Identify your outdated industrial lighting fixtures
Which old lights do you currently use in your building?
Old and inefficient industrial lighting systems will typically use HID (high intensity discharge) lamps - these have one large bulb in a fixture with a domed reflector (referred to as "high bay") or a rectangular box fitting (referred to as "low bay"). Another common outdated light fixture uses fluorescent tubes (with electromagnetic ballasts) in a singular or twin arrangement with no capacity for using automatic controls.
HID Low-Bay Fitting
HID High-Bay Fitting
Fluorescent tube fitting
More information on these types of lights is given below.
HID type 1 - metal halide low/high bay light fixtures
Energy intensive metal halide lights are typically used in buildings where a high light quality is required.
Typical bulb shape
Example metal halide system
Features of metal halide lights
Light colour: white/blue light
High lux degredation: 70% of initial lumen output lost in 3000-4000 hours
Lifetime: 6000-10000 hour lamp life
Restrike time: 6 -10 minutes - no automatic control
Lamp types: 150, 250 & 400W elliptical bulbs
There are energy saving alternatives to metal halide fixtures which provide a similar high quality of ilumination for working spaces - one such example is induction lamp fixtures which have a lifetime of approx 80000 hours...
HID type 2 - High pressure sodium low/high bay light fixtures (SONs)
Energy intensive (or SON) are typically used in warehouse buildings or heavy industry factory buildings.
Typical bulb shape
Example SON system
Features of SON lamps
Light colour: yellow/orange light
Light quality: Low Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of around 20-30
Lifetime: 10000-15000 hour lamp life
Restrike time: 6 -10 minutes - no automatic control
Lamp types: 150, 250 & 400W elliptical and tubular bulbs
There are energy saving alternatives to high pressure sodium fixtures which provide a similar high quality of ilumination for working spaces - one such example is LED light fixtures which have a lifetime of approx 50000 hours...
HID type 3 - Mercury vapour light fixtures (rarer)
Energy intensive mercury vapour lights are typically used in industrial settings where a long lamp lifetime is required due to difficult access to fixtures etc.
Typical bulb shape
Example mercury vapour system
Features of mercury vapour lamps
Light colour: white/green light (low CRI)
Low lumen output: around 50 lumens/Watt
Lifetime: 15000-20000 hour lamp life
Restrike time: 6 -10 minutes - no automatic control
Lamp types: 250 & 400W elliptical bulbs
One energy saving alternative to mercury vapour fixtures which requires low maintenance is induction lamp fixtures - these have a lifetime of approx 80000 hours...
T12 and T8 fluorscent tube fixtures (using magnetic ballasts)
Older fluorscent lamp light fixtures use either T8 or T12 tubes with magnetic ballasts - the older ballast type is noted by a characteristic "flickering" when the lamp is first switched on.
Typical bulb shape
Example T12 system
Features of T12 fluorescent tubes
Light colour: white light
Lifetime: 5000-10000 hour tube life
Restrike time: - no automatic controls
Lamp types: 4,5,6 and 8 foot tube lengths
There are energy efficient versions of the T8 and T 12 fluorescent tube technologies - these are T5 tubes with high frequency electronic ballasts which allow instant use with automatic presence and daylight lighting control systems ...
