LED Laboratory Lighting (Explosion Proof)
Proper laboratory lighting improves the safety of scientists and technician. But in laboratories, this is an inevitable factor because these areas are typically filled with many hazardous components such as combustible dust, volatile gases, and inflammable chemicals. A tiny spark from electrical fixtures or the experiment could cause many serious issues and complications for the businesses.
Fortunately, technological advances in the lighting industry have created a great option to prevent these situations: explosion proof lighting. After upgrading or replacing the metal halide, halogen, mercury vapor or HPS lights with our LED, we can get a better protection on the luminaires, higher energy efficiency, and reduce the chance of explosion. If this is the first time you hear about it, keep reading to learn some great benefits from this advanced model.
Overview of explosion proof lighting
Explosion proof or hazardous location lighting includes UL compliant and certified lighting fixtures that are specially designed for use in dangerous locations containing combustible materials. Due to risky nature and the storage of various chemicals, including combustible dust or volatile gases, explosions or fires could occur unexpectedly even with the smallest trigger. In most cases, the consequences are harmful, leading to great losses of money and people. This is where explosion proof lighting comes in handy.
These units are specially designed to prevent the ignition of inflammable materials occurring inside the light itself. To be qualified, they must be constructed from non-sparking and durable components such as thick tempered glasses or steel, aluminum housing. This allows explosion proof fixtures to avoid inside explosion, flashes, or sparks that can be hazardous and risky.
What might cause explosions in laboratories?
The risks of explosions in laboratories are extremely high since these areas are full of dangerous and hazardous chemicals or components that would react and explode easily. Fire or sparkle might be triggered during the experiment. Some major substances include:
1. Flammable liquids or gasses
These are the most explosive substances in labs and would lead to the most damaging complications. Some include methane, acetylene, hydrogen and hydrogen-containing gases, and other petrochemicals.
2. Combustible dusts
They are often found in facilities dealing with grain, coal, munitions, or hay. While the level of intensity is relatively low compared to flammable liquids or gases, the complications are still major for businesses.
3. Ignitable flyings and fibers
Mainly in cotton gins, textile mills, woodworking facilities, and paper mills.
Basically, these components will cause explosion, fire, and other hazards when facing with some main sources of ignition in labs, including loose connections, static electricity, heat, sparking metals, and sparking & arcing devices.
Benefits of explosion proof LED lighting for laboratories
1. Special casing for the lights
As said earlier, the main purpose of explosion proof fixtures is to prevent spark or fire from escaping the unit, thus avoid the risks of destroying the whole laboratory. This is achieved with a robust and sturdy design that can withstand any extreme conditions. Typically, they are covered with a thick casing made of premium aluminum or steel that can resist heat and fires. The metal housing also allows these units to cool down quickly to safer temperatures after extended periods of working.
2. Protective lamp body
The bulbs themselves are typically designed with thick, tempered glass to reduce the chances of breakage or explosion due to pressure from chemical sparks, raised temperatures, and increased atmosphere in lab conditions. With this combination, you can be sure all dangerous reactions will occur within the fixtures rather than spreading to other areas of your laboratories.
3. Cool LED light source
Another benefit of explosion proof lighting is that it produces much less heat compared to traditional bulbs. With advanced LED technology, it can transform most of the energy into direct lighting. This is extremely important in sensitive areas like labs because less heat means reduced risks of sparks or fires, especially when space is filled with flammable gases or volatile components.
4. High CRI LED lights in laboratory
Sometimes we will need to observe the color changes of the chemical reactions in titration, iodine clock, pH measurement and other experiment. Our LED has a high CRI of 85, which allow true color reproduction. The scientists can have a more accurate judgment by using our lights.
Who can benefit from explosion proof lighting systems?
Laboratories make a huge contribution to the research and development process in many industries and academic organizations. Thus, it is no surprise that explosion proof lighting can be set up and benefit a variety of places. These include chemical and biological labs in universities, manufacturing companies, textile & apparel factories, refineries, waste water treatment plants, and more. With a small investment, these facilities would save a lot of money due to major explosion or fires triggered by these components mentioned above while still ensuring sufficient illumination for usual operation.