Commercial lighting is usually used in offices, public spaces or retail, which are spaces with standard room temperatures. Standard commercial lighting is tested to around 35 degrees plus or minus, which makes it suitable for most commercial spaces, even sun-soaked glass showrooms, shopping centres or warehouses.
In the high-tech facilities with intense operational demands or facilities classed as mission critical spaces however, the product suitability for elevated ambient temperatures is non negotiable. Data center lighting needs to be tested to withstand temperatures up to 45°C for areas with technical operations above 35°C. Specifically, luminaires in data halls are required to withstand higher temperatures, as the processor temperatures within the equipment can reach 80°C.
Certain environments push temperatures: think industrial setups with heavy machinery, or data centres where server heat drives ambient temperatures right up to 80 °C. In such spaces, luminaires and the components that aren’t tested for these challenging temperatures might flicker, fail early, or even pose safety risks. Ensuring a light fitting can withstand elevated temperatures is absolutely critical. Luminaires and emergency lighting used in the mission critical environments have to be tested to TA stands for ambient temperature and is an important technical specification that needs to be considered when selecting lighting for harsh environments. This information is usually stated in a product data sheet.
When we supply lighting for high temperature environment, like the data centres, we would test the luminaire that we supply. Here’s how we do it:
First of all, we use components and drivers from renowned manufacturers like Helvar, Phillips or Osram who have carried out ambient temperature tests up to 55 degrees.
When it comes to actual light fittings, we would carry out these test, depending on the project requirements.
The equipment in our testing facilities is calibrated every 24 months to maintain pinpoint accuracy, so you can trust the results.
During a typical test, which usually runs for 24 hours (though we adjust based on client needs), we monitor key temperatures:
We tailor this process to fit your specific project. Need a basic test for a quick turnaround? We can adjust the duration of the test to suit your project. Working in a space with unique heat patterns, like a data centre’s hot aisle? We’ll set the chamber to match those exact conditions. Or perhaps you’re lighting a space that gets unusually warm due to sunlight or equipment; we’ll replicate that environment and focus on the components most at risk, like LEDs or diffusers. Our goal is to simulate your real-world conditions as closely as possible, ensuring the results are relevant and actionable for your needs.
Skipping thorough testing is like playing with fire, literally. Without it, luminaires in hot environments can face:
By customising our testing to your specific requirements, we ensure your luminaires perform reliably, last longer, and keep your spaces safe, no matter the temperature.
At 299 Lighting, we partner with you to make sure your lighting performs in any environment. We conduct rigorous thermal testing to ensure our luminaires can handle demanding conditions, giving you confidence in their long-term performance and compliance with safety standards. We customise our approach to match your project’s unique demands, adjusting test durations, replicating your specific temperature conditions, and focusing on the components that matter most, delivering solutions that fit your space perfectly.