Embracing TECHNOLOGY
LED luminaries lend themselves to mine applications and hold many advantages
over traditional HID lighting
THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL bene ts of LED lighting t e c h n o l o g y h a v e b e e n w e l l documented and continue to be a top priority when it comes to new construction or retro t lighting projects. However, while o�en overlooked, LED lighting upgrades are also frequently a simple and cost effective solution for improving safety. �is is especially true throughout the industrial and hazardous location world and particularly so for mining companies that operate in some of the most demanding environments. In the mining industry, it is imperative that all equipment holds up in these demanding applications, which o�en includes hazardous locations where ignitable dust is present and Class IIcerti ed equipment is required. Traditional lighting technologies such as high-intensity discharge( HID) types including high-pressure sodium, cannot provide the balance of a pure white light source while meeting temperature rating requirements and providing value in total cost of ownership due to frequent bulb f ai lu re s and e xcessive e n e rg y consumption. HID light xtures are also o�en bulky and heavy in weight, causing installation and maintenance challenges that typically require multiple personnel. LED luminaries on the other hand lend themselves perfectly to these dustlled applications and hold many advantages over traditionalHID lighting. In addition to lasting years longer than traditional light sources, LEDs are able to offer superior T- ratings( measure of the surface temperature of the xture) due to the fact that they run cooler than traditional technology. �e lower the surface temperature, the higher or safer the rating. For example, a T3- rated xture has a maximum surface temperature of 200 degrees Celsius while a top rated T6-rated device has a maximum surface temperature of 85 degrees Celsius. Where a typical metal halide xture can produce up to 572degrees Fahrenheit( T2, the lowest rating possible), most LED xtures for hazardous locations operate at just 212 degrees Fahrenheit( T5rating). LED luminaires also have a mechanical advantage in mining applications with constant shock and vibration. Since LED light sources are small solid state devices with no glass or laments to break, they are inherently resistant to extreme vibrations and allow for low pro le and lightweight xture designs while still maintaining UL844 standards. From a safety perspective, t h i s m e a n s e a s i e r a n d s a f e r installations with the added safety bene t of secondary retention.
COOL LIGHTING �e nature of LED xtures to run cool is also key to explaining LED ' s
Page26 | May- June 2016
| FMDZ