What is a spotlight? What is a floodlight? Knowing the difference between the two is important for properly lighting any application. Before you can understand the difference, you must know what a beam pattern is. Beam angle or pattern is a measurement of the angles that are formed between a cone of light’s brightest point (the center) and the points on both sides of the center where the light’s intensity is 50 percent as bright.

PAR30 bulb that is available with a spot or flood beam pattern.

Fixtures, such as retrofit LED can lights may also look similar to one another while functioning as either spotlights or floodlights. Some light bars are even capable of emitting flood, spot, or combination beams. There are, however, certain fixtures that we imagine when we think of floodlights and spotlights.

Explosion proof fixtures are a necessity for environments which output potentially explosive or flammable fumes, produce dust of dirt in the air, or similar situations in which a gas could enter the fixture and cause damage to the light or well-being of the facility.

If you are currently running or working with a facility which requires these explosion proof light fixtures, the list of 3 must-haves below will clear the air and hopefully set you on the right track to ensuring you have the proper setup and design.

First on the list, we are going to talk about the actual technology within the fixture and why it is so important.

While a big part of vapor proof lights is the actual fixture and its design, we think the luminaire within the fixture is equally as important.

We simply can’t recommend any other technology other than LED because we truly believe in it. To give you a little bit of insight on industrial LEDs, here are some of the reasons why companies of all sorts are converting to LED:

As you can see, just from these three main benefits that all sorts of facilities are realizing can really be game changing in terms of savings.

For these reasons (and more), we thought it was a must to have it first on the list.

Interested in learning more? Find Class 1 Div 2. For this reason, we suggest you always inquire with a reputable and knowledgeable company that offers and deals with explosion proof lighting when inquiring about your lighting project.

If you can’t find a reputable company to ask your questions, just LED explosion proofs offer the long-term solution is clear.

Especially when you consider in rebates, your initial upfront investment can be reduced greatly. While these rebates do vary from place to place, they are most often available when you buy DLC qualified fixtures. Not only are DLC qualified fixtures going to make you more eligible for rebates through your utility company, but they also provide other benefits. The biggest benefit of buying DLC qualified lights is they have ben tried and tested and, in most cases, do what they claim. In a busy world of lighting, not all products do exactly what they say. This is most common when a light is not qualified by something like the DLC.

Our main advice is this; to get the best value buy only DLC qualified fixtures. If you don’t, you may actually end up spending more upfront (by not getting any rebates) as well as more energy usage overtime, due to a less efficient build.

Another major cost saver can come through retrofitting. The only time you can retrofit is if your fixture is still functional and can fit a LED retrofit in it. If you do not match these requirements, then a full replacement will (typically) be required.

If you can, we suggest you retrofit. It saves money in two ways: retrofit kits are cheaper than full fixture replacements and the cost to retrofit is typically less time consuming and thus, less expensive.

In Summary

We know that a sensitive environment can be stressful to deal with, especially when it comes to the lighting system and the safety of the facility.

The above 3 must-haves are just the beginning, and each situation can vary greatly. As always, we suggest you consult with some lighting professionals to truly discover what you may require for your facility and operations.

It's safe to say that few people actually look forward to doing laundry, and when you have a poorly functioning washer and dryer, the process is only made all the more painful. This is especially true if you live in a space where you have to share your laundry machines with others and are forced to pay for every load you wash. Sending your clothes through a dryer twice is a waste of quarters that you could be saving for your next load - not only that, but running your dryer more times than you need to is sure to start taking a toll on your electric bill.

You have a few options that you can look into to address this issue. If your dryer isn't heating up as much as it should be to actually remove the moisture from your clothes, don't jump to the conclusion that you need to replace it. Many homeowners will make the mistake of buying new appliances, spending hundreds of dollars picking out a top-of-the-line model, only to find that it too isn't adequately drying your clothes.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, more than 30,000 non-fatal shock accidents happen every year. Electrical shock is relatively easy to prevent if you know what to look for and what to avoid. With some basic knowledge and safety training, you won’t become a statistic. Read some of our quick tips below to find out how you can protect yourself and others from accidentally receiving an electrical shock.

Wall plates and light switch covers are not just there to make sockets look better–they keep debris out of the sockets and shield fingers from exposed wires. Never stick your hands or a metal utensil into a wall socket; the currents from an electrical shock can cause injury or even death.

Educate yourself on how the fuses, circuit breakers, and wires are set up in your home. This simple step can prevent injury and also allow you to know the limits on where you can plug in powerful tools and appliances. In addition, it can be helpful to match light bulbs’ wattage to your lamps. You can usually see the recommended maximum wattage printed around the light bulb socket. It’s wise to use light bulbs with equal or lesser wattage so you don’t overload the lamp wiring. It’s also good to know if your house is wired with aluminum or copper wiring, because these metals handle heat differently.

Any electrical equipment that sparks, gives out small shocks, frequently short circuits, or has frayed wires is not safe to use and may need to be fixed or replaced. If any wires are sticking out from the wall, don’t tamper with them. Have an electrician inspect the wires first, especially if they appear damaged.

When storing cords, don’t let them twist or get into haphazard knots or else they may tear. Tuck them away somewhere that small children can’t find them and pets can’t chew on them. Many hardware stores sell cord organizers to make this easy for you.

Try to avoid having too many heavy appliances plugged in and running from the same outlets or power strips. This can lead to overheating, a blown fuse, or an electrical fire. Use extension cords sparingly and try to limit their use to temporary arrangements when doing work around the house. If you’re constantly in need of extension cords, you might be better off just having another outlet installed.

Never leave electrical appliances somewhere they can easily fall into sinks or bathtubs. If an appliance accidentally falls into the water while plugged in, turn off the power to that circuit before you remove the object from the water. Then let the appliance fully dry and ask an electrician if it’s still acceptable to use. Store outdoor electrical appliances in a dry place where they are safe from rain, hoses, or swimming pools.

If you are working with electricity around the house, turn off all appropriate power sources and wear protective gloves and/or boots. Remove any metal jewelry and don’t wear clothing that could get caught on a wire. If you’re the one doing the work, do not assume that someone else has turned off the power sources. Always double check for yourself for your own safety.

Don’t hesitate to call a professional with questions if an electrical job is intricate or beyond your scope. A tiny mistake can lead to serious consequences, so hire a licensed electrician for any complicated or dangerous jobs.