What Are Needed to Consider for LED Street Lights Design?

Imagine the times when light was not invented, and people couldn't step out during the pitch blackness of the night. The world has advanced over the years, and if there is one invention we don't give enough gratitude to, it is the street lights, which help illuminate our way when we walk or drive at night.

Different types of street lights serve several applications. They are used to light up roads, gardens, highways, parking lots, and so many other outdoor areas. However, while there are many types, the question is why the LED street lights and their exceptional design have always been the talk of the town. Read this article to learn all you need to know about LED street lights.

The Different Types of Street Lights

The world has come a long way from ancient oil lamps to the sodium ones. Today, there are multiple options when it comes to choosing street lights for different areas or outdoor places. If you are someone who wants to learn about the different types of street lights, then we have some of the most common ones mentioned for you below:

· Incandescent Street Lights

The incandescent street lighting are created based on Thomas Edison's invention and generate light through crossing electricity from a tungsten filament until it turns bright. This was a common type of street light used back in the day. However, it is quite ineffective now, given that it discharges a lot of heat and can be extremely hot when touched. Despite its ineffectiveness, there are still a few villages that use this light concept to illuminate the pathways around their area because it has a low cost of production and is accessible at an affordable price.

· Fluorescent Street Lights

These lights were first introduced in the 1940s and emit light by passing electricity through a gas which creates a phosphor coating within the shining tube. The flourescent lights emit highly intense UV photons, however, provides only visible lights. While the latest designs are somewhat more effective, these lights are only mostly used for parking lots.

· Mercury Vapor Street Lights

Mercury vapor lights are also used to illuminate large outdoor spaces like sports stadiums, streets, buildings, malls, gyms, etc, because of their brightness and durability. In this light, the mercury vapor discharge is within the lights inside a quartz tube. The outer layer is then protected to block any short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light around it.

The lamps, while can provide long-lasting light sources in normal working, become dangerous if the outer protective layer breaks. The intense UV radiation gets released if the outer layer breaks, leading to UV exposure resulting in eye and skin burns, dizziness, headaches, and even blurred vision.

· Solar Street Lights

Solar technology has taken the world by storm and is one of the most used sources of generating electricity at present. This technology uses photovoltaic technology to convert sunlight into DC power through solar cells. The generated electricity can also be used during the day or stored in batteries to operate the street lights at night. This is, in fact, an eco-friendly product and carries a longer lifespan. However, it is an expensive initial investment to make.

· LED Street Lights

One of the leading lights in the street light world right now has got to be the LED Street Lights. In comparison to all the lights mentioned above, the LED street lights can save between 30% and 70% of energy and can last for years without needing any maintenance. The LED lights work when electrical current passes through the microchip used in the LED, which ignites the tiny light sources installed within. These lights also tend to produce 90% more light than any other average street lights, making them one of the most reliable and widely used street lights currently operating.

Design Considerations for LED Street Lights

While beneficial to use, there are a few design considerations for LED street lights that you should look into before choosing one for yourself. Here are a few design considerations that you should ensure before making a purchase:

· Road Classification

The overall road classification, like local roads, expressways, and highways, will help determine the design consideration for the light level needed and how much spacing there should be between the lights. This particular information is quite important when it comes to determining the wattage, optics, and height of LED lights.

· Optics and Beam Angles

The optics and beam angles of the light helps determine its distribution and coverage on the road. This is based on the geometric of the roads like curve, straight roads or any intersection all of which require a different optic and beam.

The standard beam angle for LED street lamps is 60 degrees, which is quite suitable for general commercial and residential lighting. Narrow beams and optic angles range between 10 and 15 degrees and are ideal for highlighting specific areas. On the other hand, 120 degrees or higher of a wider optic and beam angle is used for larger areas like parking lots and stadiums.

· Lumen Output

The design consideration when it comes to lumen output for LED street lamps is based on the desired level of light needed, along with the uniformity requirement of the road. One should look into factors like road width, speed limits, and proper light levels when determining the most appropriate lumen output.

The lumen output has various types. For example, low lumen LED lights operate between 1600 - 4000 lumens and are a perfect pick for small outdoor spaces like a hallway or staircase. The medium range of lumen output generates 4000-10000 lumens and are ideal for the outdoor areas of larger buildings. High lumens qith 10000+ lumens are commonly used in larger commercial application like parking lots etc.

· Color Temperature

The overall color temperature of the light plays a significant role in determining the visual perception for the drivers and pedestrians. The 5000K LED lights are the most commonly used street lights as they help project a cool white illumination which matches the natural day-time enviroment. This temperature is commonly used in outdoor spaces. The 4000K and 3000K are natural and warm tones respectively commonly used insides.

Hence, the color temperature should be chosen based on the desired ambiance of the locality, the visual comfort for sight, and the safety of the people. For example, areas like highways and expressways require cooler color temperatures, while other regions may not need the same.

· Thermal Management and Waterproof Rating

The right form of thermal management is important for LED street lights in order to ensure their proper performance and durability. Given that the LED street lamps tend to generate heat during operations, it is essential for them to have an effective heat dissipation working like thermal pads or heat sinks to prevent overheating. Moreover, waterproofing should also be done to catch up with the weather demands, like rainfall or snow.

CHZ Lighting – The One Stop Shop for the Best LED Street Lights

Now that you know all about LED street lighting, we are sure you'd be intrigued to purchase one for your outdoor locality. However, the question is, where can you find the best LED street lights? If you were wondering the same, then let us help you out with this.

The Shanghai CHZ Lighting was established in 2013 and is one of the leading LED light manufacturers in China and the best LED street light brand as well. With its three production bases spread across a 12000 m2 plant area, the company produces 1.0M LED lights every year collectively, which are used to cover office, industrial, stadium, flood =, road, and even solar lighting.

The company has exported its products to 80-plus countries worldwide and is a part of multiple public projects. So, if there is a high-quality and excellent service which you can trust with your purchase of LED street lights, it has got to be this one for sure.

Conclusion

If you are someone who wants to learn about LED street lights and their design, then we hope this article was sufficient to shed light on it with the right information for you. While LED street lights are a great investment, a purchaser needs to trust the right manufacturer. There is no better LED lighting manufacturer in the market than CHZ Lighting, so make sure to check out their website today.

FAQs

Can Street Lights be Powered by Renewable Energy?

Yes! Street lights like solar street lights are efficient enough to be powered by renewable energy from the sun. This energy is stored in batteries, which can then later be used during nighttime.

What is the Lifespan of a Typical Street Light Bulb?

The traditional high-pressure sodium bulbs typically last around 24-36 thousand hours. However, LED street lights can last significantly longer with a lifespan ranging from 50 to 100 thousand hours on average.