Bollard lights are so called as essentially they are as you would expect, a bollard which encases a light source.
The term bollard is actually a nautical term which is the name of a metal post to which ships tie up on a dock. Traditionally bollards are cylindrical with a round top and has come to mean any vertical post used to mark or cordon off an area. Many are used in Car Parks and on pavements to prevent vehicles from parking on them.
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Lighting bollards are often used in public parks and gardens to illuminate footpaths or to define the borders of any public area and can be any shape and size and with rounded, flat or any shape top.
As they are designed for outside use it is important that they are weatherproof. IP (Ingress Protection) ratings are used to specify to what degree they are protected. The minimum acceptable level of protection is IP44; in exposed areas a rating of IP65 is to be preferred.
Lighting elements are positioned near the top of the bollard, usually behind metal slats or within a polycarbonate luminaire. Today it is a good idea to use energy saving light bulbs within the luminaire. As the bulb is not visible the lower cost spiral types can be used.
Some bollards feature directional lighting and can be used to illuminate an architectural feature, mostly though the light will be spread out evenly in a circular pattern around the bollard.
Coloured bulbs including low energy types can be used in Bollard lights to great effect. For example a green bulb could enhance plant foliage whereas blue bulbs would look very modern in a Hotel car park.
Bollard lighting is usually constructed from a metal tube, preferably Aluminium or Stainless Steel for rust free reliability. Some are made from weather resistant plastic but these are obviously more fragile than the metal types. The metal tube has a die cast base which is secured to either a suitable concrete slab or to wooden decking or even embedded in tarmac. On the top of the tube is situated the luminaire which is usually made from die cast metal.
Bollard lighting is normally mains 240 electricity powered but must be earthed and installed by a qualified electrician for safety. Solar power can be used but is normally only suitable in countries that experience higher levels of sunshine such as Spain, Italy, and South Africa etc.
LED lit bollards are the latest energy saving trend. The LEDS will typically last for 10 years or more without replacement and consume minimal amounts of electricity. Although more expensive to begin with they will work out more cost effective over a period of time.
It is important to distinguish from the low quality types that sell for under £50.00 that are usually not built to last and are often built from very thin steel of 1mm thickness or less to the professional types that sell from around £80.00 to over £300.00. The professional types are normally made from aluminium of around 2.5mm thickness and are robust enough to withstand all weathers and the occasional bump by a badly used lawnmower!
It is also important to buy ones where spare parts are available as lawnmowers can often throw up small stones which can damage the glass or plastic light lenses.
Bollard Lighting Facts
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