What is a Street Light?

A street light is an artificial light source that is made up of different components such as a lamp, body, protective glass, and base. These lights are often installed on tall poles, relative to the location of use. The installation on tall poles has an important and fundamental reason, which is the distribution of the lights' illumination to prevent the emitted light from obstructing drivers' vision at night.

LED lights are composed of several main components:

Body or (Housing)

Protector

Driver (AC to DC converters)

LED or a set of light-emitting diodes

Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)

Lens

Mounting bracket for installation

Body of LED lights

Due to the exposure of various lights, including street and park lights, to sunlight, wind, dust, snow, and rain, the components used for the bodies of these lights must have the necessary resistance. Plastic and fiberglass can be used for the bodies of the lights. One of the advantages of using plastic and fiberglass is their lightweight nature and ease of transport and movement. However, they have less resistance to different weather conditions. Therefore, metals with resistant and lightweight alloys should be used for the bodies of the lights. Aluminum is one of the suitable metals for use as it is resistant to weather conditions, rust, and corrosion, and has a lighter weight compared to other metals.

The next step, the color and coating of the light bodies, is important. The color used for the lights must also be resistant so that it does not peel off over time and change color. Therefore, ordinary paints used for buildings and walls do not meet our needs. Electrostatic powder coatings are one of the available solutions.

What is Electrostatic Paint?

Electrostatic paint is a type of paint coating that is produced both in powder form and in liquid form for baking and is used for painting various surfaces. Electrostatic powder paints are the best option with the least environmental impact for use in the industry.

Electrostatic powder paint is a type of paint that is used in dry powder form and is used to create a protective and decorative coating on metal surfaces and sometimes plastic surfaces.

The process of applying electrostatic powder paint is such that the powder is sprayed onto the desired surface using a special spray gun. In this process, the powder particles become charged and are attracted to the metal surface, which is grounded, due to the opposite electric charge. After that, the coated piece is heated in an oven so that the powder melts and forms a hard and uniform coating on the surface.

Applications of Electrostatic Powder Paint

Due to its unique features and numerous advantages, electrostatic powder paint has widespread applications in various industries. Some of the main applications of this type of paint are as follows:

Automotive: Used in painting car bodies, engine parts, bumpers, and generally internal and external parts of cars due to high resistance to corrosion, impact, and environmental conditions

Home appliances: Coating the metal body of home appliances and creating a shiny and impact-resistant appearance

Metal furniture: Used in the production and coating of metal furniture to prevent rust and increase durability.

Electrical and electronic components: Coating electronic components and electrical equipment to increase insulation and prevent rust and corrosion.

Construction industries: Used in painting windows, doors, railings, aluminum profiles, and metal equipment of buildings.

Marine industries: Coating metal parts of ships, boats, and oil platforms that are exposed to water and moisture.

Industrial machinery: Coating parts of industrial machinery, heavy equipment, and workshop tools to increase durability and resistance to wear and corrosion.

General metal parts: Used in coating general metal parts such as pipes, flanges, and fittings

Types of Street Lights with Powder Coating

Electrostatic powder coating in street lights

Electrostatic powder coating in street lights is used as a protective and decorative coating on the body and metal components of the lights. This type of paint, due to its unique features, is resistant to environmental factors and helps increase the durability of the lights. Below, the application and advantages of using electrostatic powder paint in street lights are explained:

Application in Street Lights:

Coating the body and metal components: The body of street lights is generally made of aluminum or steel, which needs protection against external destructive factors. This type of paint creates a protective layer on the surfaces of the light bodies that prevents corrosion and rust.

Increased resistance to environmental conditions: Powder paints, due to their resistance to UV rays, moisture, and various weather conditions, prevent damage to the lights and increase their lifespan.

Improving appearance and beauty: Powder paints are available in different colors and textures. This color variety allows the use of the appropriate color for painting the light according to the need and situation of use to help beautify the city.

How to Use Electrostatic Powder Paint

Using electrostatic powder paints requires a precise process and specific steps that must be correctly performed to achieve a uniform and high-quality result. The main steps of using these types of paints are as follows:

Surface Preparation:

Cleaning: First, the surface of the piece must be completely cleaned. Any grease, dust, rust, and other contaminants must be removed from the surface.

Sanding or Sandblasting: For better adhesion of the paint, the surface of the piece must be roughened with sanding or sandblasting to achieve the appropriate roughness for the powder to adhere.

Applying Powder:

Charging the powder: The powder paint is applied using a special spray device called an electrostatic spray gun. In this process, the powder is charged through an electric field and is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the piece that is grounded.

Spraying powder: The electrostatic spray gun evenly sprays the powder onto the surface. The charged powder is attracted to the surface of the piece due to the opposite electric charge and creates a uniform layer.

Curing (Polymerization):

Heating the piece: After spraying the powder, the painted piece is heated in an oven. The oven temperature is usually set between 150 to 200 degrees Celsius. In the oven, the powder melts and flows as a continuous layer on the surface of the piece. This layer then hardens and creates a resistant and durable coating. The curing time is usually between 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of powder and the thickness of the coating.

Cooling and Final Inspection:

Cooling: After complete curing, the piece is cooled in the open air.

Safety Tips:

When using electrostatic powder paints, it is essential to observe safety measures such as using a mask, gloves, and protective glasses.

The work environment must have proper ventilation to prevent the accumulation of powder in the air and potential hazards.

Protector of LED Street Lights

The protector of street lights is a part of street lights that is used to protect the light source (lamp or LED). This protector is usually made of resistant glass or polycarbonate and has various functions:

Advantages of the Protector in Street Lights:

Physical protection: The glass protector of street lights protects the light source from physical damages such as impact, dust, rain, and weather factors.

Increasing the durability of lights: Protectors prevent the entry of dust and moisture into the lights, thereby increasing the useful life of street lights.

Resistance to different weather conditions: These protectors, due to their resistant material (usually heat-resistant glass or polycarbonate), can withstand harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, hail, and direct sunlight.

UV resistant: Some glass protectors have UV-resistant coatings that prevent the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays on the light source and the protector itself.

Material of Protectors:

Glass: In some cases, heat-resistant and impact-resistant glass is used for protectors. These glasses are usually resistant to scratches and color changes.

Polycarbonate: This material is widely used for making street light protectors due to its high impact resistance, light weight, and suitable transparency. Polycarbonates are also resistant to UV rays.

Application:

Glass protectors of street lights are used in various types of lights, including LED lights, sodium vapor lamps, and fluorescent lamps. These protectors are widely used in urban roads, parking lots, and large areas that require extensive lighting.

Driver (AC to DC Converters)

The driver in street lights (especially LED street lights) is an important electronic component that acts as a current and voltage controller to ensure the correct and optimal performance of the light source. The main task of the driver is to provide the appropriate current and voltage for LEDs to operate stably and with high efficiency.

Main Roles and Tasks of the Driver in Street Lights:

Voltage and current conversion: Generally, electrical devices operate with direct current (DC), but city electricity has alternating current (AC). The driver converts the city's alternating current into direct current and provides the necessary current and voltage for the optimal operation of LEDs.

Current stabilization: LEDs require a stable and constant current. The driver, by keeping the current constant, prevents sudden voltage changes that could damage the LEDs. This current stabilization leads to a longer lifespan for LEDs.

Circuit protection: Drivers usually have protective circuits that protect the lights against problems such as voltage spikes, excessive current, overheating, and short circuits.

Light control: Some drivers have the ability to adjust light intensity (such as dimming). This feature reduces energy consumption and increases the efficiency of the lighting system.

Increasing energy efficiency: Modern drivers consume less energy by increasing energy efficiency, thereby reducing operational costs.

Types of Drivers:

– Constant Current Drivers: These drivers provide a constant current to LEDs and are usually used for LEDs that require a specific and constant current.

– Constant Voltage Drivers: These drivers provide a constant voltage and are usually used in systems that require a constant voltage.

The Importance of the Driver in Street Lights:

– LED lifespan: The quality of the driver directly affects the lifespan and performance of LEDs. Low-quality drivers may cause current and voltage fluctuations, which can reduce the lifespan of LEDs.

– Efficiency and performance: A high-efficiency driver can consume less energy and, as a result, increase the overall efficiency of the street lighting system.

– Safety: The driver helps ensure the safety of the system by protecting the lights against various electrical problems and preventing premature failures.

In summary, the driver plays a key role in the optimal performance, safety, and durability of street lights, and choosing a suitable and high-quality driver for the lighting system is of special importance.

Introduction to Constant Current LED Lights

LED in street lights

LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a semiconductor electronic component that produces light when an electric current passes through it. LEDs are used in many applications, including lighting, displays, electronic devices, and street lights.

How LED Works:

LED is made of two semiconductor materials with different doping (impurities) that one has extra electrons (n-type) and the other has extra electron holes (p-type). When voltage is applied to the LED, electrons and holes in the junction of these two materials combine with each other and release energy in a process called recombination. This energy is released in the form of photons of light, creating visible light.

Features and Advantages of LED:

High efficiency: LEDs consume less energy compared to traditional lamps and have higher efficiency because they convert more consumed energy into light.

Long lifespan: LEDs have a lifespan of between 20,000 to 100,000 hours. The long lifespan reduces maintenance and replacement costs.

High resistance: LEDs are suitable for industrial and outdoor environments due to their resistance to shock and vibration.

Fast on and off speed: Traditional lamps need to warm up to turn on, but LEDs turn on immediately after voltage is applied and do not need to warm up. This feature increases their application in street lighting and traffic lights.

Small size: Due to the small size of LEDs, they can be used in small components.

Color variety: LEDs can produce light in different color spectrums. This color variety is achieved without the need for special color filters, by changing the semiconductor materials in LEDs.

Low heat production: LEDs produce less heat compared to traditional lamps, which increases efficiency and reduces the heat of lights.

Applications of LED:

LEDs have numerous applications, including household, office, and industrial uses, as well as digital displays, electronic equipment, vehicles, and street and traffic lights.

SMD stands for Surface-Mount Device. SMDs are electronic components that are directly mounted on the surface of printed circuit boards (PCB), unlike traditional components that had legs that were passed through holes on the board and then soldered.

Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)

The surface of printed circuit boards (PCB) generally consists of aluminum parts on which LEDs with SMT technology are mounted.

PCB Board

Lens in street lights

The lens in street lights is an important component that helps control and direct the light produced by the light source (such as LED). Lenses are designed in different shapes and types to precisely direct the light and prevent light loss. This feature helps improve the efficiency and performance of the street lighting system.

Functions and Applications of Lens in Street Lights:

Controlling light distribution: Lenses concentrate or disperse light, shaping the light pattern. This helps distribute light evenly on the street or sidewalk surface and prevents the creation of dark or overly bright spots.

Improving light efficiency: By using lenses, light can be directed more effectively and with reduced loss towards the areas of need.

Reducing glare: Lenses are designed to reduce glare (Glare) or disturbing light. This feature is especially important in urban streets, as reducing glare helps improve the vision of drivers and pedestrians.

Adapting to environmental conditions: Lenses can be designed to best match the specific needs of an environment or path. For example, some streets may require a wider light distribution, while others may need focused light on a specific area.

Increasing durability and resistance: Lenses are usually made of materials such as polycarbonate or resistant glass that are resistant to various weather conditions such as rain, dust, and UV radiation.

Types of Lenses Used in Street Lights:

Symmetrical Lenses:

Wide-Angle Lens: These lenses disperse light more widely and are suitable for illuminating wide streets and open areas.

Narrow-Angle Lens: These lenses direct light more concentratedly and are suitable for specific areas that need direct light, such as intersections.

Asymmetrical Lenses:

Multi-Faceted Lens: These lenses have different surfaces that direct light in several different directions, providing a more complex and balanced light distribution.

Anti-Glare Lens: These lenses are designed to reduce glare and are usually used in urban areas or areas where direct light can cause disturbance.

Mounting Bracket for Installation

The mounting bracket or connection arm in street lights is a component that connects the light to the pole or light post. This component is usually made of metal and is designed to hold the light at the appropriate height and angle to provide optimal and uniform lighting on the street surface.

Features and Roles of the Mounting Bracket in Street Lights:

The mounting bracket must be able to securely and safely connect the street light to the pole or post to prevent the light from moving or falling in harsh weather conditions (such as strong winds or heavy snowfall).

This component is usually designed to allow angle adjustment of the light. This angle adjustment helps distribute light effectively and in the desired area, preventing improper light spread or dark spots.

Mounting brackets, due to being placed in the open environment, must be resistant to different weather conditions. This resistance is usually achieved through the use of materials resistant to rust, corrosion, and protective coatings (such as electrostatic powder paints).

The proper design of the mounting bracket can have a significant impact on the final performance of the street lighting system.

This component must be made of sturdy materials such as steel or aluminum to be able to support the weight of the light well and not deform or get damaged over time.

How to Install the Mounting Bracket:

The mounting bracket is usually attached to the pole or light post using screws and nuts. In some cases, welding or other permanent attachment methods are also used.

After installing the bracket, the street light is connected to it. This connection may also include internal wiring that supplies electricity to the light from the power source.

After installing the light, its angle and direction are adjusted to ensure light is distributed appropriately and evenly on the street surface.

Introduction to the Components of a Street Light (LED)

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