IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE OUR congregations have been able to worship together in person. Gathering limitations and other factors have kept the majority of our members away.

While none of us expected these new changes to last as long as they have, we’ve become accustomed to finding new solutions to allow us to continue to reach our congregations, whether they are able to join us in person or from home. As the warm weather returns, many facilities are putting together plans to move their worship services to an outdoor space where there is more room to spread out, allowing more of our congregations to join together to worship.

 

 

While some congregations will not need to use any stage lighting when they meet outdoors, others would like to maintain the visual interest that the lighting can provide. And, of course, if a service is to take place in the evening, a lighting system of some capacity will be needed.

 

Using lighting in an outdoor space can be simple and straightforward, if we plan ahead properly and take certain precautions. One of the initial hurdles we face universally is inclement weather. Most lighting fixtures today contain electronic components and these need to be protected from the elements. Not too long ago, when using entertainment-style fixtures in outdoor applications, our options to protect them from damage were limited. We could do a low-cost option and cover them in plastic bags when not in use, but that also made them unavailable to use until the bag was removed. If the weather was still unfavourable, we had to do without them or risk permanent damage by exposing them. 

 

A more expensive option was to purchase specialty housings to place the fixtures inside. The use of these housings was rare in temporary event situations because of the size and added hassle of setting them up. However, they were quite popular and are still used in permanent outdoor displays and venues. 

 

As the need to use entertainment lighting outdoors increased, companies began to develop weather-resistant lighting fixtures. Initially, the offerings were limited to simple, static incandescent wash or spotlight fixtures. As technology improved, static outdoor LED fixtures became readily available. And finally, we are now getting to a point where there are a number of outdoor-rated moving lights to choose from as well.

 

Elation’s Paladin Panel can illuminate large areas of any outdoor event.

 

How do these outdoor versions of lighting fixtures differ from the indoor styles we are used to? And what information is important to know about the specifications of the fixtures when looking to use them for our outdoor event or service? Those are the main questions that come up when discussing these types of fixtures. While the differences may seem to be minimal, they are important to take note of.

 

One obvious specification that we should look into is the IP rating of a fixture. The IP rating standard was created by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and is applied to any industrial or consumer device. This rating system gives us an idea of the type of environment that a device can operate in without the risk of causing damage to the internal components. IP stands for Ingress Protection and is designated by a two-digit number and possibly two additional letters.

 

The first number designates the device’s protection from solid particles, such as dust. This is given on a scale of 0–6 – 0 indicating no protection and 6 indicating a dust-tight device. The second number represents a device’s protection from liquids. This is given on a scale of 0–8 – 0 indicating no protection and 8 indicating the product can be immersed up to 3m in depth. 

 

Most indoor-rated entertainment fixtures have a rating of IP20. They can filter dust but buildup will occur, and they have no guarantee against liquid ingress damage. When wanting to use a fixture outdoors, a rating of at least IP65 is preferred. This will ensure the fixture is dust-proof and can withstand water jets hitting the enclosure without it causing damage. Some fixtures offer a lower rating of IP54, and those can be used outdoors, but should not be left exposed for any extended periods of time and should not be in standing water or heavy rain. 

 

IP-rated or outdoor lighting fixtures have a few key differences that we need to take note of when looking into purchasing them. One weak point in entertainment fixtures is the temporary power and data connectors that we use. IP-rated fixtures use IP65 connectors and, to maintain that rating, the cables that are used to send power and data to the fixtures need to use IP-rated connectors on their end as well.

 

Some IP connectors are not compatible with non-IP versions, but XLR is one that is, so make sure that you choose IP65 XLR DMX cables when using the devices outdoors. Because of the IP rating and the seals that are required to protect against water, the fixtures may require specialised tools to perform any maintenance.

 

ADJ’s 18P Hex IP is rated IP65

 

Any time a fixture needs to be opened or the seal needs to be broken, for even a lamp or gobo change, an IP test needs to be performed to ensure the IP rating is maintained. This test needs to be performed with an IP test tool approved by the fixture manufacturer. Luckily, IP-rated fixtures typically require less maintenance than non-IP versions because of their dust and water protection. IP-rated fixtures do not have to be regularly disassembled and cleaned like their non-IP versions. This is a side benefit of the technology. For some customers that use a lot of atmospheric effects in their spaces, installing IP fixtures offers protection from fluid buildup and dust accumulation, which saves money on maintenance. So even if they are not going to use the fixtures outdoors, they could install IP-rated versions to eliminate the regular maintenance requirements. 

 

We should also mention that IP-rated fixtures are going to be heavier than non-IP rated versions. This is because they use metal exterior components and heavy gaskets to seal the device and provide the protection. If we are going to being hanging a system of IP fixtures, you may not be able to rig as many on a structure because of the increased weight. It also may be beneficial to use more than one technician to lift a fixture into place, so please take note of this as you are planning your rigging. 

 

Hopefully we can return to a more normal worship environment soon, but we will continue to adapt to the challenges we face. If we want to enhance our outdoor service or produce a special evening event, IP-rated fixtures would help to alleviate the additional challenge that inclement weather could present. It could also be useful to some venues that don’t have easy access to fixtures to perform regular maintenance.

 

Numerous styles of fixtures are available with IP ratings, so we will not be limited in our choices if we need to explore that option. Not too long ago, IP-rated lighting was a very specialised category, limited to architectural installations. Its entrance into entertainment lighting has certainly solved a lot of problems and headaches that we faced in the past in simply using creative lighting outdoors. Its growing popularity and availability will allow us to continue to offer the high-quality visual experience that our congregations have come to enjoy, whether our service is offered indoors or out.