Why Does Industrial LED Lighting Require Robust Components?

LDS IndustrialLED 400

July 8, 2020

Industrial environments from warehouses to manufacturing plants are more harsh than typical work environments such as commercial office space. Temperatures can be extremely cold or hot because of a lack of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and equipment may be partially exposed to the elements. In addition, there may be heavy equipment and machinery that causes voltage spikes and vibration, or other environmental conditions such as humidity and dust that affect equipment performance and long-term reliability.

Luminaires for industrial settings need to be built to withstand these harsh conditions. They must be able to operate efficiently and support the safety and productivity of both the occupants and machinery in the facility. The quality and specifications of the LED driver installed in the luminaire is critical because it determines how well the luminaire will perform from an energy efficiency, light quality and maintenance perspective.

Energy efficiency

LED technology and building code requirements have resulted in a substantial savings in the amount of electricity used for lighting in many industrial spaces. LED lighting operates at significantly lower power consumption levels as compared to fluorescent or high intensity discharge (HID) technologies. However, there is still room for improvement particularly in those industrial warehouses and manufacturing facilities that operate on a 24/7 schedule.

With advancements in lighting controls, LED luminaires can take advantage of wireless sensors and controls to further optimize a lighting system. Leveraging sensors, dimming strategies, and natural light can further reduce energy consumption while still maintaining optimal levels of light in the space. Some industrial LED drivers include an auxiliary output for directly powering fixture-integrated sensors and controls.

High Quality of Light

Due to the high ceilings in industrial environments, luminaires must operate with a high light output to illuminate work areas brightly and evenly so that employees, as well as the machinery, can work safely and efficiently.  Additionally, the quality of light, including flicker, dimming performance (true 1% dimming) and DIM-to-OFF, can be critical in some environments such as food processing plants, hospitals, stadiums, schools and factories.

Many industrial facilities leverage scanning systems for real-time visibility of inventory. Where scanning systems are applied, the lighting must not only be bright, but its quality must also be high, so that these systems, most of which are very sensitive to ambient light, can work properly. Industrial LED drivers ensure a high quality of light by operating at high switching frequencies resulting in low output flicker and stroboscopic effects even at minimum dim levels.  This means that negative effects on scanner and video surveillance systems can be prevented – at any dimming level.

Reliable Light Output Across a Wide Temperature Range

LED driver data can tell you a lot about the performance level of a luminaire as well as how much ‘life’ remains in the luminaire. Early detection can mean simpler and less costly repairs. For example, the LED fixture will start to go through lumen depreciation over time, but a quality LED driver will compensate for this depreciation by producing a steady state of measured light output across the entire lifetime of the fixture. Adjusting the current as the LED begins to fade effectively maintains 100% light output over life.

Additionally, luminaires are usually installed at ceiling heights of 25 feet or higher in industrial spaces. Addressing any problems with lighting fixtures can require not only skilled personnel but often special equipment. This makes maintenance challenging and costly especially if machines or production lines must stop while the maintenance is done.

It is critical that luminaires in this environment are highly reliable and energy efficient. A high-quality luminaire requires a reliable LED driver which can operate in harsh environments consistently across a wide ambient temperature range (-40C to 55C) and support low touch maintenance programs.  

OPTOTRONIC Industrial LED drivers are highly reliable, energy efficient, designed to operate in harsh industrial environments and carry a 5-year warranty.

To learn more, download the datasheet HERE

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    At the crest of False Creek, Tesoro stands as a contemporary interpretation of classic luxury, offering 92 exclusive waterfront homes in the heart of Vancouver. Developed by Concert Properties, this 17-story residential tower embraces a distinctly modern character, harmonizing sleek design with timeless sophistication. The vision for Tesoro extended beyond its architectural presence—it was about… Read More…

  • LightForm: Estiluz – Versatile Solutions for Sophisticated Spaces

    LightForm: Estiluz – Versatile Solutions for Sophisticated Spaces

    For anyone seeking high-performance lighting that blends elegance with engineering, Estiluz offers an exceptional range of solutions. This Spanish brand, family-owned since 1969, creates lighting that balances form, function, and flexibility, making it ideal for both bold architectural statements and subtle design enhancements. At LightForm, they are proud to be the exclusive Canadian distributor of… Read More…


New Products

  • Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Taji Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Taji Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting is excited to announce the release of its new Taji luminaire. Taji’s captivating design features high-performance optics and enhances a variety of aesthetics. Taji’s distinctive, stylish silhouette and slender lines are a refreshing departure from the ubiquitous dome luminaire. The unique flared form maintains a slender, minimalist feel yet provides high-performance optics. The… Read More…

  • Leviton Releases New Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer for Home & Small Business Lighting Control

    Leviton Releases New Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer for Home & Small Business Lighting Control

    Leviton has announced the launch of the Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer (D2710), expanding its comprehensive Wi-Fi lighting and load control solutions that work with the My Leviton app. As the first Matter-compatible 0-10V smart dimmer, the new 120V/277V device makes it easy to add 0-10V dimming to smart platforms such as Apple Home, Amazon… Read More…