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Tokistar Exhibitor Series
This may be a perfect example of a way to create a festive environment over an outdoor entertainment area. The Tokistar Exhibitor Series "Festoon" lighting system will give you not only a special effect but also a functional lighting source for the area. The basic system is a series of polycarbonate globes attached to flexible 12/2 UV stabilized low voltage cable. Within these globes you have the choice of either 4.2 watt 12 volt xenon lamps or the new .48 watt 24 volt LED lamp system. Only your imagination and the spacing you select limit your design. By using the 12-volt xenon lamp you can have individual festoon runs of between 25 and 50 feet depending on the lamp spacing. If you choose the LED lamp your individual runs are now able to reach distances of several hundred feet in length.
You can create an ideal effect over a patio, deck or barbecue by suspending these lamps along a braided steel rope or mounted directly to any structure's surface. Tokistar has special mounting hardware to make either of these methods possible for the installer. By using a spacing of between 18" and 24" on center you will achieve more than enough light output to allow for casual dining when mounted approximately 9 to 10 feet above the dining surface. In this application the "Festoon" lamp runs are typically placed six to eight feet apart over the selected areas.
 For an even more creative or festive look, you can select color globes for the xenon lamps. The globes used on the Exhibitor Series are all removable so changing the effect is as easy as changing the color of globe used. For more information on the "festoon" lighting system refer to page 12 of the California Landscape Lighting Product Catalog of contact our office.
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Explaining The EISA Law
In December 2007 the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) was passed into Federal Law. This law is an effort to reduce energy consumption within the United States and affects a wide range of products and operations. In regards to landscape lighting one of the products it will affect is Metal Halide lighting. More precisely, the way that most Metal Halide ballasts are to be manufactured. Beginning January 1, 2009 these ballasts must be manufactured or imported with a significantly higher operating efficiency. The ballast must now have between 88% and 94% efficiency depending on the starter they employ. The law only applies to a ballast exceeding 150 watts and does not affect the fixture used with the ballast. To achieve this efficiency it does not require new technology but a slightly more expensive method of ballast design and manufacturing, ideally using a pulse start rather than a probe start.
The overall advantages of the mandated improvements include up to a 50% increase in lumens per watt, 50% longer lamp life, colder starting temperatures and reduced warm up time. By achieving increased lumens per used watt it may be possible to install systems with greater fixture spacing without design impairments. Along with this it will also bring an overall savings in energy consumption and this adds to lower cost of ownership.
EISA allows for a ballast produced prior to January 1, 2009 to be sold and installed but dictates new, retrofit and replacement equipment meet the new standards if manufactured after the effective date. The new Federal regulation is in effect in all states except California, which will implement the regulation in 2011.
Photo Courtesy of Boyd Lighting, San Antonio TX |
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