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ilp archive : journals
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public lighting no. 41 vol. 11
April-June 1946
- Editorial p45
- The Danger Lights p45
- Reported in the Leading Article of a London evening newspaper. It discussed certain shortcomings in lighting administration
which are apparent to the public at large. When the Editor was approached and his attention drawn to these difficulties he commissioned
Peter Driffield to ascertain the full facts, and in a later issue of The Evening Standard there appeared
Blue Print for Street Safety. Three points were emphasised in his story: (1) Need for uniformity; (2) Wiser co-ordination
between local authorities and (3) Improvement in the future siting and planning of lamp columns. The APLE has for many years
declared these principles.
- Lighting: Authority Organisation, Lighting: Safety
- The Public Lighting Engineer's Guide Book p45
- Elsewhere in this issue, extracts are given from the M.O.T. Final Report On Street Lighting. A copy should be owned
by every Public Lighting Engineer as it's "The Blueprint for Street Lighting." The recommendations of the M.O.T. committee include
in the first paragraphs the items in Blue Print for Street Safety. But difficulties still confront the Lighting Engineer.
Supplies and equipment are in great demand, and the manufacturers are unable to deal with the flood of orders. Shortage of labour
is an all-round cry.
- Lighting: Specifications
- The Danger Lights p46
- Leading article from the "Evening Standard"
- During February, 371 people were killed on the road. Many learned bodies have inquired into
the cause of accidents. All committees have agreed on one point: that a major cause is bad street lighting.
The Royal Commission on Transport in 1928 reported "The present lack of uniformity and the relatively
low standard of street lighting in many parts of the country cause danger to pedestrian and motorist."
Street lighting is as bad as ever. Worse: the plans for improving it are as unformed and woolly as
ever they were before the war. Uniformity is the first requirement. The administrative machinery
at present is such that a parish council would have to be consulted and their approval obtained to
introduce uniform lighting on trunk roads. Although the Minister of Transport is now the Highway Authority
for 8000 miles of trunk roads, he is not the lighting authority. The AA surveyed the Great West Road:
in the 16 mile stretch between Hammersmith and Slough they found no fewer than 15 changes of lighting,
varying from modern installations to some flickering lamps put up 30 years ago for the use of pedestrians
alone. In 1944 the Committee on Road Safety declared that improvement could only be achieved by
legislation "making the control of street lighting the responsibility of one central department."
- Lighting: Authority Organisation, Lighting: Safety
- Blue Print For Street Lighting p46
- Repeated from the "Evening Standard"
- Britain used to sing "When the Lights Go On Again." They have gone on again - but not as strongly,
not as uniformly, not even as cheerfully and certainly not as safely.
- (1) The Minister of Transport is the highway authority for 8,150 miles of trunk roads. He is not their lighting authority.
- (2) Responsibility for street lighting still rests with local authorities. There are more than 2,500 of these in the country.
- (3) The Lighting and Watching Act, 1833, giving permissive but not compulsory powers for lighting, is still in force. A parish, if it wishes, need have no street lights at all.
- (4) Reports and recommendations dating from 1928, 9135, 1937, 1939 adn 1944 from responsible invetigating committees have yet to be adopted.
- (5) There are 15 changes of street lighting on a 16-mile stretch between Hammersmith and Slough.
- The organisations fighting against these anomalies are the A.P.L.E., I.E.S., A.A., R.A.C., R.O.S.P.A.,
Scotland Yard and progressive borough, urban and rural councils. Their beliefs include:
- (1) Street lighting is an important service contributing to the nation's health, prestige, well-being and safety.
- (2) Today's sprawling, shambling, uncoordinated authority is a complete anachronism.
- (3) That Britain, which once led the world in street lighting, should do so again.
- (4) That London should be Britain's brightest city.
- (5) That the urban Britain of the future should consist of cities where motor headlights are not only unnecessary, but forbidden.
- "We have gone miles since 1937, but in many areas today we're not even back to pre-war standard. The first
essential for good visibility is the even distribution of light, the elimination of glare and black pools and
unevenness. What is needed is a greater co-operation between lighting authorities. In London, with 28 boroughsm
each is a lighting authoritiy on its own. We have urged coordination. We do not stand for nationalisation: we
stand for better coordination among existing authorities. One of the difficulties is getting uniform street
lighting without dazzle. Low street lights tend to give glare and patchy lighting; high mountngs, in the region
of 25 to 30 feet, tend towards scientific distribution of light. Headlights often have the reverse effect
to what street lighting is trying to do. Spacing, diffusion, reflection, durability of appartus are all matters
which the exprt has investigated. Now a British Standard Specification for street lighting is ready."
- London is one of the most variably lit cities in the world. The ideal is that headlights should not be
used dates from 1937. "We visualise an era when as you enter a city, you get a direction 'put your lights out' -
just as today you get the 30 m.p.h restriction side." Pre-war Purley Way was widely considered a fine example
of technique; Glasgow and Sheffield rate high today. Even those lighting experts who oppose nationalisation
would prefer some compulsion whereby minimum standards set by a central authority shuold be compiled with.
The engineers themselves would like to give their advice in an advisory capacity to the central department.
- Lighting: Authority Organisation, Lighting: Safety
- Photometry In Relation To Street Lighting by F. M. Hale, B.Sc., A.M.I.E.E. Technical Assistant, Glasgow Corporation Lighing Department p47
-
- Introduction
- It is the yardstick by which the engineer judges the performance of his installations, but the instruments
used and the methods involved must be thoroughly understood if reliance is to be placed on the results obtained.
- Fitting Characteristics
- New installations, and modified old ones, will conform with the recommendations of the M.o.T.
Committee, or with a new B.S. Specifciation. Unfortunately the initial cost is usually one of these
deciding factors with optical performance and maintenance being subordinated to it. Vert frequently
an initially cheaper fitting becomes dearer when the annual maintenance costs are considered.
- Optical Properties
- In assessing the optical properties of a fitting, the buyer is faced with three alternatives.
He can simply accept the manufacturer's specification and trust the fittings may subsequently conform
with the claims made. Quoted figures are naturally the best that can be expected whereas in practice
such a high standard may be very difficult to obtain or may depend upon the critical adjustment of
some part which may not be readily appreciated from a simple visual examination. The manufacturer's
specification serves as a basis on which the suitability of a particular type of fitting can be judged.
The second alternative is that there may be, in a nearby district, an installation of fittings of the
type under consideration which can be viewed - this is where the A.P.L.E. Conferences were so appreciated.
The third alternative is to erect a trial installation of about six fittings. This would allow the installation
to be observed under service conditions and also illumination measurements to be taken. It is in these
circumstances that a well-equipped laboratory or testing section can be of such use.
- Testing Equipment
- Ranges from a simple photo-electric illumination photometer to apparatus for the measurement of luminous output
and of candle-power distribution of large fittings. Only the larger authorities have sufficient resources to
equip and maintain such comprehensive testing facilities.
- B.S. 307-1931
- This classified street lighting according to the average horizontal illumination at the test-point
which was usually on the kerb at the mid-span position. Such measurements were easily made and the classifications
broad enough to prevent any misclassification. However its requirements were found to be inadequate in serving
all the specical functions with which street lighting is concerned. Its shortcomings were particularly
accentuated by the special meeds of the increasing number of motorists.
- M.O.T. Report
- A number of recommendations are made for general adoption on Group A "Traffic Routes" and for general
guidance on Group B "Other Roads." Of the seven principle recommendations, three refer to actual lantern
charactheristics and involve photometric measurement for their verification. These are for Group A:
- (1) Power of sources: Luminous output to be between 3000 and 8000 lumens per 100 ft. linear of road.
- (2) Distribution: Two types: (a) Non-cut-off - Peak Intensity near horizontal; (b) Cut-off - Peak Intensity 60°-70°
from the downward vertical.
- (3) Avoidance of Glare: Ratio of Peak Candle Power to average of values in all directions downward from the
source and lying between 30° and 45° from the vertical not to exceed 6, preferably 5.
- The Committee also drew attention to the need for a simple type of measurement to ensure the satisfactory
maintenance of an installation. Regular measurement of illumination at a number of points in the insallation
is suggested, not recommended. It must be remembered that the MOT Report gives recommendations only, it is
not a specification.
- Fundamental Ideas
- The power of sources can be measured using an integrating sphere and photometer.
- Candle power distribution cab be measured using a polar distribution apparatus.
- Laboratories vs. Street Tests
- Street measurements are normally confined to simple illumination or road brightness measurements. An iso-candle
diagram may give the theoretical horizontal or vertical illumination, practice shows that the actual measured
illumination frquently differs from the calculated value. This is not surprising, for there are a number of factors
influencing street tets which do not arise in the laboratory. Chief amongst these is the supply voltage,
incorrect alignment of asymmetric fittings relative to the road axis, so fitting which is not plumb, or
the presence of reflecting surfaces near the surface. Other influences also arise: the fitting of a new lamp
may increase candle-power by 10%; where prismatic glassware is fitted and adjustment of lamp position may
result in a considerable change in light distribution, and the effect of dirt.
- Typical Street Tests
- The most common is horizontal illumination taken on the street surface or at pre-arranged test-points.
In recent years, some preference has been expressed for vertical, instead of horizontal, illumination
(because of greater accuracy of readings with incident light being nearer the normal, and any light
reflected from the street surface is included). In practice, surface brightness, particularly of the road,
is more important than mere illumination, due to the silhouette theory.
- Brightness Measurements
- Road brightness measurements are not ordinarily undertaken by the avertage user, who usually just takes
illumination readings. Whilst readings are easy to take, difficulties arise in their representation,
as apparent road brightness varies according to the position of the observer on the road. A common
method is by iso-equivalent foot-candle contours drawn on an actual photograph of the street. Appraisement
of street lighting isntallations according to road brightness has not been given any official backing;
but it is an aspect which might be given consideration by the B.S.I. Street Lighting Committee. one
of the chief difficulties is the fact that the road surface is under control of the municipal or county
engineer: cost, durability and considerations of traffic safety are their deciding factors.
- Testing Facilities
- Only the larger authorities could be expected to provide all the equipment necessary. Most of the larger
manufacturers possess such facilities as part of their design and research organisation. There does appear a
need for independent testing facilities to be made available at nominal costs.
- Training of Lighting Engineers
- Theoretical training can be reached by those preparing for the City and Guilds Examinations in Illuminating
Engineering (which were originally sponsored by the IES and APLE). The exams are without value unless it can
be supplemented by practical experience in photometry.
- Lighting: Distribution, Lighting: Education, Lighting: Maintenance, Lighting: Specifications, Lighting: Theory
- Keith Blackman, Ltd., at War! p56
- Details of "The K.B. War Effort" brochure issued by Keith Blackman Ltd. This included
the manufacture of specialities such as fans, blowers, compressors, heaters etc.
- Lighting: ARP
- Newton "Sieray" Minor Lantern p56
- This street lighting lantern is designed for Group B roads and is of the single piece dome refractor type.
It is made with a one-piece cast canopy and relfecd is tapped ¾-in. gas thread as standard (with
provision for 1-in. if required). In the top of the lantern are three pairs of cast lugs, to one of which
a strap is fixed which carried the appropiate lampholder. These are arranged that any lamp for which
the fitting is designed will take up its correct focal position. The strap carries a porcelain skirted pattern
and is of the B.C., E.S., or 3-pin B.C. type. The reflector is stove enamelled white on the reflecting surface.
The glassware is available with two types of distribution: symmetric and 2-way non-axial with 170° between
the main beams. The maximum candle power is at 78° to the downward vertical. The glassware is held in
position by two phosphor bronze rods which are secured to the main casting, the necessary locking being
obtained by two phosphor bronze springs. Provision is made for locating the glassware correctly in respect to
the body of the lamp.
- Lighting: Luminaires
- Royal Visit to G.E.C. Research Laboratories p56
- Details of a royal visit, by Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth, to the GEC Research Laboratories
at Wembley.
- Lighting: Events, Lighting: Manufacturers
- British Firm Establishes New Laboratories p56
- Standard Telephones and Cables announce a new central laboratory organisation to undertake
long-term research and development in the telecommunication, electrons and allied fields. Standard Telecommunication
Laboratories Limited will be housed at Progress Way, Great Cambridge Road, Enfield.
- Lighting: Manufacturers
- Application of the Principles of Penumbra to Street Lighting p57
- Penumbra effect of a solar eclipse is well known, the principle has not been used in illuminating engineering
until the recent "dim-out" when a device working on the idea was used fairly extensively. It is particularly
applicable to public lighting and consists of placing a screen under and so close to the source of light that the
light is gradually cut off. The screen is adjusted that a bright pool of light, that is normally found underneath
lamps, giving the very undesirable well-known "spotty" effect, is eliminated and the illumination evened out,
giving better visibility.
- The Penumbra Metal Reflector
- The metal sheild shows the principles of Penumbra, Reflection and Regeneration. It is a very efficient
device where, and in proportion to, its excess under the lamp and re-directing it farther from the lamp where
it is more useful.
- The Penumbra Internal Reflecting Prism
- The second device is made of glass in the form of a triangular prism and is fitted immediately under a
source of light so that the upper face is horizontal, the two inclined faces meeting underneath so as to
point downwards. The prism shows the principles of Penumbra, Totla Internal Reflection, Refraction and
Rengeration.
- Advantages of Prism
- The prism has many advantages: once fitted it is permanently correct and does not have to be refocused or
adjusted. It is so simple that it does not depend on the intelligence of the attendant for adjustment. It is
easy to remove and replace and, being made of solid glass, it will not corrode or tarnish. Owing to its
high reflecting factor it is more efficient than a metal reflector. By its 2-way cross-over action, it operates
both up and down the street and can be made with a slight taper to give any desired bias to direct the beam
slightly. It complies with the requirements of the Street Lighting Committee's Final Report in that it is well
within the Glare Factor for both A and B class roads, the figure being in the neighbourhood of three. Further
it complies with the Police requirements in that it cuts off no light from the fronts of houses.
- Lighting: Distribution, Lighting: Maintenance, Lighting: Specifications, Lighting: Theory
- The Street Lighting of Paris by Mons. A. Herzog p59
- Brings up-to-date a similar article by J. W. Partridge delivered to
the Margate Conference in 1933.
- Lighting: Control, Lighting: Energy, Lighting: Installations, Lighting: Lamps
- Ministry of Transport Final Report on Street Lighting p62
- Reproduction of the conclusions and recommendations of the Departmental Committee.
- Lighting: Specifications
- The A.P.L.E. Conference p63
- In this year of Victory it is appropriate that the Conference should be again staged in the Capital.
The meeting will be opened by Minister of Transport, The Rt. Hon. Alfred Barnes, M.P.
- APLE: Conference
- Enemy-owned British Patents p64
- The number of British Patent Applications of Germany origin stood at 5449 in 1938. Therefore
the Council of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents appointed a Committee to consider the
position of enemy-owned pantents and applications for patents made by enemy nationals. They concluded:
The United Kingdon should take no separate action to deny to enemy nationals after the war,
convention rights which arise out of basic applications filed after the end of hostilities; the International Convention is
a reciprocal affair, to the spirit of which any unilateral arrangement forced on enemies would be contrary;
this does not extent to patent applications by enemeis which werepending in this country at the beginning
of the war which should be considered void;
- Lighting: ARP, Lighting: Legal
- Lighting Innovation at Victoria Station p65
- The introduction of high tension, cold cathode fluorescent tube lighting virtually came to a
standstill during the war period. it was fast replacing tungsten filament in stores, hotels, cinema
and theatre foyers. In 1937 Osram fluorescent tubes were installed at several railway stations
serving the Southern Electric line in Surrey. One new installation of particular interest is
the "Golden Arrow" Continental platform at Victoria Station. 96 Osram fluorescent tubes,
giving an intermediate white light (between "daylight" and "warmlight") are arranged in two
lines, each covering 250 of platform. They are placed 8 feet apart and mounted under a canopy
14 feet high. Each line comprised 24 units butted together to form a continuous run. Tow standard
8'6" tubes are used in each unit. The new lighting gives four times the illumination of the original
and is loaded at 4½kW. The scheme was prepared by the Illuminating Engineering Department
of the General Electric Co. Ltd to the requirements of the Southern Railway Lighting
Eningeer. The installation of tubes, transformers and high tension wiring was carried out by
Claude-General Neon Lights, Ltd. and the low tension wiring was undertaken by Southern Railway
engineers.
- Lighting: Lamps, Lighting: Installations
- Knighthood For Dr. C. C. Paterson p66
- Sir Clifford Paterson has contributed a great deal in the science of illumination.
He joined the GEC in 1919 to establish and direct the Research Laboratories at Wembley.
It started with a staff of 29 and by the outbreak of war, it had a staff of 550. During the war,
the Establishment was most concerned with Radar research and the staff swelled to 1750.
- Lighting: Personnel
- I.M.E.A. p66
- At the I.M.E.A. Convention, Siemens Electric Lamps and Supplies Ltd displayed some
lanterns for Group A and Group B roads. For Group A lighting, the two lanterns were the:
(1) The "Barnet-Sieray" lantern for use with 300-500W Sieray-Dual lamps MAT/V or 250-400W Sieray
lamps type MA/V. It is fitted with prismatic glass panels giving an asymmetric light distribution
with an angle of 160° or 180° between the main beams; (2) The "Bi-Way" designed for use with
250-400W Sieray lamps MA/V uses a Holophane one piece bowl refractor which can be
supplied to give two-way axial, two-way non-axial or symmetrical light distribution. For Group "B"
roads the "Newton-Sieray Minor" lantern was shown with and without a clear glass outer globe. It
is designed for 100-200 GLS or 80-125 Sieray lamps type MB/V. Various fluorescent fittings for both
40-watt and 80-watt "Sieray" Fluorescent Tubular lamps MCF/U were exhibited.
- Lighting: Luminaires
- Mr. Louis Agius, M.B.E. p66
- Louis Agius, street lighting engineer in Valetta, Malta, marches in the Victory Parade.
- Lighting: Personnel
- Correcting A Mis-statement p67
- Letter from Mr. W. J. Jones, director of E.L.M.A., correcting a statement
published in a Sunday newspaper, on the marketing of multi-filament lamps.
- Lighting: Lamps
- Obtaining Public Opinion p67
- Details of an experiment in Wandsworth, where the people of the borough can react to
different forms of lighting. Included in the types are Fluorescent, Sodium, Mercury-Vapour,
Sieray-Dual and metal filament lamps. The roads chosen include Wandsworth High Street,
Putney High Street and Trinity Road.
- Lighting: Lamps
- Adverts:
Poles Ltd
The Association Of Metal Sprayers,
Stanton Ironworks Co., Ltd,
Siemens Electric Lamps And Supplies Ltd.,
Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Co. Ltd,
Engineering And Lighting Equipment Co. Ltd.,
Holophane Ltd.,
British Gas Council,
British Electrical Development Association, Inc,
Stewarts And Lloyds Co., Ltd.,
The British Thomson-Houston Co. Ltd.,
APLE Conference,
The Horstmann Gear Co., Ltd.,
William Sugg And Co., Ltd.,
Automatic Telephone And Electrical Co., Ltd.,
British, Foreign And Colonial Automatic Light Controlling Co., Ltd.,
Gowshall Ltd.,
Broad And Co. Ltd.,
Willey And Co. Ltd.,
Falk, Stadelmann Co., Ltd.,
E. K. Cole Ltd,
The Clockwork Engineers (J. W. and R. E. Hughes),
Peebles Co., Ltd.,
James Keith And Blackman Co., Ltd.
Brighton Lighting and Electrical Engineering Co. Ltd,
Sangamo Weston Ltd. and
The General Electric Co., Ltd.
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