Seeing the (right) light

You need mobile lighting for work in an ATEX zone. What kind of lighting do you order? The right response to this question is not a direct answer, but a number of counter questions. A good supplier/wholesaler asks you these questions so that you can work with the best and safest equipment.

Text: Kim de Booij

One of the questions that leads to the right lighting solution is what you are going to use the lighting for. “We often hear: give as many lumens as possible,” says Mark Neeleman of Vonk BV, a wholesaler specializing in mobile lighting, among other things. “But when we ask what people want to use the lighting for, we often come up with a different advice after the answer. Too many lumens can be blinding if you use the lighting at close range.”

Gas or dust?

A second question can be in which ATEX zone you want to use the lighting. “It starts with the difference between gas and dust ATEX zones. We sometimes receive requests for a gas ATEX zone certified lamp while it is intended for use in a dust ATEX zone and vice versa. You can hardly see the difference on the outside, so that mistake is easily made. But if a calamity ever occurs, you as a company are not insured for the damage.”

Allowed temperature

In addition, there is a difference in the gradation of the ATEX zone. “For an ATEX zone 0, 1 and 2 (gas) and 20, 21, 22 (dust) different restrictions apply and that also applies to lighting. Of course ATEX lamps are antistatic, but an important difference lies in the heat that a lamp is allowed to generate. In a strict ATEX zone 0 and 20 lower permitted temperatures apply than in ATEX zones 2 and 22.”

Don’t be too simplistic

A simple conclusion could be: I choose the lamp for the gas/dust zoning I need it for now. But that is just a bit too simplistic. Neeleman explains: “Mobile lighting can be taken from one zone to another relatively easily by users, even if that is not the intention. So if you buy lighting for your ATEX zone 2 or 22 and that zone is close to an ATEX zone 0 or 20, then you would be wise to buy mobile lighting for the stricter ATEX zone 0 or 20. Then you are always right.”

LED

The consequence is that the light output may be slightly lower. “That is correct. Because the lamp is not allowed to get as warm in the stricter ATEX zones, it sometimes has a lower range in terms of lumens, but still more than enough. Certainly in comparison with the halogen and xenon lamps of the past, LED lamps generate much less heat with much more light output.”

Choose quality

The next question is what quality of lamp you want. “For us, that is not really a question, but an important piece of advice: choose high quality,” says Neeleman. “Quality always pays for itself. With mobile ATEX-certified lighting, this is first and foremost in safety, something you should never save on. And in addition, quality lighting pays for itself in reliability, lifespan, light output and ease of use.”

Lifetime warranty

Vonk B.V. is the main distributor of the quality brand Peli™ and even offers a lifetime warranty on the lighting of this brand. “As an organization, we stand for quality. There are quite a few manufacturers that achieve the required specifications for light output in the first ten to thirty seconds, but after a few minutes have a rapidly decreasing number of lumens. You don’t want that. The quality of the battery is also important: how long does it last? And does it deliver enough energy for the desired light output until the end or does it switch to a saving mode?”

By now, ordering the right mobile lighting seems like quite a challenge. “Not necessarily. Our quality extends beyond our products. We also implement it in our service. We know everything you need to know about the right lighting for every situation and are always ready to give advice. This applies to our lighting (from ATEX to UV) and also to our other specialities, including cases and mobile energy.”

Vonk B.V.

In addition to its mobile lighting solutions, Vonk B.V. is also known for its (custom) cases and mobile energy solutions. This year, specialist UV lamps are new to the range and we are working hard to launch an extensive range of battery boxes and cases next year, including a modular set. They can be used for small and large applications; from power for a coffee machine to a large machine. You can also connect them to solar panels, mains power or (mobile) windmills and charge and discharge at the same time.

Prevent rust

Mobile equipment such as lighting or tools are stored safely in a well-sealed case or chest. However, the better it is sealed, the greater the chance of rust when you put damp material in it. Therefore, add a dehumidifier. Vonk B.V. has reusable Silica gel Dehumidifiers from Hydrosorbent® for this purpose.

Source: Europoort kringen