LIGHTING LABORATORY Energywise's lighting laboratory’s service and equipment are available from the company for hire or purchase
In cooperation with electrical solutions company Magnet, lighting solutions provider Energywise Systems has established a specialist lighting service laboratory in Riverhorse Valley, Durban, which offers complete photometric, electric and thermal testing for light sources and luminaires.
Energywise MD Andrea Barausse says the lab is equipped with a full range of photometric equipment, including two goniometers, three spectrometers, a 2.4-m-diameter integrating sphere, a digitally controlled 1.2-m-wide thermal incubator oven – with 450 ℓ capacity for thermal endurance and efficiency tests – as well as a thermal imaging camera.
“The Energywise lighting laboratory team is committed to achieving the highest levels of accuracy in every aspect of lighting, including design and manufacture. We believe that precise analysis and defined performance parameters during laboratory testing ensure absolute efficiency and project optimisation. “Our highly skilled technicians are also researching the latest light sources and reflective and diffusion materials,” explains Barausse.
The Energywise laboratory also offers on-site testing services, with the addition of portable goniometers and spectrometers to the range of laboratory equipment.
These portable devices, which are controlled by smartphones or tablet software, have the same functionality as larger devices and are used to measure colour temperature, the colour rendering index, illuminance and spectrum.
“With our investment in the latest photometric equipment and ongoing technical training for the laboratory team, Energywise now offers the industry a comprehensive testing service for locally developed and imported light fittings,” adds Barausse.
The laboratory’s services and equipment are available from Energywise for hire or purchase.
Magnet’s Wolman’s Luggage Project
In November, Magnet completed the installation of an energy efficient lighting system at retailer Wolman’s Luggage’s new outlet at La Lucia Mall, KwaZulu-Natal, says Magnet sales manager Gary Dawson.
“The project, which involved the installation of modern lighting fittings, has resulted in energy savings of about 56% a month. The design objective was to harness light in the most effective way possible to create the appropriate ambience in the shop and to show off the true colour appearance of the retailer’s leather and plastic goods,” he explains.
The project also involved replacing existing low-brightness recessed luminaire technology with 60 W light-emitting diode panel luminaires.
Dawson highlights that careful consideration was given to the quality of illuminance levels, adding that an overall improvement of 90% in lux levels was achieved. A colour temperature of 4 000 K was selected to ensure merchandise is displayed in the most favourable light.
Magnet, which offers specialist design and installation services, believes it has made a significant contribution to a reduction in wasted energy in the industrial and commercial sectors throughout South Africa. Magnet customises its systems to suit any building design and specific lighting requirements.