What is Harsh Environment LED Lighting?
Harsh Environment Lighting is a broad category of LED industrial lighting fixtures. They’re designed to work well in areas that are harder on lighting than general areas. There is not one environment or situation that defines “harsh”. It could include
- high temperatures
- food processing
- offshore environments where salt water and spray are constant
- robust lights with high-impact ratings
- lights designed to work inside chemical plants
- vibration resistant lighting
Like other types of LED Lighting, these lights are energy efficient, durable, and produce high-quality lighting.
What are the Benefits of LED Lights for Harsh Environments?
- A harsh environment light is designed to provide years of maintenance-free lighting. No one wants to buy harsh environment outdoor lighting or indoor LED lighting and have them fail in a short period.
- They are also significantly more energy efficient than other forms of lighting, like Metal Halide, High-Pressure Sodium, and Fluorescent lighting.
- Their light quality and output are excellent, and they are bright with low lumen depreciation. This means the bright, quality light will last for years.
- Converting to LED will allow you to save energy and reduce your lighting bill from your utility company.
When Should You Use Harsh Environment LED Lighting?
Are you in an environment where explosive materials, such as gas or dust, are present? In concentrations, could a spark create an explosion? Then consider using explosion-proof lights for hazardous locations. Your local government will mandate the use of these lights in such conditions.
What are Some Different Types of LED Lights for Harsh Environments?
- In areas where food is being processed, NSF Food Safe Lights are your best option.
- In manufacturing areas with high ceilings, use industrial-grade high bay lights.
- In spaces with high temperatures or extreme temperatures, high-temperature lighting is your best choice (they also work well in cold-temperature areas).
- In parking garages where car exhaust would harm the internal components of light, choose vapor-proof lighting.
- In offshore or nearshore locations where salt water is present, choose fixtures with a marine-grade finish.
Our LED Fixtures are application-specific, so let us know your application and we can match you with the right lighting solution.
What Makes Light Fixtures Durable Enough for Harsh Environments?
It depends on the type of light. For the most part, these lights are very robust. These industrial lighting fixtures have heavier casting, high impact ratings, and special finishes. In the case of explosion-proof fixtures, it’s the lights’ design and engineering that come into play. It keeps explosions created inside the light from causing an explosion. For high-temperature lighting, it uses a heavy-duty heat sink and other design factors to keep them cool.
How Easy is it to Install LED Lighting in Harsh Environments?
A licensed electrician who’s familiar with your environment is your best option. Following the instructions and local code is the best way to install these fixtures.
Need Help? Talk to a Harsh Environment LED Lighting Expert.
With so many options and fixtures available, it's hard to decide what option is going to meet your needs and requirements. The sales engineers of LED Lighting Supply are experts in Harsh Environment LED Lighting. Use our experience and tell us your needs, and we will provide you with the best Harsh Environment LED Lighting options for your project or application. We can provide you with a free lighting plan to make sure the area is well-lit and the lighting is balanced.
LED Lighting Supply Completed Harsh Environment LED Lighting Projects
LED Lights for Harsh Environments FAQs
What are LED Lights for Harsh Environments?
Harsh Environment Lighting is a broad category of LED industrial lighting fixtures. They’re designed to work well in areas that are harder on lighting than general areas. There is not one environment or situation that defines “harsh”. LED lights for harsh environments include lights engineered to withstand extreme conditions such as high temperatures, humidity, corrosive vapors, and external impact.
What Features Make LED Lights Suitable for a Harsh Environment?
Many things make a light suitable. It could include light design and engineering (high-temperature lights), rugged housings (high impact ratings), fixture seals (vaporproof lighting), and lights designed to contain an internal explosion (explosion-proof lighting)
What Types of Harsh Environments can LED Lights Operate In?
These lights are suitable for environments such as industrial sites with challenging conditions, outdoor locations with extreme weather, chemical processing facilities, areas with explosion hazards, and areas with high dust or moisture levels.
What is the Lifespan of LED lights Installed in Harsh Environments?
These lights should work as long as any LED light, and you should expect at least 50,000 hours of life (if not more) from these fixtures.
Are There Certifications for LED Lights Used in Harsh Environments?
Yes, here are a few certifications and ratings.
- IP: (Ingress Protection) ratings for operation in wet or dusty conditions
- UL: (Underwriters Laboratories) and UL844 for Explosion Prone Areas
- IK: (Impact) ratings that rates a fixture's ability to withstand impact