Three Illuminating Features to Look for in Your Next Work Light Purchase
Chuck Ross
Work lights are among those contractor necessities that are easy to overlook, but also can make a big difference in productivity and comfort when you’ve gotten the right model. Today’s products offer contractors a range of options, with LED light sources that last longer and use much less electricity than old-school halogen bulbs. And, beyond the obvious qualities of light output and efficiency, manufacturers also have added features to make these fixtures easier to use and bring new conveniences to the jobsite.
These can include:
- Adaptability. Work sites are never one-size-fits-all locations, and lighting might be needed up high, down low or someplace in between. Adjustable tripod mounts provide hands-free support, with frames that allow lights to be clicked into place at a range of angles that puts light where you need it. Even better, lights can be detached from the tripod for use on a floor or table.
- Power connectivity. Smart phones have become staple resources for contractors, but construction sites aren’t known for having easy access to power sources to keep mobile devices charged. Some manufacturers are helping to address this issue by including USB ports on their products. And some handheld work lights even include full power outlets in their handles to act as an extension cord as well as a light source.
- Construction. Jobsites can be hazardous locations for equipment as well as workers. If you’re wearing a hardhat, there’s a good chance work lights need protection, too. Designs with features like die-cast aluminum housings are more likely to withstand knocks and falls than those with less-durable plastic enclosures.
Photo courtesy of Voltec Power & Lighting
