{"id":37491,"date":"2026-10-08T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jelproducts.nl\/?p=37491"},"modified":"2026-07-09T21:45:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T20:45:43","slug":"how-to-choose-lighting-for-a-cement-factory-or-lime-kilns","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/jelproducts.nl\/en\/blog\/hoe-kies-je-verlichting-voor-een-cementfabriek-of-kalkovens\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you choose lighting for a cement factory or lime kilns?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You choose lighting for a cement plant or lime kiln based on the extreme conditions that prevail: fine dust, high temperatures, vibrations and sometimes the risk of explosions. Standard LED fixtures are simply not reliable enough in these environments. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about choosing the right lighting for the cement industry.<\/p>\n

What conditions make cement factories so heavy for lighting?<\/h2>\n

Cement factories combine multiple aggressive factors simultaneously, making them one of the most demanding environments for industrial lighting. Dust accumulates everywhere, temperatures rise around furnaces and mills, vibrations from heavy machinery damage fixtures and electronics, and moisture completes the picture. Together, these factors mean that ordinary fixtures fail quickly.<\/p>\n

What makes this environment particularly challenging is the combination of dry dust and moisture. Limestone and cement clinker produce fine, abrasive dust that gets trapped on optics and cooling components. At the same time, condensation and cleaning water can cause moisture problems. Fixtures that are not fully sealed quickly become contaminated or damaged from the inside out.<\/p>\n

That brings mechanical loads into play. Breakers, mills and conveyor belts cause constant vibrations that shake fasteners and damage welds in equipment housings. Lighting in a cement factory must therefore not only be dust-proof and water-resistant, but also mechanically robust enough to withstand that constant movement.<\/p>\n

Which IP and IK classes are required for cement plant lighting?<\/h2>\n

For lighting in a cement factory, an IP65 classification is the minimum requirement IK08 for dust tightness and protection against water jets. IK10 In zones with cleaning water under pressure or direct exposure to precipitation, IP67 this IP66 is even more advisable. For mechanical impact resistance, it is recommended to use a minimum level; in rooms with heavy machinery or crane traffic, it is preferable.<\/p>\n

The IP class indicates the protection of the luminaire; the IK class indicates the resistance to mechanical impact. Both are relevant in cement plants, but are often assessed separately. A luminaire with IP67 only a low IK value is a risk in a production hall with moving machinery.<\/p>\n

Would you like to know more about what these classes exactly entail and how to apply them in practice? On the page about IP and IK ratings<\/a> find a clear explanation with practical examples.<\/p>\n

Should lighting in a cement factory be ATEX-certified?<\/h2>\n

Not all areas in a cement factory require ATEX lighting, but in specific zones certainly do. Cement dust can be explosive at certain concentrations, and explosive atmospheres can also form during the storage of fuels for the furnaces. In these zones, ATEX-certified lighting is legally required.<\/p>\n

The question of whether a zone is ATEX-compliant depends on an official risk assessment. That assessment determines whether a space is classified as Zone 20, 21 or 22 for dust, or as Zone 0, 1 or 2 for gases. Only a certified risk assessment can determine which zones in your factory fall under the ATEX directive.<\/p>\n

In practice, the silo environments, the grinding facilities, and certain storage locations are especially risky in cement plants. Outside those zones, robust industrial LED lighting with the appropriate IP and IK ratings is sufficient. It is advisable to have the zoning always determined by a safety expert before making lighting choices.<\/p>\n

How do you deal with heat and infrared radiation in lime kilns?<\/h2>\n

In lime kilns, temperatures of 80 to 120 degrees Celsius in the immediate vicinity are not an exception. Standard LED fixtures are designed for ambient temperatures of up to 40 or 50 degrees and quickly become stuck or degrade quickly at higher temperatures. Lighting near lime kilns requires fixtures that are specifically designed for high ambient temperatures and are resistant to infrared radiation.<\/p>\n

Infrared radiation is an additional factor that is often underestimated. Kiln lamps emit intense heat in the form of infrared radiation, which can damage or distort ordinary luminaire housings and optics. Specially designed high-temperature luminaires are equipped with reflective or thermally insulated housings that resist this radiation.<\/p>\n

In addition to the luminaire itself, placement plays a major role. By mounting luminaires at a greater distance from the oven opening or choosing indirect lighting angles, you reduce direct exposure. Heat sinks must be able to breathe freely and must not be covered by dust accumulation. More background information on this topic can be found on the page about High-temperature lighting<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is the difference between floodlights and flat floodlights for cement fields?<\/h2>\n

Floodlights are suitable for lighting large outdoor fields, warehouses and high-altitude work areas, while flat floodlights are better suited for workplaces where uniform, diffuse light is needed without glare. In a cement factory, you use both, depending on the location and the task being performed.<\/p>\n

In the outdoor area, at loading and unloading locations, along transport belts outside or at the entrance of the factory, floodlights are the logical choice. They provide a high light output over a wide angle and are easy to direct. For indoor operations, inspection points or workplaces where operators perform precise work, flat spotlights provide a more pleasant and safer light level without harsh shadows or direct glare.<\/p>\n

A practical distinction to remember:<\/p>\n