Working in potentially explosive atmospheres is hazardous enough without being concerned that the voltage being supplied to temporary lighting is no longer within certified limits.
How can anyone be absolutely sure what voltage is being supplied, especially in a typical, long cable FPSO situation? Could it be one volt more or less than the certified safe range?
Reassurance is now available from Wolf Safety, whose latest technology gives an immediate warning when voltage exceeds certified limits, even by just one volt.
Their SOVI™ technology – it stands for Safe Optimal Voltage Indicator – removes all doubt, giving operators the confidence that temporary lighting is operating safely, effectively and at the optimal voltage.
Unique to Wolf Safety products, the groundbreaking technology is now incorporated into its ATEX and IECEx certified Hazardous Area Temporary Lighting range, further enhancing safety in potentially explosive atmospheres.
It also ensures that a lighting solution is operating effectively and at the optimal voltage. SOVI™ is also incorporated into Wolf Safety’s Linkex™ LED temporary luminaire LX-400 range as well as their market leading Linkex™ WF-300 and WF-250XL LED Floodlite range.
In the event that a light is operating at a voltage above the maximum certified limit, the beam will pulse from bright to dim, giving a clear warning that action is needed to ensure that work can continue safely in the hazardous area.
However, it is more likely that issues will arise at the lower end of the voltage range. For example, if too many 24-volt lights are strung together and the transformer is overloaded, voltage could drop below the optimal level and light output will reduce incrementally as the input voltage falls.
If this does occur, SOVI™ will pulse the light, clearly showing the lamp is not operating within its optimal voltage range and optimum light output, even though the light itself is still safe as it is uniquely certified down to 0 (zero) volts.
This differs from other ATEX lights, where a reduced voltage supply can lead to the light operating outside the certified voltage range.
Wolf Safety’s clear, visual warning system and ‘plug in and play’ format means there is no safety risk in connecting too many lights together.
Says Michael Morley, Wolf Safety’s Technical Director: “Even if operators are working some distance from the lamp they are alerted about a power supply issue and made aware that something needs to be done. If the voltage is too high, the product must be turned off.
“Without SOVI™ the operator has to check the voltage is correct and safe, while continuing to work in the hazardous area.
“In some cases a qualified electrician has to be on hand to do the checks but not with SOVI™, which tells operators when there’s an issue. If input voltage falls below the optimal level SOVI™ lets operators know, so they are not paying for power they can’t use.”
Full details of Wolf Safety temporary lighting incorporating SOVI™ technology can be found by visiting: www.wolfsafety.com
