Holophane Syracuse Medium

The Syracuse started appearing in Derby in early 2005, and was primarily used to replace failed main road lanterns. Where existing brackets and columns were re-used, the lantern was mounted side entry; however, if it was to go on a new column, it was fitted post-top. This example fits into the latter category, but its original location is currently unknown.

Since this lantern entered the collection, Holophane now refer to this lantern as the 'QSM'.

The Syracuse is of an all-aluminium construction; however, the exterior is painted light grey. As the canopy is slightly curved, two small raised circles are provided, in order that the lantern can be made level when used in the side entry position - a spirit level could be placed across both of these. This example was mounted post-top, however, and so the lantern obviously levels out itself when placed on the column.

When looked at sideways-on, the lantern resembles either an Urbis DZ15 or Onyx. The lantern's shape is designed to minimise upward light, which I think it must do very well. Apart from some dried mud to the rear of the lantern (which will wipe off), the lantern is virtually in as-new condition.

The lantern can be mounted on shafts with a diameter of up to 76 mm post-top, and up to 60 mm side-entry (although, side-entry spigots that are smaller in diameter than 60 mm require an adaptor fitting in the lantern).

The gear is all made by German manufacturer Vossloh Schwabe; however, the lantern itself is made (read, "assembled") in the UK. To remove the lamp, the two clips on either side of the silver handle have to be undone. They are tight, in order to ensure that a good seal is maintained.

The photograph below shows a Syracuse in situ - this is actually the one that replaced my ZX3. The lantern was originally mounted post top; however, an outreach bracket was added shortly afterwards and the lantern was made side-entry.

The lantern was attached to a wall bracket on Friday, 4th May 2018. A handy feature of the grub screws that were supplied with this lantern is that they are double-ended, meaning that they do not need to be removed and turned round if the lantern is to be mounted side-entry after being proposed for post-top operation (or vice-versa). The bracket diameter here is 60 mm, owing to smaller diameters requiring an adaptor, in order for the grub screws to grip the pipe.

A sharp sideways cut-off was observed during the lantern's operation.

Lamp warm-up video:

Testing the lantern with my energy monitoring device revealed the following results:

Test Voltage (V)	Current being drawn at full power (A)	Measured wattage (W)	Apparent Power (VA)	Frequency (Hz)	Power Factor	True Power (W)	Difference to rated wattage	Percentage Difference
244.3	0.8	177	195	50.1	0.89	173.94	23.94	16%