Now in its eighth year, the EC&M Product of the Year competition was established to honor excellence in new product development for the electrical industry. The prestigious Platinum Award showcases the most innovative product of the past year and recognizes inventive products that allow electrical design professionals, installers, and maintenance personnel to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively.
This year's contest comprised 96 submissions — representing every major product category offered to the electrical design, construction, and maintenance markets. The quality level of this year's diverse selection of products made it difficult for voters to zero in on just a single item, which once again led to a close final vote tally — with just a few votes separating the top three products.
Platinum Award: LED Replacement Lamp 
People say change is hard, but EC&M’s 2008 Product of the Year winner is helping to dispel this common notion. EverLED TR from Randolph, Vt.-based LEDdynamics is a direct “drop-in” replacement for standard fluorescent tubes that uses the existing fluorescent ballast of a luminaire. According to the company, the product is compatible with most standard ballast-equipped fluorescent light fixtures, including lenses, reactive and electronic ballasts, and programmed/instant/rapid/trigger start. Because no electrical modifications are required, users can instantly make the switch to LED lighting technology.
“The EverLED TR represents the next paradigm of lighting,” notes Jon Wish, chief strategic officer for LEDdynamics. “It allows people to replace what was thought of as the most efficient lighting — namely fluorescents — with something that is more efficient, much more environmentally friendly, and will last a whole lot longer. And it works with the existing system, so there’s no need for rewiring or the installation of an LED driver.”
In development for almost three years, the product is constructed of aluminum along with a polycarbonate lens. Unlike its fluorescent counterpart, the EverLED TR contains no glass, mercury, lead, or phosphor powders, and is 100% recyclable.
“In fact, LEDdynamics has a recycling program that allows users to return the bulbs to us after their 10,000-hour rating,” says Wish.
Cold-temperature compatible, the product is available in 6,500K daylight, 4,100K cool white, 3,500K neutral, and 2,900K warm white (incandescent) color tones and in three lengths: 2 foot, 4 foot, and 5 foot. With a color rendering index of 85, the company says the fixture features a 10-year life (typical), has no “burn-out” failure, and is flicker-free.
“It’s also shock- and vibration-resistant, which opens the door to many applications, because it’s a much safer product,” adds Wish. “There’s no glass to break, which is a big consideration for the food and display industries. We’re also seeing a lot of interest from hospitals and universities. But really, this product is ideal for anyplace where it’s difficult to change a light bulb.”
Optional features, which are available by special order, include infrared remote control, remote RF control, color temperature adjustment, on-board motion sensing, energy-saving pilot mode, daylight harvesting, and adjustable end caps to direct light, which the company says increases the fixture’s efficiency by eliminating reflector loss.
“Users say the light is much higher quality than fluorescent light,” says Wish. “Furthermore, the product is more energy efficient. EverLED TR uses 22W to replace a 34W fluorescent tube, which makes it about 33% more efficient.”
Pricing for the EverLED TR 4-foot model is $149.
For more information, visit www.everled.com or www.leddynamics.com.
Gold Award: Adjustable Mud Ring
The first runner-up in this year’s Product of the Year competition came from the boxes category and went to Thomas & Betts for its Steel City adjustable mud ring. The product ensures that stud-mounted outlet boxes fit flush with any thickness of finished drywall, plaster, or ceramic tile, according to the company. Features include an inner ring that adjusts from ½ in. to 1½ in. to accommodate various drywall thicknesses. Two adjustment screws enable the inner ring to be set at the anticipated depth prior to installation and adjusted after installation. Mountable to 4-in.-square metallic deep outlet boxes, the device offers the rugged steel construction of a standard mud ring with enhanced flexibility.
Silver Award: LED Linear Lighting
The second runner-up in this year’s competition was Juno Lighting Group’s Trac 12 LED in the lighting fixture category. Juno Trac 12 TL201LED low-power LEDs consume less than 15% of the power of conventional 5W low-voltage xenon lamps, according to the company. In addition, the company says the LED’s 50,000-hr service life yields more than 10 years of maintenance-free operation for 12 hours per day. Available with a white or black finish, the product’s engineered thermoplastic enclosure insulates and protects the circuit board.
