How to Create a Lighting Fixture Specification for Public Roads?

Description: “Crafting a well-defined specification for public road lighting fixtures requires careful attention to technical details, safety considerations, and energy efficiency. To establish a robust and effective specification, various factors must be taken into account.

The first step involves adhering to fundamental requirements, such as defined objectives for safety, uniformity, and energy savings, while ensuring compliance with necessary standards to guarantee that the fixtures meet expectations post-installation.

For luminaires used on urban streets and highways, NBR 5101 sets the minimum requirements for brightness to address conditions such as reducing nighttime accidents, aiding law enforcement, facilitating traffic flow, highlighting buildings and public structures at night, and enhancing energy efficiency. To create an ideal specification, it is essential to closely consider specific needs, including:

1️⃣ Roadway Lighting: Determine the specific requirements for the given road, such as length, width, traffic, and speed limits, and base the lumen output (lm) on these details to ensure adequate illumination for the road, as mandated by NBR 5101;

2️⃣ Energy Efficiency: Highlight the energy efficiency of the luminaires by showcasing how many lumens are generated per watt consumed. SX Lighting’s luminaires designed for highways offer up to 202 lm/W. Their high efficiency contributes to energy savings and a faster return on investment.

3️⃣ Beam Angle: Specify the fixture’s beam angle, considering the roadway’s width. Follow the guidance of the lighting design project and NBR 5101 regarding longitudinal classifications (short, medium, long) and transversal types (I, II, III, IV).

4️⃣ Color Temperature (CCT): Mention the light’s color temperature, measured in Kelvin (K), as per the norm, to best suit the road’s needs, ensuring optimal visibility, especially at night and during rainy days.

5️⃣ Weather Protection (IP): Specify the degree of protection against dust and moisture for the fixtures, at least IP66, ensuring dust and rain protection and prolonged functionality;

6️⃣ Lifespan and Maintenance: State the fixture’s lifespan in operating hours, considering that current high-quality LED public luminaires have an expected lifespan of around 100,000 operating hours, reducing maintenance and replacement costs for an extended period.

7️⃣ Lighting Control and Telegestion: Describe whether the luminaires should include control features like dimming (1-10V/DALI), which can contribute to energy efficiency.

8️⃣ Certifications and Standards: Ensure that the luminaires carry INMETRO and PROCEL certifications, and that the executed lighting design project meets the minimum levels specified in these urban lighting norms and certifications.

Here’s an example of a basic specification:

LED fixture with SMD board technology, 150W or 30,000 lm, luminous efficiency ≥ 200 lm/W, 5,000 K color temperature, made of naval-grade aluminum, anti-corrosion paint, 202254 Vac voltage, IP66 and IK09 protection rating, CRI ≥70, equipped with a 110V dimming system, with an adjustable angle from -10 to 10°.

To obtain and validate all these luminaire details, a specific lighting study for the particular roadway is necessary. This study will consider all relevant factors and NBR 5101 requirements, including installation height, positioning, and other factors, ensuring the best application of lighting technology.

Remember that a clear and detailed specification not only aids informed decision-making but also contributes to the safety of drivers and pedestrians on the roads.

Contact our experts and request a personalized, no-obligation lighting design project for each road you need to illuminate.

#LEDLightingFixtures #Highways #EfficientLighting”