Ultra low temperature lighting

Does anyone know of any LED lighting that can be used at -50°C?  It seems most manufacturers only test down to -40°C.  We are currently using incandescent bulbs in our application, but the heat and electrical loads are pretty large.  I'm sure somebody in Alaska has used some for outdoor lighting that work on those super cold days.

MetsFan said:

Does anyone know of any LED lighting that can be used at -50°C?  It seems most manufacturers only test down to -40°C.  We are currently using incandescent bulbs in our application, but the heat and electrical loads are pretty large.  I'm sure somebody in Alaska has used some for outdoor lighting that work on those super cold days.

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First off, where in the world would this even be used where that was the design SPECIFICATION operating temperature. I think other problems would be encountered other than just lighting at that extreme temp.

We design ultra low temperature freezers for pharmaceutical companies. -20°C used to be the standard but it seems they are slowly creeping towards -40, -50, and have even received a request for a -80°C freezer.

MetsFan said:

We design ultra low temperature freezers for pharmaceutical companies. -20°C used to be the standard but it seems they are slowly creeping towards -40, -50, and have even received a request for a -80°C freezer.

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At -80 deg C, who needs light?  LOL

Holophane makes some various hazardous location LED lighting but I'm not sure if they go below -40 deg C.

Thanks, I contacted them a couple of weeks back.  They showed me this fixture: http://www.holophane.com/products/family.asp?brand=hlp&family=PHS - Phuzion LED High Bay&producttype=Indoor&category=LED&subcategory=LED

Since it has a remote driver, the actual LED's and fixture would be the only parts subjected to the -50°C ambient.  In theory it would work, but it hasn't been tested.  I actually purchased a couple of Kurtzon LED fixtures to test in one of the other freezers we've built.  I'll let you know if it works.

Plasma lighting goes down to -40.

http://luxim.resilient.lighting/downloads/lep-sta-luminaire-design-guide.pdf

The biggest issue i see with using LEDs in that temperature (if they even make them) is the lack of heating from the LEDs which present lighting provides to remove ice/snow buildup on lenses and housing. 

just my 2 cents

Owism said:

The biggest issue i see with using LEDs in that temperature (if they even make them) is the lack of heating from the LEDs which present lighting provides to remove ice/snow buildup on lenses and housing. 

just my 2 cents

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Way to bump a 2-year old thread! :thumbs:

Most freezer manufacturers include their own lights for their equipment, that way they can be factory tested to whatever specifications they want to use.   I guess that's what you're doing here.  I've never had to search for any such type fixture and I've designed lighting for hospitals, university research labs, restaurants, etc.  I'm curious, what did you end up using?