Engineering & Technology

2021 ALA Engineering Meeting

Consumer Guide: Lighting Your Way to Better Vision

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) is pleased to announce the publication of the Consumer Guide Lighting Your Way to Better Vision (IES CG-1-20). This groundbreaking, non-technical document addresses vision issues from extreme low vision to aging in place and how lighting can help improve quality of life. 

Lighting Product Safety Certification – What does it mean & why is it important?

Lighting products may present hazards if not properly designed and constructed. These hazards include fire, electrical shock, and physical injury. To reduce these risks, nationally accredited safety standards specify testing and construction requirements for lighting equipment. These safety standards are developed in a consensus process by technical panels composed of diverse stakeholders including safety experts, product experts, product users, and regulators. Lighting product safety standards are primarily developed by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) in the United States, and The CSA Group (CSA) in Canada.  

In both countries, wiring regulations are enforced to help ensure safe installation and use of electrical equipment. In the United States the National Electrical Code (NFPA-70)[i] applies, while the Canadian Electrical Code Part I, Safety Standards for Electrical Installations (CSA C22.1)[ii], applies in Canada. Both specify that luminaires (lighting fixtures) must be certified compliant with the appropriate safety standards.

It is apparent that there is a robust system in place to help ensure lighting safety. This system depends on products being certified.  Without this certification, the product you buy may be hazardous.

Socketed vs. Integrated LED Luminaires

Selecting the proper light source for a luminaire has become a complex and confusing choice for many luminaire manufacturers. In particular, when developing LED luminaires the designer is faced with the choice of whether to create a luminaire with integrated LEDs, or utilize sockets that can accept a standard lamp.

Engineering Committee Meeting - Developing Technologies in Residential Lighting

Presentation by Terry McGowan, fIES, LC, Director of Engineering, American Lighting Association

CABA – Smart Home as a Service Research Project

ALA now has access to information and reports dealing with smart home products and systems resulting from focused research on the technology as well as the market forces, trends, customer needs and behaviors.

UVC Germicidal Devices: Technology Newsletter

UVC germicidal devices:

What consumers need to know

Ultraviolet-C (UVC) Germicidal Devices: What Consumers Need to Know

Consumer UVC germicidal devices are entering the market rapidly because of an increased demand for sanitizing and germicidal capabilities in the face of COVID-19. But are they all safe?

Information Resources: UV Germicidal Information

We have listed links to further reading on UV-C light. These are technical articles recommended by Terry McGowan, Dir. of Engineering, American Lighting Association.

Can Germicidal Lighting Combat COVID-19?

The use of germicidal lighting as a potential way to combat germs and viruses, including COVID-19, is receiving a lot of interest and publicity lately. Germicidal ultraviolet "light" or GUV refers to the technology of germicidal lighting, which utilizes ultraviolet-emitting sources. While GUV is a technology with great opportunity, it is more complicated than simply turning on a UV light.