News Briefs

Aug. 1, 2000
Electronic Lighting, Lumion Merge Electric Lighting, Inc. (ELI) Newark, Calif., and Lumion Corp., Toronto, recently announced a merger agreement. The deal will pair ELIs energy-efficient ballast controls and system technology integration abilities with Lumions research and development efforts in digital addressable ballast technology linked with a platform featuring powerline communications (PLC)

Electronic Lighting, Lumion Merge
Electric Lighting, Inc. (ELI) Newark, Calif., and Lumion Corp., Toronto, recently announced a merger agreement. The deal will pair ELI’s energy-efficient ballast controls and system technology integration abilities with Lumion’s research and development efforts in digital addressable ballast technology linked with a platform featuring powerline communications (PLC) ability.

GE Lighting Named Ally of the Year
In cooperation with the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently presented GE Lighting, Cleveland, with the Ally of the Year Award as part of its Green Lights Partnership program. GE Lighting voluntarily surveyed more than 50 of its facilities, encompassing nearly 10 million sq ft. As a result of its extensive upgrades, the company anticipates an energy savings of about $1 million per year.

MagneTek Lighting Unveils Web Site
MagneTek Lighting Products, Nashville, recently launched lowprofilelighting.com, a site highlighting the company’s latest developments in ballasts. The standard ballast is being replaced with low-profile because of the following benefits: reduced size, improved optics, energy conservation, efficient use of plenum space, fixture design flexibility, and ease of installation.

Online Training Available for Relays
GE Power Management, Markham, Ontario, now offers online training and support for its universal relay family of products. With ongoing access to the training modules, customers will no longer need to require individual employees to attend training sessions. The application is interactive, so trainees can learn at their own pace and ask questions. To subscribe, visit store.pwrmgt.com/Subscriptions, or see the Solution Advisor Module (SAM) training module at www.pwrmgt.com/elearning/catalog/ur/.

Saftronics, A.O. Smith Form Alliance
Saftronics, Ft. Myers, Fla., and A.O. Smith, Tipp City, Ohio, recently joined forces in a strategic alliance to enhance marketing strategies. Under the agreement, Saftronics will leverage A.O. Smith’s existing distribution-channel strength to augment its own channels. A.O. Smith will supplement its broad line of commercial and industrial motors with the Saftronics line of AC drives. Saftronics is a $48-million company that develops and manufactures solid-state motor controls. A.O. Smith Electrical Products Company is A.O. Smith Corporation’s largest operating unit, with sales of $723 million in 1999.

New NEMA Standard Released
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently unveiled the American National Standard for Polyphase Induction Motors for Power Generating Stations, ANSI C50.41-2000. Developed by the Subcommittee on Polyphase Induction Motors and Generators of the American National Standards Committee on Rotating Electrical Machinery, the standard provides requirements on polyphase induction motors intended for use in power generating stations. You can purchase ANSI C50.41-2000 for $35 by contacting Global Engineering Documents at (800) 854-7179 in the U.S.; (303) 397-7956 internationally; (303) 397-2740 by fax; or by visiting www.global.ihs.com.

Plans for Advanced Grid Interconnected Switchgear Underway
Chicago-based GRI and GE Zenith Controls recently signed a research contract to develop an advanced grid interconnected switchgear system for the rapidly growing distributed generation (DG) market. Expected to hit in the marketplace by late 2001, the new product will build on existing GE Zenith technology to allow for low-cost, rapid interconnection (plug-and-play) of distributed systems within the electric grid.

DG is the integrated or stand-alone use of small, modular electric generation close to the point of consumption. It is installed for the benefit of the customer, electric system, or both.

CSA Introduces Certification Marks
New certification markings recently unveiled by CSA International, Toronto will provide an alternative to the existing CSA markings used for products certified for use in the U.S. market that currently bear the NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) or NRTL/C designation.

The new markings indicate compliance with applicable U.S. standards, or both U.S. and Canadian standards. Products certified for the U.S. market will display the CSA mark with the letters “US” beneath it. The letters “C” and “US” will represent products certified for both the Canadian and U.S. markets. Products tested and certified primarily for the Canadian market will continue to use the familiar CSA mark without indicators.

Use of these new markings is not mandatory. Manufacturers may continue to use the existing NRTL and NRTL/C markings for certified products covered under the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration NRTL program.

For more information, call your local CSA representative or (800) 463-6727.

Online Lighting Education
Lightolier, Fall River, Mass., recently created an online lighting education program for those new to the lighting industry, entitled “Lessons in Lighting.” This free course begins with lighting fundamentals, and continues onto specific applications of different light sources, luminaires, ballasts, lighting controls, and the lighting design process. Lightolier has registered with both the ALA for CLS accreditation and the AIA for CES accreditation for those who successfully complete the training.

You can find out more by visiting www.lightolier.com and clicking on “Lessons In Lighting Online.” Each lesson should take only 20 to 25 min to complete, including a download time of less than 5 min with a 28.8 modem.

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