Cap lamps, work lights and other handheld devices have slimmed down, toughened up and produce higher-quality illumination
Koehler Cap Lamp Lets Miners See Better
Koehler Lighting Products’ new WHEAT Gen II cordless cap lamp is intended to provide better performance by increasing miners’ visual acuity, improving safety through better object and hazard recognition combined with reduced fatigue. The Gen II cap lamp targets enhanced illumination of an entire work area, giving miners maximum central and peripheral vision. It weighs 5 oz (0.14 kg), provides run time of 15 hours on a full charge using either existing Koehler equipment or single- and multiple-unit chargers designed specifically for the product. Additional features include high and low settings accessible at the push of a button (first press is low setting/25% brightness; second press is high setting/100% brightness; third press/off); regulated light output; an easy-to-view charge status indicator and automatic low-power indication (switches to 25% brightness setting upon low cell charge, and blinks once per minute to remind the user of low charge); and a swivel adapter accessory. Vital specs include light output of 65 lumens, peak beam intensity of 6,000 candelas and beam distance of 460 ft (140 m). Ingress protection is rated at IP68. According to the supplier, it meets applicable global safety approvals.
NLT’s Genesis Cap Lamp Accepts Tracking Tags
Building upon the features developed for Northern Light Technologies’ popular Polaris model, their second-generation cordless Genesis cap lamp offers the ability to integrate miner tracking tags while keeping the battery and light source in a single enclosure. Using the contemporary design of the Polaris, the Genesis maintains the light pattern consistent with all NLT lamps and has the same look and feel as the Polaris, but with slightly increased depth of the back housing to accommodate a tracking tag. Users can choose from a variety of RFID or Wi-Fi tags, all powered by the Genesis battery; tag compatibility is subject to approval. The company noted that U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) approval for Genesis is with an Aeroscout tracking tag installed, but the cap lamp itself has MSHA approval; if the customer wants to install another brand of tag, it can be submitted for MSHA approval. Specifications for the Genesis include a battery charge time of 10 hours, discharge time of more than 12 hours using the main LED and more than 40 hours with the secondary LED, emergency light flashing activated with five-second hold-down, and lux rating of 4,000 (minimum) and 5,500 (typical). Ingress protection is IP65.
Xerebrus Cap Lamp is Cordless and Lightweight
The Xerebrus Flare-XM-1 is an MSHA-approved cordless cap lamp equipped with the latest lithium battery technology. The LED lamp features two power settings for main lighting and emergency lighting. According to the supplier, with light output of more than 3,500 lux on main power, this lamp is suitable for most mining environments. The lamp is shock- and water-resistant and includes the following additional features: two-step switch (main or emergency light), pivoting hard hat clip, improved spotlight, radio frequency immunity, a replaceable power button and enhanced charging system. Charge time is listed as less than seven hours, with working duration on main power of more than 14 hours and 36 hours on emergency power. Weight is 4.6 oz.
NightStick’s Intrinsically Safe Lighting Choices
Bayco Products offers a line of NightStick high-visibility, rugged and Intrinsically Safe penlights, flashlights and headlamps. The NightStick XPP-5410G penlight is a compact, slim, non-rechargeable unit that is Intrinsically Safe and provides powerful light output designed to illuminate tight spaces. The tail-cap switch provides momentary or constant-on functionality. Power comes from two AAA premium batteries. It is rated at 30 lumens, with 18 hours of run time, and provides maximum beam distance of 130 ft (40 m). The case is chemical resistant, with a non-slip grip finish and built-in pocket/belt clip. Bayco’s Nightstick XPP-5422B/G non-rechargeable flashlight also is listed as Intrinsically Safe. It uses LEDs rated at 140 lumens, in conjunction with a high-efficiency deep parabolic reflector to create a flashlight beam rated at 590 ft (180 m). The single body switch provides momentary or constant-on functionality, along with flashlight-beam, floodlight-beam and combined beam operation. Power comes from three AA premium batteries. The XPP-5458G headlamp is rated at 175 lumens in dual-beam mode, 100 lumens in spotlight mode and 18 lumens in red floodlight mode. Offering 18 hours of run time from three premium AA batteries, the IP-X7-rated headlamp features a ratchet-tilt lamp mount and non-slip rubber straps for hard hat use. The headlamp is listed as Intrinsically Safe.
Roobuck’s Cap Lamp Bracket is Highly Adjustable
Australia-based Roobuck’s Cap Lamp Bracket is designed to convert a fixed-mount cap lamp into an adjustable mount, allowing wearers to move the lamp beam freely while remaining on the hat. On fixed-mount cap lamps, the beam angle is permanent because neither the bracket on the helmet nor the clip on the headpiece has a mechanism to adjust the angle. With the Roobuck Cap Lamp Bracket installed, miners no longer have to remove the cap lamp from their hard hat to shine a beam in a particular direction. Instead, they can simply rotate the lamp up or down to illuminate anything from ground level to overhead. According to the company, the bracket extends out far enough to allow the lamp to shine down vertically without obstruction from the visor rim. When not needed, the bracket folds up and functions like a normal cap lamp bracket, ready to be extended when a different beam angle is required. Roobuck offers a free on-site trial (limited to three devices per mine) available by completing a form on the company’s website.
Streamlight Handheld Units Offer Lighting Options
Streamlight’s 3C Propolymer HAZ-LO is an Intrinsically Safe, high performance, three C cell-powered LED flashlight. It features a tail switch for momentary or constant-on operation, integrated retained face cap lock and module polarity protection. The body is constructed of an engineered polymer resin that is said to be virtually indestructible, shock-resistant, anti-static, nonconductive and light. The unit is rated at 150 lumens, 7,000 candela peak beam intensity with an effective 167-m beam distance. Its lightly textured parabolic reflector is designed to provide a smooth uniform beam with optimum peripheral illumination. Operation is electronically regulated. Available in high-visibility yellow or orange, the light is 9.3 in. (24 cm) long, 1.5 in. (3.7 cm) in diameter (body) with a face cap diameter of 2 in. (5.3 cm), and weighs 6.8 oz (193 g). The Streamlight Knucklehead HAZ-LO is a lightweight, rechargeable, handheld Intrinsically Safe work light with an articulating head that rotates 360°. This light features a strong magnet for secure placement, LED technology, microprocessor-controlled high- and low-intensity modes, emergency flash and moonlight mode. Spot and flood models are available with an integrated hang hook or clip. The removable magnet, with 135-lb pull strength, has a replaceable rubber protective boot. The light also is available with an optional four AA-cell carrier for non-rechargeable operation. The housing, base and battery case are made from high-impact nylon for exceptional durability, with all openings O-ring sealed for weather resistance. A one-way valve allows case venting. All models are available in high-visibility yellow or orange.
Portable Work Light Rises to Illuminate
Smith Light, headquartered in Australia, offers a line of extendable portable lighting units, classified as Intrinsically Safe and constructed from rugged ABS747 material for long life. Their EX90L T2/T4 light features a shock-absorbing rubber base as well as a tight-fitting rubber seal on the lid for protection, and is rated at IP65 UV and salt water resistant. The 7.75-lb unit includes a double-sided light head that tilts down to 60° and creates little or no heat, allowing comfortable work in close spaces. The EX90L T2/T4 has an open height of 888 mm and closed height of 600 mm, measures 334 mm wide x 220 mm deep and runs on 230-240V or 12V power. Maximum run time is listed as 12 hours.
