We have written this article in simple terms so that anyone who is interested in installing padel courts can easily understand it. We apologize to any lightning engineers who may be reading this blog.
Our intention is to highlight the significance of court lighting, so that our clients can make informed decisions and not just rely on the standard lighting offer provided by padel court suppliers.
Any buyer should have the option to select lights and be educated about the differences between angles, as well as symmetrical and asymmetrical lighting.
Why is the Padel Court Lighting important in Ireland?
During one of our current installations, the client asked us for advice on the court lighting, as they needed to avoid any spillover to an adjacent residential block.
We delved into the topic of padel court lights, especially in Ireland where dark winter afternoons and sometimes winter mornings make up a significant portion of our playing time from November to March.
We realized that the court illumination plays a crucial role, accounting for approximately 50% of our playing time during these months. As a result, we broaden our PCI light offerings to enhance the padel playing experience in Ireland.
The top three Spanish Court manufacturers (not in any order) Padel Deluxe, Padel Gallis and of course our own supplier MejorSet are selling good lighting packages with their courts. They are more than adequate for the average padel player and are certified by the WPT. But Irish necessity differ from the Spanish requirement of a maximum of 2 hours at night, and Irish customers should be given the opportunity to know that they do have choices.
Lumens or Watt?
With the emergence of LED technology, a significant shift has occurred in how we measure the amount of light emitted by a luminaire. Instead of using watts, we now use lumens.
When determining the necessary level of illumination, a common question asked is, "What is the minimum level of illumination required?" The number of lumens in a luminaire tells us how much light it emits.
How much light does the padel court require?
Lightening requirements for padel courts vary depending on the level of competition (recreation, competition, and broadcasting to location) and whether the court is indoor or outdoor.
For instance, an outdoor court for recreational use requires an illuminance of 200 lux with a uniformity of 0.5, but on an outdoor court where professional competition takes place (for example: World Padel Tour), the requirements increase to 500 lux and 0.7 uniformity.
It's important to note that competitions broadcasted on television require more court lighting and have special requirements to provide quality images, which are higher than the minimum requirements of the standard padel competitions.
Ultimately, the lighting requirements must be tailored to the specific needs of the venue and intended use.
What are LED drivers and how do they work?
One of the most important elements in the operation of LEDs are the drivers. Unlike traditional lighting, LED lighting does not connect directly to the mains, but rather via a driver that transforms the voltage it receives from the mains and adapts it accordingly to the LED luminaire.
Functions of an LED driver:
l Regulating the flow of electricity by ensuring that an LED is always supplied with the correct voltage and current, independent of constant changes in the electrical properties of the LEDs.
l Adjust the voltage supplying the LEDs to supply a constant current in the face of temperature changes that can alter the way the LEDs react to electricity.
Glare reduction
In padel, unlike tennis, both the lob and the smash are very common strokes. This means that players are constantly looking up in order to follow the trajectory of the ball, making the glare a nightmare.
For this reason, it is essential to carefully consider how we minimise the effects of glare in our lighting system and, above all, to use luminaires with optics specially designed for this purpose.
On the images above you can see the before and after of the Padel Court Light replacement. The advantages of new lights recommended by Dolan PCI are:
better for players: no glare
create 50% less light spill out of court
generate much less light pollution
improved relationship with neighbours
Location of floodlights on the Padel Court
It is a norm to place two light points on each “long” side of the court and outside the court enclosures.
Standard UNE-EN 12193 lighting of sports facilities, defines how the lighting should be not only at a quantitative level (illuminance and uniformity) but also at a qualitative level (glare and colour rendering)
The standard differentiates the requirements according to the level of competition by establishing three types of lighting:
l Lighting Class I: Competition at the highest level. Usually national or international. Usually held in large venues with many spectators.
l Lighting Class II: Medium level competition. Regional and local competitions or high competition training.
l Lighting Class III: General training, physical education and Indoor padel court lighting levels
Advantages of LED lighting for Padel Courts in Ireland
Low energy consumption
LED offers lower energy consumption by at least 65% compared to standard lighting.
Instant on
Unlike other traditional solutions, the LED does not need to heat up to emit light at maximum output. This allows us to resume play without waiting during unexpected interruptions such as a power outage.
Increased durability
LED luminaires have a much longer lifespan compared to other technologies, which translates into significant cost savings over time.
Absence of harmful materials
LED spotlights, unlike other options such as HPS, fluorescent, etc. do not incorporate substances such as mercury. A highly polluting element that can pose a risk to both human health and the environment.
Difference between Symmetrical & Asymmetrical lights for Padel Courts
The type of standard LED lights widely used by padel manufacturers are symmetrical due to their reduced price. However, they do not have integrated asymmetrical optics that focus all the lighting on the playing surface. Instead, all of its light is dispersed in every direction. To get more lighting towards the court, they are installed with an inclination (around 30-50 degrees relative to the horizontal). However, this causes a significant amount of light spill towards the top and in front of the court. As a result, the light is dispersed in every direction instead of being concentrated solely on the court.
The optimal solution for padel courts is to replace symmetrical lights with asymmetrical optics and position them at no more than 15 degrees.
How to choose the best lights for Padel Courts ?
Court Lighting is a complex and technical subject that includes various topics. When choosing your court lighting you should consider:
Glare
Shadows
Hot spots ( brights )
Lighting Uniformity
Lighting Pollution
Energy Saving
ILAC homologations
Players experience on the court
Indoor Lights V Outdoor Lights
Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Lighting
Where can I replace my padel court lights in Ireland?
Dolan Padel Courts Ireland offers customized lighting solutions for every padel court. We provide only high-quality illumination systems. Whether you need to replace your current court lights or you are building a new court, please don't hesitate to contact us to inquire about the best Padel Court Lights in Ireland.