LED sports light is a type of lighting that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to illuminate outdoor sports venues such as tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, and more. LED sports light has many advantages over traditional metal halide (MH) sports light, such as higher energy efficiency, longer lifespan, better color rendering, and lower maintenance costs. However, LED sports light also requires careful consideration of the effective projected area (EPA) of the fixtures and poles before installation.
What is EPA and why is it important?
EPA stands for effective projected area, which is a measure of how much wind resistance a fixture or a pole has. EPA is calculated by multiplying the exposed surface area of a fixture or a pole by a shape factor that depends on the shape and orientation of the object. EPA is important for LED sports light because it affects the stability and safety of the poles that support them. If the EPA of the fixtures and poles is too high for the wind speed in the area, the poles may bend, break, or topple over, causing damage and injury.
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the basic wind speed in the United States ranges from 85 mph to 170 mph depending on the location. You may also need to adjust the wind speed based on your site exposure, topography, altitude, and local building codes.
How to choose the right LED sports light based on EPA?
To choose the right LED sports light based on EPA, you need to know the following factors:
- The height and diameter of your poles. The higher and thinner your poles are, the more wind force they will experience. You need to choose poles that are strong enough to withstand the wind load based on their height and diameter.
- The EPA rating of your fixtures and mounting hardware. You need to check the specifications of your fixtures and mounting hardware to find out their EPA rating. You also need to consider the quantity and arrangement of your fixtures and hardware on each pole. The more fixtures and hardware you have on a pole, the higher the total EPA will be.
- The maximum EPA that your poles can support. You need to use a formula or a calculator to determine the maximum EPA that your poles can support based on their material, shape, size, weight, and base plate. You need to make sure that the total EPA of your fixtures and hardware does not exceed the maximum EPA of your poles.
By considering these factors, you can choose the right LED sports light for your project that can meet the performance and safety requirements. You can also consult with a lighting specialist or an engineer to help you with the calculations and recommendations.
Summary
LED sports light is a great option for outdoor sports lighting that can offer many benefits over traditional MH sports light. However, LED sports light also requires careful consideration of the EPA of the fixtures and poles to ensure their stability and safety in windy conditions. By knowing your wind speed and direction, your pole height and diameter, your fixture and hardware EPA rating, and your pole maximum EPA rating, you can choose the best lighting solution for your project.
I hope this helps you understand how to choose the right LED sports light based on EPA.
AIKO lighting is top manufacture of LED Sports light with very low EPA for more than 13 years. Welcome to contact AIKO lighting specialist immediately to see which kind of AIKO’s LED sports light will work best for your projects.
