Modern stable lighting in livestock production has special demands: high humidity and frequently high levels of dust and ammonia provide challenging conditions for lighting. Furthermore, stables for cattle, sheep, goats, swine and horses should have optimum quality of light that provides a pleasant color temperature for animals¹. The lighting specialist Osram has now developed a solution that meets the complete range of requirements for modern stable lighting in the form of the Monsun 2 LED luminaire with a cover made from the thermoplastic resin polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The ammonia-resistant damp-proof luminaire with special PMMA cover is not only an innovative solution for the special ambient conditions existing in livestock stables, but is also an economic decision for managers aiming at maximum energy efficiency. 

The ammonia-resistant Monsun 2 LED damp-proof luminaire with PMMA cover meets all requirements for modern stable lighting. (All photos courtesy of Osram)

The Monsun 2 LED luminaire was developed by Osram to provide a lighting solution specifically for livestock stables that has convincing performance in terms of robustness and longevity. The LED luminaire is not only extremely dust-tight and water-proof (with IP66 protection rating) but is also ammonia-resistant. Its special cover of PMMA ensures significantly increased resistance when used in livestock stables. As a result, adverse ambient conditions are the perfect application – high lumen output, robust housing, lighting quality optimum for livestock production, a color temperature pleasant for animals and a long service life are the convincing decision criteria of the luminaire. In practice the luminaire also scores points with simple mounting and cleaning.  "Upgrading lighting systems in livestock stables is a very topical issue up to the end of the year," explained Rainer Wrenger, application expert at Osram Lighting Solutions. 

Farmers receive state support to the end of the year for refurbishing their livestock stables with LED lighting systems.

Around 285,000 farms² in Germany operate approximately one million agricultural buildings. "We assume that 7 from 10 of these buildings are equipped with a lighting system," continued Wrenger. "That means around 8.5 million light points of which about 70% could become significantly more energy-efficient and economic if upgraded to LED technology". 31.12.2016 is the final date to which operators may register (www.ble.de) to take advantage of a subsidy program from the German Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE). Among other benefits this supports investments in agricultural operations and the upgrading of conventional lighting systems to energy efficient stable lighting with LED technology. The refurbishment process must not start before the application and if subsidy is approved by the BLE it must be completed within 12 months. Farmers receive a 15% contribution to the investment volume. Current legislation also limits the use of previously used lighting technology – no more luminaires equipped with magnetic ballasts (LLCG) may be used in new systems for agricultural operations from April 2017.

In terms of investment the Monsun 2 LED (PMMA) also proves to be a good deal because its payback period is a maximum of 2.5 years. "Realistic calculations demonstrate that investment costs needed for upgrading go hand-in-hand with significantly lower energy and maintenance costs during the course of the service life. Specifically, costs with a ten-year operating life of the Monsun 2 LED in dairy cattle stables are cut by up to 59% compared to conventional lighting systems," explained Rainer Wrenger.

Refurbishing pays: by upgrading to LED in livestock stables, 59% of energy costs can be saved (example of dairy cattle stables for 160 cows, stable size approx. 1,850 m², luminaire mounting height 7.5 m)

Facts about the Monsun 2 LED (PMMA diffuser)

The Monsun 2 LED is available in various formats (4000 lm, 5000 lm and 6000 lm rated luminous flux); the luminaire has approval mark "D" (for use in rooms with combustible dust in accordance with VDE and VdS specifications); luminaire efficiency is up to 162 lm/W; the luminaire has a 5-year guarantee.

¹ luminaire not suitable for hen houses 

² Federal Statistical Office: situation report 2013/2014, BMEL 2014