| Because the standard unit of measurement in any | | | | game field, and the number of spectators viewing |
| outdoor lighting design is the footcandle, government | | | | the game. Here is where RLL Design can offer such a |
| regulations normally specify footcandle minimum | | | | powerful competitive advantage when it comes to |
| requirements for parking lot lighting, and security | | | | determining just what should go into a system. By |
| lighting, and athletic field lighting. One sport that | | | | doing the calculations for our clients, we help even |
| warrants particular attention to footcandle lighting | | | | the most advanced mathematicians double check |
| levels is soccer. Because soccer fields have sprung up | | | | their work, and we help DYI installers with limited |
| all over the country with the rising popularity of the | | | | time and resources save a step. |
| game, it is common to find them widely varied in size | | | | Voltage also factors heavily into determining which |
| and function. To effectively light a soccer field, a | | | | soccer field lights will produce ideal, glare free visibility |
| professional designer or DYI certified electrical installer | | | | on the field. RLL Design sports lights are regulated |
| has to take certain critical factors into consideration | | | | with sophisticated magnetic transformers that control |
| before purchasing soccer field lights, mounts, and | | | | voltage levels and produce superior electron flow. Our |
| poles. Sometimes even a professional designer has to | | | | specialists will help you assess the needs of the field |
| consult with an electrician who is familiar with local | | | | and choose from a range of multi-tap ballasts ranging |
| municipal outdoor lighting codes, and sometimes a | | | | from 120, 208, 240, and 277 volts. Contractors |
| DYI in spite of local expertise has to call the US | | | | installing lights in professional soccer stadiums can also |
| Soccer foundation for recommendations on which | | | | obtain 480-volt ballasts for game and spectator |
| soccer field lighting equipment will give a given | | | | lighting. Stadiums of this size normally require as much |
| location optimal foot candle spread with minimal glare | | | | as 75 footcandles of continuous, horizontal target |
| and strict regulation of light pollution. | | | | illumination, compared to the mere 30 footcandles |
| To save a step for the contractor and to reduce the | | | | required by a local municipal or schoolyard practice |
| margin of error for the DIY installer, RLL Design | | | | field. |
| streamlines this information into a consolidated set of | | | | If you are a contractor, working with a vendor like |
| expert tools and consultation services offered for | | | | RLLD who can supply you with lights for either |
| free through our online forum and complimentary | | | | scenario gives you a strong competitive advantage |
| over the phone to serious inquirers and clients. We | | | | over other firms who may only have access to |
| also inventory a complete selection of soccer field | | | | fixtures appropriate for a certain sized field only. |
| lights, equipment, and mounting accessories to | | | | Regardless of your level of expertise, it is always a |
| optimize game visibility for players and to maintain | | | | good idea to call an RLL Design specialist to ensure |
| your facility in good standing with governing | | | | your voltage calculations have correctly matched |
| compliance standards. Because so many games are | | | | your lamp type to your ballast. Incorrect estimates |
| played at night, player safety is foremost in | | | | can create hazards and consume more power than |
| consideration when developing a soccer field lighting | | | | necessary. However, when properly ballasted and |
| system. To produce clear visibility without blinding | | | | fitted on the correctly sized poles, RLL Design soccer |
| glare, lighting experts must mathematically determine | | | | field lights will produce a more efficient light than |
| the precise level of foot-candles needed for the size | | | | cheaper, competing equivalents. Advanced reflector |
| of a particular field. They must also take into account | | | | arrays help the metal halide lamps within the fixtures |
| whether or not spectators will be watching the | | | | spread the light more evenly across the field and |
| game, as this constitutes a second layer of light that | | | | simultaneously prevent excess spill light from creating |
| must be evenly spread over the field. | | | | light pollution and glare. This makes the game more |
| One foot candle is equal to one lumen of light spread | | | | enjoyable to watch, more safe to play, and |
| evenly over a space of one square foot. Special | | | | eliminates complaints from neighboring businesses and |
| equipment is required to measure footcandle levels, | | | | homeowners. |
| and normally only professional electricians have | | | | RLL Design, in keeping with recommendations made |
| access to this equipment. This is one area where | | | | by the US Soccer Foundation, recommends you use |
| neither DIY electricians nor outdoor lighting designers | | | | galvanized steel poles to mount your soccer field |
| relatively new to sports lighting ever want to cut | | | | lights. These poles are more resistant to strong winds |
| corners. Municipal codes are strict in almost every | | | | and will last longer, protecting investment dollars from |
| part of the country, and dark sky laws now extend | | | | replacement costs. To help contractors and DYI |
| from coast to coast requiring athletic field lighting be | | | | installers place their lighting fixtures at the precise, |
| kept on the field and out of neighboring homes and | | | | necessary height, RLL Design stocks a full repertoire |
| businesses. By taking the time to ensure your | | | | of mounting assemblies to accommodate effective |
| proposed system meets with all legal requirements | | | | illumination of any size field from the recommended |
| and fulfills the recommendations of the US Soccer | | | | distances from sidelines and fences. |
| Foundation, you can provide your client or your own | | | | RLL Design specialists will help both professionals and |
| organization with an insulating factor against liabilities | | | | end users research regulatory codes, make all |
| that could result from injuries on an improperly lighted | | | | necessary calculations to determine optimal lighting |
| soccer field. | | | | levels, and supply all fixtures, poles, mounts, and |
| Light levels on soccer fields will vary greatly | | | | accessories needed to fully light a soccer field of any |
| depending on field size, status as a practice field or | | | | size, anywhere in the United States. |