Ex Linear Lighting: Make Sure Your LED Is Retrofitable
Published 24 Sep 2019
Ex Linear Lighting
LED Linear Luminaires
Did you know that upgrading your current fluorescent light fittings to Raytec LED Linear luminaires offers huge benefits including long operating life, a reduction in maintenance, and the availability of emergency variants to ensure light output is maintained at times at all crucial moments.
However, there may still be a reluctance to move away from existing fluorescent fittings, even for those who already understand the benefits of LED – both the time and cost of installation can act as a barrier to technological advances. In large scale applications the willingness to change is often quite small as drilling rigs or production platforms as there could be hundreds of light fittings to replace.
The obvious application for retrofit LED is to replace an old incandescent source when it fails but there are other applications.
A retrofit LED lamp is often the most efficient energy light source. LED lamps vary slightly in size/shape it is important to check that the lamp you would like to use actually fits in to the fitting.
Retro fit lamps are a cheaper alternative especially in applications where the lights aren’t used frequently and the focus isn’t on the amount or quality of light (e.g. garages, stores, small secondary rooms) a fitting with a retrofit lamp might be the best route to go.
Upgrading to LED using a retrofitable luminaire can help to minimise a lot of the time and costs associated with replacing the existing units.
The below blog looks at retrofitable luminaires in more detail, reviewing how their features aid installation and make the transition from fluorescent to LED cleaner.

SPARTAN Linear by Raytec | Linear Light Fitting Zone 1 – standard or emergency variant lights with lumen output of up to 6,800 delivered lumens. SPARTAN light fittings are globally certified for all Zone 1, Zone 2 and Industrial lighting applications.
Easy Installation
SPARTAN linear retrofit luminaires are manufactured to mirror the dimensions of traditional fluorescent fittings. Replacement is easy thanks to the compatibility of the fixing centres and gland entries to the existing fluorescent.
No new mounting accessories are required as all existing can be used when installing parts which is great news for larger applications e.g. drilling rigs. This increased compatibility helps to streamline the installation process, making it quicker, less costly and also minimising the amount of disruption on-site while the new units are being fitted.
Equivalent Output
Retrofit is synonymous with being easy to install. The SPARTAN linear proves this as it it a true retrofitable unit providing the same level of light as the current fluorescent fitting.
Driving LED’s harder in a linear fitting should be avoided at all costs as if the lumen output is too high there’s a change of glare will occur which could cause serious problems when downlighting is used in working conditions. This can be tempting to do however dur to LED technology generating a greater output than fluorescent fittings.
Retrofit solutions like SPARTAN Linear are therefore designed to deliver an even spread of light with multiple, small profile SMT LEDs used to provide a crisp, uniform illumination which is free from glare and exactly replicates traditional 2 x18W or 2x36W fluorescents.
Additionally, the improved colour rendition of white-light LEDs compared to fluorescent luminaires deliver a markedly better working environment for the human eye from the same lumen output.
So in summary, providing you use a luminaire which is retrofitable, the process of upgrading a site from existing fluorescent luminaires to LED is probably more straightforward than you had imagined. Considering the benefits of LED luminaires together; easy installation and drastically reduced maintenance costs, the decision to upgrade should be an easy one.

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