An important issue when upgrading plants in production halls or in industrial facilities is the installation of lamps and the lead time. Replacing luminaires can be cumbersome, so it makes sense to consider how to speed up the process as much as possible and enjoy savings and improved working conditions. The answer to the question of how to speed up the installation of lamps should start with what can affect it. Therefore, in this article we have focused on the following:
- the challenges during installation work,
- whether the installation of outdoor LED luminaires is different from indoor installation,
- how to reduce the installation time.
Lighting upgrade, or challenges during installation work
The specifics and purpose of the buildings to be fitted with LED lights are different. Investors also place different demands on lighting companies. Upgrading traditional lighting with LED luminaires involves electricity savings, which, in addition to increasing the comfort of users, is the priority.
Both, in industrial facilities and around, a lighting audit is carried out at the outset during which the condition of the existing electrical system is verified. This makes it possible to determine the extent of the upgrade required. The audit also verifies the average illuminance of the working areas in order to establish a reference level. In addition, the condition of the electrical switchboards and cable routes is verified. Verifying of the existing connections and electrical circuits is important from the point of view of the positioning of the luminaires in the building and their number.
Furthermore, note that lighting installation is usually done at a considerable height. When doing it with the plant running, e.g. in a production hall or warehouse, there may be a risk of damage to products. Therefore, it is important to equip the installation team with appropriate safeguards and to agree the work schedule with the investor, so that the process causes as little as disruption as possible to the ongoing work of the company. This is most often done during the company downtime or night breaks. The assembly team leader adapts the overall work plan to the site situation on an ongoing basis and is in contact with the customer’s designated employee.
The installation process is also speeded up by the use of special design elements for LED luminaires, such as quick-release electrical connectors. However, the design of the luminaire is equally important. A proper design can significantly affect assembly time and installer safety.
Installation of outdoor versus indoor lamps
Note that outdoor lighting for industrial facilities is not the same as the installation of LED lamps in halls or warehouses. Why do we mention this? Both solutions are intended to illuminate a given area, but luminaires in buildings and around them must be resistant to external forces, i.e. have an appropriate IP rating, be made of robust materials, or have a high IK rating and be UV-resistant. Of course, in the case of industrial LED luminaires, it is also important to adapt the lamps to the prevailing conditions, in particular their design. For example, products for outdoor lighting should have a compensation valve, where this is not mandatory for indoor lamps.
Industrial luminaires must also meet other requirements such as the correct choice of light intensity or light colour, photometric distribution, CRI and many others. Both outdoor and indoor lighting is designed to improve visibility and thus increase the safety of users. Designers, on the other hand, should also focus on the comfort when selecting LED light sources in buildings, which is very important when it comes to internal lighting systems.
Installation of lamps – how to speed up the installation process?
To answer the question of how to install lamps quickly, it is important to know what makes the installation of new LED light sources smooth. The challenges that installers may experience, some of which have been highlighted in the previous paragraphs, should be kept in mind. This makes it possible to select installation methods to suit the particular building.
This is not all, however. The contractor to do the job is also important. The installation time for LED lamps can vary depending on the service provider. With many years of experience in upgrading industrial facilities, the contractor will, among other things draw up an installation schedule that fits in with the natural working regime of the production facility. Any downtime resulting, for example, from process interruptions, maintenance or production line changeovers will be considered. By so doing, they can proceed with the installation relatively quickly, which is why it is a good idea to work with experienced partners. Above all, however, the process of installing the luminaires and the work of the assembly teams on site should be safe. Therefore, it is always worth working with contractors who have worked on large sites with extensive health and safety rules in place. Such references demonstrate a high work culture and the ability to adapt to the investor’s current health and safety requirements.
Are you considering installing LED luminaires in your business? Contact us, we will tell you what the process looks like and answer your questions.
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