A parking garage is not a parking lot, at least when it
comes to lighting. A parking garage is a long, narrow
interior space with walls, beams and ceilings and
therefore is a more complex visual and psychological
environment. It’s one of the few places where vehicles
and pedestrians intermix in close, cramped quarters and
a multitude of visual tasks exist simultaneously.
Parking garage luminaires have been divided into two classic types.
First, the reflector or cutoff luminaire. (fig. 1)
FIG. 1
The second type of fixture
historically used is the
refractor system. (fig. 2)
Refractors bathe the interior of the garage,
walls, ceilings and cars in uniform vertical
illumination. However, refractor systems are
known for throwing light everywhere
indiscriminately, meaning excessive
brightness for the driver, the pedestrian
and the outside world.
This cutoff luminaire provides good maintained horizontal
footcandles and has very sharp cutoff to limit light into
drivers and pedestrians eyes. It falls short at elevations
above the horizontal, where vertical foot-candles are on
walls, ceilings, cars and people. Lighting concerns with
these products ranged from its strobe effect to getting
enough illumination between parked cars and between
fixtures.
FIG. 2
Mcgraw-edison
Brings a fourth dimension into the three-dimensional lighting of the garage environment: that of comfort. The McGraw-Edison
PSL luminaire combines both attributes of reflector and refractor into one unit. It provides proper 3-D illumination for the visual
tasks involved as well as allowing designer control over driver glare and light trespass.
NOTE: Consult IES RP20 for complete guidelines on parking garage lumination.
The IES now recognizes that
lighting a parking garage is a
IES RECOMMENDATIONS
(Maintained Illumination for Parking Garages)
three-dimensional task and
therefore requires three-dimensional
illumination.
In recognition of the multitude of
visual tasks that need to be
accomplished in a parking garage,
the inclusion of vertical footcandles
is a critical element of quality
illumination in parking garage
environments.
Low mounting heights mean
a fixture must offer a wide
distribution along with excellent
The IES, in its recently revised metric for parking garages, RP20 ’98, has added an
important element in its consideration of designing lighting for parking garages—
vertical footcandles. It is now realized what the vertical footcandle does to the
glare control. In addition, a broad,
even coverage of light is even more
difficult to achieve because of the
limited mounting height (often less
than 7'), parking density of vehicles,
signage, shadows of columns and
visual environment. Classically, horizontal footcandles have been the only criteria
for the design of parking garages, whether at the horizontal floor plane of 30", 42"
or even 72" above the floor. However, the horizontal footcandle does not go far
enough in providing a comfortable environment for the multitude of visual tasks in
the parking garage.
vehicles, and difficulty in
maintaining surface reflectance
and cleanliness of parking garage
There are three (3) main visual tasks involved:
1) Providing enough illumination for the driver of the car to safely negotiate the
fixtures. With this in mind, the PSL
series garage luminaire has been
developed to provide excellent
vertical illumination, without
sacrificing good visibility for
vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
garage while avoiding pedestrians.
2) Enabling pedestrians’ to visually identify their cars, as well as providing a
feeling of safety and security.
3) Containing light within the structure, so that no wasteful, glaring light is emitted
into the surrounding neighborhood (light trespass).
psl system—optics
PSL’S 3-D ILLUMINATION
IS PROVIDED BY
UNIQUELY SHAPED
OPTICS:
• Refractors become more efficient
when they have to deviate light
the least. The overall contour of
the refractor was designed to
minimize the depth of the prism,
which minimizes dirt
accumulation and maximizes
light transmission due to Snell’s
Law.
• The concave bottom was designed
to maximize fixture throw while
minimizing surface brightness.
The light that leaves this lower
surface is minimal directly from
the lamp, but becomes maximum
when used with glare guards for
the driver-side shielding.
• An uplight window has been
provided with the reflector system
for a uniform quantity of uplight
for ceiling and wall illumination.
PSL maximizes the uniform
spread of light across the ceiling,
reducing the visual cave effect of
a parking garage.
Single-Row ConfigurationDouble-Row Configuration
The glass refractor has an asymmetric Type II distribution and is designed to throw light into the corners of a rectangular parking
bay. It can be used in single-row and double-row configurations. A quick-mounting bracket provides proper orientation for
fixture mounting to provide the correct optical distribution. One fixture can be used for both single- and double-row
installations.
270°
180°
CANDELA
60°
30°
°
0
5
1
30°
°
0
2
30°
1
90°
60°
PSL system—Glare Guard
GLARE GUARD
Glare guards provide increased
visibility for the driver. Excessive
direct glare, a function of lamp
wattage, fixture placement and
distribution, can cause discomfort
and disability glare, a dangerous
distraction for drivers and
pedestrians. PSL glare guards
diminish this distraction for drivers,
increasing their visual comfort and
visibility.
Field-installable internal glare guards
redirect a 60º horizontal segment of
light emitted towards the driver into
the pedestrian walkways and driving
stalls. These specular, faceted inserts
redirect light around the lamp to
minimize the arc tube voltage rise
through the upper prism structures
and the lower concave prism profile.
They clip into preset labeled
locations and lock into place without
tools, yet cannot be removed during
normal maintenance. They are ideal
accessories for providing an
optimized driving environment.
270°
180°
CANDELA
60°
30°
°
0
5
1
°
0
2
30°
1
90°
60°
30°
Single-Row ConfigurationDouble-Row Configuration
Glare guards are ideal for single- and double-row installations. The 60º segments lock into preset locations without tools and
can be installed at any time. The light is redirected into the walkways and stalls. Glare guards may even be installed in pairs
for two-way traffic areas for complete driver light control.
PSL system—light trespass shield
LIGHT TRESPASS SHIELD
Light trespass shield cuts off any
illumination towards the exterior of
the parking garage. Designed into 90º
horizontal quadrants, they are field
installable and remain in place during
maintenance. These louvers are
designed to cutoff the vertical angles
of light above 57º and can be used
in combination with glare guards and
in any position depending on a fixture’s
orientation.
Light Trespass Shields (LTS) are designed to provide 57º cutoff, the angle found in the double-row system between the fixture
and the edge of the parking deck. Older garages may not have the 42" stall wall found in newer garages.
Interior of Structure
Exterior of GarageSection of Interior
180°
CANDELA
270°
60°
30°
°
0
5
1
°
0
2
30°
1
90°
60°
30°
specification features
ANTENNA GUARD
Cast low copper marine-grade
aluminum is precision formed.
Extra-heavy wall thickness (min. 0.44")
provides exceptional protection from
car antennas and vandalism.
MOUNTING
Choice of either quick J-box
mounting with circular J-box
plate (standard) or four (4)
1/2" conduit taps with CT
options. Mounting plate has
alignment arrows for proper
orientation. Fits standard 4"
J-box. Fixture locks into place
without tools.
TAMPER-PROOF
One tamper-proof screw
releases entire fixture for
field maintenance. Entire
fixture does not need to be
disassembled for removal
when used with J-box
mounting.
LIGHT TRESPASS SHIELD
Cast low copper (min. 0.187")
marine-grade aluminum with
extra-heavy wall thickness provides
exceptional light control in 90º horizontal
segment. Light is cutoff in the 57º to 90º
vertical angle. Installs with two (2)
screws.
GLARE GUARD
Internal faceted specular aluminum reflector with 95% total reflectivity redirects
a 60º horizontal segment of light along the driving lane and into parking stalls.
Installs without tools internal to refractor into preset locations for single- and
double-row installations.
TORSION SPRINGS
Relamping springs allow the refractor to be retained during
relamping. Springs hold weight of refractor while
releasing/tightening access screws.
LENS GASKETS
Liquid injection molded
silicone gasket provides
continuous seal
between housing and
refractor assembly.
EASY ACCESS
The PSL’s optical housing can be
easily removed for access to
electrical components.
specification features
HOUSING
Die-cast, low copper, marine-grade alloy
(A360) aluminum is precision formed. Extra
heavy wall thickness (min. 0.123") housing
provides exceptional heat sinking to keep
components cool. Screw bosses are cast into
back of housing for structural integrity.
BALLAST
HID—HPF, -20º starting Dual-Tap standard. For use
with up to 175W Metal Halide lamp, 150W High
Pressure Sodium or 85W QL Induction.
OPTICS
Molded tempered borosilicate glass
refractor. Glass shock-absorbing system
consists of 16 gauge steel ring to support
the full round lens; the lens floats on the
injection-molded silicone gasket for
additional protection. Main specular
aluminum reflectors are one-piece spun
and uplight window provides a wide
distribution of uplight.
SOCKET
HID—4KV pulse rated
medium-base with
nickel-plated screw shell.
WIRING
Plug Ease™wiring system; lead wires
are encased in a liquid injection-molded
silicone gasket, which provides water-and
dust-tight seal between housing and
junction box.
HARDWARE
Stainless steel Philips head fasteners.
Recessed screw heads on casting.
Fasteners are captive in the die-cast
during relamping and sealed via
silicone gasket. Gaskets compress
for proper sealing.
FINISH
Fixture is painted white to minimize contrast borders
between the fixture and the ceiling plane, allowing the
units visual luminance to blend in. Premium TGIC
textured thermoset polyester powder coat finish
protects and provides a durable, rugged finish. 500-hour
salt spray test. Applied in a five-stage finishing process.
LABELS
cUL listed for wet locations in all
mounting positions; IP65 rated.
LENS GASKETS
Liquid injection-molded silicone gasket provides
continuous seal between housing and refractor
assembly.
14 3/4" [375mm]
11 7/8"
[302mm]
photometric performance
Side Throw with LTS
30°
60°
90°
Driver Aisle with GG60
30°
60°
90°
Maximum CD ThrowDriving Aisle
30°
60°
2000
4000
90°
Driver Aisle with GG60
30°
60°
90°
Maximum CD ThrowDriving Aisle
30°
60°
570
90°
285
PHOTOMETRICS
PSL-175-MH-MT / 175-Watt Metal Halide / 14,400-Lumen Clear Lamp