You don’t have to install permanent light fixtures to illuminate a workspace. Instead, you can use temporary hand lights. They serve the same purpose by improving visibility in dark environments. Temporary hand lights, however, offer a superior level of portability and versatility. Here’s everything you need to know about temporary hand lights.
What Are Temporary Hand Lights?
Temporary hand lights are portable lights that you can hold in your hand. They typically feature a small- or medium-sized light fixture with a handle and power cord. After connecting the cord to a power source, you can hold the handle to illuminate your workspace.
Temporary hand lights are commonly used in the following applications:
- Construction sites
- Shipyards
- Attics
- Crawlspaces
- Engine bays
- Air ducts
- Mine shafts
Key Features of Temporary Hand Lights
Many temporary hand lights are designed to withstand moisture and dust. There are vapor-proof temporary hand lights, for instance, that can handle harsh environments. Vapor-proof lights are meticulously designed to prevent the intrusion of moisture, dust and other environmental contaminants. They feature a sealed fixture that continues to produce light in the toughest environments.
Temporary hand lights feature a rugged power cord, such as a 16/3 SOW power cord. The “16” refers to the gauge of the cable’s internal conductors in American Wire Gauge (AWG) sizing, whereas the “3” refers to the number of insulated conductors inside of the cable. The “SOW” means the cable is a service cable that’s oil-resistant and weather/water-resistant.
A U-ground plug is a common feature of temporary hand lights. U-ground plugs, of course, are three-prong electrical plugs. Some power cords have a traditional two-prong plug. Temporary hand lights, though, often feature power cords with a U-ground plug. The third prong in U-ground plugs is a grounding path. It provides a low-resistance path for excess electricity in the event of a fault.
You may notice that many temporary hand lights have a hook. The hook is typically found on top of the fixture, opposite to the handle. With a hook, you can hang these temporary hand lights from ceilings or other stable surfaces.
Temporary hand lights are also powerful. They produce bright, illuminating light using an advanced lighting technology. Some temporary hand lights use quartz-halogen technology. They feature a tungsten filament embedded in a quartz with halogen gas. As electricity flows through the filament, it produces light.