Applications Overview
Emergency Lighting
Illuminated Emergency Exit Signs, as well as illumination in case of emergency, are now mandated in public buildings - stadiums, theatres, offices - worldwide. More and more such systems are moving from incandescent light sources to fluorescent and even LED products, as designers look to find longer-lasting, lower-power alternatives.
Street & Stadium Lighting
Increasingly, Street and Stadium Lighting is becoming more sophisticated. For example, some traffic management systems now monitor traffic flow to determine the light output. Street & Stadium lighting systems are high voltage (120-480V depending on location). They must withstand outdoor environments – vibration, pollution, temperature change, salt spray, humidity – yet also have a long life and be easily maintained.
Digital Signage
Walk the downtown districts of any major city in the world and you’ll see massive illuminated electronic signs, advertising, branding and informing. Sports stadiums and Concerts also employ large area high-definition signage to show video replays or to allow those at the back to see close-up action. Such systems must withstand all weather conditions, along with being very rugged and reliable (advertisers won’t pay if a sign goes dark!). For Concert applications, digital signage must also be very quick and easy to install and remove.
Indoor Lighting
There is a worldwide move away from power-hungry incandescent light bulbs to more energy-efficient fluorescent and LED lighting. Smaller tubes are requiring dimmable electronic ballasts and LED systems – while very low power and long life – require a thorough understanding of solid state driver technology. Legislation aimed at reducing the amount of power wasted just to illuminate our homes and workplaces is being introduced in all geographic regions.
Architectural Lighting
Las Vegas wouldn’t be the same without the wonderful Architectural Lighting that emphasizes its wonderful casinos and hotels. Imagine Paris without an illuminated Eiffel Tower. These systems are often used outdoors (although some buildings are illuminated from within), so they need to be able to withstand all-weather conditions. They must also have a long life, which is why many systems are now based on LED technology. Power consumption is of course a major consideration.
Channel/Sign Lighting
The massive illuminated company names and advertisements that sit on top of buildings and dominate city skylines are really quite simple, backlit constructions. However, they must be durable enough to survive in all-weather conditions, while also being energy efficient. Solid state (LED) light sources are very popular for this application.
