Equipment: Luminaires

Abstract

Luminaire characteristics are widely different for the different lamp types and for the different areas of application. The luminaires employed in road lighting are of three basic types: those that throw the main part of their light along the road, which is the case for most of the luminaires used for motorway lighting; those that have a more rotation symmetrically light distribution, as sometimes used for the lighting of non-linear areas such as squares and some residential areas; those used for high-mast lighting, which may have a rotationally-symmetrical light distribution, but more often have an asymmetrical distribution that permits the lighting of complicated multi-level junctions.

The light distribution itself and the efficiency with which it is created by its optical system are key quality aspects of a luminaire. However, the mechanical, electrical and thermal aspects of the luminaire are also important. These aspects determine both the lifetime of the luminaire itself and of the components it houses, like the lamp and gear. They are also important in view of safety and of ease of maintenance. Finally, since road lighting luminaires are part of the daytime scene of an area, also their aesthetical aspect has a role to play. All these aspects will be discussed in this chapter.