Welding Shop Lighting

Having proper lighting stalled is a matter of safety, especially when working around potentially dangerous equipment or tools. Installing the right lighting in a welding shop can help reduce accidents and mistakes that are contributed to poor visibility. Coming up with the right lighting plan for this type of area can get a little bit tricky. Below we have come up with some suggestions that will enable you to find the best welding shop lighting application for your location.

Having the right bulb is an important element when it comes to welding shop lighting applications. You don't want to install a lighting solution that is incapable of keeping up with the needs of your applications. For instance, choosing a lighting solution that cannot produce the lumen output you need for your space would be a grave mistake. You need to calculate the lumens in terms of square space to find the right balance of light output.

Go with light sources that are long-lasting. If you're constantly having to change light bulbs or make repairs to your existing fixtures, it will take away from more important tasks that require your attention. If you choose a lighting source that performs well and last you long term, the need of maintenance can be eliminated all together.

Select LEDs over fluorescents. In the past, fluorescents were once the standard for a variety of settings across different markets. However, just like metal halides, fluorescents need to constantly be changed, and offer lower efficiency rates, resulting in constant upkeep. Another great benefit that makes LED better for welding shop lighting applications is that there is no warm-up period needed. As soon as you turn them on your space will be immediately illuminated so you can get right to work.

You also need to look at the differences between general lighting and task lighting. General lighting needs to be bright but not too harsh, and task lighting should be brighter than general lighting and directed to specific areas like work spaces.

Glare needs to be avoided when it comes to both general and task lighting so visibility is not diminished. A few ways this can be controlled is by incorporating lighting options with reflectors, diffusers, or with uplight capabilities.

Outside influences should also be considered when it comes to lighting solutions. It is very important that the lighting system you choose to ultimately go with can withstand the demanding environment of a welder's shop. Check the NEMA, IP, and UL listings and ratings to see if your fixtures will be dust proof and waterproof, and also what heat or cold limits they may have.