There�s good news on the lighting front for managers of warehouse and shipping operations. Recent advances in illumination technology have produced new lighting solutions that can yield more and better light at lower costs. And the innovations are ideally suited to the high-volume and vision-sensitive duties found in the warehouse, fulfillment and distribution environments managed by Parcel Shipping & Distribution readers.
The solutions offer the benefit of white light, rather than the yellowish tinge emitted by many existing approaches, which helps improve accuracy. How? By enabling workers to more easily distinguish subtle variations in the color of materials and read documents as well as package and label information more clearly.
Other advantages of the new lighting technology include superior energy efficiency, a longer life, a more reliable performance level, the ability to operate continuously even under adverse conditions and the aesthetics of white light, which is widely acknowledged to be less fatiguing on the eye over long periods of time.
A Super-long Life
All of these factors are particularly significant in warehouse/distribution environments where ceilings are high, the need for continuous light is great and the cost or time involved in maintenance or replacement activities is significant. As amazing as it may sound, in some instances the newer lighting technology will last up to 50 times longer than incandescent lamps.
As with any effective lighting approach, the best solution starts with a clear view of the various factors involved. In a warehouse or distribution environment, these include:
� The height of the ceiling, which affects the distance the light must travel and the areas it must illuminate
� The specific work activity being illuminated
� The ambient temperature of the facility
� The number of lamps required
� The total cost of all fixtures and lamps
� The energy used by each lighting component
� The durability of the illumination (i.e., the light-level produced at the mid-life point of the lamps)
� The Color Rendering Index (i.e., the ability of a lamp to produce accurate color in the objects illuminated)
� Any re-strike or re-start constraints
Introducing Induction Lighting
One of the innovations is called Induction Lighting, and it is remarkable because it has no filaments or electrodes. These are the chief factors that limit the useful life of conventional lighting systems. As a result, Induction Lighting systems can deliver an astonishing 100,000 hours of high-quality white light. That is equivalent to nearly a quarter century of continuous operation in a facility that requires two full shifts or about 80 hours of light per week.
Induction Lighting is more than a lamp; it is really a system. It consists of a high-frequency generator, a power coupler and a compact and lightweight lamp. It also features induction and gas discharge to help yield its extraordinary longevity. Consultants say it is excellent for general lighting purposes in high-ceiling environments that require ladders or lifts for maintenance services.
Since the lamps used in Induction Lighting systems have no filaments, they are far less sensitive to vibrations (such as those generated by heavy manufacturing in a factory environment) or to shifts in ambient temperature, which also helps extend their life and usefulness. Indeed, the lamps are designed to deliver a minimum of 85% of expected output at temperatures ranging from 30� Fahrenheit to 130� Fahrenheit.
They also start and re-start instantly, whether hot or cold, and deliver their full light output in just a tenth of a second. The systems can start at temperatures as low as minus 40� Fahrenheit, and the instant re-start capability helps keep material and installation costs down since there is no need for an emergency re-strike system.
Any component of an Induction Lighting system can be replaced individually. However, all components are usually replaced simultaneously. End-of-life generally occurs when the generator requires replacement and usually coincides with a drop of 35% to 40% in lumen output at 100,000 hours of use.
There is also no distracting hum that sometimes accompanies fluorescent lamps. There is no perceptible flicker either, so the light is easy on the eyesight of workers throughout an entire work day. The technology also does not interfere with computers, cellular or mobile phones or video surveillance and security systems.
Please visit the Parcel Shipping & Distribution Web site at www.psdmag.com to read the Web Exclusive part II of this article.
George Linkletter is a marketing consultant who specializes in customer messaging. He can be reached at georgeol@ntplx.net. More information on lighting solutions is available at the Philips Lighting Co. at www.lighting.philips.com/nam.
