Welcome to UKASTLE - the UK Association of Street Lighting Enthusiasts.
UKASTLE was set up in May 2007 with the aim of providing a focal point for all things related to street lighting. Since then we have engaged in many fantastic discussions and shared forgotten or little known information, and as members we have learnt a lot from each others' contributions. Whether you're a lighting devotee, a collector of lanterns, a photographer or just someone who is curious to find out more, please register with us via the discussion forums and enjoy being a part of this association.
Photo Of The Month
Here is where we showcase the best streetlighting photo of the current month. The winning photo is chosen by our membership from a list of photos that have been submitted by each member who has chosen to participate.
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Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:35 am
The winning photo for January 2010 is this picture of Thorn Beta 2's illuminating the end of the road at night, in the snow. Taken by Chris M.
With that first one, I expect the column bracket snapped - and because the area's run-down the council didn't want to put up a new column, so they've taped the bracket remainder to the column!
If they were 'my columns', and I didn't mind the road being unlit for a period of time, I would rather remove the old columns first and then install the new columns afterwards, rather than having the two side by side. Firstly, removing the old columns before the new columns are installed would reduce the risk of the new columns being damaged by the removal of old columns. We may like to think that all street lighting contractors treat street lighting with respect, but there are many who, how should I put this, couldn't really give a damn as long as they get paid at the end of the day. Getting the old columns out of the way before installing new columns would also make the job of installing new columns less constrained for space. Also, on the Havant Bypass, the old and new columns aren't protected by crash barriers. Hence, minimising the number of roadside objects as much as possible improves the passive safety of the road.
Given the age of the existing verge lighting and the cabling, I suspect the old cabling was decommissioned to ensure it didn't get damaged (and reduce the risk to workers cutting through a live cable) when the new verge lighting was installed. The new lighting probably uses all new cabling.
Also new cabling was run through the new concrete barrier, and probably has yet to be connected. It may well have been installed by contractors and since the supply comes from a feeder pillar it may not need SEC to do the final connection, however it will need a full installation test to be carried out which may not have been done yet. Earth loop testing will need to be done at each column which will need an overnight lane closure of at least one outside lane.
Similarly, M27 J4, works, at the end of 2008, turning on the new lighting was one of the last jobs done and again the old lighting was decommissioned as one of the first jobs.
I saw these the other night, and I was left wondering why there are two sets of columns. Normally, a new set of columns is placed alongside the set of columns that they are replacing, so that one set of columns is always illuminating the road. However, all but a couple of random old columns were disconnected a few months back, so the road has been in near darkness but with both new and old columns sat doing nothing.
More progress on the A27 Havant bypass. There is now a new concrete central reservation that has been installed in the last 2 weeks from the A3(M) junction east to the Broadmarsh interchange. On top of this barrier are new galvanised hex section Stainton columns with T brackets and Urbis Sapphires, so very similar to what was installed a few hundred yards to the east except those columns have Iridiums. Most of the 10m slip road lighting on the Havant exit has now been installed although old columns now remain - The new 10m slip road columns are bigger versions of these:
When I went past this morning it was light so I'm not sure if the lighting is in operation yet.
Further east at the Fishbourne interchange there is a new casual hex Stainton hockey stick with of all things - a SGS203. The dreaded Selenium is another casual on an older column.
A Fontwell, more aluminium (10m versions of those in the picture) columns have appeared to replace road traffic casualties as they are now spread randomly about those junctions, but there is also another new Stainton hockey stick with a SGS203.
Posted by: Urbis Saturn Land @ Sun Feb 07, 2010 9:31 pm
Brighouse still has Alpha 3's in the town centre sadly most have either been replaced with an Alpha 8 or an Arc, some have even lost their bowls sadly although Calderdale Council could modify them to a "flat glass" variant. I remember them running MBF in 1998 so the conversion must have happened in 1999 to operate SON.
Even Halifax has some near to the railway station, these ones run on SON.
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Some of you may remember this:
It is one of three identical installations that light a footpath between houses and a field. When this picture was taken, the lamp had burnt out but did receive a new lamp later.
Anyway, as I was walking the dog in the field opposite, I noticed a shiny white egg thing standing there, and I thought "OH NO! Not an Iridium here!"
This is the replacement:
Oddly, the other 2 Gamma 6s and Stanton concrete columns remain... The next one along had a burnt out lamp too at the same time too. I'm not sure why they replaced the Gamma 6 above as the council seem to be doing some random replacements at the moment! Meanwhile, a heavy 1950s concrete column that is cracked around the base and with a blackening lamp hasn't been touched...
I also took this: [You'll need to zoom in]
The SRS201 on the right was added in the late 90s/ early 2000s when a new street using SGS201s was opened. If it wasn't for that single single SGS203, this would be one of the longest stretch of SOX lanterns in my town, including types of MA90s, Alpha 9s, Z9454s, Z9554s, MA50s, Beta 2s and Z9536/8s. I think the SGS203 replaced a sleeved concrete column but I'm not certain. Also note the bracket on the MA90 on the left has come loose at the top of the column!
"Phosco152" wrote They must all be group switched then.. and wot a load of tosh about dirt on the "sensor"
It could be that the celled lantern was under a tree which caused them all to dayburn. It's happened here. [but with one lantern] Either way, it seems like a fair few of the lanterns were dayburning and like you say, it would take 5 minutes to change the cell.
They must all be group switched then.. and wot a load of tosh about dirt on the "sensor"...and doesn't explain why they took so long to fix when all it needed was a new photocell/2 part controller. Hmm 5 minute job and includes getting the bucket van set up if the cell is at "high level".
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