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By Craig DiLouie, on March 10, 2014
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently issued new energy efficiency standards for ballasts sold as part of new metal halide luminaires. (To be clear, replacement ballasts are not covered.) The new rules strengthen current standards while expanding their scope, and will affect availability of 50-1000W luminaires. The deadline for compliance is February 10, 2017.
The existing energy efficiency standards were created by Congress with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. They eliminated a majority of probe-start lamps and ballasts from medium-wattage (150-500W) luminaires.
Acting under its authority granted by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, DOE strengthened these standards while expanding coverage to include low-wattage (50-149W) and high-wattage (501-1000W) luminaires.
Regulated-lag ballasts, limited to applications such as heavy industrial, security and street and tunnel lighting, as well as 480V electronic ballasts remain exempted from the rules. Metal halide luminaires rated only for 150W lamps; rated for use in wet locations; and containing a ballast that is rated to operate at ambient air temperatures higher than 50 degrees Celsius, however, lost their exemption and are now covered.
Currently, all metal halide ballasts offered in the low-wattage segment are pulse-start. Under existing energy efficiency standards, a majority of medium-wattage ballasts are pulse-start. The new standards will result in a majority of high-wattage ballasts on the market being pulse-start. Pulse-start ballasts offer superior efficiency, lumen maintenance and color stability than probe-start.
About ninety percent of metal halide ballast shipments are magnetic ballasts and 10 percent are electronic. Electronic ballasts offer superior efficiency and potential performance advantages such as better lumen maintenance, longer lamp life and continuous dimming capability. The ballast may be high-frequency or low-frequency square wave; high-frequency electronic ballasts are not compatible with all metal halide lamps. Despite these advantages, electronic metal halide ballasts pose reliability concerns in rugged applications. To satisfy these applications, transient and thermal protection features are required. Additionally, some electronic ballasts in indoor luminaires would require a 120V auxiliary tap to operate an emergency incandescent lamp. A final concern is that during DOE’s meetings with industry prior to the ruling, Florida Power and Light expressed concern that it operates a National Electrical Safety Code two-wire system and is having difficulties with electronic drivers.
Ballast manufacturers will be reviewing their product lines and determining on a case by case basis whether the product already complies, must be redesigned, or will be discontinued. If the magnetic ballast must be redesigned, or if an electronic ballast will be put forward in place of a magnetic ballast, the luminaire may need to be redesigned and retested, which may result in some gaps in availability. In the case of magnetic, this may further result in an aftermarket mixing current designs and redesigns. Because ballast and luminaire manufacturers may be reluctant to invest significant resources as metal halide is a declining market due to LED competition, we may also see a significant number of products removed from the market.
The new DOE energy efficiency standards will shake up the metal halide category, promoting efficient pulse-start options, particularly electronic ballasts.
By Lighting Controls Association, on March 7, 2014
This short video, produced by the Lighting Controls Association at the 2013 LIGHTFAIR event, introduces the building industry to Encelium’s Energy Management System and how it can help healthcare facilities manage their lighting energy consumption.
Click here to learn more.
By Lighting Controls Association, on March 5, 2014
The Lighting Control Innovation Award was created in 2011 as part of the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Illumination Awards program, which recognizes professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design. LCA is proud to sponsor the Lighting Control Innovation Award, which recognizes projects that exemplify the effective use of lighting controls in nonresidential applications.
This month, we will explore the role that lighting controls play in illumination of the David C. Crago Collection at the Pettit College of Law at Ohio Northern University. Architecture by Miller/Watson Architects. Lighting design by Metro CD Engineering. Photography by Ken Colwell, Ohio Northern University. Lighting and control products included cabinetry and cove lighting (Soft Strip LED by Edge Lighting), seven-day timer controls (EI500 Digital In-Wall Timers by Intermatic), Sensor Switch nLight-based occupancy sensors, and dimming controls (Diva ELV Dimmers by Lutron Electronics).
Residing in the Taggart Law Library, the David C. Crago Rare Book and Special Collections Room houses early British and American legal treatises and other notable documents. In May 2012, the Library worked with Miller/Watson Architects to renovate the room, which had previously been closed off. The new 400-sq.ft., two-room space serves two primary functions—museum-quality display of rare books and documents in cherry and glass Amish cabinets, and a comfortable study space where faculty, students and visiting scholars can work.
Project challenges included the need for strict climate control and selection of light sources that would support visual needs while satisfying best practices for storage and use of rare books. An environmental control system was specified to maintain constant temperature and humidity. For the lighting, Miller/Watson collaborated with Metro CD Engineering to select light sources that would protect the light-sensitive materials in the collection from the degrading effects of ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
“The elegant and classic design of the space required lighting that would not itself be a focal point, but rather highlight the displays while providing enough light to comfortably work in the space,” says Justin Schultz, PE, RCDD, LEED-AP ID+C, lead electrical engineer for Metro CD Engineering and an Ohio Northern University alumnus.
Concealed LED strip lighting was integrated into the ceiling cove to distribute soft, indirect illumination in the space. Manual low-voltage electronic dimmers can be used to lower light levels from full output to eight percent. LED tabletop luminaires provide supplementary task lighting for study.
“LED lighting can typically be dimmed, but the lighting designer must pay extra attention to the details for ensuring compatibility between the lighting fixture and the controls,” notes Schultz. “Most commercial lighting cut sheets list the compatible dimmer models that have been tested with the lighting fixture. Oftentimes, the minimum dimmed level is determined by the model of dimmer used.”
LED lighting is also integrated into the cabinetry, illuminating the rare books and artifacts on display. This type of application is well suited to the LED source, which is directional and minimizes ultraviolet and infrared emission.
“The LED strip lighting sources not only met the rare books’ preservation requirements, but also allowed such a low profile that the light sources are all hidden from view,” says Schultz. Long service life was another deciding factor in choosing LED.
The use of seven-day digital timer switches ensures the lighting is turned OFF when the room is on display but not in use.
At full output, the lighting power density level came in at a low 0.74W/sq.ft.—far less than energy code requirements—with significant additional energy savings resulting from the ongoing use of dimmer controls. The project earned the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Edwin F. Guth Memorial Award for Interior Lighting Design as well as its Lighting Controls Innovation Award.
“I have a passion for lighting because it blends the artistic side of engineering with some of the latest advances in technology,” says Schultz. “Although we are not yet at the point that LED lighting should be universally specified, LED is the future of lighting design.”
By Lighting Controls Association, on March 3, 2014
Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc. has been named “Supplier of the Year in the Lamps, Ballasts & Lighting Controls category” for the second consecutive year by Crescent Electric Supply Company. The award was presented to Universal at the recent annual National Sales Conference.
Crescent Electric Supply Company represents more than 600 vendors and operates more than 120 distribution facilities in 27 states.
By Lighting Controls Association, on February 28, 2014
 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR recently published an article, written by Craig DiLouie, LC, defining a new dimension of lighting control–white light color tuning.
Check it out here.
By Lighting Controls Association, on February 26, 2014
Leviton has announced the expansion of its line of architectural lighting control systems with the introduction of the Sapphire™ 7-inch Wall Mount LCD Capacitive Touch Screen Controller. The new system provides an easy-to-use, customizable graphical interface for controlling lighting within a facility.
Sophisticated, yet user-friendly, the system features an 800 x 480 WVGA backlit screen with 24-bit color display, 130° x 110° viewing angle and elegant, low-profile design in multiple finishes that blend with any interior décor.
Customers can customize the graphical user interface via a WYSIWYG screen creation tool. Sapphire’s PC-based editor enables the intuitive addition and configuration of user interface pages for each control grouping within a room or facility. Once a page is added, Button and Slider Controls are dragged and dropped onto the page or tab. Users can set up administrative functions, establish channel and group-level control functionality, set fade levels and fade time-outs, combine and separate room control and brighten or dim light levels. The system’s Button Control types include: Toggle, Press/Release Preset and Scene. Slider controls are ideal for applications requiring manual control of lighting levels within a zone.
Sapphire seamlessly integrates with Leviton GreenMAX®, Sector® and Dimensions® systems to provide a comprehensive lighting control network suitable for use in restaurants, hospitality, conference rooms, recreational facilities and theaters. From room control to complete building control, Sapphire is ideal for any application area where a touch control interface is desirable.
The system easily installs into a standard four-gang wall box. Face plates, sold separately, are available in White, Light Almond and Black. Software updates can be uploaded through a USB port located behind the system’s front panel. Sapphire is CE, NOM and FCC Listed and backed by Leviton’s Limited Two-Year Warranty.
Click here to learn more.
By Lighting Controls Association, on February 24, 2014
Behind the counter look at the Schneider Electric Emergency Lighting Controls and Devices.
By Lighting Controls Association, on February 21, 2014
 WattStopper and Durell Control Systems have published a new white paper examining best practices for control systems integration in high performance buildings. The paper uses case studies to explore how project partners can successfully collaborate with design and construction teams, focusing on two recently completed high performance buildings in London, Ontario, Canada.
Building owners can take away several valuable ideas from the white paper, such as the importance of including control vendors and integrators early in the design process, as well as the benefits possible from using open protocol solutions.
The province of Ontario, Canada, home of Durell Control Systems, has adopted ambitious energy code requirements based on ASHRAE 90.1-2010, and effective integration makes it easier to meet or exceed the required performance. Durell’s Control Engineer / VP Nazem Abou Chami says, “When building owners include all the project partners early in the design process, the team can improve building performance by managing critical details from helping select and position sensors, to establishing sequences of operation and customizing user interfaces for occupant satisfaction.”
Click here to read the whitepaper.
By Lighting Controls Association, on February 19, 2014
 Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc. recently announced the launch of its latest generation of high efficiency LED drivers and linear modules as an expansion of the EVERLINE family of lighting products. The new Zhaga and Zhaga-Hybrid LED modules and drivers will allow for easier installation of full featured, high-efficiency linear LED lighting systems with flexibility in multiple applications.
From 1×2 troffers to highbay lighting fixtures, the EVERLINE driver and module(s) configurations produce outputs from 1,000 to 10,000 lumens at efficacies far superior to any fluorescent systems. The LED modules are available in 11?, 22? and 23? overall lengths with different LED counts to provide additional lumen and efficiency options. The LED drivers, with tunable constant currents, are available with 30W, 55W, 80W and 90W power outputs.
Additional benefits of the new products include high quality color and an exceedingly long rated life. Outfitted with a tuning feature, the EVERLINE LED driver allows fixture manufacturers to design to specific target lumen levels by programming the driver’s output current. Analog dimming affords the end-user with controllable options to manage energy and lighting levels.
In fact, at the start of the year, Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc. relocated corporate office facilities and utilized these new LED technologies in troffer luminaires as well as downlights that incorporate EVERLINE LED Drivers and Chip on Board LED Modules with dimming controls.
Click here to learn more.
By Lighting Controls Association, on February 17, 2014
Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is a world-class performance, education and business center and home to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix and 2014 ESPN Summer X Games. COTA now features Acuity Brands, Inc. outdoor lighting controls for site and maintenance management of its lighting systems. COTA selected the ROAMview™ wireless lighting monitoring and control system to help manage the outdoor lighting of its 1,335-acre site including the racetrack, associated facilities and parking lots.
The ROAMview system uses an automated central system with software that reports which lights are on and off, allowing COTA to more closely control lighting and maintenance and react immediately to lighting failures. ROAMview offers the flexibility to wirelessly adjust lighting at an individual fixture level on a daily basis for a variety of events. System benefits include reducing energy consumption and maintenance time and costs.
“The system is exceeding expectations; it successfully maintains parking lot, roadway and public walkway lighting with flexibility,” said Leo Garcia, COTA head electrician of energy management. “It has created a safe and manageable environment for a multitude of events and situations.”
COTA installed 139 ROAMview control nodes across the campus. The majority of the nodes were placed on metal halide fixtures within parking lots, along the main street at the venue (COTA Boulevard) as well as on new pedestrian walkways and roadways. ROAMview nodes were also installed in a newly constructed paddock area used for staging equipment.
COTA uses five lighting control scenarios with 10 individual zones to ensure the perfect lighting for every event such as concerts and Grand Prix races. The different scenarios and zones maintain traffic control and safety for pedestrians.
After installing and operating the ROAMview system, the control abilities at COTA have proved versatile and achieved positive feedback. “Venue staff has expressed a high level of satisfaction,” said Garcia. “The ability to easily adjust light settings across such a large area from one central location has made turning on and off lights really flexible for staff, so we hear a lot of positive feedback.”
Click here to learn more about the ROAMview system.
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