Portable and temporary work lights.
Portable and temporary lights versus fixed lights.
There is a large difference in use and therefore in construction between fixed lights and work lights.
Fixed lights
Fixed lights can be found on walls, on lampposts, from a ceiling.
Portable lights
Portable lights are a part of all the tools that need to be taken along to carry out a task, repair or maintenance. Inspection requires again a different products: flashlights are often suitable for illuminating a small area well, floodlights should illuminate a larger area.
Differences between fixed – and portable
1. Mechanical strength
Fixed lighting, mounted on lampposts, on walls or as a pendant light have much lower mechanical requirements to meet. These do not have to withstand drops, blows, or impacts with tools. At the same time, weight for work lighting is a much more important item.
2. Provision against static-electricity
Another important difference: Portable lights have a provision to prevent the build-up of static electricity, a dangerous condition possibly leading to sparking. After all, movement against clothing, for example, can lead to this dangerous build-up. Metal housings of mobile solutions therefore have a third core in the power cable to allow the drain of static build up, plastic housings must be made of anti-static material. It is important that this property is good and lasting, even after impact or cleaning. It is doubtful that a simple layer, like can be found with polycarbonate meets this requirement. If a plastic housing with a sprayed film is chosen, we would recommend regular checking of the anti-static properties, like this tool available at Optilight France Testeur.
Our Ultra2 and Ultra3 flood lights have a house with fully thorough anti-static properties: scratching, cleaning or impacts will not deteriorate it.
3. Weight
There are no ATEX regulatory requirements regarding weight, possible only national requirements with regard to working conditions. The Ultra2 is equipped with a battery, which would not be out of place in a medium-sized family car with a capacity of more than 50Ah. But while the car battery is very heavy, the Ultra2 was engineered until the weight became only 5.5 kg.