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A Fibre Optic Lighting System consists of three main elements: a light source, a multi-tailed fibre optic harness, and end-fittings attached to each of the multiple tails of the harness.
The light source uses a high efficiency lamp, such as a quartz-halogen tungsten-filament lamp or a metal halide-discharge lamp, which is aligned in a reflector or other optical collection system, resulting in a highly focused spot of light, for injection into the fibre optic harness through the common end.
This is the only component that connects to the main power supply and provides a single, controlled source of light for the multiple output fittings under its control. The light source can be tailored to generate a wide variety of different lighting effects and techniques, by the optional inclusion of ancillary components such as motors, lenses, color filters etc.
The harness is usually made up of several light guides that convey the light to the output fittings. Various fibre qualities and sizes are available to best match the required lighting specifications. The harness has a common end, which is positioned at the focal point of the light source, as well as multi-tailed ends, of different diameters, from which light emerges to provide illumination. The common end is constructed to withstand a high operating temperature at the focal point of the light source, and is of high optical quality to ensure good light injection into the fibres.
The fibres used are of high numerical aperture and large core-to-cladding ratio, resulting in optimized light collection. They are also of low attenuation for the white light spectrum, allowing the design of increasingly long systems between light source and multi-tail mission points.
End fittings, or output fittings are fixed to the end of the transmission is optical fibres and it is at this point that the greatest variety and most adaptable scope is realizable to suit the technical and aesthetic requirements of a given project. End fittings are necessary to secure the fibre ends in position, to provide angular adjustment if necessary, and to control the beam-shape of the resulting illumination spot. A typical design would consist of a mounting bezel, a ball fitting for angular adjustment, and a lens to converge the wide angle light emerging from the fibre end. Due to the high flexibility of the fibres themselves, end fittings can be of any other form, such as flexible or solid bent tubes or they can be designed into existing luminaries. Since they are the only visible part of a lighting system they are often customized and non-standard, and appropriate adjustments should be made to the photometry data used in lighting system design.
Features and advantages of fibre optic lighting systems:
 | Remote location light-source for easy maintenance. |
| Heat – Free light: cold light emission points, Infra Red spectrum is not transmitted. |
| Color control/change: certain light sources use color or dimming programs with local or remote control lines. |
| Focussable light: directional lighting / high contrast ratio: control of beam size by selection of suitable end-fittings for high object contrast ratio. |
| Dimmable light. |
| Moving and colored light. |
| Conservation lighting: UV-filtered light. |
| Intrinsic safety: Electricity- Free lighting: no electric or electromagnetic interference. |
| Low maintenance. |
| Low running costs. |
| Ecologically desirable. |
| Providing designers with great flexibility and versatility in meeting the growing challenges. |
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