Now is the time to invest in commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures and retire that outdated, and soon to be illegal, incandescent technology.
It serves none of us to continue using incandescent lights in commercial warehouses with a ban on incandescent lighting of all varieties coming soon. Now is the time to invest in commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures and retire that outdated, and soon to be illegal, incandescent technology. Commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures come in every shape and size and provide the ideal replacement for incandescent lights. This includes ceiling mount lights, hanging fluorescent strips, fluorescent wall packs, floodlights, loading dock lighting and even fluorescent, commercial high bay lighting fixtures.
What is the main advantage of commercial fluorescent lighting fixtures?
By far the longevity of the fluorescent lamp is the greatest benefit to industrial clients looking to make the most of their procurement dollars and reduce overhead for a power-saving return on investment. The terms of average lamp life and lumen output per watt makes any commercial fluorescent light fixture a highly efficient source of illumination. Fluorescent lamps generate very little heat and will maintain cooler temperatures in workshops, warehouses, and other areas where minimizing radiant heat creates a safe and optimal work environment for workers. Reduced maintenance costs and reduced energy consumption add up over time to savings that exceed the cost of initial purchase.
Do you know how a fluorescent lamp works anyway?
Fluorescent lamps create light by passing an electric arc between tungsten cathodes in a tube filled with a low-pressure mercury vapor mixed with other luminous gases. The arc excites the mercury vapor, which in turn generates radiant energy- primarily in the ultraviolet range. This energy causes the phosphor coating on the inside of the tube to fluoresce, converting the ultraviolet into visible light.
What are the electrical requirements for fluorescent lamps?
To start the fluorescent lamp, a high voltage surge must establish an arc in the mercury vapor. Once the lamp is started, the gas offers a decreasing amount of resistance. This means that current must be regulated to match this drop. Otherwise, the lamp will draw more and more power and rapidly burn itself out. This is why magnetic or electronic ballasts that provide the required starting voltage and control the subsequent flow of current to the lamp must operate fluorescent lights.
Most companies carry many varieties of commercial warehouse fluorescent lighting fixtures regardless of where lighting is needed in the facility. Some of the more popular types follow:
Wall Pack Lights
Fluorescent wall pack lighting fixtures are used to beef up security at entrance doorways, corridors, service areas, loading docks, and other venues that require a utility light source. Wall pack fixtures typically have vandal proof lenses and are difficult for intruders to dismantle.
Outdoor Floodlights
Fluorescent outdoor floodlights are used to illuminate outdoor signs, building facades, courtyards and smoking areas. They care suited for installation at grade level on junction boxes as well as on building pointed in a downward position.
Loading Dock Lights
Commercial fluorescent lights help loading docks maintain clear visibility for 18-wheelers and delivery trucks. Mounted on telescoping or swing arms, fluorescent dock lights are very durable, start instantaneously, and do not require a start up period. They prove their usefulness every time the power is accidentally unplugged or when the electricity goes off momentarily.
Vandal proof Canopy Lights
Fluorescent vandal proof lights help property managers protect their investment. These commercial fluorescent lights keep parking garages, car washes, storage facilities, warehouses with low ceilings, and other properties clearly visible with a dependable commercial lighting source. Fluorescent canopy lights fixtures are rock solid and have vandal proof lenses that are difficult for intruders, customers, or employees to disable. Models are available in both square and rectangular formats.
Tags: Lighting
#1 by Jimmy on June 7, 2010 - 6:50 am
Sometimes you have to use a small screwdriver to budge the small metal clips, that swing down to release the frame of the lens. then the frame will swing down to gain access to the bulbs. Then, again some will slide to one end to let down the lens ( plastic cover ) to get at the bulbs.
#2 by BentFam on June 7, 2010 - 7:47 am
It is actually quite uncommon to find flourescent fixtures that use starters anymore unless they are very old. If the fixture is that old it would most likely be cost effective to simple replace the fixture. Starters are not expensive, but may be difficult to find and there are more energy efficient fixtures on the market today that also offer more pleasing light colors.
If your fixture is newer and doesnt have a starter or even if it does have a starter there will be a ballast and this is the most likely reason for failure or the light to come on. A ballast is simply a transformer that boosts your household voltage to a voltage that is needed to cause the gas inside the tube to "burn". Standard mechanical ballasts will eventually wear out. This is often evidenced by visually inspecting the ballast where you will often times find a black tarry substance leaking from the case of the ballast. The ballast, by the way, will be located inside the cover of the fixture, it is not exposed. Newer flourescent fixtures will have an electronic ballast that often will look like a small printed circuit board like that as you may find in a radio.
If you feel comfortable replacing the ballast it is a fairly simple procedure. First be absolutely sure that you have turned the circuit off before attempting to replace a ballast. Simply turning the light switch off is not good enough. You can check to see that the circuit is off by testing with a circuit tester that does not require live contact. These are available at hardware stores. The tester will "chirp" if voltage is present. Also once you think the circuit is off, check with a "wiggy" tester, also available from a hardware store. This tester requires live contact with the wiring. Always check your testers on a known live outlet before proceeding to the circuit in question to ensure that the tester works properly. Once you are sure the circuit is turned off you can proceed with replacing the ballast. It is a simple process of disconnecting the wires from the faulty ballast and removing it then install the new ballast matching the colors of the wires. To make sure that you purchase the correct ballast you can either look at the label of the old ballast or tell the clerk at the store about your fixture. Is it an 8 foot, 2 tube fixture or a 4 foot 4 tube, 18 inch single tube fixture, just let the clerk know. Again consider that if the fixture is old just replacing the entire fixture.
Warning: You have been told to be sure the circuit is off before working on the fixture. Household current can be DEADLY if you come into contact with it. If you do not understand how to use a circuit tester or are at all uncomfortable with working with electricity call an electrician. This type of repair is quite inexpensive and you will be certain that the job is done right and safely. I will assume NO responsibility if you decide to perform this repair yourself. Often times it is much less costly to hire a professional than to put yourself at risk.
#3 by skiesofarcadia45 on June 7, 2010 - 12:41 pm
Yes.
#4 by devilskater99 on June 8, 2010 - 2:59 pm
A regular household flourescent light bulb doesn't provide any heat or UV so it would be useless.
A mercury vapor bulb is a really good choice for bearded dragons because it provides heat, UV, and light. They last for a little over a year and are only $30 on Big Apple Herpetolgical.
#5 by youknowregular106 on June 8, 2010 - 8:31 pm
There should be at least one 1/2 inch knockout for this purpose, be sure however to protect the wires by using a 1/2 inch plastic bushing or romex connector that pops right into the hole. Make sure you connect the proper wires to the fixture wires & ground to the green screen screw on the fixture.
#6 by Just A User on June 9, 2010 - 3:50 am
I have 6 square shaped light panels which I too was looking to enhance the lighting and making it more attractive in the kitchen. For fall I took orange silk fall leaves and green palm fronds and layed them ontop of each panel. So when the light is on they show through.
#7 by richieZ on June 9, 2010 - 6:30 pm
I would just replace the whole fixture. Turn of the circuit breaker for that fixture, take it down disconnect the white, black and green wires, and when reconnecting simply rematch the colors, reattach the fixture, turn on the breaker and test. I do not know of any adapters so I think this is what you will have to do.
#8 by oohay_doggie on June 10, 2010 - 11:14 am
i would use all 4 if it were me.there should be 2 ballast and you can wire them in separately by just not hooking up 1 black and1 white wire from the other ballast,make sure you have the tube in right and no prongs showing from the tube otherwise it won't light up all the way,have the prongs on the tubes straight up and down,slide into socket and twist 1/4 to 1/2 turn,the 2 outside sockets are for one ballast and the 2 inside sockets are for the other
#9 by QueAndAy on June 10, 2010 - 12:16 pm
The only thing u have to do is turn off the breaker, and install the fixture of your choice. you don't need to hire an electrician or anyone else. Kill the power…Verify that its off. disconnect wiring. black to black, white to white, green or bare wire to the fixture body..make darn sure your connections are tight, secure fixture to box or ceiling….sit back and enjoy