{"id":37508,"date":"2026-09-10T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jelproducts.nl\/?p=37508"},"modified":"2026-07-09T21:44:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T20:44:04","slug":"how-do-engineers-plan-lighting-in-a-new-industrial-project-with-heat","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/jelproducts.nl\/en\/blog\/hoe-plannen-engineers-verlichting-in-een-nieuw-industrieel-project-met-hitte\/","title":{"rendered":"How do engineers plan lighting in a new industrial project with heat?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Engineers plan lighting in a new industrial project with heat by taking thermal management, luminaire selection, and lighting calculations based on the specific work environment into account right from the design phase. The combination of high ambient temperatures and industrial requirements makes this fundamentally different from standard lighting projects. This article answers the most frequently asked questions about lighting planning in hot industrial environments.<\/p>\n

What lighting standards apply in industrial environments with extreme heat?<\/h2>\n

In industrial environments with extreme heat, the same basic standards for workplace lighting apply as elsewhere in industry, but the challenge lies in guaranteeing that performance under thermal stress. Luminaires must demonstrably function at the maximum ambient temperature occurring in the space, which requires mandatory attention to IP rating, IK value, and thermal certification.<\/p>\n

Think of applications such as steel mills, foundries, cement plants, or drying ovens when considering hot industrial environments. In such situations, the IP rating of the luminaire is a starting point: dust, splashing water, and heat often go hand in hand. A high IP rating protects the housing, but says nothing about the maximum operating temperature. For that, you look at the Ta value (maximum ambient temperature) specified by the manufacturer.<\/p>\n

Specifically for environments with an explosion risk or aggressive chemical exposure, ATEX certification is added on top of that. This is a legal requirement for zones where flammable substances may be present. IP and IK ratings<\/a> are a good starting point to understand which protection classes are relevant to your situation.<\/p>\n

How do engineers calculate the lighting requirements in a hot industrial space?<\/h2>\n

The lighting requirement in a hot industrial space is calculated based on the required illuminance (lux) at the work plane, the room geometry, reflection values of walls and floors, and the light output of the chosen luminaires at the expected operating temperature. The latter point is crucial: LED luminaires deliver fewer lumens at higher temperatures than stated on paper.<\/p>\n

A practical calculation typically follows these steps:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Determine the required illuminance level for the specific activities (in lux).<\/li>\n
  2. Map the room dimensions and obstacles.<\/li>\n
  3. Select luminaires with a Ta rating that matches the maximum ambient temperature.<\/li>\n
  4. Correct the specified luminous flux for the actual operating temperature (thermal derating).<\/li>\n
  5. Calculate the number and positioning of luminaires using lighting software.<\/li>\n
  6. Validate the result with a lighting calculation that also takes glare and uniformity into account.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Uniformity is extra relevant in hot industrial spaces. Large temperature differences within a hall can mean that luminaires perform differently at various positions. A good lighting calculation takes this into account and uses realistic input values instead of maximum factory specifications.<\/p>\n

    Which luminaire characteristics are essential for lighting above 60\u00b0C?<\/h2>\n

    Above 60\u00b0C ambient temperature, four characteristics are indispensable: a high Ta rating (at least equal to the peak temperature in the room), passive thermal management via solid heat sinks, heat-resistant materials for housing and sealing, and LED drivers that remain stable under thermal load. If even one of these elements is missing, premature failure is almost certain.<\/p>\n

    In practice, this means that standard commercial or light industrial LED fixtures are simply not suitable. The following characteristics make the difference:<\/p>\n