The Advantages of Fibre Optics in Conservation Lighting Applications

Specifying Fibre Optics

Please call to discuss your requirements with a member of our team who will be able to give you advice on how best to achieve the type of lighting you need.

Points to consider are:

• Where the light sources can be physically located. They need to have free airflow.
• Where the points of light are required and the distance between the light source and the points of light. Using glass fibre, try to keep the maximum run below 10m - preferably as short as possible - for best light output and reduced cost. We can make the tails on each harness to different lengths to suit.
• What sort of spread or focus of light you require and how bright it should be in relation to any ambient lighting. This will effect the size of light source and fibre used and also the type of end fitting.

We can help you with these decisions and give practical advice. Accurate CAD drawings help but if you require only a rough estimate then a brief telephone call and/or a rough sketch may be sufficient.

For major projects our sales engineers can visit site, demonstrate working products and also take measurements.

In conservation lighting situations, a fibre optic lighting system offers many advantages over traditional lighting methods.

• Security

Since the light source can be located remotely from the end fittings, the risk of theft from open display cases and cabinets is greatly reduced. Once the end fittings have been positioned they require no maintenance so there is no need to open the cabinet again for lamp changes or other maintenance.

• Optical Control

Light distribution and intenstity can be controlled in a way that no other type of lighting system can match. With precise focussing control over each individual fitting, you can directly light the subject and not the surrounding area.

• Low Maintenance

In a fibre optic lighting system, one lamp can supply light to many end fittings, thus reducing costly and time consuming lamp changes.

• Low UV & No Heat Emission

Sensitive items such as paper and textiles can be easily damaged by heat and UV light from conventional lighting systems. Fibre optics feature very low UV and no heat emission from the fittings at the end of the fibre optic cables. This makes them ideal for use in areas where precious items could be easily damaged.

So how do fibre optics work? There are generally three components in a fibre optic lighting system, as described below:

• Light Source

The light source is the projector like box which contains the lamp, filtration and all the electrical components of the system. As shown above this can be located remotely from the cabinet and fittings.

• Fibre Optic Harness

The harness conducts the light and is made up of a number of fibre optic cables, called tails, which are joined together at the end where the connector fits into the light source. This is called the common end. At the other end of the harness, each individual tail is terminated, usually with a metal ferrule, and it is here that the light emerges. For cable runs of less than 10m, glass fibre is preferable because the light output can be made more even between each point. Polymer fibre is required for very long runs but the light output between points is not as even.

• End Fittings

End fittings come in many shapes and sizes and are used to provide a discreet or decorative termination to each tail. Fittings with domed lenses allow the light to be precisely focussed and directed. Fabrications such as light wands, light tubes and gantries may also be used to terminate and direct the fibre - these are custom made to suit each application.