Case Study - The Abbey School, Faversham – LED Sports Floodlighting
Project Overview
The Abbey School in Faversham commissioned SJB Floodlighting to refurbish the floodlighting system serving its football pitch.
The project involved replacing the existing metal halide floodlights with a modern LED sports floodlighting system, designed to provide a 200-lux lighting level while significantly reducing the energy required to operate the installation.
The Challenge
The existing football pitch lighting consisted of 12 metal halide floodlights, with the system consuming approximately 26kW of direct energy.
The refurbishment provided an opportunity to modernise the installation, improve energy efficiency and replace the ageing metal halide technology with LED floodlighting.
The LED Floodlighting Solution
SJB Floodlighting installed a total of 12 Philips LED floodlights, comprising:
4 × Philips BVP 528 T35 A55-NB LED floodlights
8 × Philips BVP 518 T35 A55-NB LED floodlights
The new floodlights were accurately aimed in accordance with the project’s computer-generated lighting design to provide the required distribution across the football pitch.
Significant Energy Reduction
One of the key benefits of the LED refurbishment was the substantial reduction in the power required to operate the floodlighting system.
The existing installation consumed approximately 26kW, while the new LED system was designed to consume just 14.07kW.
This represents a saving of approximately 11.93kW, or 46%, compared with the previous system.
The reduction in energy consumption provides the school with the potential for significant ongoing savings in electricity costs, while also reducing the energy required to operate the sports facility.
Instant On/Off Operation
The LED system also provides a significant operational advantage over the previous metal halide lighting.
Unlike traditional metal halide floodlights, which require warm-up periods, the new LED floodlights can be switched on at full power and off immediately.
This allows the lighting to be used more efficiently around pitch bookings. Where there is a gap between bookings, the floodlights can be switched off rather than remaining on while waiting for the next session.
Upgraded Electrical Equipment
As part of the refurbishment, the existing floodlight operating equipment was removed and replaced with new LED drivers.
New flexible cabling was installed between the column base compartments and the replacement floodlights, while the local switchgear within the column base cabinets was modified to suit the new LED installation.
Testing & Commissioning
Each column was function tested following installation, followed by full system testing and commissioning once all the floodlights had been installed.
After dark, illumination level testing was carried out to verify the lighting performance, with a report provided.
The completed electrical installation was also tested in accordance with BS 7671, with the appropriate certification provided.
Operational instruction was also provided to the school’s staff, together with an operating manual, ensuring the new system could be used effectively.
Project Benefits
The completed LED refurbishment provided The Abbey School with a modern and more efficient football pitch lighting system.
Key benefits include:
46% reduction in direct floodlighting energy consumption
Reduced electrical load from approximately 26kW to 14.07kW
Instant-on and instant-off operation
Improved control over lighting during pitch bookings
Modern LED technology replacing traditional metal halide equipment
Professionally designed and aimed lighting
Illumination testing and electrical certification following completion
Project Result
The completed project transformed the school’s existing football pitch floodlighting, replacing the previous metal halide technology with an efficient modern LED system.
The combination of improved energy efficiency, instant operation and a professionally designed 200-lux lighting installation provides The Abbey School with a more practical and economical solution for its sports facilities.
By reducing the system’s direct energy consumption by approximately 46%, the refurbishment also provides the school with the potential for significant ongoing reductions in the cost of operating the football pitch floodlighting.
SJB Floodlighting
SJB Floodlighting specialises in the design, installation and refurbishment of sports floodlighting systems for schools, clubs and sporting facilities.
The Abbey School project demonstrates how existing sports lighting infrastructure can be upgraded using modern LED technology, delivering improved efficiency and reducing ongoing energy consumption.
