Trends in Textile Mill Lighting--Light Sources

The developments in light sources which might be used in textile mills or in their offices or yards are reviewed. Recently, fluorescent lamps have appeared in new shapes and in new color types. One manufacturer adds titanium to the glass to improve light output throughout life; another has a lamp to match incandescent; another features an ultraviolet content. Rated lives of popular types range from 18 000 to 33 000 h. Incandescent lamps are available with life ratings of approximately 3500h. Tungsten--halogen (quartz--iodine) and also new Krypton types have important advantages. Mercury lamps, rated 24 000 h, are available in deluxe white and other colors which can create a very pleasant environment. As with all compact light sources, it is important to space them where the light will reach the depths of machinery. Self-ballasted mercury lamps are described and recommended for use in place of incandescent lamps where additional capital investment is not wanted. Metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps are more efficient than mercury lamps and just as compact. These new types require their own specific ballasts. Each has its distinctive color qualities, some excellent. They give promise of greater reliability and cost saving in the future.