Do you know exactly how many watts does a street light use? Actually, street lights, also called street lamps, illuminate roads, parking lots, and other public spaces. They increase security and vehicle safety by facilitating visibility in low-light conditions. They are frequently used with other traffic safety equipment to increase the visibility of equipment, obstacles, and poorly illuminated public areas. Indeed, road lighting has become more reliable and superficial due to energy efficiency, durability, and high luminous efficiency. However, there are several factors to consider when selecting LED lighting. For instance, the LED street light’s wattage. Note that it differs from when you originally purchased the traditional lamp. Despite having the same wattage, the LED street lamp can be three times as intense as the conventional sodium lantern. View more about street light wattage.
What is the Function of Street Light?
The primary purpose of streetlights is to reflect light on objects or places that would otherwise be difficult to find in the darkness. Streetlights may use light-emitting diode (LED), incandescent, high-pressure sodium (HPS), low-pressure sodium (LPS), mercury vapor (MH), metal halide (MH), or high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs. LED street lights are the most up-to-date lighting solution since they reduce energy use while increasing lighting, need less frequent maintenance, and last far longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
How Many Watts Does a Street Light Use?
While incandescent streetlights use 320 watts of power, modern high-pressure sodium lights may consume up to 1000 watts. The United States Department of Energy claims that certain LED street lights, which use just 73 watts, provide better lighting.
Until the invention of high-pressure sodium lights in the 1970s, fluorescent bulbs were the standard for street lighting. However, their lack of durability and bulk led to their replacement with 250-watt high-pressure sodium lamps. Using 400 watts, a metal halide street light emits a white light. Also popular in the 1950s were mercury vapor lamps with 100-watt bulbs used in street lighting until their ultimate restriction in 2008.
What Are the Factors Should Be Considered While Choosing Street Light Wattage?
How many watts does a street light have? Due to different factors, this is not an absolute. It depends on many factors, including the street light’s location, the pole’s height, the extent of the road, etc.
1. Light Pole’s Height
The height of the pole determines the light’s intensity. Varying LED street lamp output corresponds to varying street lamp pillar heights. Generally, an LED street lamp’s output is proportional to the lamp pole’s height. Choosing a light source with a low wattage for a high street lamp pole can lighten the ground. However, this is not optimal regarding illumination and luminosity. When deciding on the power of LED street lighting, consumers must clarify the height of the lamp pole and assess the actual situation.
2. Lighting Time
It is crucial to think about the time of day when choosing the power of LED streetlights. Some places need lighting that lasts for a long time. Picking a lamp with too much power now is not a good idea. Because the inside of the LED lamp gives off more heat, the lighting time is very long, and the heat loss will depreciate. This will make the LED street lamp last a lot less time.
3. Location of Street Light
Before deciding on their capacity, the function of the LED street lanterns must be explicitly defined. Consideration must be given to where the LED street lighting will be installed. The primary applications can be categorized as follows: industrial park street lighting, commercial LED street lighting, conventional streets, and ordinary streets. Depending on the application, the output of LED outdoor streetlights will vary.
Additionally, whether LED street illumination is deployed in rural or urban areas makes a difference. Combined with the required extended illumination duration, the city’s traffic volume is considerable. This environment requires a light source with a high lumen output due to its high lightning radiance requirements. In the country, circumstances vary. Few individuals venture out at night. A small amount of light can provide sufficient illumination. Here, a light source with low power and cost would be optimal.
4. Width of Road
Doing preliminary research on the road’s width is also important. LED streetlights typically have a power output that increases in correlation with lamp pole height. The width of the road correlates with the height of the light pole. Powerful LED street lights and lighting depending on the road’s width are essential.
How Many Watts Does a Street Light Use: Way to Reduce Power Consumption
Researchers have found that almost 300 million streetlights worldwide employ inefficient technologies and “dirty” energy sources, contributing to global warming. Due to their more significant energy needs, constant and substantial output of fossil fuel energy is required. The best solution to this issue is to begin using renewable energy sources. More than a 50% decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is possible with today’s solar street lighting.
