Frequently Asked Questions: Relight

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Marcia Norman
5 years ago
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1 Frequently Asked Questions: Relight Product Details Q: What fixture types are suitable for the relight assembly? A: Our assembly is engineered to upgrade existing 2x2 and 2x4 parabolic fixtures that are at least 4-3/8 deep. We have verified more than a dozen current and past parabolic designs from COOPER, COLUMBIA, DAY-BRITE and other major lighting manufacturers. We found our assembly is suitable in all these cases. At this time, we have not found any 2x4 parabolics of current or past designs which are incompatible with our assembly. We have found older 2x2 parabolic designs by COLUMBIA and DAY-BRITE that are not compatible; we highly recommend conducting a dimensional and fit study on all jobs prior to the entry of an order. Lensed troffers that have been upgraded using parabolic renovators are not suitable for relight assemblies. Q: What about lensed troffer upgrades? A: The designs of many lensed troffers are not compatible with our assembly. The designs of certain older, deeper-lensed troffers have been tested and found to be compatible. A field study is needed to determine if the assembly will allow the lensed troffers to be adapted. We hesitate to publish a catalog list of the compatible fixtures because many design modifications have been made over the years and often catalog numbers are not found or in readable condition. Q: What do we do if the assembly is not compatible? A: At this time our suggestion is that the customer considers a replacement fixture. We are continuing to develop products and solutions to expand the concept farther, and will advise you when new assemblies are available to allow even more outdated fixtures to be adapted. It is important that we lead into this exciting new market to wait until we have everything would delay offering anything. Q: What should I do to be assured the relight assembly will fit? A: This is a critical step in the successful completion of any job. Included within the launch package and spec sheets are directions regarding the dimensions required for the relight assembly. Consult these instructions during the evaluation phases of any project. Q: Is a traditional T12 fixture, retrofitted with T8 lamps and instant-start ballasts, UL Listed? A: In general, when making modifications to old fixtures, if you are doing a one-for-one replacement of a component, the final result is considered to be UL approved. In other words, if you replace a worn-out ballast with a like ballast, the original UL approval isn t affected. If the conversion isn t one-for-one, such as replacing a T12 ballast/lampholder system with a T8 ballast/lampholder system, the end result is not UL approved. There is an exception to this rule when the parts for making the conversion are UL Classified such as with the ES8R and RT5R. Q: Is it acceptable to remove a lamp from a parallel-wired instant-start ballasted fixture? A: Ballast manufacturers do not recommend the removal of a lamp from a socket for anything but a short period of time. The energized ballast continues to supply voltage across the sockets. Ballast manufacturers do allow a lamp lead to be capped off a different electrical situation than leaving an open socket. Q: Is relight suitable for host fixtures with air functions? A: Our assembly retains the floating door appearance of the parabolic; thus air functions will not be affected by the relight assembly. Q: Are ballast disconnect plugs included on relight assemblies? A: Yes, they are standard on all assemblies. Q: Current ballast catalogs list input watts for three-lamp T8 fixtures as 85 watts; why do our publications list three-lamp T8 input at 88 watts? A: Two years ago, most ballast manufacturers reduced the input watts of T8 ballasts from 88+ to 85+. We assume most applications for relight will be applications that were installed at least two years.

2 Q: Is the removal of the existing ballast and lampholder bracket required? A: In some applications with deeper housings, it is possible to leave the ballast and sockets. We recommend that you instruct the customer to remove and recycle these parts as they no longer provide any benefit to the assembly. Production/Availability Q: Where is the product stocked and in what configuration? A: We do not intend to stock the relight assemblies at this time. The high-volume configurations have a production lead time of 10 working days. If you have a situation that requires stock, please contact your Lithonia Lighting RSVP. Q: Do we intend to offer a 1x4 configuration? A: Both relight assemblies are available in 2x2 and 2x4 configurations. Other configurations will be considered in the future. For now, we recommend a new construction fixture. Other Details Q: Do our competitors offer an equivalent product? A: The relight assembly is another industry-changing design that is available only from Lithonia Lighting. This is your opportunity to demonstrate leadership and impress your customers with another industry first! Q: Do we offer a trial sample kit for testing in host fixtures? A: We offer an installation verification kit which is stocked in our DCs. The kit includes single end brackets and fit instructions. Q: What do our customers do if they find that the ballasts being replaced have PCBs? A: Before EPA banned the manufacture of PCBs in 1978, PCBs were used in the manufacturing of fluorescent ballasts. All light ballasts manufactured since 1978 should be marked by the manufacturer with the statement No PCBs. For those manufactured prior to that time, or for those ballasts which contain no statement regarding PCB content, you should assume they do contain PCBs. Special environmental and disposal regulations apply to PCB ballasts. Consult your state environmental protection agency for laws and regulations. Q: Can we supply support for the recycling of the components replaced in the host fixture? A: Recycling services are available from a number of national and local providers. Some companies are able to handle all of the waste from a relight project including lamps, ballasts, PCB ballasts, sheet metal and corrugate. National companies capable of handling these disposals include Waste Management, Inc. ( and Veoliaes Environmental Services ( In addition, the Acuity Brands company SAERIS can coordinate the recycling needs of your project; for a summary of capabilities see the SAERIS section (page 62). Q: How do we respond to requests for turnkey installations? A: Your relationships with local contactors are of course a logical place to turn for turnkey installations. For multi-territory projects with a single point of decision-making, you may consider consulting with SAERIS, an Acuity Brands company that can coordinate all aspects of a relight project from an audit to installation, recycling and rebates. For a summary of capabilities, see the SAERIS section (page 62).

3 Frequently Asked Questions: RT5R Product Details Q: Is the RT5R UL Listed? A: The RT5R is UL Classified for use in the UL Listed luminaires as described in our installation instructions. As long as both the original fixture and our RT5R assemblies are installed in accordance with their installation instructions, the final assembly is considered UL approved. Q: What is included in the RT5R assembly? A: The RT5R assembly includes: End brackets A pair of end brackets are supplied that slide in between the host fixture and T-bar trim. Light engine The light engine hinges on end brackets. Installed on the light engine are two lamps and the ballast. Splice box Used to cover splices that are present when fixtures are through-wired or have incoming conductors that are anything other than 18-gauge solid connections. The ballast disconnect plug is not required to be installed inside the splice box. Trim The doorframe assembly with cam latches that attaches to the end brackets. TEK screws Self-drilling sheet metal screws are used to install the end brackets and (optionally) the splice box. Instruction sheet Provides details of the RT5R installation process. Q: Does the RT5R offer the same lamp/ballast and system warranty as standard RT5 fixtures? A: The RT5R employs the same premium lamp and ballasts that we offer in the existing RT5 fixtures. All ballast options that have been successful in the RT5 are offered in RT5R. To reduce labor and installation costs, all assemblies ship with lamps installed on the light engine. Q: Are the lamps installed? A: All fixtures are shipped with SYLVANIA lamps installed. Q: How do I order a configuration that does not appear on the specification sheet? A: There is a limited selection of configurations that do not appear on our specification sheets, such as F54T5HO. Other configurations available can be found on Q: What value does the trim provide? A: The durable polyethylene trim assembly is a vacuum-formed design that maintains the optical performance of the new construction RT5 fixture plus is lightweight for ease in handling during the installation process. It has a special finish to reduce sheen and make it very close in appearance to the new construction RT5. Q: What components are removed from the host fixture? A: Louver, lamps, channel cover, lampholder bracket, ballast and sockets. Q: Is the trim recyclable? A: Yes, the trim is marked for recycling at the end of life. Q: Are spring-loaded latches available? A: RT5R assemblies include secure cam-latch attachment only. Production/Availability Q: Where is the RT5R produced? A: The RT5R is produced in Cochran, Ga.

4 Shipping Q: How is the product shipped? A: We offer three configurations: Unit pack A single assembly is packaged in one carton. Job pack Job pack 30 is uniquely designed to meet common relight application needs. The job pack consists of two narrow pallets (27 x 52 ) that will fit comfortably in most elevators for easy transportation at the job site. The first pallet includes fixture trims. The second carton includes: 60 end brackets, 30 splice boxes, 240 TEK screws and 30 factory-lamped light engines. SSQ sample pack We offer the relight assembly in a double-boxed SSQ assembly to provide additional protection when single fixtures are shipped. Q: How are products shipped? A: All orders in excess of 30 units are shipped in JP30. By shipping in packs of 30, we reduce job site labor involved in removing fixtures from cartons, and reduce the quantity and amount of corrugate that requires disposal on the job site. Performance Q: Why is there a fixture efficiency difference between RT5 and RT5R? A: The RT5R performs within 2% of the new construction fixture s performance delivering light levels that are not distinguishable from a new fixture. Q: What are typical watts per square foot? A: Watts per square foot depends on spacing of existing host fixtures. In typical installations where fixtures are mounted on 8 x 10 centers, you can achieve 0.72 W/ft 2. Other Details Q: What spare parts are available? A: Relight projects are a bit different than new construction projects. All of the materials required for the installation are included in the job packs. When multiple crews are involved, you may wish to include some added material in case the 10% spare fasteners are not enough. Please consider items from the replacement parts list (page 38) for large-scale relight projects. These items are stocked at the DCs for last-minute shortages. Q: Is emergency backup available? A: Yes, it is available factory-installed. See page 35. Q: Is the RT5R patented? A: The series is patent-pending to protect our intellectual property.

5 Frequently Asked Questions: ES8R Product Details Q: Is the ES8R UL Listed? A: The ES8R is UL Classified for use in the UL Listed luminaires as described in our installation instructions. As long as both the original fixture and our ES8R assemblies are installed in accordance with their installation instructions, the final assembly is considered UL approved. Q: What is included in the ES8R assembly? A: The ES8R assembly includes: End brackets A pair of white end brackets are supplied that slide in between the host fixture and T-bar trim. A ballast is factory-mounted onto one of the end brackets and prewired to sockets on the other bracket. Reflector The two-piece reflector is field-installed into the end brackets with tabs and quarter-turn latches. Splice box Used to cover splices that are present when fixtures are through-wired or have incoming conductors that are anything other than 18-gauge solid connections. The ballast disconnect plug is not required to be installed inside the splice box. Louver The louver doorframe assembly with cam latches and hinges, attaches to the end brackets. TEK screws Self-drilling sheet metal screws are used to install the end brackets and (optionally) the splice box. Instruction sheet Provides details of the ES8R installation process. Q: Which lamps and ballasts are offered with the ES8R? A: The ES8R features HPT8 Super T8 lamps and ballast to ensure the lowest possible operating costs. Our generic supplier is SYLVANIA. The ballast is installed to the end bracket for quick and easy access during installation. Q: Are the lamps installed? A: Lamps are shipped as a bulk-packed accessory for ease in ordering and installation. Q: What do I do if lamps are broken during installation? A: We recommend that you purchase 2% spare lamps to cover breakage and instant failures. Q: What components are removed from the host fixture? A: Louver, lamps, channel cover, lampholder bracket, ballast and sockets. Q: Are spring-loaded latches available? A: ES8R assemblies include secure cam-latch attachment only. Production/Availability Q: Where is the ES8R produced? A: The ES8R is produced in Monterrey, Mexico.

6 Shipping Q: How is the product shipped? A: We offer three configurations: Unit pack A single assembly is packaged in one carton. Job pack The job pack with (18) 2x4 relight assemblies is uniquely designed to meet common relight application needs. The job pack is set up for a narrow pallet that will fit comfortably in most elevators for easy transportation within an existing building. The pallet includes 18 pairs of end brackets, 18 splice boxes, 120 TEK screws, quarter turns and 36 reflectors. SSQ sample pack We offer the relight assembly in a double-boxed SSQ assembly to provide additional protection when single fixtures are shipped. Q: Do I have to order job packs? A: Job packs are selected automatically when more than 17 fixtures are entered on the order. This packaging reduces handling labor and job site disposal of waste. Performance Q: Why is there a fixture efficiency difference between ES8 and ES8R? A: The ES8R performs within 2% of the new construction fixture s performance delivering light levels that are not distinguishable from a new fixture. Q: What are the typical watts per square foot? A: Watts delivered per square foot depend on the spacing of existing host fixtures. In typical installations where fixtures are mounted on 8 x 10 centers, you can achieve 0.60 W/ft 2. Other Details Q: What spare parts are available? A: Relight projects are a bit different than new construction projects. All of the materials required for the installation are included in the job packs. When multiple crews are involved, you may wish to include some added material in case the 10% spare fasteners are not enough. Please consider items from the replacement parts appendix list (page 38) for largescale relight projects. These are stocked at the DC s for last-minute shortages. Q: Is emergency backup available? A: Yes, it is available as a field-installed option. See page 35. Q: Is the ES8R patented? A: The series is patent-pending to protect our intellectual property.

R E A L I Z E. Relight Renovation Products to meet all of your retrofit needs

R E A L I Z E. Relight Renovation Products to meet all of your retrofit needs R E A L I Z E Relight Renovation Products to meet all of your retrofit needs REALIZE Your BUILDING S Potential The ReLIGHT solution With our relight solution, occupants will notice and appreciate a marked