MegaLum by Prescolite is the industry’s first 12,000 lumen recessed LED downlight. Learn how this revolutionary product allows the long life and controllability of LEDs to be used in large commercial and architectural spaces by watching our new product video.

MegaLum – 12,000 lumen LED downlight from Prescolite

High ceilings in architectural spaces are one of the most difficult applications to light. Prescolite has recognized this challenge, and responded with the industry’s first 12,000 lumen recessed LED downlight – MegaLum.

This revolutionary 8-inch recessed LED downlight allows the long life and controllability of LEDs to be used in large commercial and architectural spaces. MegaLum is an ideal replacement for traditional sources for ceiling heights of 40 to 60 feet.

Light engine and drivers

MegaLum features up to 75 lumens per watt efficacy and multiple configurations for design flexibility and controllability.

• 3,000; 6,000; 9,000 and 12,000 lumen output options
• 25-, 35-, 45- and 55-degree optical distributions
• 2,700K; 3,000K; 3,500K; 4,000K and 5,000K color temperatures
• Drivers are standard 0-10V dimmable, with 1 percent dimming options available.

Thermal management

MegaLum overcomes challenges in thermal management through the use of heat pipe technology and hundreds of mid-power LEDs.

Maintenance savings

The fixture’s driver and light engine are completely accessible from above or below the ceiling plane for simplified serviceability. MegaLum is also compatible with Hubbell Lighting’s Wi-HUBB system for expanded controllability benefits.

Prescolite’s MegaLum is now available – visit our online product page for more information. You can also watch our educational product video on the Prescolite YouTube channel.

Energy efficiency is a huge driver in today’s lighting design, but as a recent article in Building Operating Management explains, it’s only one goal. Lighting quality shouldn’t take a back seat to efficiency.

So, how can illumination best support the visual process and the biological well-being of people in a space? The key is to think of lighting as a holistic process. The design should consider factors such as daylight, control systems and the reflectance values of walls, ceilings and partitions in an open area.

As new technology enters the market to deliver more brightness out of less energy, building managers should work with lighting designers to evaluate the unique needs of their spaces. The goal is to have functional, high quality illumination that is as energy efficient as possible.

LED technology is heavily promoted for its energy-saving and environmental benefits. But when considering the total life cycle of an LED luminaire – including use, manufacturing, transportation and disposal – is it really the most Earth friendly option?

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently released two reports that evaluate both the use and total lifecycle impacts for several lighting sources. Below are a few key conclusions:

• LED replacement lamps consume 75% less energy than the average incandescent, about the same as CFL
• The greatest environmental impact from lamps occurs during their operation, making LED replacement lamps and CFLs more environmentally friendly than incandescents
• Compared to CFLs, LED impact is only marginally better, and worse in one key measure – disposal generation of hazardous waste.

Not sold on the benefits of LED? The DOE predicts by 2017, the average LED replacement lamp will have a 50% smaller environmental impact than it does today – and 70% less than today’s CFL.

(Source: The Electrical Distributor magazine)

The lamp market is about to become exciting, challenging and even a little confusing. The Electrical Distributor magazine (TED) recently offered a brief overview of where individual lighting technologies are heading:

• Incandescents currently account for 45% of all installed lamps. Consumers who have become accustomed to the color, ease of installation and low acquisition cost have had little reason to change – until now. By 2014, lamp manufacturers are required by the Department of Energy (DOE) to reduce the energy consumption of 40W to 100W incandescent lamps by 27%.

• Fluorescents are mostly installed in commercial buildings. Linear fluorescents are substantially more efficient than incandescents and under ideal operating conditions can exceed 40,000 hours of life.

• CFLs are the most energy efficient lamps available for residential use. They have a useable life 10 times longer than comparable filament-based options and consume 50-80% less energy.

• HID lamps account for less than 2% of total installations. However, the largest sector for HID is outdoor lighting, where it represents 65% of all unit installations.

• LEDs are highly regarded for a lifespan 6-10 times longer than CFL and 20 times longer than incandescents. General lighting applications for LED are gaining momentum, and once comparable performance is achieved, LEDs are predicted to experience exponential growth in the next two decades.

In the January issue, our friends at The Electrical Distributor magazine (TED) summarized an Economic Roundtable discussion on the future of the industry – specifically in 2013.

Eight key points taken from the panel include:

• Continued slow recovery
• Positive indications for residential and some types of nonresidential construction
• Mixed indications for manufacturing (except for anything related to oil and gas, which continues to be very strong)
• Positive outlook for consumer spending
• Worry about the fiscal cliff, and if it is averted, just how that will happen
• Concern about debt levels and regulation costs, including the Affordable Care Act
• Volatile commodity markets without significant price increases, but with copper likely to subside and rare earth minerals likely to drop
• Positive trends for energy conservation, products related to the energy industry, lighting equipment and building wire and devices

Electrical contractors: Do you agree with these assessments? What are you seeing in your part of the market?

Architectural Products magazine recently featured the new architecture building at Temple University in Philadelphia.

The structure, as the publication calls out, includes indoor/outdoor downlights from our LiteFrame collection.

Read all about the project in the January/February 2013 issue of Architectural Products: http://www.arch-products.com/fastpath/index.php?pg=67&d=1&v=0&a=1

While the industry today is focused on efficiency and optics, it’s important to remember the profound effect lighting has on our quality of life. This is especially true as we age.

Often times, the goal in commercial spaces is to design lighting that is good for all ages – but there is a desire for different lighting for the different ages and quality of vision of inhabitants. For instance, seniors with healthy vision are likely to be more concerned with the appearance of the lighting than seniors with poor vision, who will be more concerned with whether the lighting is effective in allowing them to see better.

Creating lighting that is attractive to look at, effective in helping those with poor vision to see and has sufficient flexibility to meet individual desires is a real challenge for designers. It’s first necessary to establish what tasks are important to those with poor vision and then to identify how lighting and decor might be used to make these tasks visually easier.

On the other end, manufacturers also need to produce light sources that are effective for vision – luminaires that provide the required light distribution without glare or flicker.

To lighting designers – what considerations do you make when choosing lighting systems for different ages?

Source: LD+A magazine

We hope all of our Prescolite fans have a great weekend! Here’s our social media recap for the past few days. We’ve enjoyed articles on LEDs and outdoor lighting. What was your favorite post of the week?

• Electrical Contract magazine – Silent Night

• 5 ways to minimize light pollution while maximizing outdoor lighting

• New York brightens Central Park with LEDs

   

James Benya and Jim Eddy, both professionals in the lighting industry, provide electrical contractors tips on optimal outdoor lighting practices that minimize light pollution in this month’s issue of Electrical Contractor.

1. Less is more – “Simply put, the industry needs to stop over lighting,” said Benya. One can easily replace a high wattage lamp with a simple 20W LED to provide adequate lighting. Do so can help cut energy and consumption exponentially.
2. Consider LEDs – LED lighting is environmentally sensitive while still offering better optical control and directionality. LEDs send light out to the most distant point and not as much straight down, which doesn’t require as much wattage because the light is more uniform.
3. Buyers beware – Even though LEDs are an excellent light source, it is important to make sure the right LEDs are being used. There are several manufactures out there that sell unqualified LED lamps that have not been tested to IES standards.
4. Green is good – Despite common misconception, it is actually cheaper sometimes to go with a more environmentally responsible lighting option. “Induction lighting can pay for itself in two to four years while providing quality lighting that helps a facility feel safe and secure.”
5. Be proactive – It is important for contractors to be familiar with lighting ordinances and zoning requirements. “A contractors ability to bring this knowledge to a customer creates value and enhances that relationship-long term. “

Staying informed of ways we can improve the environment, in which we live, can have a positive outcome and still allow us to take advantage of the great lighting technology that is already available. How does your facility use optimal outdoor lighting to stay environmentally friendly?