COAL MINE LIGHTINING

DR. ANANDA SHANKAR HATI

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR & CHARTERED ENGINEER-INDIA (ELECTRICAL
ENGINEERING)
DEPARTMENT OF MINING MACHINERY ENGINEERING
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (INDIAN SCHOOL OF MINES), DHANBAD.

INTRODUCTION
Artificial lighting has been in use in mines since the very first shaft or adit was sunk. In coal mines, personal
lighting has been used in the form of:
Candle,
Oil lamp,
Flame safety lamp and
Electric lamp.
The provision of lighting in coal mines has-always presented a problem due to the danger of firedamp
ignition. The need for personal lighting underground is obvious but general lighting is also desirable,
particularly today with the ever increasing use of more complex machinery.

BENEFITS OF GENERAL LIGHTING

Easier to work, hence increased efficiency,
Improves safety and
Less risk of eye strain and consequent loss of efficiency of operatives.
GENERAL LIGHTING IS OF PARTICULAR BENEFIT IN MECHANISED
LONGWALL MINING
Light at electrical substations for improved operation & maintenance,
Spotlights on drivage machines for accurate profiling and
Strip lighting on faces for safety, easier maintenance & repair work, accurate cutting
Strip lighting is especially useful on longwall faces. The shearer driver requires a narrow
beam, high intensity cap lamp to be able to see the cutting disc and horizon through the dust
and spray. Hence his peripheral vision is reduced.

TYPES OF LIGHTING
THERE ARE 3 BASIC TYPES OF LAMP.
1. INCANDESCENT LAMP.
2. DISCHARGE LAMP.
3. FLUORESCENT LIGHTING.

INCANDESCENT LAMP
Electric current is passed through a fine wire (filament) which becomes hot and glows. The filament is
usually made of tungsten which has a high melting point of +30000 C.
To prevent the tungsten 'burning', it is placed in a glass bulb from which all air has been extracted.
Although the metal will not burn in an evacuated glass bulb, it will tend to evaporate when heated so
that the filament is continually becoming thinner and will eventually fail.
Evaporation of the filament is retarded by filling the bulb with an inert gas.
Advantage of incandescent lamp
Instant light when switched on.
Disadvantages of incandescent lamp
High operating temperature
Limited filament life (typically 1000 hours)

DISCHARGE LAMPS
The discharge lamp consists of a sealed glass bulb or tube containing an inert gas (argon or neon) together with a
little sodium or mercury. An electrode is sealed in at each end of the tube.
When a sufficiently high voltage is applied across the electrodes the inert gas is ionised and becomes a
conductor. The mercury or sodium is then heated by the passage of current and vaporises. Vaporisation causes
ionisation of the mercury/sodium also which then emits a coloured light.
A starting device is required to strike the initial arc through the inert gas.
Advantages
More efficient than incandescent lamp
Much lower operating temperature.
Disadvantage
Requires long period to warm up, typically 10 - 20 minutes

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING
A fluorescent lighting element is essentially a sealed tube containing argon and mercury vapour with electrodes
at either end. When a high potential difference is applied across the electrodes, the argon is ionised and conducts
an electric current. This in turn causes the mercury to ionise an emit ultra-violet radiation. The ultra violet
activates a fluorescent coating on the inside of the tube which then gives out a strong white light.
A fluorescent lamp requires a starter unit. This pre-heats the lamp electrodes then applies a voltage surge across
them to strike the arc.
ADVANTAGES
Low operating temperature
Efficient
Start-up time not long.

UNDERGROUND LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS

Two types of lamp are generally used in underground coal mine:
Gas-filled tungsten filament bulbs.
Fluorescent tubes.
Discharge lamps are not generally used due to the inherently long
start-up time. Neither is any type of lamp containing sodium vapour
used because of the danger of sodium released into the mine
atmosphere should it be damaged.

TUNGSTEN FILAMENT BULBS

These can be used to give:
A concentrated beam of light
Beam directed fittings are used on roadway drivage machines to
penetrate the dust and spray and allow the operator to cut an accurate
profile.
Diffused general lighting.
General lighting fittings will be used at haulage stations, pit bottoms,
sub-station, etc.

FLUORESCENT LAMPS
Fluorescent lamps are used for general lighting, particularly on coal faces and
in gate roads.
An incandescent lamp is a point source and in a restricted area will always be
in field of view, hence producing glare.
A fluorescent tube produces the same light from a much larger source and
glare poses no problem.
Furthermore, there is a range of intrinsically safe fluorescent tubes which are
smaller and lighter than those with flameproof fittings.

CONSTRUCTION OF FITTINGS
Fittings for underground lighting must be of robust construction, usually of cast or fabricated steel.
Bulbs or tubes are enclosed in thick armoured glass.
With flameproof fittings, the armoured glass is cemented into metal retaining rings or boxes. If
damaged the whole assembly must be replaced immediately. The essential requirements for a
flameproof lamp enclosure are as follows:
a) Proof against the build-up of firedamp inside the lamp which may result in an explosive
mixture
b) Ability to withstand an internal firedamp explosion and prevent any gases hot enough to
ignite firedamp from reaching the outside atmosphere
c) The surface temperature of the exterior of the lamp must be below that likely to ignite
firedamp

The main consideration in the design of the flameproof lamp is to ensure that it will be strong
enough to withstand an external explosion and prevent flame from reaching the outside
atmosphere.
This is achieved by manufacturing the body parts of the enclosure with wide flanges having
machined surfaces.
They are designed to leave a thin air gap between the flanges when bolted together should
an internal explosion occur, the flameproof gaps allow the pressure in the enclosure to be
relieved thus preventing traumatic breakage.
The flame, on passing through the long thin gap, is cooled rapidly and cannot ignite any
explosive mixture outside the enclosure.
The joint between the glass assembly and body of the fitting must conform to flameproof
standards and the gap checked with a feeler gauge each time the glass is removed.

LIGHTING CIRCUITS
Underground lighting operates from a low voltage supply of 110V. This is obtained from a
flameproof transformer fed from the colliery mains supply.
Each circuit is controlled by a double-pole switch fuse unit.
Distribution switchboards are built up by connecting several of these switch units to busbar
units.
Power for face lighting must be supplied from a FLP transformer with fuse and earth
leakage protection. The voltage must not exceed 110V.
Flameproof headlights on roadway drivage machines are supplied from a transformer
in the machine chamber and protected by an earth leakage circuit breaker and fuse
protection.

DESIGN OF LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS

Any lighting installation should be properly planned with regard to the following aims:
To promote the efficiency of underground operations.
To improve the safety of the working environment.
These aims are achieved by
a)

Careful planning of brightness (luminance) the surroundings so that attention is drawn naturally to the
important areas, detail is seen quickly and accurately and the area is free from any gloom and monotony

b) Using directional lighting where appropriate to assist perception of task detail

c)

Controlling direct & reflected glare from light sources to eliminate visual discomfort

d) Correlating lighting throughout the workings to prevent excessive differences between adjacent areas and
so reduce the risk of accidents
Not only should type of lighting and wattage be carefully selected but sitting of lamps must be properly
planned. A poorly designed lighting system will be a waste of money and can be potentially dangerous.