Below are a a group of articles related to lighting that are intended to inform and educate our customers about Access Fixtures products.

• Lamp Types
• Cost Per Watt Chart
• Metal Halide Lighting: Pulse-Start v. Traditional Probe-Start
• Voltage
• Watts v. Lumens
• Induction Lighting
• LED
• Californian Title 24

Lamp Types

When selecting lighting fixtures a major consideration is the choice of light source. While a number of light sources are available, each has its own unique combination of operating characteristics. Characteristics that need to be considered are efficacy which can be measured in lumens per watt, color, lamp life, and lamp lumen depreciation which the percent of output that a lamp loses over its life. The choice will impact the quality of light generated, maintenance of the system and the cost of operating the lighting fixtures. It should be noted that statistically the cost of energy to operate the lighting fixtures is 90% or more of the total cost of a lighting system over the life the lighting system. Learn More: On-line | PDF Version

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Cost Per Watt Chart

Cost per Watt Chart On line |  PDF Version

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Metal Halide Lighting: Pulse-Start v. Traditional Probe-Start

Metal halide high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps are widely used in commercial lighting applications because they are about three times as efficient as incandescent lamps. For years there has been one main technology for middle wattage metal halide (MH) fixtures/lamps, probe start. While low wattage MH fixtures/lamps were pulse start, that technology was not available in mid wattage of 250w to 400w. Today there is a choice, a pulse-start MH fixture/lamp combination that saves energy, increases bulbs life, has quicker starts and lower operating cost too! While the initial fixture and lamp may cost slightly more, the payback is rapid and lasts for years. Learn More: On-line | PDF Version

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Voltage

It is essential that managers of commercial facilities know the line voltage where the fixture is to be installed. Line voltage is the voltage provided by a power line at the point of use. While U.S. residences almost always are 120v, line voltage varies in commercial facilities. In fact, the line voltage in a commercial may be different in various parts of the same building. It is essential that the voltage be known before purchasing fixtures. Fixtures that do not match the line voltage will not function properly. For instance you cannot use a 240v fixture on a 277v line. Learn More: On-line | PDF Version

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Watts v. Lumens

Some fixtures produce more light for the same input power than others. The input power is measured in watts. The light output is measured in lumens. The wattage used is not directly related to the lumen output. Some fixtures have a higher efficacy. This means that the technology used generates more lumens per watt. An efficient fixture will put out more lumens per watt (LPW) than an inefficient fixture. Learn More: On-line | PDF Version

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Induction Lighting

Induction lamps offer up to 100,000 hours of light. They are environmentally safe, and have no mercury or lamp waste for at least 10 years, which ensures a better world for tomorrow. All induction lamps have a Color Rendering Index of 80+, which means no odd shades of yellow from your lighting. Induction lamps also give more light. Typical induction lamps have 150 PLM/W (Pupil Lumens/Watt) with only a 5% depreciation at 2,000 hours. For comparison, Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium usually have 90-100 PLM/ W with a 30-40% depreciation at 2,000 hours. Learn More: On-line | PDF Version

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LED

LED bulbs last up to 10 times longer than compact fluorescents and far longer than typical incandescent bulbs. The latest LED (light emitting diode) light bulbs produce about the same amount of light per watt as compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL). However, unlike incandescent bulbs and CFLs, which splash light in all directions, LED bulbs are directional. Learn More: On-line | PDF Version

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California Title 24

The Energy Commission adopted the 2005 changes to the Building Energy Efficiency Standards, for a number of compelling reasons: Learn More

1. To respond to California's energy crisis to reduce energy bills, increase energy delivery system reliability, and contribute to an improved economic condition for the state
2. To respond to the AB 970 (Statutes of 2000) urgency legislation to adopt and implement updated and cost-effective building energy efficiency standards
3. To respond to the SB 5X (Statutes of 2001) urgency legislation to adopt energy efficiency building standards for outdoor lighting
4. To emphasize energy efficiency measures that save energy at peak periods and seasons, improve the quality of installation of energy efficiency measures, incorporate recent publicly funded building science research, and collaborate with California utilities to incorporate results of appropriate market incentives programs for specific technologies.

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