Study of Application of L.E.D. Lighting System in
Mines

Abstract

The work done on the project contains field observations for lighting in underground and open-cast mines showing general requirements of lighting and sources of lighting. Regulations related to mine lighting are briefly enumerated. Illumination and cost comparison of different lighting sources is done showing advantages of Light emitting diode (LED) system of lighting over conventional system. Iluminance Measuring techniques and instrumentation for conducting illumination survey are briefly enumerated giving brief description of Metravi 1332 luxmeter. Comparison between different features of CFL, LED and Incandescent bulbs of application of LED system of lighting for effective energy conservation, better illumination, lower cost per day, etc..
Illumination levels at different working places in Tirap open cast coal mine, NEC, a subsidiary of Coal India limited are illustrated. And a study is done showing power savings and cost effectiveness if L.E.D. lighting system is used against the conventional lighting system used at Tirap OCP, NEC. Power saving was found to be about 73.487 % and a significant amount of cost saving was also shown. A critical comparison emphasizing the use of L.E.D. cap-lamp over conventional cap-lamp is shown with reference to experimental studies done at GDK-10 incline, SCCL. The LED cap lamp produced an illumination of 38 lux at a distance of 4 m from the source as compared to the 21 lux produced by conventional cap lamp. Thus, it was found that LED lighting system had more advantages over conventional lighting system.