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FACILITIES GUIDE | JUNE 2020
LIGHT SOURCES
Many types and lamps available today can be used for the lighting tennis courts. The most
appropriate lamps in common usage are described below, including the range of lamp types and
wattages and efficacies. Efficacy describes the ratio between the light output (lumens) and power
input (watts).
Lamp type Range of suitable
wattages
Efficacy
lm/W
Advantages Disadvantages
Metal halide 400 to 2000 60 - 100 White light with good
colour rendering
High efficiency
Low running costs
Relatively long lifetime
High replacement
cost
Length of time to
reach full strength
(10-15 minutes)
High-pressure
sodium
250 to1000 90-130 Very high efficiency
Low running cost
Long lifetime
Poor colour
rendering
Length of time to
reach full strength
(10-15 minutes)
Fluorescent 55-60 60 - 100 Good colour rendering
and low glare
High efficiency
Suitable for use with
time clocks
Inefficient at low
temperatures
Require deflectors to
enable light to
diffuse in correct
direction
Noisy, therefore
distracting to players
Low lumen package
Tungstenhalogen 500-2000 20-25 Good colour rendering
Low initial cost
Suitable for use with
time clocks
Relatively small fixtures
Short lifetime
Low efficiency
High maintenance
and operating costs
Table 8. Summary of lamps in common usage.
