INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

FORWARD

Prior to and upon installation, it is necessary to consult with the intended installation site property owner, licensed electrician, or AHJ as required, and some areas (or cities) may require permit or inspection.  Follow all jurisdiction that may apply to your installation and use only a qualified electrician to do the work.

The Electronic Ballast is different than the Magnetic Ballast. Some wiring connections and practices are not similar. For example, the Electronic Ballast mains voltage supply inlet is 3 wire. BLACK (L1), WHITE (L2), and GREEN (safety ground) 240VAC, or 277VAC. There are no other “COMMON” wire connections. The ballast lamp RED wires (2) connect only to the lamp socket with no additional connections.

Two of the most notable benefits to the Tri-R solution are the decreased lumen depreciation and the extended lamp life. This document is provided to better explain these benefits through a technical explanation of how they are calculated and proven.

Ballast Types

Most common High-intensity discharge lamp (HID) ballasts are referred to as ‘magnetic’, being an iron-core transformer that operates at 60Hz, power line frequency, and drive the bulb at the same frequency. Magnetic ballasts use a capacitor and/or igniter, are generally heavy, run hot by design, are sometimes noisy, making an audible ‘hum’ when in use and tend to lose their electromagnetic strength over time. The latter is known, typically, as degradation and is an unavoidable result in the magnetic field the ballast uses to operate the lamp.
Other electronic ballasts offer some improvements over magnetic, but still operate at relatively low drive frequencies (between 60Hz, power line frequency, and 50kHz). They are able to offer a “softstrike” and “dormant-mode” through the use of a microprocessor. The microprocessor generates extreme heat (similar to a computer, which requires a cooling fan) and therefore these other electronic ballasts attempt dissipating this additional heat through “fins” on the exterior of the ballast. Even with the “fins” design, major failures due to overheating have occurred with other electronic ballasts, which have jeopardized their success in the industry. Additionally, they typically come with upper temperature limits which exclude them from most exterior applications as well as those utilizing a sealed fixture design such as hazardous locations and other adverse conditions

Tri-RHID is an electronic ballast operating at over 100,000Hz bulb drive frequency. Tri-RHID is able to offer all of its benefits through Tri-R Systems‟ patented NON-microprocessor design. Due to the absence of a microprocessor, Tri-RHID is able to operate at a much lower temperature creating a reliable environment for the electronic components.     Additionally, all Tri-RHID ballasts are completely sealed with an epoxy potting material and together the entire design system has gained UL® certification for “inside” or “outside” the fixture.

Tri-RHID Technology Overview

Lamp Re-strike Sequence

The Tri-RHID ballast design provides a control system strike sequence that is significantly slower
and less often than other ballasts on the market. It takes into consideration any existing lamp
conditions such as being hot or being dormant for some time. An initial cold lamp strike will
generally occur approximately 30 seconds after power is applied, and a hot lamp re-strike is much
quicker than other magnetic and electronic ballast technologies. So, the lamp is struck less, thus
reducing wear on striking electrodes.

Strike/Run Mode Sensing

The Tri-RHID ballast uses a soft-strike sequence and through its ‘run condition sensor’ that
disables the striking process and prevents unnecessary lamp striking. As the lamp begins its
warm-up and run, sensors within the ballast determine the lamp‟s state as being within acceptable
limits. In the case of a shorted lamp (or sometimes referred to as a false-run) the run mode is
terminated and is restarted from a “re-strike condition” sequence.

Strike, Lamp Warm-up Process

The Tri-RHID ballast begins the strike sequence with, a ‘gas excitation sequence‟ being applied to
the lamp for approximately 1.5 Seconds. Being of less voltage than a strike, it actually enhances
the lamp condition for striking by causing motion in the gases. This is by inducing a small
electromagnetic field between the striking electrodes which helps the lamp gases to blend. These
gases often segregate when cooled and this separation often cause the need for additional strikes
between the electrodes to effectively strike the lamp, thus reducing electrode life when using other
ballast technologies.

Strike Voltage Incline Process

The Tri-RHID ballast follows the ‘gas excitation sequence’ with it‟s patented lamp strike
sequence‟ for a period of 0.5 seconds. During this time, the voltage is slowly increased, so that
when the lamp accepts the strike voltage (creating a successful arc), it is at a ‘minimum’ acceptable
level for the lamp and not in excess. In the case of a hot lamp, the voltage ramp is terminated at
the ANSI maximum level so that excessive electrode wear is eliminated. When an effective strike
occurs in the lamp, the ballast drive power is restricted to prevent the unnecessary lamp abuse
caused over-power while in a run condition.

Lamp Lumen Depreciation and Early Life Failure

Lamp Striking:

A primary factor affecting the decline in the lumen output of a lamp over time is the harsh
environment that a magnetic ballast creates through the effect of its electromagnetic transformer.
Magnetic ballasts will strike a lamp at every 60Hz voltage peak, which means there are 7200 strikes
per minute until the lamp ignites. The Tri-RHID ballast soft strike only strikes a lamp a maximum
of 2 times per minute. The strike sequences have been captured in Figure 1.1 below.

Electrode Deterioration in Electronic Ballast

The ineffective and unnecessary re-striking of magnetic ballasts (as shown above in Figure 1.1)
greatly deteriorates the electrodes. Evidence of this additional abuse is shown in Figure 1.2 below.
Each of these electrodes has driven lamps for 4,000 hours in a 12 hours on and 12 hours off
sequence to emulate typical dusk until dawn operation.

Through the diagnostics available within the Tri-RHID ballast, it is able to determine that the lamp
has failed and enters a dormant, "non-striking" state, not using unnecessary energy and not causing
any unnecessary harm to the ballast or components. This helps to extend the life the Tri-RHID
ballast significantly.

Commercial Building Tax Deduction:

As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Commercial Building Deduction encourages companies to “Go Green” to not only save money on their utilities, but on their tax returns as well.

What Tri R Lighting Delivers:

• Perform assessment(s) to pre-qualify the property
• Certify the energy efficiencies, which requires:

–      Review of construction documents;

–      Site visits; and

–      Discussions with building designers, project managers, and related personnel

• Calculate the amount of the deduction
• Coordinate with your tax preparer to claim the deduction
• Amend tax returns or make a method of change in accounting, (if necessary)

Claiming the Deduction

• The deduction is available to both new construction and remodeling of commercial buildings performed between 2006 through 2013.
• The building must meet energy and power costs reduction standards as detailed in Standard 90.1 – 2001, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings (effective April 2, 2003).
• Certification must be obtained to verify that the property installed satisfies specific energy efficiency requirements.
• The certification is performed by an independent qualified firm using IRS-approved modeling software.

How it Works

Commercial building owners can take a deduction of up to $.60 per square foot of the building’s floor area if they install energy efficient lighting that reduces energy and power costs. Generally, these installations need to be a part of the building’s interior or within the covered sections of a parking garage.

The deduction is allowed for both new construction, and remodeling/re-lamping projects between 2006 through 2013. Recent legislation allows taxpayers to either amend prior returns or take the deduction in the current tax year.

To achieve the maximum $0.60 deduction, energy and power costs must be reduced by at least 40 percent when compared to a reference building (special rules apply for warehouses). If the reductions are less than 40 percent but over 25 percent, the building may still qualify for a deduction on a graduated scale of between $.30 and $.60 per square foot.

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With China Cornering the Global Market of Rare Earth Metals

Electrical distributors and manufacturers are used to dramatic price changes for wire and cable due to increases in copper pricing.  They however, have never seen double-digit increases in fluorescent lamp prices like those like what has occurred in the last few weeks.

Reductions in Chinese exports of rare earth metals used in many different type of lamps have started a world wide price increase.  A company in Ohio sent an alert to distributors that the rare-earth phosphor used in compact fluorescent lamps rose by as much as 800 percent.

Another factor complicating the issue is that the varied amounts of phosphor used in the individual products alter the price for each of the products.

Lighting manufacturers have announced a number of price increases.  Letters from senior executives at GE (general electric), Osram Sylvania, Philips Lighting which have been posted online have explained the shortage of rare earth metals and announced price increases from 5 to 25 percent – depending on the types of lamps – and increases in ballast prices of up to approximately 10 percent.

Of course, this could not come at a worse time for an incandescent light ban to start as people have to move to fluorescent lights as an alternative.

Tri R Lighting T5 Fluorescent Retrofit Kits

Tri R Lighting’s T5 Fluorescent Retrofit Kits is anticipated to be a great addition to the Tri R lighting product family. Due to the high quality of light output, the T5 Retrofit Kit opens up the ability for you to “de-lamp” or remove lamps. This process increases overall energy savings and reduces CO2 emissions.

Here is a simple example of savings per fixture on an annual basis. We’ve used a popular retrofit scenario where four tubes are replaced by two kits.

Perfect for retrofit projects or new construction applications, improving the quality of illumination and creating

Designed for applications where comfort, aesthetics and energy savings are important.

This product is ideal for offices, schools, hospitals, warehouses, retail and numerous other commercial applications

Why LED Bulbs When you can use Self Ballasted Induction Bulbs to replace Incandescent Bulbs?

I recently commented on two articles regarding the federal ban on incandescent bulbs which is unlike me. Writing is not my strong suit so I normally leave it to the professionals however peoples lack of knowledge regarding Induction Lighting is of a concern.

In the first article where I mentioned Induction Lamps as a Incandescent Bulb replacement it was because the author felt there were a lack of alternatives.  As a result of the phase out, consumers will be forced to look elsewhere enabling them to find alternatives in a technology like induction lighting.  In the end there will be more products on the market available to consumers.    And while incandescent bulbs are being phased out which may cause some sort term pain the long term benefit will far out weigh it.  Induction light manufacturers, or even LED manufacturers will have greater demand for their product driving costs down.

Remember, as a general rule of thumb.  Whatever an incandescent bulb can do, an induction bulb can do better at half the wattage and electricity consumption.

The following is an explanation as to the Lumen output and subsequent lumen maintenance of our induction lamps.

Many people, who see induction lights, comment on how bright they appear and what they feel is a higher quality of light being emitted from the fixtures. However, when individuals compare a Tri R Lighting induction light to a conventional lamp with a light meter, the induction lamp is generally measured as producing less light than the conventional lamp. This has led some people to ask “why” – even though they use 50%+ less energy – as they expect that the areas lit by them will not be bright enough when compared to conventional lighting. All this, even though their eyes are telling them they are the same if not brighter.

The issue is not with the induction lights and their ability to produce acceptable light. Today’s standards for light meters are calibrated using the 1951 CIE Colour Space Standards. They have not evolved with advancing technology in the lighting arena. This standard used to set the sensitivity curve for light meters does not take into account the contribution of Scotopic vision (night vision) to the sensitivity of the eye. Scientific studies have shown that the eye is more sensitive to blue wavelengths than the measurement curve of the light meter. Blue light, acting on human night vision (scotopic vision) is largely responsible for “visual acuity” or sharpness of vision. Simply put, the light meters and the 1951 standards by which they measure light, are wrong. Consumers are therefore paying for products with yesterdays lighting quality while not taking advantage today’s products, such as induction lighting that offer reduced costs and a better quality of light.

The human retina contains @ 125 million rod cells and @ 6 million cone cells. These respond to different frequencies (colors / wavelengths) of light in different ways. Cone cells are adapted to detect colors and function well in bright light, while Rod cells are more sensitive but do not detect color well as they are adapted to low light.

Photopic Vision: Is the scientific term for human color vision under normal conditions during the day (i.e. human perception of red, green and blue that the brain integrates to form full color images of the world around us).

Scotopic Vision: Is the scientific term for the visual perception in dim light (night vision).

Mesopic Vision: is the scientific term for the combination of the Photopic and Scotopic visions taking into account the total sensitivity of the rod cells in the eye for the blue range, with the color perception of the cone cells.

Visually Effective Light

The ratio of Photopic light versus Scotopic light in a lamp is called the S/P ratio. This ratio determines the apparent visual brightness of a light source. This is why the Tri R Lighting 200 watt lamp will appear as bright or brighter to the human eye than a Sodium vapor or metal halide of twice the wattage.

Here’s how this works:

Light is measured in lumens (Lux or foot candles). The S/P ratio of a lamp is important as it provides a number that can be used to multiply the output reading of a lamp using a 1951 standard conventional meter to determine how much light that is useful to the human eye, a lamp produces. These are known as Visually Effective Lumens (VEL).

Firstly, using a conventional light meter or spectrometer, the light is measured to determine the Photopic vision sensitivity curve, and then using the same light source with a light meter calibrated to the Scotopic, the scotopic sensitivity curve is determined. The resulting numbers form a ratio that can be expressed as a single number.

S/P ratio is used as a multiplier to determine the amount of light the lamp is emitting that is useful to human vision. A good example of this is as follows:

A) Metal Halide – 400 watt has a manufacturers rating of 56.9 lumens per watt. This results in 400 x 56.9 = 22,760 lumens x 1.49 (S/P ratio) = 33,912 Visually Effective Lumens.

B) Tri R Lighting Induction – 200 watt (6500k) has a manufacturers rating of 80 lumens per watt. This results in 200 x 80 = 16,000 lumens x 2.25 (S/P ratio) = 36,000 Visually Effective Lumens.

INDUCTION LIGHTING – BENEFITS

1. Induction Lamp Cost Savings:

   Immediately reduce your electric costs by 30%-50%

2. Induction Lamp Maintenance Savings:

   Practically maintenance free, the induction bulb & ballasts last 100,000 hours.  This eliminates the high cost of constant maintenance and re-lamping.

3. Induction Lamp Environmentally Safe:

   contains solid amalgam mercury which is 100% recyclable. Eliminates the high levels of mercury added to the environment by disposed lamps.

4. Reduced Carbon Footprint:

   There is a direct link between CO2 and global warming.  By using energy saving induction lamps you directly reduce your organization’s carbon footprint.

KEY PRODUCT FEATURES

• 100,000 hour life time
• 5-year warranty
• No electrodes & no filaments
• Wide range of color temperatures (3500K – 6500K)
• Instant on and re-strike
• Wide operating temperatures (-40F to +122F)
• White/daytime light (90+ CRI)
• 100% flicker free / no hum
• Lumen maintenance of 80% at 90% of rated life span
• Wide range of wattages

120 volt – 277volt

Established in 2006, Tri R Lighting, Inc. is headquartered in Miami Florida and its Warehouse in New Jersey.

Tri R Lighting offers technology and technology services in the areas of energy efficiency, energy reduction and “green” technologies. Products offered include Lighting Design, Lighting Controls, Energy Audits, Incentive/Rebate Management, Electrical Products and services and energy Efficient Lighting. Primary among these offerings is Induction Lighting (also known as low-frequency electrodeless lamp). Induction Lighting combines energy efficiency and a long lamp life to create one of the best options for commercial lighting.
With induction lighting, customers can achieve 40-60% energy savings over traditional commercial lighting. The 100,000 hour induction lamp dramatically reduces the customers need to constantly re-lamp.

Tri R Lighting’s clients are located throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America. Our clients include Hospitals, Auto Dealerships, School Districts, Property Management Companies, Corporate clients (including Fortune 500’s), Electrical Supply Companies, Electrical Contractors, Universities, Parking Garages, Hotels, Banks, Retail Chain Stores, Airports, Professional Sports Organizations, Sports Arenas and Municipalities.

Corporations large and small are lowering their energy consumption, and at the same time creating a safer, healthier environment by using TriR’s Induction Lighting, as part of their overall “green initiative.”

Please find below a brief overview of our eco-friendly, energy efficient Induction Lighting solution.

The benefits of Induction Lighting include:

A.

Induction Lighting Practically Maintenance Free:

Our lamps and ballasts are engineered to
last for 100,000 hours. This means that your maintenance staff does not have to re-lamp, on average, for 22.8 years (based on 12 hours per day 7 days per week), or longer depending on your company’s hours of operation.

B.

Induction Lamp Energy Savings:

Our induction lighting offers significant reduction in
energy consumption. Based on energy analysis that we have been doing for our customers, we are seeing cost savings between 30-70%, with an average ROI between 10-24 months.

C.

Environment Friendly:

Our induction lamp contains solid amalgam mercury
(which is 100% recyclable), versus the highly volatile liquid mercury found in other lighting products such as Fluorescents, High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide. This eliminates the high levels of mercury being added to the environment by disposed lamps. This makes Tri R Lighting’s induction lighting a “green” product.