New high-quality dimmable lighting from Philips makes the nets below Headingley’s New East Stand available for practice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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Home to test cricket since 1899 Headlingley has provided some of the greatest moments in sporting history and when Yorkshire’s cricketers are not in the nets, the area is available for social functions. The lighting design was challenging because the ceiling of the area is curved and the light level needed for practice is relatively high – 1500 lux. The lighting therefore had to follow the contours of the building without causing disability glare to bowlers or batsmen at the crease. Philips Sportshall low-glare luminaires provided the solution. Seventy FCH475 luminaires, each fitted with four 55W PL-L single-ended fluorescent lamps, provide a uniform 1500 lux over the area. Light quality is superb; colour rendering is in the deluxe class (Ra>80) and high-frequency operation totally eliminates distracting mains ‘flicker’ and strobing with the fast-moving balls. The luminaires have regulating ballasts and are therefore dimmable in a highly energy-efficient manner. A simple slide dimmer switch enables the lighting level in the area to be reduced to as little as 300 lux for social occasions. Philips has massive expertise in sports lighting of all types, enabling clubs to maximise the use of their facilities, and therefore their income, on dark winter evenings. As Michael Dooley, Ground & Administration Manager of Headingley Stadium points out, “The lighting had to be multifunctional. For indoor cricket practice illuminance levels had to be such that players and spectators can easily see boards, distances and balls in flight at various heights. However, for social functions the lighting had to create a more convivial ambience. Using Philips’ dimmable Sportshall luminaires gave us just the flexibility in illumination levels we were looking for.” |