Monthly Archives: May 2021

With over 1000 active coal mines, the United States is one of the world’s leading countries in coal mining. LED light plays a critical role in assisting mining workers to perform their work safely by providing visibility of workspace tripping hazards. However, lighting in these environments isn’t completely straightforward. In order to determine the ideal luminaire for your mine application, we’ve put together some key challenges and risks to be aware of, and some ideal certifications to look out for when choosing a luminaire.

The Challenges Presented

Shock, Heat, and Vibration

Mining environments are not friendly for your typical LED light, spaces are tight, and vibrations are frequent. Fixtures in mining applications must be tough, compact, and durable. Additionally, temperatures in mines can often reach over 40℃ when ventilation is not present. Only hazardous-rated luminaires are capable of functioning in these extreme temperatures.

Explosions

The most common cause of a mine explosion is a buildup of methane gas, combined with a heat source. Methane is a highly combustible gas, and depending on how much of it is present in the air, it may only require a small source of heat to spark an explosion. This makes it especially important to have reliable luminaires in mines, so a faulty circuit doesn’t spark a chain reaction.

https://www.mining-technology.com/mining-safety/coal-mine-explosion-kills-11-miners-in-colombia

LED Mining Light Requirements

There are strict regulations in place to specify the requirements of a hazardous location approved LED light due to the dangerous nature of mining. Look for luminaires with the following certifications:

Class I and Class II UL Hazardous Location Ratings.

Class I covers Explosive Gas Atmospheres and Class II covers Explosive Dust Atmospheres – both are relevant to mining applications.  For mines, pay close attention to Class I Div 2 Groups B, C, and D (atmospheres containing flammable gas), as well as Group A (atmospheres containing Acetylene – a gas used in welding). A luminaire with these ratings has been rigorously tested to be safe to use in Explosive Gas Atmospheres (Class I) as well as Explosive Dust Atmospheres (Class II).

Consider RDA Lighting’s NMV-LED Non-Metallic Vaporproof fixture for your next job. The NMV is a tough, but durable luminaire that meets all of the above recommendations.

Lighting in Marine and Offshore environments can come with many challenges. We’d like to walk you through the environmental hazards you need to be aware of for your next Marine project, and how you can mitigate the risks that they may pose.

https://www.sailmagazine.com/cruising/waterlines-chasing-leaks-on-boats

The Challenges Presented in Marine Lighting 

Corrosion

Not every lighting solution is capable of withstanding the tough challenges present in a marine, or beach and lake environments. Both freshwater and saltwater corrodes metal over time, but saltwater expedites this process roughly 5 times faster than freshwater. Even if the luminaire is not directly exposed to water, the humidity of ocean air can cause metals to rust 10 times faster than in air with normal humidity levels. Corrosion can lead to malfunctions, frequent replacements, and unsightly luminaires.

Water Ingress

Water ingress is another issue that arises when waves and storms cause large amounts of water to frequently hit the luminaire. The combination of water ingress and rust will significantly increase the risk of premature failure and result to costly replacements. Choosing the right luminaire for a marine application will ensure it has the necessary durability and reliability, which saves you maintenance and replacement costs in the long-run.

Marine Lighting Requirements

To combat the harsh marine environments and the challenges they come with, you should look for a lighting fixture with the following requirements to ensure long-lasting performance with low maintenance.

Non-Metallic

A non-metallic luminaire is excellent at resisting corrosion, making it ideal for Marine environments. These luminaires typically have reinforced polycarbonate housing rather than metal.

UL Marine Listed

You will also want a UL Marine Listed mark on your luminaire. The UL Marine Listing guarantees that the luminaire has been rigorously tested and approved specifically for marine use. For these harsher environments, a luminaire needs more than standard wet location features to guarantee protection from moisture. A UL Marine Listed luminaire will ensure the fixture can withstand harsh marine conditions such as vibration, impact, water ingress, and salt-spray corrosion¹.

NEMA 4X

Type 4X offers a superior level of protection from corrosion and extreme environments and is capable of withstanding hose-directed water. With a Type 4X certification you can be sure you’re getting a corrosion-resistant luminaire that provides protection against windblown dust and rain.

Consider RDA Lighting’s NMV-LED Non-Metallic Vaporproof fixture for your next job. The NMV is a tough, but durable luminaire that meets all of these requirements.

^[1] “UL Standard for Safety for Supplemental Requirements for Luminaires for Installation on Marine Vessels.” ANSI/UL, December 4, 2000.

Selecting appropriate lighting that meets specific certifications is not only important for properly illuminating a space, but also for the safety of everyone using that space. Each environment comes with different challenges, so here are some tips when looking at luminaires for different agricultural applications.

Many agricultural lighting applications are hazardous locations that require a special type of luminaire. Here are some of the key challenges and specs to look for in a luminaire for these applications.

The Challenges Presented

Dust Explosions

An uncommonly known fact about agricultural applications, like grain elevators, is that they are at high risk for explosions, given the right ingredients. These enclosed spaces are prone to the buildup of large amounts of dust suspended in the air. For example, grain produces dust when it moves. This combination of dust and air in an enclosed space creates a combustible mix that is flammable. When combined with an ignition source, an explosion can occur. Ignition sources could be anything from static electricity to a light switch, so using the wrong lighting could easily have devastating consequences in agricultural applications.

https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/woodworking-industry-management/woodshop-safety-regulations/ComDust-What-Woodworkers-Need-to-Know-181234991.html

Hog Barns

With minimal ventilation and corrosive gases in the air, hog barns are also at risk for explosions or significant deterioration of materials within the building. As discussed in the Mitigation of Accelerated Deterioration of Pig Buildings, most of these buildings are completely enclosed for the pigs’ comfort, with a negative pressure ventilation system. Winter months significantly decrease the ventilation even further for warmth. This therefore increases a luminaire’s exposure to moisture and corrosive gases within the facility, pushing its limits to properly function.

Poultry Barns

Poultry barns are another environment in which you should carefully consider your lighting choice. They are similarly prone to dust buildups, but they are also often steam cleaned to remove bacteria and viruses. So, you would require a luminaire that can withstand this high pressure cleaning without issue.

There are many factors to consider in different agricultural spaces that could pose a danger, so this is why selecting a specific group of lighting fixtures for them holds a high importance in terms of your safety and others.

Lighting Requirements in an Agricultural Setting

To greatly reduce the risk of dust explosion and provide peace of mind to your client, look for a fixture with the following certifications:

Hazardous Location Rated

We highly recommend using a Hazardous Location rated vaporproof – that is, completely sealed – luminaire, to prevent dust and dirt materials from entering and causing malfunctions or explosions.

UL844 Class II Div 2

One certification to look out for is UL844, specifically Class II Div 2 Groups F and G. This indicates that a luminaire has been evaluated and proven to safely withstand explosive dust atmospheres. By using a properly installed hazardous-rated lighting fixture, you mitigate the presence of a potential ignition source that could cause an explosion in these agricultural environments.

NEMA 4X

In terms of highly corrosive environments, like hog barns, or extreme conditions, like high pressure steam cleaning in a poultry barn, we recommend a luminaire that is NEMA 4X rated. This suggests that it has been evaluated and rated to withstand corrosion and extreme environments, preventing unnecessary problems with your lighting in the future.

Consider RDA Lighting’s NMV-LED Non-Metallic Vaporproof fixture  for your next job. The NMV is a tough, but durable luminaire that meets all of these requirements.