Sports have different lighting requirements which is why there is a wide range of lighting options available. For outdoor tennis courts, if the lights aren't properly installed, it could lead to a poor playing experience and excessive energy bills.
What is Tennis Court Lighting?
When it comes to outdoor tennis courts, a lighting system includes the light fixtures and poles that are used to provide appropriate illumination levels and distribute the light across the playing area of the tennis court.
The right type of lighting is important to make sure the ball should be clearly visible throughout the course of a point.
The lighting system will improve the overall experience of not only the players but for the fans as well.
Tennis Court Lighting Requirements
The required lighting standards for illuminating tennis courts changes based on the standard of play ranging from recreational to professional levels. Tennis facilities must provide an even distribution of light to provide a well-lit playing area for both the players and spectators.
Illuminating a tennis court is determined by different organizations based on the level of competition being played on the court. These levels are often referred to as Class I, Class II, Class III, and Class IV.
- Class I: National and International
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- High level for international/professional grade - 125 foot candles
- Top level of competitive playing for a large amount of spectators
- Facilities generally include broadcasted tennis matches
2. Class II: Club Competition and Commercial
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- Medium level for club standard – 75-100 foot candles
- Mid-level competition, high level training, average viewing distances
- May include collegiate facilities primarily used for intercollegiate or recreational play
3. Class III- Residential and Recreational
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- Lower level of play or recreational play – 50-75 foot candles
- Low- level competition, local, general training, school teams or recreational activities
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- Lowest level of play - No lower than 50 foot candles
- Facilities strictly used for recreational play such a public park
Tennis Court Lighting Design
1. Brightness
The first requirement of the tennis court lighting is the brightness. The court needs to be well-lit to ensure the proper vision for the players and spectators.
2. Efficiency
Another requirement for the tennis court lighting its efficiency. Since the light will be turned on for most of the day, it costs a lot on the energy bills. This is where LED lights come in handy; they are known for their energy efficiency.
3. Life Span
One of the most important requirements you should pay attention to is the life span of the light. Since the courts are open late till night, the lights must have a long service life. If the light has a short life span, it will lead to frequently replacing the lights. This not only increases the cost of maintenance and replacement but increases operation costs as well. LED lights have a long service life as they can last for up to 100,000 hours.
Considerations When Purchasing LED Lighting for Outdoor Courts
- Waterproof: It is crucial for the light to be water-resilient and have at least IP64. In this way, you can use these lights anywhere. LED lights can have a waterproof function without any hassle because it doesn’t contain gas discharge, brittle glass, or filament.
- High Luminous Efficacy: To reduce the maintenance cost, you must choose a durable and quality LED light. For choosing efficient LED light, you have to select luminary with high efficiency. This means it will use low power and less quantity of light.
- Color Temperature: In order to buy the right LED light, you have to consider the color temperature of the lights. It is recommended to use cool white like that has 5000K
- Anti-Glare: One of the most important features of the LED light is the anti-glare function. The glare is the strong light that causes irritation or discomfort.
- Heat Dissipation: Another important factor is the heat dissipation. It is imperative for indoor tennis fields; this is because the life span of the light might decrease if the heat is trapped inside.
- High Light Uniformity: To brighten up the tennis court, high light uniformity is critical.
- Warranty: Not many people focus on the warranty of the LED lights. This is a huge mistake. It is advised to look at the warranty offered by the manufacturer before buying.
- Proven System: Lighting is an imperative factor for a tennis court as the ability of the players, experience, and safety of everyone depends on it. When it comes to choosing the best lighting solution, LED light is clearly best option. It offers the right level of brightness, uniformity, energy efficiency, and durability.
