Are vehicle manufacturers still in the dark when it comes
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to the latest in lighting technology? Cohn Barnett compares the three main types of product on the interior lighting market.
Here's a no-brainer: what is required of interior lighting? Obviously the light source must be bright enough to illuminate the work space, thus reducing the risk of accidents and improving efficiency. But if you're spewing a lighting system for a workplace you should also ensure that: • It's reliable. Nothing is more frustrating than switching on a light in a dark area, only to find out it doesn't work,and you can't see a thing.
• There are no harmful side effects. Some lighting is not suited for certain uses due to side effects such as excessive heat,excessive energy consum ption,or harm to the local environment.
• It works well in the range of voltages at which most trailers and bodies operate the power supply in a typical 13.6m trailer or 4m body can be 50% over or under the nominal 12V or 24V output when the vehicle is in use and the interior lighting is required.
Now that we know what we're looking for, what types of lighting can we use? The three main light sources available today for the road transport industry are incandescent (standard bulb lamps); fluorescent lamps; and LED lamps.