Global Sports: Tennis Court Lighting: Increasing the Hours of Your Tennis Day

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Tennis Court Lighting: Increasing the Hours of Your Tennis Day

By Damien Neckar


There are only so many hours in the day, but with a good tennis court lighting system that doesn't have to limit your play time. During the summer there are long periods of time where it is extremely nice outside but too dark to play.

You should try to capitalize on these hours by having a lighting system installed at home or the local club. Owners of club facilities can be convinced to add tennis court lighting because it can draw tournaments and paying customers.

Lighting systems should be built to a certain set of requirements and standards. The most widely used set are distributed and followed by the ATP and the majority of lighting implementations try to abide by it.

The ATP standards do not need to be followed exactly, especially by recreational players. Club owners however should understand that most official tournament events will require lighting of a certain quality.

The most important of these standards is the uniformity of the light. If the ball is not lit from all angles of the court the player will simply not be able to see the ball well.

Achieving good uniformity is done through implementing a good design. Four light poles on each side of the court is generally the best strategy for an outdoor solution. Indoor courts may have lights mounted on something else, but they should be at least 20 feet off the ground.

Part of having a good design is considering the safety requirements. Lights are mounted as high as 60 feet of the ground and need to be secured firmly. Talk to a structural engineer about the proper method for securing the height of your light poles.

Getting power to your lighting system is most easily done with underground wires. This option is best for both safety and the overall appearance of the tennis facility. It's important to consult an electrician about the safety details of the wiring.




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