LIGHTING
Photo courtesy of Robert Cohen Co ., LLC
controls such as motion sensors , automated control systems and dimming of fixtures should be considered to reduce energy consumption .
Fixture locations : Fixture locations should be determined to allow accessibility for maintenance and emergency equipment .
Television or internet broadcast : If broadcasts will take place at a facility , it is best to consult with local broadcasters to define lighting requirements .
Verification of light levels : After the installation of the fixtures , it is recommended that the lighting levels be measured on the playing surface and recorded . Remember that many sports ( and even various skill levels within sports ) will necessitate different amounts of light . Measurements will need to be taken with a calibrated light meter . Readings should be compared to the calculated values and adjustments made as needed to achieve the required light levels and uniformities .
LED is not equal to HID : Many field managers assume HID and LED design characteristics are interchangeable ; however , they are not . Talk with a lighting contractor about the options .
Uniformity : “ Uniformity is king when reviewing photometric ( lighting layout ) designs ,” said Dawson . “ Uniformity is the smoothness of the light over the surface , and measures corresponding points of light to eliminate hots spots or dark spots . High-wattage fixtures are not a positive , especially on smaller fields . For example , if a baseball infield needs 5,000 watts of light to meet necessary light levels , installing two 2,500-watt fixtures or four 1,250-watt fixtures is not an optimum design strategy . By installing eight 600-watt fixtures , the design team is given more aiming angles to better distribute light .”
Be strategic : “ When exploring lighting , especially in complexes and smaller venues , lower-wattage fixtures that allow more aiming angles in the design create superior uniformity and lighting performance ,” added Dawson . “ If a design is presented that offers low fixture counts with high-wattage fixtures , you immediately know uniformity will suffer due to limited lighting distribution points , and an outage on any single fixture will hamper the ability to continue activities at the facility . The well-versed manager should demand multiple lighting distribution points , which in turn guarantees maximum uniformities and performance .”
Replacement of old poles is not necessary . Here ’ s some good news , you don ’ t necessarily need to tear down your poles or rip up your field .
“ The best LED systems in the world can be installed on existing poles and cross arms , regardless of the previous supplier of the HID system ,” said Dawson . “ These retrofits drastically reduce the upfront cost and allow a far better return on investment for the owner .”
That is , however , assuming the current poles are in good shape ; rust and other degradation can complicate installation . Consult with an electrical contractor to ascertain that there are no pre-existing problems .
Don ’ t fall for internet ads touting cheap lighting systems : While it is certainly possible to purchase equipment online — and often at bargain-basement prices — that equipment is often manufactured and shipped from outside the country and usually does not offer the buyer any customer support once the product arrives .
Keep in mind that inexpensive equipment may have limited functionality and low product manufacturing standards . This may lead to a need to have repairs done ( at your cost ) by a local electrical contractor , and ultimately to replace the whole system sooner rather than later . The wiser investment is made by purchasing a domestically manufactured sports-specific system that is backed by a reputable company with references from users who can speak to the customer service experience before , during and after installation .
While LED lighting does constitute an investment , cutting corners does not result in the best outcome . A good company will provide a quality system backed by a warranty and supported by sales staff that can answer questions .
And while you ’ re thinking of cost : Remember to do a full evaluation of your needs and what you stand to save by investing in a new LED system . A life-cycle cost analysis can determine the effectiveness of a potential LED lighting retrofit , and should take into consideration capital costs , maintenance costs and operations costs . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com November 2023 | SportsField Management
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