Access hardware plays big role in lighting design
A
Southco product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Sep 11, 2003
When engineers from Ruud Europe developed a new residential streetlight for use in Turin, Italy, the access hardware they used on the fixture had to meet some strict requirements.
When it comes to broad scope of products within an industry, few compare with today's lighting industry.
From streetlights to stoplights and everything in between, each lighting option provides a series of unique challenges for its designers - especially in the choice of access hardware.
Whether installed in a commercial, industrial or residential environment, lighting fixtures have to meet a number of specifications and design criteria to ensure optimum performance in their environment.
Road and area lighting solutions usually involve strict requirements in their design, as each component must withstand the ravages of Mother Nature with rain, wind, snow, and temperature extremes.
That means that outdoor lighting fixtures must be two things above all else: strong and sealed.
After that come the issues of safety and ease of use for maintenance workers.
Design and other aesthetic considerations bring added value.
When engineers from Ruud Europe, a leading manufacturer of industrial, commercial, and residential lighting fixtures based in Italy, developed a new residential streetlight for the Nuova Area Metropolitana in Turin, Italy, they knew that the access hardware they used on the fixture had to meet some strict requirements.
That's why they turned to Southco for the solution.
With outdoor lighting, external elements are the main concern.
The lighting fixture and all its components must be robust, durable, and corrosion resistant.
Because the new lighting will be used in a residential area, it must also meet certain height requirements.
On the plus side, the height of the light on its pole eliminated most potential vandalism.
On the minus side, it makes routine maintenance potentially hazardous for service technicians.
That's why the access hardware plays a critical function.
Ruud engineers were looking for a hinge solution for the lens cover of the new light.
The hinge they wanted had to be quick and easy to install, require no maintenance, and offer fast, safe access for maintenance.
They found what they wanted in Southco's new 90-degree free-swinging concealed hinge.
"It is the only product on the market that met our needs", says Alessandro Targetti, Design Engineer at Ruud.
Southco's concealed hinge works by rotating around a "virtual" pivot point, which allows for a full 90-degree opening with no gap between the cover and the lamp.
When installed, the hinge is completely concealed, providing a clean outer panel, which helps contribute to the overall styling of the luminaire.
The 90-degree opening angle of the Southco hinge was a perfect fit for the design of the lens, while the concealed aspect added to the overall aesthetic value.
The hinge is made of durable, corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and will require no maintenance in its lifetime.
It is also easy to operate, a critical consideration as the lens cover is at the top of a tall pole, and service technicians will operate the lens cover single-handed.
The Southco hinge has a maximum working load of 525N, with an average ultimate load of 3035N.
Within the Ruud lighting application, the hinge becomes an integral part of the strength of the entire lighting fixture.
"This hinge from Southco is a very high quality product", says Alessandro Targetti.
"We chose it for its value in terms of quality and the reliability of its finish".
Ruud Europe Engineers are now considering Southco's concealed hinge for future lighting applications.
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