The Illuminating Engineering Society, in partnership with the Lighting Controls Association, has published LEM-7, Lighting Controls for Energy Management, a detailed guide to energy-saving lighting controls. The publication was written by Craig DiLouie, LC in support of the IES Energy Management Committee. The 48-page 8.5×11 guide, which is available for $35 (IES members) and $50 […]
What’s New in HID Lamps and Ballasts
Similar trends as fluorescent are driving innovation in high-intensity lighting, which is dominated by HID lighting. Within this segment, there has been a major technology shift from mercury vapor to metal halide over the past 10 years, and the market is trending in favor of white light. Innovation has focused on energy efficiency, longer life […]
HID Lamp Dimming
Dimming is growing in popularity due to energy codes, green construction and user interest in flexibility and maximizing energy savings. High-intensity discharge (HID) lamp dimming is no exception, and with continuing development of electronic HID ballasts, continuous HID lamp dimming is easier to achieve, in a broader range of wattages, than ever before. This whitepaper by the Lighting Controls Association describes dimming options for popular HID lamp types and presents NEMA guidelines for dimming HID lamps.
NEMA Guidelines on the Application of Dimming to High-Intensity Discharge Lamps
This document provides general information and considerations involved in the design and application of dimming circuitry employed with specific ballasts and lamps in the HID family. Click here to download it free from the NEMA website.
NEMA Publishes LSD 14 Guidelines on the Application of Dimming to High-Intensity Discharge Lamps
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published LSD 14 Guidelines on the Application of Dimming to High-Intensity Discharge Lamps. This white paper, last published in 2002, was produced by NEMA’s Lamp Section and is available for free download. LSD 14 provides guidance on the application, combination, and practice of dimming of high-intensity discharge (HID) […]
California Title 20 Mandates Higher Efficiency for Metal Halide Luminaires
California new Title 20 standards, which went into effect January 1, 2010, created new energy efficiency standards for 150-500W metal halide light fixtures used in indoor and outdoor applications. These fixtures may not be manufactured in the State of California unless they meet the new standards.
Fluorescent Retrofits for High/Low-Bay Applications
Indoor spaces with high ceilings, such as factories, warehouses, big box retail stores, gymnasiums and all-purpose rooms are often lighted by probe-start metal halide lighting systems. At higher ceiling heights, 350W and 400W units are common …
Advancements in lamp and ballast technology have resulted in two alternatives to this basic system that can significantly reduce energy consumption while providing other benefits. The first alternative is fluorescent T8 or T5HO hi-bay fixtures, which can replace probe-start metal halide fixtures in retrofit or new construction for energy savings up to about 50%. The second alternative is pulse-start metal halide lamp-ballast systems, which can provide up to 25% energy cost savings in existing applications and up to 30% in capital and operating costs in new construction.