Balloon & Diffused Area Lights
Inflatable balloon light
A lamp inside an inflated fabric sphere on a short mast, giving near glare-free light in every direction. The standard unit for night resurfacing and rail possessions.
Features
- The envelope diffuses the source over a large area, which is what removes the glare a reflector fitting produces.
- A small fan keeps the envelope inflated and runs the whole time the unit is lit, so a fan failure ends the shift.
- Deployment takes a couple of minutes by one person and needs no outriggers at low mast heights.
- Envelopes discolour with heat and dirt and lose transmission, so output falls gradually rather than failing outright.
- The unit is light enough to be lifted over a barrier by hand, which is why it suits live-carriageway work.
Specifications
| Figure | Typical range | Unit | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luminous flux | 40 000 - 120 000 | lm | The output comparison figure. |
| Power draw | 300 - 1 000 | W | Determines how many run from one supply. |
| Envelope diameter | 0.9 - 1.6 | m | Larger envelopes diffuse more and catch more wind. |
| Mast height | 3.5 - 5.0 | m | Sets illuminated diameter. |
| Packed weight | 18 - 40 | kg | Decides one-person deployment. |