The rugged design and construction of Solite luminaires means very little maintenance is required through the life of the fitting, other than the changing of the fluorescent lamps themselves. However, as the fitting is designed for cleanroom or other similar applications, the following actions may be beneficial:

Caution: Isolate luminaires from electricity supply before commencement of any work.

1. Luminaires are suspended by different means i.e. threaded bar coming down from the ceiling above, side arms resting on ceiling grids or cross timbers. After a short period following installation, the supporting mechanisms should be checked to ensure the luminaire has not relaxed and dropped slightly and is fitted tight against the mating ceiling surface. This is particularly important where ceiling voids are used as plenum chambers for air handling plants.
2. Diffuser cover screws and gasket seal should be checked for tightness and seal integrity following installation and after every tube change.
3. When lamp access occurs from the underside, check for damage or looseness of the safety cords supporting the diffuser frame from dropping to the floor.
4. On any occasion when access to the luminaire is carried out, inspect for signs of overheating or water ingress from air handling plant etc. that may not only affect the performance of the luminaire but the integrity of the cleanroom itself.

Spot replacement of Lamps

If the control gear is switch start, Conventional Control Gear (CCG), running only one lamp then only the one lamp will extinguish. If however it is CCG with a series pair of lamps or the gear is Electronic control gear (ECG) then it is likely that one piece of gear controls two or more lamps, in which case all the lamps will extinguish. Thus the failure of one lamp may result in two or more lamps in the fitting going out, giving insufficient illuminance in the space. Spot replacement of tubes alone does not count as adequate maintenance.

Bulk replacement of lamps.

Fluorescent lamps should always be bulk replaced, with additional spot replacements to change premature failures. We would recommend changing lamps as follows:

Halophosphur lamps every 6000 hrs
Triphosphor lamps on CCG every 8000hrs
Triphosphor lamps on ECG every 10000hrs.
As an example, if the installation is on for 10 hrs per day then:
Running hours each day 10 hours/day for 258 days a year = 2580 hours per year, this means that:

Halophosphur lamps need changing every 2.3 years
Triphosphor lamps on CCG need changing every 3 years
Triphosphor lamps on ECG need changing every 3.8 years.

Cleaning the Luminaires.

Whilst Solite luminaries should be cleaned and lamps replaced at regular intervals, any fitted reflectors are best left untouched unless they become dusty, dirty or soiled. Any visible part of the body should be cleaned with hot soapy water and dried thoroughly. The reflector should be handled with care using cotton gloves to avoid finger marking.
If necessary to clean the reflectors, then wash them in clean water and weak detergent. Rinsing in clear water and then again in fresh water with a few drops of detergent or wetting agent added.
Air dry naturally.

Remove stubborn marks with a swab and alcohol, which must be added sparingly. Never use methylated spirits or other solvents, always read the label of cleaning agents to ensure no harmful solvents are present.

Polycarbonate diffusers.

In the event that the diffuser requires cleaning, only use warm water with a mild detergent.
Air dry naturally.
Note: Polycarbonate is particularly susceptible to discolouration as a result of using strong cleaning chemicals. It is not uncommon for standard clean room cleaning agents (designed to kill bacteria / remove contamination) to adversely affect polycarbonate materials by discolouration over a period of time.