Thorpe Bay Tennis Club in Southend-on-Sea, UK, had struggled to get planning permission for a four-court floodlit tennis project for 15 years, until Luminance Pro Lighting Systems engineered a design that satisfied planning requirements.

The system is supported via the company's own HiLux Controller. This is a mini computer (or PLC - Programmable Logic Controller), which operates the column and lighting system and collects system usage information.

When a token (coins may also be used) is inserted, the air-driven telescopic column automatically rises from 3.3m up to a height of 10m and the lights switch on for a set period of time.

As the token time runs out, two out of each of the court's four lights switch off, leaving the other two lights on for a limited period to enable players to leave the court safely.

The columns stay up for 30 minutes to allow for another player's token. This reduces the need for the column to move up and down unnecessarily. After this 30-minute period has elapsed, the columns lower automatically. Working on compressed air makes the system almost silent in operation.

The telescopic columns can support Thorn and HiLux sports lights and provide solutions for 400 lux or 500 lux, which are designed to meet the Lawn Tennis Association's lighting requirements.