How to Light a Carousel Milk Parlor

Consult with your designated government milk-inspector prior to installing lights; inquire about the likely existence of lighting regulations. In many cases the farmer must follow certain electrical and lighting-intensity guidelines to pass the mandated government inspections.

Purchase half as many T-8 fluorescent bulbs as there are milking units in the carousel parlor.

Place a waterproof covering over each bulb. The parlor must be washed down at least twice a day. The covering keeps the bulbs from breaking or shorting out if they are hit with a stream of water from the hose.

Attach small hanging-light-chains to the bulbs with S-hooks. Hang the chains from the overhead pulsation lines in the parlor, placing one between each milking unit. Hang the chains several feet higher than the standing height of the average adult.

Adjust the placement of the bulbs by shortening or lengthening the chain, or by moving them back and forth across the pipeline from which they hang. The advantage of this type of lighting is that the units are movable, making the task of milking more efficient and providing the dairy farmer with a greater degree of comfort. Since the lights "float," they are less likely to break if swatted by a cow's tail.

Test the light intensity in the parlor with a light meter. The fluorescents must have 40 to 50 foot-candles of light intensity at the level of the cow's udder. Install more floating bulbs if the intensity is too low.