light manufacturers have accounted the way in which good lighting conditions facilitate the process as well as people working under that and have come forth with a design which carries:
- An Aluminum or die-cast aluminum housing/frame:
The housing of the fixture is of aluminum as it is a malleable element and highly resistive to corrosion due to moisture present in air. In high bay areas the ceilings are high and the air circulation allows the toxins or other elements in air to stay present in the environment until evacuated. This frame supports the structure and allows certain advantages in a packed environment. It also carries mounting brackets which allow proper positioning of the fixture to provide light at any elevation levels.
- A glass/polycarbonate lens
High bay lights have lenses which cover the integrated or other lamp type. It is made up of glass, polycarbonate or acrylic material as they are competitive and can withstand extreme conditions which have a potential to cause accidents in a fast paced environment.
This material basically allows perseverance of light, it’s scratch/breakage resistant and allows the light to spread over a large surface area in a diffused pattern.
It is necessary as most high bays are downlights and impart light directly downwards hence the lens and its customisations allows light to spread at different elevation levels.
- Efficient lamp- LED
Light manufacturers now make and recommend the use of LED lamps in high bay lights. The reasoning is simple as these lamps are effective, efficient and tend to various needs of an industrial environment. Traditionally HPS,HID and halogen lamps were largely inducted for the purpose of bright lighting but the statistics suggest their inability to withstand the aforementioned conditions. These lamps fail to deliver the optimum results including adequate lighting. LED lamps on the other hand are a great replacement and have revolutionised the lighting conditions and how the market views it.
They are efficient, provide consistent lighting, prevent accidental situations and also help save up a lot of energy in several ways.
Importance of using LED light fixtures
LED lamps allow various advantages over traditional options which facilitate the lighting conditions in a usual industrial environment. The advantages are as follows:
- Higher illumination levels
LED lamps produce higher illumination levels than traditional options.despite receiving the same amount of power supply. The difference is stark and more light is produced at the expense of less energy which is quite the opposite with traditional options where they consume a lot of energy and only produce 10% light while the rest of the energy is wasted.
With very regressive and little functional life the traditional options increase the cost of lighting around the industry while LED lamps produce uniform and efficient lighting and productively reduce the costs of lighting around the industry. They are longer lasting, bright and customisable for better function.
- Directional lighting
With LED light fixtures it is easy to create directional patterns of light which allow uniform levels of brightness at all elevation levels. It is easy with the lens and adjusting beam angles between 60-120 degrees. The mounting brackets also allow easy positioning of fixtures through cords or chains which allows room for task lighting as well.
- Customizable lighting
LED light fixtures are also highly customisable for enhanced ambiance. These lamps can produce warm yellow to bright white light on a kelvin scale ranging from 2500-5500K. The recommended Kelvin temperature for industrial environments is 4500K-5500K. These light fixtures are integrable with motion sensors as well and help create ambient light to facilitate the people and working conditions.
- Environment friendly
LED light fixtures are user friendly and also help in creating a healthy atmosphere for people working under these conditions. They operate on green lighting technology which is easy on the eyes and does not cause migraines or headaches in people despite being very bright. The light is in a uniform pattern and glare free. It also reduces carbon footprint and does not interact with UVA/UVB radiation.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” he is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.