T8 Explosion Proof Fixtures
T8 Explosion Proof and Hazardous Location Light Fixtures
T8 explosion proof and hazardous location light fixtures are commonly used in hazardous industrial lighting locations where standard fluorescent T8 or T5 high bay, strip lighting or vapor tight fixtures can not be used because of the hazardous nature of the environment. Explosion proof and hazardous location lighting is used in many different areas for industrial lighting where the possibility of explosion and fire is created by the presence of flammable gases, vapors, dust, fibers or flyings. T8 fluorescent explosion proof and hazardous location fixtures are commonly used in locations such as paint spray booths, oil refineries, waste treatment plants, chemical plants, solvent and cleaning areas, aircraft maintenance areas, gas processing plants and oil and gas drilling and processing applications. Explosion proof and hazardous location light fixtures used in industrial lighting applications are available in many configurations including T8, 2-lamp and T8, 4-lamp fixtures
There are many different types of explosion proof and hazardous location light fixtures for industrial lighting environments. Traditionally, fluorescent lighting has been used at fixture mounting heights of less than 15 ft. and HID lighting has dominated spaces with higher mounting heights, or higher light output levels. Metal halide (MH) or High Pressure Sodium (HPS) was generally the preferred HID source. Recent changes in fluorescent lamp and ballast technology from, T12 to T8, have made T8 fluorescent explosion proof and hazardous location light fixtures a superior, medium mounting height, high light output light source as compared to HID fixtures, in indoor applications where industrial lighting fixtures are necessary. The T8 fixtures have several advantages over older technology HID fixtures including lower energy consumption, lower lumen depreciation, instant start-up and re-strike, better color retention, superior pupil lumens, reduced glare, lower maintenance cost, cooler quieter operation and safer operation.