What Is Hazardous Lighting? | How To Choose The Right Rugged Light
Choosing a light fixture might seem like a straightforward process. After all, all you need is a light that fits the budget and delivers enough to see in, right? Well, some locations require lighting that can withstand tougher conditions. These fall under the category of hazardous lighting.
This post will discuss what hazardous lighting is and what requirements hazardous light fixtures are supposed to fulfill.
What Is Hazardous Lighting?
Hazardous lighting broadly refers to any lighting equipment or fixture required to operate safely in harsh conditions. More specifically, the lighting should perform within its specifications even if the environmental conditions would disrupt the function of any other lighting fixture. Hazardous locations can be one of the following:
- A public space, such as a bridge, neighborhood, or local park
- An outdoor environment, such as a beach or oceanfront property
- A location with a risk of fire, combustion, or explosion, such as a steel mill or textile factory
- A high-abuse location, such as a correctional facility or an area prone to vandalism
Of course, getting the right type of hazardous lighting for your application is important. Each one of the examples listed above has different requirements for lighting.
Hazardous Lighting Requirements
Unlike conventional, commonly available lighting fixtures, hazardous lighting fixtures can withstand exceptionally harsh conditions. For example, a high-abuse fixture should tolerate physical forces and impacts without sustaining damage or needing replacement.
A vandal-proof lighting fixture is resistant to attempts at vandalism. Manufacturers construct them with higher-quality materials and tighter tolerances. It’s no question that rugged construction is best to protect your lighting investment.
On the other hand, exposure to the elements can be a harsh environment all on its own. Humidity, rain, saltwater, hail, and dust can destroy outdoor electrical equipment. That’s why, for example, you would choose a waterproof illuminator with an IP rating. Then, you can be sure that they’ve been tested against the conditions you intend to use them in.
Conclusion: Born To Do The Job
In short, it’s important to understand the benefits of hazardous lighting for your application. It is less expensive in the long run to have reliable, rugged lighting rather than replacing cheaper, low-quality light fixtures. Also, it’s more critical to have good lighting in rough environments, where seeing reliably is essential to doing the job correctly.
Iluminar specializes in the manufacture of superior, professional-quality LED lighting solutions for license plate capture systems, as well as video surveillance. To top it off, we offer unmatched customer service for all of our clients.
Our invisible and visible series of products all come in various form factors, with many angle choices, wavelengths, range, and power ratings available to choose from. All of our illuminators come with covert and semi-covert options capable of running off AC or DC power. Best of all, we offer weatherproof systems with exceptional build quality to survive even the most brutal deployment application.
Our product experts will personally guide you towards choosing the right product for your application. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at (281) 438-3500 today!