Industry Lighting

Lighting in the industry can influence productivity, the rigour of quality control, but also the safety and well-being of employees. Find industrial lighting tips and principles below.

For this type of project, a lighting designer must determine the quality and quantity of light needed to perform the operations in the best possible way. Since around 80% of the information perceived by humans is captured visually, and as in factories the variety of visual information is very large, lighting is an extremely important factor. It is difficult to standardize a way of lighting halls and manufacturing spaces.

Industrial Lighting Design

The factors that are taken into account in order to design the lighting of a factory are:

the level of illumination in the task area and in the surroundings,
uniformity,
harmonious distribution of brightness,
colour rendering index (CRI),
avoiding the phenomenon of direct or indirect glare caused by reflections

Recommendation

General lighting of the entire space with an average lighting level corresponding to the activities carried out
localized lighting for activities that require greater rigour
localized lighting when general lighting is blocked by various obstacles

The lighting level is suggested in the EN 12464 standard. The space in the immediate vicinity of the work surface (0.5m around the surface on which the task is carried out) and the background (3m distance or the limit of the existing space) are also taken into account. The uniformity of lighting affects the way the surrounding area is perceived. Significant differences in illumination and strong contrast require a continuous adaptation of the human eye, which causes visual fatigue over time. On the other hand, lack of contrast reduces visual stimulus and affects both eye fatigue and employee efficiency.

A uniformly lit work surface, free of shadows and strong contrasts, is what we want to achieve in all industrial lighting projects.

A positive example of industrial lighting counts in avoiding shadows and achieving uniformity on the work table. We notice that neither the worker placed in front of the workbench nor the objects on the table cast any shadows that prevented the tasks from being performed properly.

A negative example of industrial lighting is where a worker placed in front of a work table causes a lot of shadows. Also, the tools placed on the table make shadows on its surface.

A negative example of industrial lighting- Shadows on the work table, caused by various objects, even by the person performing the task, can cause visual problems.

For all these, Visioluce designers perform lighting simulations:

Luminous Flux in an industral environment — Luminous Flux

False Colour Rendering in an industrial environment to better perceive the light levels — False Colour Rendering

Dialux ray tracing of an industrial factory lighting — Software Ray Tracing

Lighting According to the Age of the Users

A higher level of lighting increases employee productivity and lowers the risk of accidents. Their age must also be taken into account. The older a man is, the more light he needs. A 60-year-old employee needs twice as much light as a 20-year-old.

UGR (Unified Glare Rating). Avoiding Glare in an Industrial Environment

Another important factor to consider when designing the lighting of an industrial building is the UGR (Unified Glare Rating) or glare index. The phenomenon of direct glare in excess in the manufacturing area causes fatigue and visual discomfort and can lead to reduced concentration, increased risk of injury, but also vision problems over time. The smaller the room’s height, the more attention it requires. Creating a regular arrangement of lighting fixtures with lower power and possibly with anti-glare systems such as spilling, honeycomb, and louvre is recommended. The formation of reflections and shadows caused by the operator is avoided. The lower the UGR value, the less visible the glare.

European Standard

The European standard EN 12464 suggests a UGR=16 for workspaces where very high precision and heavy visual activity are required, UGR=19 for laboratories, UGR=25 for regular workbenches and UGR=28 for work areas where the intervention manual is minimal.

Our solution

Visioluce uses multi-prismatic diffusers to minimize the existence of this effect. This diffuser creates a diffused light that is pleasing to the eye. You can see this type of diffuser in our Display Line III series of luminaires, which can be found in different sizes with different powers depending on the needs.

Calculations surfaces

In a manufacturing space, the planes on which tasks are carried out are multiple (unlike offices where the horizontal plane predominates): inclined, vertical, and horizontal planes. Vertical lighting needs a different approach, as the risk of creating shadows caused by obstacles is greater on such surfaces.

Another negative example of industrial lighting is the one in which the worker in front of the workbench notices the tiny light sources with a very strong luminance, which causes glare, very disturbing for concentration especially for a long time.

Direct glare is caused by seeing small and very bright light sources.

The worker placed in front of the workbench is put in a situation of this poor quality industrial lighting where the light is strongly reflected in the workbench, causing this phenomenon of indirect glare.

Indirect glare (reflections)

CRI. Colour rendering in the industrial environment

Correct colour rendering plays an important role in many industries. The overall CRI is calculated as the average of the values from R1 to R8 (8 different colour samples) initially illuminated with a reference luminaire with a CRI=100 and then with the tested fixture. The larger the difference, the lower the CRI. For most production spaces, a CRI=80 is acceptable, while for other fields (chemical, food, textile, etc.) the standard requires a CRI of at least 90.

Choosing the CCT

Many factories lack natural light. Some of them work on shifts. These things affect the circadian rhythm of employees. The correct choice of lighting is essential. The circadian rhythm (biorhythm) is affected by the production of melatonin or the production of cortisol in the body. The receptors that affect the production of cortisol, or the so-called “stress hormone”, are sensitive to the blue component of light, namely to the wavelength of 464 nanometers. Cortisol makes us alert and more agile. On the other hand, melatonin is influenced by the reddish component of light and creates a state of relaxation and sleepiness.

It is recommended to use cold light with a CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) with values between 5000K and 6500K precisely to stimulate the attention and concentration of employees.

What does IP & IK mean?

Also, when choosing lighting fixtures, the IP and IK factors are taken into account, as well as thermal safety and explosion safety (if necessary).

The protection index (IP) represents the degree of tightness of an enclosure. It is defined in the international standard EN 60529, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).” (IP XY, X= 0->6, Y=0->8)

The IK degree of protection represents impact resistance (IK 00 -> IK 10).

Safety against a possible explosion caused by gases, vapours, and dust is a characteristic of ATEX cases.

LED Lighting

In the manufacturing area, the emphasis is on the efficient use of energy. LED lighting fixtures are efficient and have a long life expectancy. Thus, maintenance costs also decrease. Limited natural resources and rising electricity prices make us aware of the importance of choosing eco-friendly lighting. One factor to consider is the efficiency of lighting sources (how much light is emitted relative to how much power it consumes). The unit of measurement is lm/W. LED lighting fixtures give the best results in this category. Nor should the efficiency of lighting fixtures be neglected, also often referred to as LOR (Light Output Ratio). This represents the ratio between the useful light and the light consumed, i.e. the lumens given by the lighting fixture over the lumens provided by the light source (LEDs, halogen bulbs, etc.).

Example of an industrial hall illuminated uniformly with LED lighting fixtures from the Titan series.

Which Lighting Fixtures Do We Choose for Industrial Lighting?

Visioluce manufactures a multitude of lighting fixtures suitable for industrial lighting. Therefore, maybe choosing the necessary ones can create some difficulties.

The Titan series stands out for its efficiency and power, suitable for high-rise halls.

The Display Line III series also has high efficiency, and with the multi-prismatic diffuser option, the UGR will be low, making it the perfect choice for mounting on low ceilings.

And with regard to potentially explosive environments, the ATEX series meets the requirements for group I zones 1 and 2, group II zones 1 and 2, and group III zone 2.

FAQ

Industrial lighting is essential to any industrial setting, providing the necessary illumination for workers to perform their tasks safely and efficiently. Different types of lighting fixtures are used to ensure the optimal lighting level for each specific environment, from warehouses and factories to manufacturing plants. However, selecting the right industrial lighting fixtures and understanding their applications can be a challenge. This FAQ will answer some common questions about industrial lighting, including its types, importance, and technologies.

What additional features does an industrial lighting fixture have?

The operational requirements in an industrial hall place high demands on the features of the lighting fixtures. Depending on the specific sector, these must withstand vibrations, dust, humidity, overcurrents and temperature or voltage fluctuations. Our industrial bodies meet all these conditions.

What is the difference between High-bay and Low-Bay fixtures?

In short, High-bay lighting fixtures are industrial lighting fixtures designed for spaces over 8m high. As a rule, they are additionally equipped with lenses to focus the light so that we obtain results consistent with the standards.

Low-bay lighting fixtures are industrial lighting fixtures dedicated to low ceilings.

But regardless of the height of the industrial space, we recommend consulting specialists to determine the lighting fixtures in accordance with the standards.

What are the benefits of industrial lighting design?

Safety
Low power consumption
Employee performance
Low maintenance
Long life expectancy

What are some factors to consider when selecting industrial lighting fixtures?

Some factors to consider when selecting industrial lighting fixtures include the type of task being performed, the size and layout of the space, the height of the ceiling, and the level of illumination required.

What are some safety considerations for industrial lighting?

Safety considerations for industrial lighting include ensuring that the lighting fixtures are correctly installed and maintained, that they are rated for the specific environment, and that they meet all relevant safety codes and regulations. It is also important to regularly inspect lighting fixtures for signs of wear or damage and replace them as needed.

Discover more

Office

On average, a person spends a third of their life at work. Today, companies are doing everything possible to create the most dynamic and pleasant atmosphere in the office. One of the factors that contribute to the well-being of users is light. Light directly affects the mood, energy and productivity of employees. Therefore, a crucial aspect is qualitative lighting for offices.

Hospitality

The hospitality industry strives to provide customers with unforgettable experiences that keep them returning. One factor that contributes to this experience is light. Any lighting design for hospitality involves more than compliance with standards; it shapes the place's identity.

Retail

How often have you bought a coat that is an entirely different colour when you get home or in the daylight? Light influenced this result. But, in reality, light is one of the factors with many attributes in a store. We will discuss the following several tips & tricks for lighting commercial spaces.

The precise technique additionally includes background lighting. Thus, the shadows created by the mannequins on the background behind them will be much blurred.

Places of Worship

Light in most religions has a symbolic function representing the presence of the divine. For a church, mosque, synagogue or any place of prayer, light has a special impact. It must convey and create a specific state of calm and safety. That is why the role of lighting design for places of worship is crucial.

Example of church lighting. Lighting for religious building has different lighting scenes and lighting layers.

Museums

The primary role of light in a museum is to highlight works of art without damaging them. The lighting designer considers both the conservation standards of the works (depending on the materials used), the architecture, and the limitations of the exhibition space. In a museum, light should create a mood for discovery, exploration and learning in a creative environment. But very often, it is difficult to fulfil the task of conservation and the desire for discovery at the same time. If you've ever wondered how we approach museum lighting projects, read the paragraphs below!

Public Spaces

Lately, lighting for public spaces has changed radically. Lighting designers are much more oriented towards human experience than strictly on meeting technical standards. Thus they create areas that convey a sense of safety and are much more attractive to users. Public lighting must fulfil the following functions: traffic safety, deterring criminals and highlighting urban spaces.

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