Abacus’s energy-saving solution adds up for Leeds Rugby

Abacus Lighting’s design team pulls off a successful tackle with a solution that has increased floodlighting levels by 400%.

Leeds: March 2010 - Abacus Lighting’s design team has pulled off a successful tackle with a solution that has increased floodlighting levels by 400% the world famous Headingley Carnegie rugby stadium - a significant increase in lighting levels that has, in fact, only doubled the Club’s power consumption.

The original floodlights at the stadium which hosts top level Rugby League and Rugby Union, were installed back in 1968 and, although the original masts were replaced twenty years ago, the floodlights themselves have been lighting the ground for the past 42 years!

The need for new floodlighting became apparent as Leeds Rhinos success in the Engage Super League over the past three years coupled with Leeds Carnegie’s presence in the Guinness Premiership brought increased interest for televised matches.

Abacus’s Sports Lighting Manager, Neil Johnson, said: “The previous lighting levels were presenting difficulties with broadcasting in HDTV and, in order not to limit the opportunity to stage televised matches, Leeds Rugby bosses decided that it was time to upgrade the system.

“We replaced the existing 27 1kW floodlights with 24 of our Challenger^® 3 2kW floodlights. This has actually increased the lighting levels from 300lux to 1200lux over the pitch, thereby giving much improved lighting levels with high energy efficiency.”

Designing the new head frames to ensure they fitted on the old masts was also a challenge for Abacus. Neil added: “There was a structural dilemma. Because of the floodlighting requirements, we were aware that the new lights would significantly increase the head load.