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Commercial Grade

April 13th, 2008 admin No comments

Commercial Grade

Commercial Grade Lighting System

If you own a business, you will sooner or later need to update the way you light it. There are several reasons why you will need a new or updated commercial grade lighting system. One of the most important reasons is that older systems are much less energy efficient. You are wasting money every month in electric costs with older, inefficient lights. You also might note problems in some lights such as flickering or humming, or constantly needing to replace the bulbs. There are many applications for commercial grade lighting systems. You might need interior lamps, security lights, or exterior lights for a parking Lot or open space. All of these require a different type of lamp and possibly different bulbs in those lights. General advice and tips can help you to narrow down your many options. Once you have fine-tuned your choices, you can ask an expert if you have specific questions about your project.

If you have a commercial grade lighting system that is ten years old or more, it will be time for more modern replacements. Today's parking lot lights are able to light larger areas, have truer coloring, and lack flickering and humming seen in older models. The most common commercial grade lighting systems several years ago used incandescent and commercial Fluorescent lights for indoor lighting. Incandescent are not very energy efficient, since much of the energy they require ends up generating heat. Fluorescents and their fixtures of decades gone by were one of the few options. While they were more efficient, they would often flicker and hum, and everything under them often had a yellowish hue. The flickering and humming have been solved by modern fixtures with newer magnetic and electronic ballasts to control the electricity going to the lights better. Today's fluorescents also have a different mixture of gases in them, so their coloring now is truer.

Security lights for your commercial grade lighting system will likely be tied into a motion detector. This will save energy costs by only turning the lights on when they are needed. A bright security flood light with a motion detector is a good way to deter criminal activity in and around your business at night. You should choose long-lived halogens or cool fluorescents for motion activated flood lights. If your flood lights are going to be lit all night long, such as for a parking lot, then you also have the option of high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs such as high pressure sodium, mercury vapor, and metal halide bulbs. These can be wired to a timer or light sensor to turn on at dusk and off at dawn, but since they take a few seconds to warm up before lighting, they should not be used with motion detectors.

If you are still uncertain about any aspect of choosing or installing your commercial grade lighting system, you will need to consult with an expert. A professional electrician can be hired to do the job as a contract worker, or you could talk to the experts at the lighting products retailer. Many reputable light stores are staffed by current and former electricians. These people can help to guide you to choosing the right lights and hardware if you want to install your commercial grade lighting system on your own.

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