Sparks Electrical News June 2022

LIGHTING

12

Five benefits of solar lighting

I f your clients are interested in having solar lights installed, Eurolux of fers some benefits which you can relay to your customers to help them make up their minds. They are eco-friendly: The move towards solar lighting is more than just a trend – it is a lifestyle change, and it’s being implemented in households and businesses across the world as an increasing number of people are turning to green energy solutions to illuminate their properties. Solar fix tures harness the power of the sun, even on a cloudy day. Additionally, no harmful gases are emitted by solar panels and, according to studies, solar fixtures help combat global warming because they reduce the amount of kerosene burnt in ordinary fixtures. They are cost-effective: The range of solar-powered fixtures on offer is diverse and plentiful, meaning there is something to suit all budgets

and needs. Furthermore, they’re not dependent on an electrical charge to function, so your electricity bill is significantly reduced. They are easy to maintain : Solar fixtures are simple to install and don’t require the same amount of maintenance as traditional fixtures. As with all outdoor fixtures, dust and dirt will accumulate over time. To prevent build-up and grime, wash the panel and bulb regularly with soap and wa ter. You can also spray a layer of lacquer on the panel itself. If your light isn’t working, the battery may be corroded. Wipe the corroded areas with vinegar and a brush. They do not require electrical wires: Electrical wires in typical outdoor lighting can be a tripping hazard and also run the risk of being gnawed at by animals or damaged by heavy rain. With solar fixtures, these issues are eliminated. A lack of wiring also means it’s easy to move fixtures to differ ent parts of the garden as the seasons transition or your lighting needs change.

They are effective in emergencies: Given the cur rent power crisis in South Africa, solar fixtures are a must in every household for security, safety and convenience. Homes shrouded in darkness are easy targets for would-be intruders but with outdoor solar fixtures illuminating your property, this needn’t be a concern during periods of load shedding. They also provide the illumination necessary for navigating your way safely up to the front door or garage after dark when the power is out. Versatility at its best T he new Tridonic IP67 outdoor drivers are ex tremely versatile as they offer a very wide op erating current range between 200 mA and 1400 mA and wattages between 75 W and 300 W. The drivers are dimmable via the 1-10 V interface. The operating current can be programmed using NFC (Near Field Communication). This was very challenging from an engineering perspective as the driver encasing is metal preventing proper commu nication with the NFC chip. The solution for this chal lenge was to create a small ‘window’ in the encasing allowing the NFC communication while keeping the IP rating intact. Tridonic is a leading supplier of lighting technol ogy, supporting its customers with intelligent hard ware and software and offering the highest level of quality, reliability and energy savings. As a global driver of innovation in the field of lighting-based net work technology, Tridonic develops scalable, future oriented solutions that enable new business models for lighting manufacturers, building managers, sys tems integrators, planners and many other types of customers. To promote the vision of the “Internet of Light”, Tridonic relies on partnerships with other special ists. The goal is the joint development of innovative technological solutions that convert lighting systems into intelligent networks and thereby enable associ ated services. Its profound, technical industry exper tise makes Tridonic an ideal partner for established brands and for newcomers to the market. Tridonic is the technology company of the Zumto bel Group and is headquartered in Dornbirn, Austria. In the 2020/21 tax year, Tridonic generated sales of €302.8 million. 1 808 highly skilled employees and a worldwide sales presence in over 70 countries reflect the company’s commitment to the develop ment and deployment of new, smart and connected lighting systems. Enquiries: www.eurolux.co.za

Enquiries: www.tridonic.com

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

JUNE 2022