Proper lux (lighting) level in textile mills can conserve energy by more than 50 per cent, improve productivity and reduce waste level and defects considerably, according to Southern India Mills' Association (SIMA).
With a steep increase in power cut in the last decade, textile mills in India, particularly spinning mills, have reduced the lux level to conserve energy,a study by SIMA said.
For a spinning mill, the lighting bill accounted for one to 1.5 per cent of the total electricity bill and reduction in lux level has considerably affected labour productivity and increased waste generation and defects, it said.
Therefore it was essential to maintain optimum lux level recommended by National and International Organisations, the study said, adding the norms were applicable only for conventional fluorescent lamps.
With the latest technology LED lamps, lux levels could be reduced by 15 to 20 per cent, which also cut electricity bills up to 70 per cent and the payback period ranged between seven months and 15 months, SIMA said.
Care has to be taken while choosing LED lamps which need to have high quality electronic components, circuits and isolated drivers.
Normally, a 25,000-spindle mill would need 30 KW for lighting with conventional fluorescent lamps and it could be reduced upto 16 KW with the latest technology industrial lamps, resulting in a saving of over Rs 13 lakh per year, the study said.
Optimum illuminance avoids occupational hazards for textile worker, who needs to continuously focus on the process for identifying breaks, defects and also ensure safety.
Since textile mills worked round the clock throughout the year, it was all the more important to have proper lux level and tailor made technology to suit individual mill conditions, it said.
