Electrical Industry Articles and Stories

As someone who’s tracked LED lighting since its early days as a commercially available technology, my own experience with the products has evolved. I live in an older house with overhead lighting only in the kitchen and bathrooms, so this has mostly meant experimenting with LED bulbs (or “lamps,” in lighting designer lingo) in the 14 or 15 table fixtures scattered around my home.

Hazardous locations have stricter requirements for fixtures and luminaires than other industrial areas. Hazardous locations include those areas where flammable dusts, fumes, liquids and gases may be present, either in storage or during processing.

It truly amazes me how LEDs have transformed the lighting industry in just a decade. In 2012, manufacturers introduced the first bulbs to match the output of a standard 60W incandescent. They weren’t dimmable and could cost $25 or more. Fast forward to 2023, and LEDs now dominate the lighting market, and inexpensive replacement lamps can cost less than $5 and last 10-20 years.

Most electricians and contractors are familiar with the concept of hazardous locations – areas where a fire or explosion could occur through the presence of flammable vapors or gases, combustible dust or easily ignitable fibers or flyings.

Wall pack lighting is installed on the exterior walls of buildings where it provides needed illumination to ensure safety and security. This type of fixture is perfect for parking lots, pathways, exits, entrances, or wherever nighttime visibility is crucial.