Replacing Hid Lamps With High Bay Fluorescent Can Save You A Lot Of Money

Share:    

Introduction: The function of high bay lighting is to light

surface which are more than 15 feet away. Some common kinds of high bay

applications can be seen in gymnasiums, warehouses and factories etc.

All lamps which are used in applications are consists of mercury. In

recent times, both high intensity fluorescent technologies (HIF) and

HID have gained popularity but the performance of HIF technology is

understood better in many applications that is which has given HIF

opportunity to gain market share. The improved technology of

fluorescent lamps and the invention of new HIF fixtures have composed

the most cost effective choice as fluorescent lighting for indoor areas

like warehouses, big retail stores, factories and athletic facilities

(Lighting: HID Versus Fluorescent for High-Bay Lighting, 2007, p 1 para

1).

History of fluorescent lighting: Generally people associate

lighting and lamps with incandescent light bulb which was invented by

Thomas Alwa Edison and some other inventors. These kinds of bulbs

perform on the basis of electricity and filament. When these bulbs are

heated by electricity, the filament gets high temperature so it glows

and gives light. Fluorescent bulbs like arc and vapor perform

differently. The light does not come due to heat; it is produced

through the chemical reactions, which happen when the application of

electricity is on different gases encircled in a glass void compartment

(The History of Fluorescent Lights, 2009, para 1).

In 1857 Alaxandre E. Becquerel discovered the fact of

fluorescence and phosphorescence. He imagined the creation of

fluorescent tubes as same as they are made presently. He did some

experiments on coating electric discharge tubes, which were combined

with luminescent materials. This was the procedure which further

expanded in fluorescent lamps (The History of Fluorescent Lights, 2009,

para 2).

In 1901Peter Cooper Hewitt got exclusive rights on the first

mercury vapor lamp (The History of Fluorescent Lights, 2009 para 3).

His low pressure mercury arc lamps became the very first of its kind

for today"s modern fluorescent type. Edmund Germer discovered a high

pressure vapor lamp which helped in producing economical light with

less heat. In 1927 he copyrighted an experimental fluorescent lamp.

Some historians give Edmund Germer the credit of inventing the first

true fluorescent lamp (The History of Fluorescent Lights, 2009, para 7).

T5 Lamps: High lumen fluorescent systems are gaining a lot of

popularity where T5 fixtures are presented in 4 and 6 lamps

configurations whose effective process can be related to high bay

applications. They are flexible systems which are some levels higher

than any other high bay applications. It has following characteristics

(High Bay lighting Solutions, 2007, p 3, para 1):

* It provides the most light with the

help of the fewest lamps.

* It is good for using with occupancy

sensors.

* It is ideal for maintaining lamp life

in frequently switched applications.

* It has 120-277 volt and 347-480 volt

ballasts.

* It can increase lumen output at 35 c

ambient temperatures.

* It is specially designed for high bay

applications.

* Its technology is very high which can

reduce generated heat.

* It consists of thermal technology that

can remove heat.

* It has the facility of additional

energy savings (High Bay lighting Solutions, 2007, p 3, para 2).

Comparison with HID: HID lamps are thought to be point sources

as they throw intense light in a small area. These kinds of lamps can

be used for distant purposes such as indoor and outdoor sports

facilities, warehouses, factories, where the ceilings are high and

street lightings are used (Lighting: HID Versus Fluorescent for

High-Bay Lighting, 2007, p 1, para 1).

If we compare HID with HIF lamps some disadvantages of HID

lamps have been observed (High Bay lighting Solutions, 2007, p 2, para

2):

* They consume high energy.

* They have warm up and restrike delays

as they cannot be related with occupancy censors effectively.

* Their noise is not favorable for quiet

ambient

* Their lumen maintenance is very low

where significant reduction in lower output can be observed.

* The color is very poor. CRI rates

between 60 and 70. Color also varies from one lamp to other lamp.

* Its matching efficiency is less than

80%.

Now if we see benefits of high lumen fluorescent systems it

can tell the difference between them and HID (High Bay lighting

Solutions, 2007, p 2, para 3):

* HIF are energy efficient. They can

save up to 50% energy.

They are

instant and they have no warm up time. They have good relation with

occupancy sensors so they can save maximum energy.

* Its operation is not noisy instead it

is quiet. Its sound has been rated A.

* Its color is excellent. CRI rates

between 75 and 85. It does not have any color variation or shift over

time.

* Its matching efficiencies are higher

than 90% (High Bay lighting Solutions, 2007, p 2, para 3).

While calculating energy efficiency it is necessary to check

the number of lamps and as well as watts per lamp (High-Bay Lighting:

Opportunities for Mercury Reduction and Energy Efficiency, p 3, para

4). For example four HO T5 lamps or induction fluorescent lamps are

needed to create the same amount of light like HID lamp. If the lumens

per watt are higher, we will need less electricity for light. If a

lighting system uses less Kilowatt hr per year, a facility will use

less electricity and it will pay for that (High-Bay Lighting:

Opportunities for Mercury Reduction and Energy Efficiency, 2003, p 3,

para 4).

Switching from HID lamps to HO T5 fluorescent lamps: It has

become a common trend to switch over from HIS lamps to HO T5 lamps that

can increase energy efficiency in high bay lighting situation like

warehouses etc. HO T5 and induction fluorescents (High-Bay Lighting:

Opportunities for Mercury Reduction and Energy Efficiency, 2003, p 2,

para 7):

* are capable of insant-on and instant

re-strike.

* They can be applied on energy saving

occupancy sensors.

* They can be regulated through dimming

* They have lower rate mercury content

than HID lamps (High-Bay Lighting: Opportunities for Mercury Reduction

and Energy Efficiency, 2003, p 2, para 7).

Recommendations: Facility owners, architects and managers who

use high bay lighting applications should opt for the most energetic

efficient system where the lowest mercury content is suitable for

making and reshaping projects. For improving colors projects should be

evaluated carefully. A buyer should consult a lighting professional

before buying lighting system in this way the whole project can be

assessed to check energy efficiency, lighting level and suitable color

depiction. You should tell your lighting professional that your company

will like low mercury alternatives (High-Bay Lighting: Opportunities

for Mercury Reduction and Energy Efficiency, 2003, p 3, para 9).

Thank you for reading. I am engineer by training and have

worked in a variety of manufacturing environments. In the past few

years I have been heavily involved in commercial and industrial

lighting. I have found out that the fluorescent high bays can be a

tremendous improvement in savings and provide better features for each

and every manufacturing operation and warehouse.

LED is very hot these days but still a long ways away in my

opinion for the industrial and commercial applications. There is some

movement in street lighting and some area lighting but LED has not

settled yet, it is constantly moving and improving. Although there is a

lot of investment in development and new products, potential

main-stream buyers are sitting on the sidelines and watching for

something to settle.

In his famous book "Crossing the Chasm,"Geoffrey Moore talks

about adoption of new technology to the main stream market place. He

mentions that there are "Innovators" who take on new things early on in

the adoption cycle and then there is the "Early Majority." I think the

Early Majority is waiting on the sidelines. This is my personal

observation.

Government provides incentives for the switch over and I have

a link on my website to this tremendous resource. If you are waiting on

the sidelines for LED you are missing out on what fluorescent high bays

can do for you... and do it NOW. I hope you check it out.

by: Hakki Bey

POST COMMENT

Lets Look At A Few Practical Ideas. Why You Must Outsource Web Design - A Quick Guide Why You Should Hire A Web Designer Spy Gadget Tools, A Cut-out-and-keep Indemnity Clause That Covers Your Butt And Gets You Sales Flower Delivery Business: Spreading Your Messages With A Blossom Axle & U J Cross Supplier,brake Lining Rivets Manufacturer,hub Cap Exporter The Latest 4 Security Equipment Products From Actfind How To Start A Small Business Quickly With A Website Builder What Is The Best Business To Start? The Best Business To Start Quickly And Easily Ready, Set, Finance! Types Of Businesses That Attract Low Start-up Funding Risky New Business - What To Watch Out For With Start-up Funding