Even for the most savvy and skilled of Do-it-yourselfer, the prospect of installing a lighting retrofit kit to save money on the installation and operations is very attractive. But the premier safety science organization this week announced that there may be some adverse consequence for the un-educated and or novice electrical worker.
The 120-year old global independent safety company UL sent out a warning to building owners, installers and consumers that there is a growing number of reports of improperly installed and non-certified retrofit lighting kits that may pose a fire or shock hazard.
The move to more modern and efficient lighting fixtures is a positive step towards energy savings and sustainability, but care must be taken to use certified retrofit kits and install them properly. A qualified electrician must complete the retrofit according to accompanying installation instructions, as improper installation may pose a fire or shock hazard.
UL say that many retrofit installations are completed in ways that create safety hazards where none existed before, creating unintended consequences in the name of energy efficiency. The components used in the retrofit may have individual certifications, but if the kit (including the accompanying installation instructions) is not certified per the applicable Standards for Safety, problems can occur.
"The common thinking is that LED retrofits are low-voltage. This is not true. All retrofit kits will include branch circuit connections, and should be treated with proper safety precautions," said UL Lighting Division Principal Engineer Bahram Barzideh. "A retrofit kit is more than just parts. When a luminaire is modified using off-the-shelf parts, there is no way to know if the luminaire is compliant or even safe."
UL urges those installing a lighting retrofit to use only third-party certified retrofit kits and follow the accompanying installation instructions. UL Certified lighting retrofit kits can be verified in UL's Certification database found on ul.com at http://iq.ul.com/ssl/ and selecting LED Retrofit Kits from the product category pull-down.
GET,LLC can provide you with one of those kits-the Deco Lighting Linea LED Kit. They come in 1x4, 2x2 and 2x4 configurations. We have seen these kits in action already as the Guam International Airport Authority is utilizing the Deco Lighting Linea Kits as part of an Emergency Lighting Pilot Project in the main terminal of the A.B. Won Pat International Airport.
To learn more about the lighting products that GET, LLC provides, including the LED lines of our partners, Independence LED Lighting and Deco Lighting Inc., please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us to discuss solutions for your important lighting needs-All Made in America!!!