Local football clubs are rarely empty when the final whistle blows.
Players, coaches, volunteers and families can remain around the clubhouse well into the evening. Equipment needs to be packed away, facilities need to be cleaned and people still need to move safely between the clubhouse, surrounding grounds and car park.
Power Bolt Electrical recently completed an exterior lighting upgrade at the Narangba Rangers Rugby League Football Club, improving visibility around the clubhouse for the people who keep the club running.
Upgrading the clubhouse lighting
The job involved upgrading exterior floodlights mounted around the clubhouse and grounds.
These lights help illuminate areas outside the building once natural light begins to disappear. At a busy community facility, that can include entry points, walkways, verandas and the areas used by volunteers before and after training or games.
Exterior lighting can gradually become less effective as fittings age, lighting requirements change or parts of a facility are used differently. A light may still turn on but no longer provide suitable coverage where it is needed.
Replacing older fittings with modern LED floodlights provides an opportunity to improve both the quality and direction of the light.
Better visibility is about more than brightness
Installing the most powerful floodlight available does not necessarily produce the best result.
The position and angle of each fitting determine where the light falls. Poorly aimed floodlights can create glare, leave dark areas between fittings or spill unnecessary light beyond the intended area.
For the Narangba Rangers clubhouse, the upgraded fittings were positioned to direct useful light towards the areas surrounding the facility.
The objective is practical visibility. People should be able to see entrances, steps, paths and activity areas without looking directly into an excessively bright fitting.
Why LED floodlights suit community facilities
Modern LED floodlights can provide strong, directed illumination while using electricity more efficiently than many older lighting technologies.
They also reach full brightness immediately after being switched on. This makes them well suited to clubhouses, sheds, outdoor work areas and other facilities where lighting may be needed at different times throughout the week.
The potential benefits include:
- Clearer illumination around entrances and walkways
- More controlled light distribution
- Reduced energy consumption compared with many older fittings
- Longer operating life
- Less frequent maintenance and replacement
- Immediate full brightness when switched on
Actual energy savings depend on the fittings being replaced, their wattage and how frequently the lights operate. The right upgrade should be based on how the facility is used rather than simply replacing one light with another.
Outdoor lighting needs the right installation
Exterior electrical equipment is exposed to sunlight, rain, wind, insects and changing temperatures.
The fitting needs to be suitable for outdoor use, but the rest of the installation matters as well. Mounting points, cabling, connections and circuit protection all need to be considered.
An exterior lighting assessment may include checking:
- The condition of existing fittings and cabling
- Whether water or corrosion has affected electrical components
- The suitability of mounting positions
- The direction and coverage of the proposed lights
- Existing switches, sensors or timers
- Circuit protection at the switchboard
- Whether additional lighting is required in poorly illuminated areas
This helps ensure the new lights are securely installed and suited to the conditions in which they will operate.
Supporting a local football club
Community football clubs bring together far more than the players on the field.
They rely on coaches, parents, committee members, groundskeepers, sponsors and volunteers contributing their time throughout the season. The clubhouse becomes a shared facility used for training, match days, meetings, events and the work that happens behind the scenes.
Power Bolt Electrical was pleased to help improve the exterior lighting at the home of the Narangba Rangers.
It is a straightforward electrical upgrade, but one that makes the clubhouse more usable for everyone arriving early, leaving late or working around the facility after dark.
Does your exterior lighting need attention?
Exterior lighting should provide useful coverage without excessive glare, unreliable fittings or large areas being left in darkness.
Power Bolt Electrical installs and upgrades exterior lighting for homes, clubhouses, sheds, garages and outdoor areas across North Brisbane and Moreton Bay.
If your outdoor lights are failing, poorly positioned or no longer providing enough coverage, contact Power Bolt Electrical to arrange an assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why upgrade older exterior lights to LED floodlights?
Modern LED floodlights can provide clearer, more controlled illumination while using electricity more efficiently than many older lighting technologies. They also reach full brightness immediately and generally require less frequent replacement.
What should be checked during an exterior lighting upgrade?
An electrician may inspect the existing fittings, cabling, mounting positions, switches, sensors, timers and circuit protection. The direction and coverage of the proposed lighting should also be considered.
Can exterior floodlights be installed at clubhouses and community facilities?
Yes. Outdoor-rated floodlights can be installed at clubhouses, community facilities, sheds, garages and other exterior areas. The fittings and electrical installation must be suitable for the location and environmental conditions.