Explosion-proof lighting is a critical part of any hazardous environment, as it can prevent ignition of flammable vapors. Explosion-proof light fittings are designed to resist the effects of blast and fire. They must be installed in environments where gas or dust can accumulate and create an explosive atmosphere. Consequently, you cannot use standard light fittings because they pose a fire risk. When choosing the right explosion-proof commercial lighting solution for your business, you need to understand the risks involved with each fitting type. Explosion-proof lighting comes in multiple types — some of which are not suitable for hazardous areas. This article aims to explain the different types of explosion-proof lighting available and what factors you should consider before choosing one over another.

Halogen lamps

Halogen lamps produce a bright white light by combining a metallic filament with a small amount of the chemical element halogen. Halogen lamps can be used in hazardous areas if the correct fittings are used. It is important to ensure that the correct wattage is selected for the fitting fitting. Halogen lamps are available in voltages ranging from 120 volts to 400 volts. Halogen lamps come in two types — the screw fitting and the bayonet fitting. The screw fitting is the most common type and is widely used in commercial applications. It is suitable for all voltage types and is available in different wattages ranging between 20 watts and 500 watts. The bayonet fitting is more commonly used in industrial applications with higher voltages. Halogen lamps can be very bright and create a beam with a narrow width that is great for general illumination. Halogen lamps are more efficient than fluorescent lamps and have a long lifespan — typically ranging between 1,500 and 20,000 hours. Halogen lamps have a small size and low weight, which makes them easy to install. Halogen lamps have a high initial cost, but their high efficiency reduces the cost of operation.

LED lamps

LEDs are semiconducting devices whose brightness can be controlled by switching them on and off. LEDs produce light by passing an electric current through a semi-conducting material that produces light when a voltage is applied. This process is known as electroluminescence. LEDs are available in many shapes and sizes and can be used in a wide variety of applications. They are an ideal replacement for halogen and incandescent lamps in hazardous areas because they are explosion-proof. If the correct fitting is chosen, LED lamps can be used in environments with flammable gases or vapors. The most common type of explosion proof LED light fitting is the explosion-proof LED batten fitting. This fitting has multiple LEDs mounted to a single panel and can be used for general illumination applications. The explosion-proof LED batten fitting is available in voltages ranging from 12 volts to 24 volts. LED lamps are more efficient than fluorescent lamps and have a long lifespan — typically ranging between 30,000 and 50,000 hours. They have a small size and low weight, which makes them easy to install. LED lamps have a high initial cost, but their high efficiency reduces the cost of operation.

Incandescent lamps

Incandescent lamps produce light by passing an electric current through a piece of metal that quickly burns out. This process is known as incandescence. Incandescent lamps are less efficient than other lighting options and cannot be used in hazardous areas. Because of their inefficiency and the inability to use them in hazardous areas, incandescent lamps are less common than other light fittings. They are still used in some industrial applications and outdoor displays. Incandescent lamps are available in voltages ranging from 110 volts to 277 volts and are commonly used in lighting transformers. Incandescent lamps are bright and have a long lifespan — typically ranging between 1,500 and 10,000 hours. They have a small size and low weight, which makes them easy to install. The high initial cost of incandescent lamps is compensated by their low cost of operation.

Mercury-vapour lamps

Mercury-vapour lamps produce light by passing an electric current through liquid mercury, which evaporates and produces short-wave ultraviolet radiation that produces visible light when it is released from the lamp. This process is known as ultraviolet electroluminescence. Mercury-vapour lamps are a very old technology and are rarely used in commercial applications. In hazardous areas, they are not suitable because they emit high levels of UV light. Due to the high UV light output and the risk of mercury breakage, mercury-vapour lamps are not used in commercial applications. Their efficiency makes them suitable for use in high-temperature environments like a factory, but they are not used in commercial applications due to the risk of high UV light emission.

Neon and fluorescent lamps

Neon lamps produce a bright orange-red light by passing an electric current through a small amount of mercury gas and a special gas called argon. Neon lamps are not suitable for hazardous areas because they emit high levels of UV light. Neon lamps are available in voltages ranging from 110 volts to 277 volts. They are commonly used in lighting transformers. Neon lamps are bright but short-lived — typically ranging between 1,000 and 2,000 hours. Their high initial cost is compensated by their low cost of operation. Fluorescent lamps are commonly used in commercial applications. They produce light by exciting mercury atoms with an electric current and then releasing ultraviolet energy. The ultraviolet light then causes a fluorescent coating on the inside of the lamp to emit visible light. Fluorescent lamps emit low levels of UV light and can be used in hazardous areas. They come in a large range of shapes and sizes. Fluorescent lamps are available in voltages ranging from 110 volts to 277 volts and are commonly used in lighting transformers.

Magnetic-ballast compact fluorescent lamps (MBCF)

Magnetic-ballast compact fluorescent lamps (MBCF) produce light by exciting mercury atoms with an electric current and then releasing ultraviolet energy. The ultraviolet light then causes a fluorescent coating on the inside of the lamp to emit visible light. Magnetic-ballast compact fluorescent lamps (MBCF) are commonly used in commercial applications. They are available in voltages ranging from 110 volts to 277 volts. Magnetic-ballast compact fluorescent lamps (MBCF) are not suitable for hazardous areas because they emit high levels of UV light. Due to the high UV light output and the risk of mercury breakage, magnetic-ballast compact fluorescent lamps (MBCF) are not used in commercial applications. Their efficiency makes them suitable for use in high-temperature environments like a factory, but they are not used in commercial applications due to the risk of high UV light emission.

Electronic ballast compact fluorescent lamps (EBFC)

Electronic-ballast compact fluorescent lamps (EBFC) produce light by exciting mercury atoms with an electric current and then releasing ultraviolet energy. The ultraviolet light then causes a fluorescent coating on the inside of the lamp to emit visible light. Electronic-ballast compact fluorescent lamps (EBFC) are commonly used in commercial applications. They are available in voltages ranging from 110 volts to 277 volts. Electronic-ballast compact fluorescent lamps (EBFC) are not suitable for hazardous areas because they emit high levels of UV light. Due to the high UV light output and the risk of mercury breakage, electronic-ballast compact fluorescent lamps (EBFC) are not used in commercial applications. Their efficiency makes them suitable for use in high-temperature environments like a factory, but they are not used in commercial applications due to the risk of high UV light emission.

Read More : 5 Ways to Convert Your Fluorescent Light Fixtures to LED

Conclusion

Explosion-proof lighting is critical for hazardous environments where flammable vapors may be present. When choosing the right explosion-proof commercial lighting solution for your business, it is important to understand the risks involved with each fitting type. Halogen lamps produce a bright white light by combining a metallic filament with a small amount of the chemical element halogen. They can be used in hazardous areas if the correct fittings are used. LED lamps produce light by passing an electric current through a semi-conducting material that produces light when a voltage is applied. They are an ideal replacement for halogen and incandescent lamps in hazardous areas because they are explosion-proof. Incandescent lamps produce light by passing an electric current through a piece of metal that quickly burns out. Neon lamps produce a bright orange-red light by passing an electric current through a small amount of mercury gas and a special gas called argon. Mercury-vapour lamps produce light by passing an electric current through liquid