There are many types of industrial lights that belong outdoors. These can include commercial industrial lights for building exteriors, lighting for construction, or lighting for large outdoor spaces like stadiums. Industrial outdoor lighting fixtures are not difficult to install, but some attention to detail and knowledge of electrical systems is recommended before working with industrial fluorescent lighting.

Because there are many different types of industrial lighting fixtures, it is good to know how to install different types of lighting for indoor and outdoor purposes. You can get industrial lights education and training from:

1. Online courses that teach general and advanced electricity systems.

2. Instructions from industrial lighting manufacturers.

3. On-site and classroom training opportunities.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find online resources to learn about electricity and how to install industrial fluorescent lights

Online courses are quick and easy to take. You can find training that covers a wide variety of topics, including electrical safety and lighting installation practices. These courses will help you learn common skills for working with electrical systems, and will also provide a certification of course completion in many instances.

I recommend: The Business Industrial Network provides many online tutorials that teach about electrical topics, including one on electrical safety that covers common misconceptions about electrical wiring. The Federal Energy Management Program provides online courses that teach about energy efficiency and retrofitting industrial buildings with the best new technology.

Explore live training options to learn about industrial light fixtures

To learn about industrial lighting, attend a live class, seminar or workshop to get training directly from an expert. Such courses may cover a variety of topics, from installation and repair to the newest technology. Novices and experts alike will benefit from useful information about industrial lighting.

I recommend: The Industrial Efficiency Alliance provides training courses that teach employees to improve equipment and practices. Some courses include choosing energy-saving lighting to make the workplace more efficient. Van Meter Industrial provides day-long seminars and workshops for those who need to meet standards set down by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This course also teaches basic electrical wiring and concepts.

Get training from industrial outdoor light fixtures manufacturers

The most specific information about the lighting products you want to install will come from the manufacturer. Not all manufacturers offer training courses for consumers, but many do offer some type of instructional material. It may be in the form of videos, user guides, online tutorials or webinars.

I recommend: Acuity Brands Lighting is an industrial light manufacturer that provides many seminars and workshops to teach consumers about installing and repairing its products. Cooper Lighting offers many two- and three-day workshops that teach valuable lighting skills in general, and specifically how to work with Cooper Lighting products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When installing industrial lighting products, it is best to refer both to the instructions provided by the manufacturer and plans that map out the structure's electrical systems.

Unlike incandescent bulbs which produce heat-driven light via a filament, fluorescent industrial lights use electricity to produce mercury vapor in the form of neon or argon gas. What is produced is short-wave, ultraviolet light. Fluorescent bulbs are typically used in industrial or commercial settings since they are 10 to 20 percent more efficient than many other bulbs and offer equivalent light production. Industrial fluorescent lights have come a long way since their introduction in the mid 1800s, and finding the right industrial fluorescent lighting and industrial outdoor lighting can be easy -- on you and your budget.

Find industrial fluorescent lighting advantages offered by:

1. Recognizable brand names for industrial fluorescent lights;

2. Eco-friendly options for industrial fluorescent lighting; and

3. Discount suppliers of industrial outdoor lighting and industrial fluorescent lighting.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Turn to trusted names for industrial lighting products

If you know what you need, go to lighting experts for your application-specific fluorescent lighting. Since lighting experts specialize in producing lights, they typically offer specialty products and innovative breakthroughs that distributors do not. Their customer service staff are experts on their products so you can count on solid information should you have any questions about their industrial light bulbs.

I recommend: Both GE and Grainger offer product specs and prices on traditional and highly specialized industrial lighting products.

Consider going green with industrial fluorescent lights and see additional savings

Just about all brand names offer 'green' or environmentally-friendly options these days. Not only do green bulbs put less stress on the environment, but installing green bulbs can also pad your pocket book by offering up to 60% in savings on your energy bills.

I recommend: Energy Wise Lighting, Inc., features green bulbs and bulbs that have a life of over 30,000 hours. Dazor also offers full-spectrum fluorescent bulbs.

Order industrial lights in bulk for the lowest price

Buying direct and online from factories cuts out the middle man and can save you lots, especially if you buy in bulk. Many of the discount lighting manufacturers offer live web chat, 24-hour-a-day ordering and a very large selection of products.

I recommend: Lighting on the Net offers discounted fluorescent bulbs flat-rate shipping on all orders. LightMart.com, a 10-year veteran of the lighting industry, offers factory-direct products assembled domestically.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Commercial industrial lights often contain mercury or poly chlorinated biphenyls which are both considered to be hazardous waste. Mercury-containing waste is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and your local utility office should have resources for proper disposal. Avoid buying fluorescent bulbs with ballasts that contain poly chlorinated biphenyls -- or PCBs. Production of PCBs were banned from the United States in the late 1970s, but PCBs occasionally make their way into the U.S. from overseas companies. Look for bulbs specifically labeled 'No PCBs.'