The types of street lighting

We are so accustomed to street lighting, which do not notice. Remember, because surely on the way home you can see the bright shop windows, lights, signs and billboards – this is street lighting! Incidentally, the first lighting system appeared in the 17th century in Amsterdam. Since 1730 began to illuminate the streets in Moscow. In 1807, gas lamps were invented, and at the end of the 19th century – power.

Conventionally, the street lighting can be divided into:

• Facade – spotlights and lamps that are mounted on architectural structures and give the spot light;
• Landscape – may indicate garden paths and borders the courtyard, and highlight some shrubs, water features, sculpture and so on;
• The scattered street – mainly represented by lights installed in a specific order and at a high altitude, they give the scattered, but a bright light.

Classification functionality:

• Technical – is used to highlight the main track, the gate area near the front door and the other;
• Flood – the scattered light flux for lighting a large space;
• Decorative – for spotlighting objects on the plot;
• Accompanying – in this category include lights that react to movement.

Types of street lighting

Wall . Often they are used to illuminate the entrance area and decorative lighting the yard. They are compact, easy to use, vary in shape and design. If you want to illuminate a large area, wall-mounted spotlight used (mainly for security purposes).

Torshernye . The most common type of fixtures, supports and consist of lampshades, located upstairs. Most often torshernye lamps used for lighting alleys, paths, arbors, a pond, the entrance area.

Ground . They are mounted directly in the ground or roadway. These lamps give a soft dim light coming from the bottom up, in some models, you can change the angle of the beam. Suitable for lighting sculptures, trees, flower beds.

False . The principle of attachment similar to indoor chandeliers, however, these lamps stand a far greater load. In fact, it is a long chain with a canopy, suitable for lighting patios, terraces, pavilions.

Columnar . Modified torshernye lamps, such products are low, the light is reflected down through special covers. May take the form of a mushroom, stone, light column, cylinder and others. Suitable for both the main and spot lighting plot. At the lower bars may be present glare, so it is better not to have on crowded areas.

Features street lighting

Architectural lighting is now in vogue. In addition to the continuous lighting is also used aktsentualnoe. Lanterns are placed to illuminate the doors, pillars, niches, beautiful architectural elements. It is interesting to look and contour lighting using LED tubes and cords.

Landscaping also requires the correct lighting in stores you can find lamps of different styles – from classic to hi-tech. Contour lighting is used for tracks and alleys, to illuminate the crowns of trees and shrubs suitable for spotlights with diffused light. With asymmetric luminaires (located at different heights) can be nice to beat the hardscape. Flood lights often used to illuminate large terrace or water.

In fact, the illumination should be three. First – for the perimeter of the gate, the gate, the front door. The second – for lighting recreation areas – pergola, patio, swimming pool, barbecue area and so on. Third – for paths and trails. The selection of lamps, every detail is important, even the light spectrum: cool colors visually postpone illuminated objects, warm, on the contrary, they are coming. To illuminate the recreation areas it is recommended to use warm colors.

When choosing a lamp must take into account not only the design, but also resistance to adverse external factors – the direct rays of the sun, precipitation, wind, and dust. The material from which the light source must be safe, no less important ease of use and installation, service life.

Main features for streetlights – This luminous flux (lumens) and power (Watts). The greater the ratio of the power and efficiency of the luminous flux, the better the light of lanterns. Color and color, on the contrary, is not so important.

Types of lighting

• Incandescent . They have high power and heat, but do not call them economical. Halogen lamps are more popular, they added a pair of halogen increases the life of the product several times, they are used in lanterns and spotlights;
• Discharge lamps . Give thanks to the light burning gas – methane, ethylene, hydrogen, propane and others. These lamps are very efficient, have a long life, good color rendering. In turn, the discharge lamp may be: mercury, sodium and metal halogen. They were not used for interior lighting, as required noisy and time-consuming commissioning, as well as a pair of the flask are substances which may be in a confined space poison the human body;
• Xenon . They are the light source is an electric arc, located between two tungsten electrodes. Inside is a sodium salt and mercury, an inert gas, a pair of metal;
• Fluorescent Lamp . They have a good light output, long life, they are economical. Constant switching on and off reduces the service life of these lamps, so it is best to give light in the evening until morning. The powerful lighting systems use high-pressure lamps, suitable for small area and low pressure products, they are highly reliable;
• Induction . Gas cylinder lamp is next to the induction coil, the light source – Plasma, which is generated during the ionization of the gas cylinder by the magnetic field. It is stable and reliable light sources;
• Solar . Economical and very popular among designers option. Suitable for both accent and large-scale street lighting. These lamps are mobile, autonomous, switched on and off independently. Source – solar energy accumulated during the day.

To control the lighting system (if it is not solar panels) is easier to use photo- or machines. With the timer you can set a specific time on and off, and using a light barrier, adjust the intensity of lighting and enjoy the beauty of their infield!

See also:

• Lighting suburban area.
• The lighting in the interior.