The question has been asked: Why would a company or organization want to spend money to retrofit lighting with state-of-the art LEDs? The answers are varied and begin with the age old requirements to save time, money and have a higher quality product or advertisement. The reasons listed below come from Project Engineers and Systems Specialists expressing why they have chosen this route:
- Saving Money: There may be a cost associated with a retrofitting LED applications but the payback makes it more than worth the expense. A large-scale example of this is Harrah’s Casino in Las Vegas. They spent $362,000 on retrofitting everything from elevator signal lights, to under counter illumination, animated displays, signage and outdoor lighting. The project has allowed them to reduce their power consumption by 2 million kWh. They expect to realize a $200,000 yearly payback from their 24/7 operations.
- Environmental Synergy: The desire to reduce environmental contaminants and improve the overall carbon footprint of our society is a reason given across the board. LED applications can reduce carbon footprints by up to 60% over other lighting types.
- Improved Lighting Quality: The new generation of LED’s available are brighter and more vibrant. Signage and displays appear sleek, modern and clean. The more vibrant colors were a safety consideration when the NYC Subway signals were replaced. Travelers and Engineers said the saturated colors were more visible and thus safer.
- Longevity: A truly worldwide push is taking place with massive projects to replace street lighting and traffic signals with LED’s. One of the many reasons is the longevity factor of LED’s. Known for their exceptional reliability and without internal filaments to be damaged, there are less repair instances and longer life cycles over-all.
- Control and Display Features: LED’s have better dimming and control features available than the lighting of yesteryear. This is an area where both marketing and safety benefits come into play. Airbus wing tips and train signals have been retrofitted for the control features of LED’s to provide better ground and air signaling to improve safety while the number of retrofit marketing applications is practically infinite. From sport stadiums, to retail stores, every venue trying capture the public imagination, has seen signage and signaling being retrofitted or changed to LED based displays. Lighting can be synchronized for a show, have burst of color to turns heads or be animated to send a message. The options are infinite.
VCC is excited at the new possibilities that exist and our dedicated professionals are available daily to provide you with assistance for your specific retrofit requirements. We provide standard LED’s as well as specialized options. If you need a high intensity light, have a remote application or need to have a seal that is moisture proof; VCC has the products to fit your needs. Contact us with your requirements and we will provide a custom solution to ensure the success of your retrofit application.
San Marcos, CA — Visual Communications Company (VCC), a provider of innovative Optoelectronics solutions, recently announced the appointment of Advance Technical Sales, Inc. as its manufacturer’s representative for the southwest. Based in southern California, VCC is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of LED mounting components.
“Advance Technical Sales is a great addition to the VCC team,” said Mark Baker, National Sales Manager, of VCC. “It possesses a solid business ethic and is well-known in the industry for its knowledge and professionalism. We are very excited to be working with the team.” Advance Technical Sales will cover a four-state region including Texas, the Texas – Mexico Border, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. “The partnership between VCC and Advance Technical Sales is part of VCC’s effort to augment its existing rep network in order to best support the expanded demand and growth opportunities that the company is currently experiencing,” explained Baker.
1W High Power LED on Star Board
After enjoying initial success with our through-hole LED offering, VCC is moving forward with its surface-mount LED line. The introduction of the surface-mount line rounds out VCC’s ability to be a true single-source solution for LED needs. Whether its the LED, a light pipe, or any other of the many VCC mounting components, we are now a one-stop shop for our customers.
Standard package sizes will include 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, and PLCC2. Additionally, VCC will be offering a line of high power SMD LED solutions. These include .5W, 1W, and 3W products. Custom design solutions are also available. LEDs will be available in early October.
All of the VCC LED specification sheets are currently available at the VCC website.
LEDs Magazine – LED lighting market to exceed $5B by 2012, says report
Strategies Unlimited predicts that the LED industry total market size in 2012 will exceed $11bn. THIS IS FOR THE CHIPS ALONE! They predict a CAGR of 20% in the next five years, with a total market of $11.4 billion in 2012. The largest application in 2012, with 44% of the market, will be Signs & Displays, which includes backlighting for large LCD screens (monitors and TVs). Last year, the largest segment was Mobile Appliances, with 44% market share.
Recently, VCC was introduced to AC Propulsion of San Dimas, CA. AC Propulsion supplies electric propulsion and battery technology for electric vehicles. Most notably, they have contracted with BMW to provide systems for the BMW MINI E electric vehicle. The AC Propulsion drive system includes a power electronics unit and AC-induction traction motor featuring proprietary and patented tzero™ technology to provide high performance, high efficiency, and rapid, convenient charging capabilities for electric vehicle applications.
AC Propulsion designed-in a modified version of VCC’s CNX 440 threaded cable assembly with a CMS 442 lens to be used as a warning indicator in the event the electric motor or battery unit overheat. What attracted them to the VCC product was its NEMA 4 rating for moisture, as well as VCC’s ability to customize it for the application.
VCC takes its environmental responsibility seriously, and we feel quite good knowing that our products in this project and many others like it are helping us follow-through on our committments.
About AC Propulsion:
AC Propulsion is a California corporation founded in 1992 by Alan Cocconi to develop and commercialize advanced propulsion for a new type of vehicle — efficient but powerful, zero-emission but fun to drive, gasoline-free but convenient to use — the electric vehicle. The world needs electric vehicles to provide transportation without petroleum. Our propulsion systems — motors, inverters, chargers, and batteries — make electric vehicles efficient, fast, and fun to drive. We are working with automakers, large and small, around the world, who want to build such vehicles.
On the web at www.acpropulsion.com
Cummings Power Generators choose our CMS 442 sealed lens for its ruggedized controller. The NEMA 4-rated CMS 442 is a low-profile, button-type lens that has a smooth, clean look with a convex surface protruding just above the panel. This minimizes the potential problems of snagging, interference, or physical damage that might result from outside sources such as clothing, jewelry, tools, etc.
The threaded design makes for a quick and simple assembly to the front panel. With less than a full turn, the lens is tightly mounted to the panel using the included lock washer and retaining ring. Note that the circuit board is completely independent of the display panel, simplifying its installation or removal for assembly or repair.
The CMS 442 & 462 lens assemblies have been designed not only to meet the needs of all indoor applications, but have also been successfully proven in harsh environments. The units, with uniquely-designed spiral mating threads, provide a superior mounting system that has been tested by an independent laboratory and has exceeded all test criteria for NEMA 4 and beyond (Water Seal, depths down to 100m; Shock, up to 6Gs; Vibration, shaken up to 6 Gs from 0 to 2000Hz; Temperature Cycling from -40°C to +105°C; UV resistance; Dust Sealing; and Ice Encasement). This is one tough lens able to take what you can dish out.
The CMS 442 lens greatly increases the aesthetics of the display panel. Its low-profile design greatly enhances the light output of the LED by significantly reducing the ambient light effect upon the lens. The lens can increase the viewing angle to 180° by the use of patented VCC diffusion ring technology. While the CMS 442 is used for 5mm LED applications, the CMS 462 provides a 10mm LED solution. These lenses are also paired with VCC Litepipes® and cable assemblies to meet all of your needs.
VCC is proud to introduce its GLO Series lenses. They are made from a unique thermoplastic material that diffuses a LED’s light output and dramatically reduces “hot-spots”. The result is a clean, hi-tech glow that evenly distributes the light along the lens surface and can be viewed from nearly any angle.
Currently, VCC offers the SMB 200, SML 190, CLB 300, and CLF 280 as part of the GLO Series. Custom design inquiries are welcome.
VCC’s new GLO Series responds to the needs of the marketplace with color innovation, offering even greater flexibility to design engineers.
Dacor®, a domestic manufacturer of high quality kitchen appliances has selected a VCC Conxrite LED cable assembly to deliver light in its complete line of ranges. Dacor was looking for an innovative way of illuminating the knobs on their ranges as an indicator that the range is on. A specially designed knob with an imbedded light pipe allows the light from VCC’s K Series connector to pass through, illuminating the knob.
The VCC K Series interconnector provides various methods of LED connection to power source circuitry, further simplifying assembly procedures. Standard interconnectors are offered in lengths of 4″, 8″, 12″, 18″ and 24″ and include a locking header connector. Terminations are also available with stripped wire leads for terminal attachment or soldering directly to the circuit board.
The K Series requires no tools for assembly while providing a simple, fast press-fit connection to various panels. Additionally, its use precludes the necessity of direct hard-wiring.
The K Series supports and stress-relieves the LED leads providing the stability necessary to eliminate any issues with broken or damaged leads. In addition, panel LED push-back problems, typical of the clip and ring mount, are resolved, resulting in a more secure assembly.
Dacor selected VCC’s interconnector system for its ability to quickly attach to a PCB-mounted header. The K Series connector facilitates the preassembly of wiring harnesses, precluding the need for hard-wiring directly to the LED. This permits easy installation of LEDs in final assembly and replacement of defective LEDs in test and field service operations, both of which help to significantly lower costs.
