Benefits of LED Lighting in Hazardous Environments

When looking for the right lighting solution for any space, there are careful considerations to keep in mind. When looking for the right lighting solution for a hazardous environment, finding the right solution becomes a matter of safety as well. If you are considering light emitting diodes (LEDs) for this type of location, but are on the fence, we can help shed some light on the situation. Let's take a look at the many benefits of LED lighting in hazardous environments and how they can help your location.

Energy Efficient

One of the most obvious benefits of LED lighting in hazardous environments is the impressive energy efficiency of the solution. LEDs operate on a lower wattage and consumes less energy as a result than comparative HID fixtures for industrial or hazardous settings. This will help cut down on utility costs, which is important in any location, but especially if you have a larger location with a lot of fixtures installed.

Higher Lumen Output

While LED operates on a lower wattage, that doesn't mean it produces a lower lumen output than other options. In fact, LED offers some of the lowest wattages to highest lumens produced on the market today. Lumens are important for any area, but especially one where hazardous material is at play. The higher the lumen output in the light fixtures, the better the overall visibility for workers to help avoid accidents. Not only is there a high lumen output for a brighter light source, but LED also offers some of the cleanest, most consistent illumination on the scene. It is free from flickers and reduces shadows while providing a bright, concentrated light spread for the best in visibility overall.

Low/No Heat Production

Another one of the most crucial benefits of LED lighting in hazardous environments is the low/no heat factor. The design of LED fixtures, coupled with their incredible efficiency in operation overall, means they produce practically no heat in their usage. In a hazardous area, adding light fixtures capable of producing a lot of heat can lead to explosions and injuries for the workers. Many light fixtures produce heat as a byproduct of their inefficiency since a lot of energy is converted to heat loss rather than illumination. LED converts almost 80 percent of the energy consumed to create illumination so there is hardly any heat to the fixture.

Longer Lasting

In addition to those benefits, LED lights are also incredibly long lasting which can be especially helpful in a hazardous environment. In a hazardous environment, it can disrupt the flow of the workplace to constantly replace lamps or fixtures so you need something long lasting for convenience. This type of lighting solution operates on a driver rather than a ballast which coupled with the absence of high heat production found in other comparable light fixtures help ensure a long life for the fixture overall. The lamps are also longer lasting than other options since they are diodes and free from any fragile filaments. The lamps in an LED fixture can last up to 4 times longer than other options which means less time and money spent on upkeep and maintenance.

Available in Explosion Proof Models

In any hazardous setting, the potential for explosions is present. LED technology is available in explosion proof lighting which helps to reduce this concern. When working in areas with gases or high heat which could lead to shattered light fixtures and accidents, this is a crucial thing to consider in a light fixture. Explosion proof models are some of the most durable in construction, materials, and gaskets to ensure added protection against this problem.

Better Versatility in Specs

LED offers the best range of various specs in lighting. For example, they offer the best performance in terms of color temperature on the Kelvin scale than any other light solution. LED also offers the best in color rendering indexes which may be important in your area, especially when working with manufacturing plants dealing with colors. In addition, this type of lighting solution offers a wide range of lumen outputs to help find the right brightness level for the needs of the area. When looking for incredible versatility overall, LED is the one to beat on the lighting scene.

Class Rating LEDs

LED light fixtures are available in all the various class rating and further division of those classes to cover a range of needs. For instance, Class I is for hazardous lighting fixtures manufactured and rated for areas which include chemical vapors whereas Class II is for areas with concentrations of flammable dust, and Class III is for areas with airborne fibers. LED is available in all of these classes to help outfit your location with all the benefits of LED with the added protection of a fixture rated for the specifics of the area.