Lifting equipment doesn’t stop at cranes and goods lifts, hoists are an important lifting aid which can eliminate the need to work at height. Lighting hoists replace costly and time-consuming access systems, such as MEWPs and scaffold towers, with the press of a button. An electric hoist will lower a lighting fixture to ground level for maintenance, in minutes.
Lighting hoists are becoming increasingly widespread as businesses seek greater operational efficiencies and reductions in occupational risk. Two sectors which have seen an acceleration in the adoption of lighting hoists are warehousing and hospitality and leisure. While these industries may not appear to have much in common, lighting is a key part of the maintenance schedule. Premium luminaires and chandeliers are as popular as ever in hotels, heritage properties and Royal Households with the sector seeing a rise in demand for lighting hoists. The UK warehousing sector, a nationwide success story, is making the switch from traditional access equipment to lighting hoists, with a fast return on investment.
When it comes to specifying a lighting hoist for a construction project it is important to make the right product decisions from the outset. In this guide, we explore each stage of specifying a lighting hoist using NBS Source.
Self-contained electric lighting hoists are small units controlled using a wireless remote-control handset. These hoists are ideal for lightweight loads, such as high bay warehouse lighting, as part of a larger lighting installation where multiple hoists are fitted.
Heavy-duty lighting hoists – Penny Hydraulics RLS and RLT models – are ideal for raising and lowering heavyweight and delicate assets suspended at height. Standardised RLS and RLT systems are available on NBS Source with fully customisable product options. Specifiers can input required system parameters through NBS Source to compare bespoke lighting hoist options.
Wireless remote-control handsets are the standard means of control for all self-contained lighting hoists – Penny Hydraulics models CT-12, CT-12M, CT-15, CT-15M. A wired handset is supplied as standard with the RLS and RLT systems with the option to specify wireless control, where required.
Penny Hydraulics lighting winch systems can be located remotely to the main lowering point, directly above the light fitting or in a completely separate part of the building. If located in a separate location, a series of pulleys are installed to direct the hoist rope (used to suspend the light fitting) from the hoist location, back to the main lowering point directly above the light fitting. Read how Leeds Town Hall have used chandelier winch systems with spectacular results.
Other available control options are either hardwired controls with a wall-mounted faceplate, or control via a building management system (BMS) e.g. Crestron or Lutron. Specifiers can input the required method of control through NBS Source.
Lighting hoist systems for use within the UK require a domestic single phase 230v 50Hz power supply. This should be supplied as a fused spur next to the hoist control box for RLS and RLT systems, and for all self-contained hoist models, this is placed beside the hoist. For international applications, hoist systems can be configured to operate via a local domestic or commercial power supply. Specifiers must detail power requirements at the time of enquiry.
Depending on the system specified, there are two lighting hoist power supply options:
RLS and self-contained lighting hoists
Both hoist systems break the electrical feed when lowering to ground level, isolating the luminaire for user safety, and automatically reconnecting the power supply when raised back to the fully elevated position.
RLT hoist systems
This hoist system provides an electrical supply to the light fitting throughout the raising and lowering process. A spring-operated cable retraction reel is used to pay out the electrical flex to the light as it is lowered to ground level. The reel automatically retracts the flex when raising the light fitting back to the elevated position.
Penny Hydraulics lighting hoist Selector tool can help users specify the correct winch for a specific project. The Selector guides users through a series of questions to determine the best lighting hoist model. A link to the relevant product page in NBS Source is provided to help specifiers select the right product.
This simple to use tool will provide product suggestions for users to compare without the need to make a phone call or arrange a supplier meeting.
Penny Hydraulic have a comprehensive range of lighting hoist models for use in a variety of applications, from chandeliers and art to high bay lights and CCTV cameras.
