Ball Impact Resistance

In sports halls and gymnasiums, fast-moving balls are used, the kinetic energy of which can destroy electrical equipment. Apart from the loss of function of the equipment, parts of it can also fall and pose a risk of accident to people. For this reason, the structural engineering requirements for sports halls are specified in Germany in the standard DIN 18032-1 "Sports halls - Halls for gymnastics, games and multi-purpose use - Principles for planning and construction". According to this standard, luminaires and their accessories, such as mounting rails and suspension means, must be ball-proof.

The test conditions for ball impact resistance of sports hall luminaires are described in DIN 18032-3 "Halls for gymnastics and games, testing of ball impact resistance" and in DIN 57710-13 "Luminaires with operating voltage below 1,000 V, ball impact resistant luminaires". After that, the luminaires are tested with a ball shooter. After a total of 36 handball shots from three directions at an impact speed of about 60 km/h, the luminaires must not show any significant damage; above all, the lamps must not break and no parts must fall off during the test. The ball symbol is awarded as a sign of ball impact safety.

In sports and tennis halls, the installation of surface-mounted luminaires directly on the hall ceiling is not always possible or practical. This is the case, for example, when there is no continuous mountingfläce due to joists or skylights, or when luminaires facing the playing field offer lighting advantages. In these cases, mounting on mounting rails is recommended. The ball impact safety must also be tested and guaranteed in this type of mounting. Unrestricted ball impact safety for surface-mounted and suspended mounting is only guaranteed if the manufacturer's instructions in the installation manual are followed.