SA Ex Instruments has recently acquired the agency for Adaro's range of ATEX explosion-proof cap lamps and intrinsically safe rechargeable safety torches.
100+ years of experience in lighting equipment for mines
Adaro Tecnologia S.A. of Spain has been manufacturing safety and personal protection equipment for the mining industry since the precursor of the present company was established in 1901 by Luis Adaro y Magro.
From acetylene to Nicads
Adaro soon started specialising in the production of safety lighting for mining. The carbide and acetylene lamps of the first decade were followed in 1914 by the safety petrol lamp, which was the first safety lamp manufactured in Spain, and later on the safety gasoline lamp. New developments during the 30s and 40s permitted the design of the electric hand lamp and the electric-pneumatic lamp fed with compressed air. During the 50s and 60s, the first lead-acid cap lamps for mining were manufactured under foreign licences. More recently, Adaro designed the Alfa Caplamp, which is more ergonomic and lighter thanks to its nickel-cadmium battery and advanced electronics.
The experience acquired in portable lighting and the constant search for innovative applications led Adaro to go into other markets, and Adaro developed the safety rechargeable torches models Adalit L-2000 and Adalit L-100. The latter obtained the Company Innovation Award granted by the Government of Asturias (Spain) in 1999.
Adaro currently markets its ATEX lighting products in Europe, Asia, America, and now (in collaboration with SA Ex Instruments) - for the first time in Africa as well.
Explosion-proof cap lamps
Adaro manufactures two types of explosion proof cap lamps: the standard Alfa Caplamp with nickel-cadmium battery, and the environmentally friendly Alfa Ecology with Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery. Both types of battery are maintenance free, and the cap lamps share the same functional, ergonomic and constructional characteristics.
To ensure a long life expectancy, the thermoplastic materials used have been tested under extreme conditions, assuring high resistance to shocks, abrasion or corrosion, whilst the protection lens is made of hardened glass, which is durable and resistant to scratching. The cable can be bent sharply without risk of breakage, it is flame retardant, and resistant to grease or acid. Operation of the cap lamps' two bulbs is by a turning switch. The central halogen bulb has a life expectancy of over 300 h, the standard auxiliary bulb ensures a longer autonomy in emergency situations.
The Alfa Caplamp's Ni-MH battery is lighter, environmentally friendly, can be charged rapidly, ensures greater autonomy, and can be charged using chargers from most other makes, so there is no need to replace current chargers. The Alfa Ecology Basic also comes with an electronic control function - protected against humidity and mechanical vibrations by an encapsulation made of a special resin - which allows a limitation of the discharge voltage, indicates impending disconnection of the lamp, and is immune to radio signal interference.
Intrinsically safe, rechargeable safety torches
Adalit L100A
This torch has been developed in cooperation with the Paris Fire Brigade. It is compact, lightweight, and easy to handle, even in extreme situations or emergencies. It is manufactured from highly resistant thermoplastic resin, with a 4 mm polycarbonate lens and to an IP degree of 67. Its twin-bulb design allows one to choose between a long range focused luminous beam - using the main bulb - or a short range scattered beam using the auxiliary bulb. It has three modes (normal, intermittent and adjustable light intensity). The average life expectancy of the bulbs is 300 h, with an autonomy of 2 hours between recharges. There's a warning signal every 15 seconds when charge in the battery has dwindled to within 10 minutes of completely flat.
Adalit L2000
The bigger L2000 shares the L100A's main characteristics, but its larger size means that it offers a longer (4h) autonomy. Its tilt head allows for hands free use by means of its built-in clip when worn in, say, a jacket pocket or belt. It also comes with an LED Battery level indicator.
Battery-powered intrinsically safe torches
SA Ex Instruments also market a wide range of battery-powered intrinsically safe torches, with normal bulbs or LEDs. All come with robust housings, be they plastic, steel or non-sparking aluminium.
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