Prestigious Cricket Grounds Case Study:
Abacus Lighting Completes Three Major Projects at Kensington Oval, Lord’s and Arnos Vale Cricket Grounds
Abacus Lighting, in partnership with M3 Innovations creators of the Challenger MAKO, has recently completed lighting projects at three of the world’s premier cricket grounds: Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, Kensington Oval in Barbados, and Arnos Vale Stadium in St. Vincent. Over a span of just four months, these significant undertakings have reaffirmed Abacus Lighting’s status as the leader in sports lighting solutions.
These prestigious cricket venues have all transitioned to Abacus Lighting’s cutting-edge LED floodlight, the Challenger MAKO - the first LED fixture designed specifically for the unique needs of cricket grounds. This marks a new era in sports lighting, showcasing the company’s continuous commitment to innovation and excellence. The Challenger MAKO floodlights boast an unrivalled lumen-to-weight ratio, delivering the highest power output from the lightest possible fixtures. Each installation has benefitted from the floodlight’s advanced technology, ensuring these grounds are primed for both day and night matches with exceptional clarity and coverage.
The T20 World Cup, which has been staged around the world this month (June 2024) was a significant factor in the decision to upgrade the lighting at both Kensington Oval and Arnos Vale. The new lighting ensures the grounds meet the highest standards required for such a prestigious tournament. The Challenger MAKO floodlights enhance visibility and broadcast quality, making the matches more enjoyable for both spectators and viewers around the world.
The installation of the Challenger MAKO at Lord’s and Kensington Oval marks a significant upgrade from their previous lighting systems. The lightweight and efficient design of these floodlights ensures that each ground can achieve optimal lighting conditions with minimal structural impact, a key consideration for these historic and iconic venues.
Kensington Oval - Barbados
Prestigious Cricket Grounds Case Study:
Lord’s - London, England
Did You Know?
The T20 Cricket World Cup final will be held at Kensington Oval this year, one of just three grounds to host the final more than twice, with Lord’s in England being another.
Lord’s Cricket Ground, known as the “Home of Cricket,” has a storied history and a reputation for excellence. The new lighting system enhances both day and night matches, providing a world-class experience for players and spectators.
Kensington Oval, situated in the heart of the Caribbean, is famous for its vibrant atmosphere and passionate fans. The improved lighting ensures every match is a spectacle, maintaining the Oval’s status as a premier cricketing venue. This year, the T20 Cricket World Cup final will be held at Kensington Oval, making it one of just three cricket grounds in the world to hold the prestigious honour of hosting the Cricket World Cup final more than twice; another able to boast this accolade is Lord’s in England.
Lord’s and Kensington Oval have a history of trusting Abacus Lighting as their lighting provider. The decision to upgrade to the Challenger MAKO floodlights signifies the trust and satisfaction these venues have in the company’s products and services. Abacus Lighting, working alongside M3 Innovations, takes great pride in continuing these valued partnerships, ensuring these cricketing landmarks remain at the pinnacle of the sport.
Arnos Vale Stadium, nestled in the picturesque island of St. Vincent, now enjoys state-of-the-art lighting with its brand-new installation. This modern installation supports Arnos Vale’s role in hosting international cricket and other sporting events, ensuring it meets the standards of top-tier venues worldwide. The new lights were installed in time for the grounds to host the Super Eight stages of the T20 World Cup on 22-June and 24June.
Abacus Lighting’s dedication to product development and innovation ensures the company stays at the forefront of the lighting industry. The successful completion of these high-profile projects within a short time-frame underscores our ability to deliver top-tier solutions on a global scale. As leaders in lighting, Abacus Lighting and M3 Innovations remain committed to setting new standards and illuminating the future of sports and entertainment.
Abacus Lighting’s Challenger MAKO - Unmatched weight-to-light output LED lighting solution designed specifically for cricket
Prestigious Cricket Grounds Case Study:
The Abacus Approach:
Abacus Lighting’s brief was for the stadium lighting to meet current broadcasting standards, lower power consumption, and increase energy efficiency. The lighting upgrades at Lord’s, Arnos Vale, and the new installation at Kensington Oval cricket ground all aim to significantly contribute to the venues’ stated goal of becoming carbon neutral.
Abacus Lighting’s Challenger MAKO LED stadium luminaries were specifically chosen because they offer low power consumption, can be retrofitted to existing masts, reduce maintenance costs by lasting approximately three times longer than Metal Halide lamps, and hit the competition for six in terms of weight-to-light output ratio.
Challenger MAKO LED stadium floodlights have the additional option of RGB colour-changeable lighting modules, which can create impressive light shows to entertain the crowd on match days. The Challenger MAKO enables live lighting adjustment throughout the match, and light shows can be pre-programmed before a match using user-friendly software controlled from standard devices.
The Challenger MAKO offers fast, efficient installation and low maintenance. Each unit has two LED modules, a fixing bracket, a module clamp, and a driver. This ensures minimal downtime during servicing and eliminates needing specialist cranes or heavy lifting gear. Most maintenance and repairs can be done using a man-rider winch on fixed masts. Alternatively, as at Lord’s, telescopic masts can be specified at the design stage to lower the lights, eliminating the need to hire expensive maintenance/repair access equipment.
Another advantage is the Abacus Challenger MAKO’s superior weight-to-light output. Components are constructed from automotive-grade aluminium, ensuring they are not excessively heavy. This allows quick, efficient replacement or maintenance without compromising on light output.
Prestigious Cricket Grounds Case Study:
The Abacus Approach:
Abacus’s experienced, in-house lighting design engineers ensured that they not only met but exceeded the required broadcasting standards to light the wicket, creating optimum light levels for broadcasting and playing cricket during the day and night. Abacus Lighting’s design engineers worked with M3 Innovations to precisely calculate each project to meet the design brief and ensure optimum performance throughout the match.
The Challenger MAKO is the only digital sports lighting solution designed specifically for cricket grounds. Its patented optical lens meets both the new ICC T-24 standards and the more stringent ICC T20 World Cup standards, requiring illumination of greater than 3000 lux (300 lumen’s per square yard (0.9m) across the 22-yard-long (20m) by 10-foot-wide (3m) wicket.
The selection of the Challenger MAKO Sports Lighting System was driven by its ability to leverage existing Abacus Lighting masts while doubling the required light output. Its modular design and reduced weight enable seamless integration into existing infrastructure without exceeding weight limits or inflating project costs, eliminating the need for numerous fixtures, complex mounting configurations, and excessive wiring.
Abacus Lighting Limited Established In 1958
Abacus Lighting are “Leaders in Lighting,” we offer our clients solutions that utilise the latest energy-saving technology, bespoke manufacturing techniques, precisely calculated lighting designs, full turnkey projects, and reliable installation and maintenance packages internationally. We partnered with M3 Innovations MAKO on three prestigious cricket ground projects to provide an unmatched, full turnkey solution backed by outstanding technical support and unequalled experience in modern stadium lighting.
About
Syracuse, NY-based M3 Innovation created the most reliable, high-performing, and high-output stadium experience solution. M3 Innovation in partnership with Abacus Lighting is now taking the sports lighting industry into a new age of possibility with innovative new technology that is modular, expandable, energy-efficient, and affordable.
Prestigious Cricket Grounds Case Study:
Key features of the Challenger Mako LED floodlight
• Unmatched weight-to-light output ratio
• Lightweight with minimal components ensures easy installation
• Crash-resistant, automotive-grade aluminium construction with no exposed cables
• Optional RGB modules are available for creating customisable light shows
• DMX flexible scene control & cloud connectivity, controlled on standard devices
• Abacus support on original lighting solutions, upgrading & installation design services
• Optional Abacus Lighting backed maintenance packages
• Low maintenance and long product life-cycle
• A 5-year warranty is included on lighting and 25 years on masts as standard
Abacus Lighting - Sports Venue Lighting
Abacus Lighting offers a comprehensive range of sports lighting suitable for stadiums, arenas, and training pitches internationally. We provide full turnkey design and build, supply and fit, or supply-only packages to suit your requirements and budget.
Our product portfolio covers a wide range of sports venues, including cricket grounds, football stadiums, training pitches, rugby grounds, baseball grounds, American football grounds, tennis courts, racecourses, and golf courses.
Abacus is unique as we in-house design, manufacture, install, and provide optional lighting maintenance packages tailored to the specific, bespoke requirements of our clients. Whatever sports venue lighting you’re looking for, we can provide a lighting solution designed and manufactured to meet your specification.
With over 65 years of industry leadership, our products can be found in numerous sporting venues around the world. Our masts are often suitable for retrofitting LED luminaire upgrades, minimising the need for full replacements.
Abacus Lighting is proud to be chosen as an approved sports venue lighting supplier for the Premier League LED Floodlight Fund. This fund provides grants for football venues in steps 1 to 6 of the National League System and tier 1 to 4 of the Women’s Football Pyramid, to make the transition to energy efficient LED floodlights from outdated metal halide luminaries.
If your team, venue, or sports ground is interested in sports venue lighting or upgrading to efficient LED floodlights, please contact Abacus Lighting using any of the methods below.
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Challenger MAKO AL7200 Series
• Unmatched lumen to weight ratio
• Optional RGB modules for interchangeable light shows
• Customisable scene control system with Cloud connectivity from standard devices
• Retrofit solution for upgrading sporting stadiums to LED
• Highly corrosion-resistant alloy construction and coatings
Challenger MAKO Key Features: Challenger
• Lightweight construction eliminates the need for bulky cross arms
• IP66, NEMA 4x, ANSI C136.31 3G Certified
• Intelligent, energy-efficient driver with system failure detection
• 5 year Warranty
The Challenger MAKO is a stadium luminaire specifically designed to illuminate international stadiums for both day and night matches with exceptional clarity and coverage. The incredibly high demands of today’s UHD TV sports programs have driven the design of the Challenger MAKO. Its unrivalled lumen output to weight ratio: up to 150,000 lumens and weighing just 11.6kg per module ensures stadiums around the world can offer reliable, UHD coverage efficiently and flexibly at every match.
The Challenger MAKO’s lightweight construction, simple installation, and flexible cloud-based control from standard devices deliver outstanding performance whatever the weather. Options that include additional RGB modules can be specified to create entertaining light shows on match days. High-quality automotive-grade alloy materials, corrosion protection coatings, and driver technology innovations enhance the product life-cycle while ensuring that the
MAKO continuously works at peak performance.
MAKO Technical
Challenger MAKO Stadium Lighting Overview:
Technical Data: White Lights RGB
Challenger MAKO AL7200 Series
Key Features:
• Unique optics, designed specifically for stadium lighting
• Sleek and robust structural design; Two modules make up a combined weight of 33kg - equivalant to two metal halide luminaires)
• 96,000 lumens of modular and quickly interchangeable RGB Light
• Quick installation - All drivers connect directly to the driver spine
• Extremely Low On-Field Glare Rating
• Ultra-corrosion resistant alloy - less than 0.03% Cu with Electrophoresis Coating
The hinged clamp securely connects the two modules together, forming a weatherproof seal when the locking bolt is tightened.
Challenger MAKO AL7200 Series
Challenger MAKO Driver Key Features:
• Input voltage range: 190-528VAC
• Built-in active PFC function
• Three channel outputs independent control
• Max Output Power 400W per channel Total 1200W(240-528Vac),1000W(190-240Vac)
• Output Current, ranging from 180-1800mA
• Output Voltage, ranging from 150-215Vdc
• Dimming Control method: RS485
• High efficiency: 95% Typ
• Output voltage, current and power sensing
• Output short circuit and over-voltage protection
• Surge level 4kV common mode and 6kV differential mode with external SPD
• Non Isolated, Class I
The Challenger MAKO Driver is custom designed and optimised to be the most efficient and reliable driver in the Sports Lighting Industry. Built from the ground up using mission-critical military power supply design methodology, the Challenger MAKO Driver offers many technology innovations to enhance system lifetime.
Reliability, redundancy, system health monitoring, and ease of replacement ensure the Challenger MAKO sports lighting system remains at peak performance for the lifetime of your project.
Dimensions: (L x W x H) 343 x 170 x 170mm
Challenger MAKO Driver Mast Connection Spine
Challenger MAKO Driver Overview:
Challenger MAKO AL7200 Series
• Rugged solid-state mission critical defence system backplane for power and communication
• Fast connect and disconnect of Challenger MAKO Driver without need of electrician
• Integrated 100kA surge protection battery backup on board to support control use, egress lighting, and security cameras in loss of power events
Integrated Junction Box:
• Sealed and lockable access point for installation and maintenance
• Eliminates cumbersome and costly external fuse enclosures
• Patented MST Field-Adapt quickly converts from 1-phase to 3-phase in seconds
• Universal input voltage of 208VAC to 480VAC
• Easy Tool-Free connection to existing power at base of pole
Challenger MAKO SES Control System:
• Only All-encompassing exclusive Sports Lighting Control System on the market
• Intuitive control of MAKO Sports Entertainment Solution and loT devices
• Cellular connectivity included for 24/7 monitoring and system updates
Expandable Sensor and Auxiliary Power
• Low voltage quick access expansion port for loT sensors Simple, quick, and low-cost snap-in camera module for streaming video capability
• 2-hour emergency lighting module with up to 2500 lumen output
Challenger MAKO Spine Driver Connection:
Challenger MAKO AL7200 Series
• Description: T30-4G Cellular connected gateway
• Input Power: USB-C Universal Input
• Operating Environment: Outdoor Rated at -40C to 55C, 1P65 (when latched)
• Cellular: 4G CAT 1 cellular module
• Wi-Fi: Built in Wireless Access
• Radio: ESP32 Wi-Fi+SOC
• Certifications: FCC/IC, UL, CSA & ROHS
• IP65 rated with built in surge protection
• Programmable push buttons for manual control
• Multiple zones, behaviours, events, and schedules
• Built in Wi-Fi for local wireless access
• Ethernet port and cellular for network connectivity
• AES 128-bit encryption
• BMS and other system integration options
• Optional Cloud and Remote Access services available
• Warranty: 5-year
The Challenger MAKO SES Control System allows for dynamic wireless communication to form a local mesh network. The primary function of the Challenger MAKO SES Control System is to create multiple zones, dynamic behaviours, events, and schedules.
The Challenger MAKO SES Control System has built in Wi-Fi for local wireless communication. The system comes equipped with an LCD screen and simple push button for easy end user interface.
• The only All-encompassing exclusive Sports Lighting Control System on the market
• Intuitive Control of Challenger MAKO Sports Entertainment Solution and loT devices
• Cellular connectivity included for 24/7 monitoring and system updates
Challenger MAKO Gateway Control System Overview:
Challenger MAKO Gateway System Key Features: