Chalmor’s energy efficient, long life Brilliance light fittings are helping leading diesel engine manufacturer Cummins to significantly reduce energy and maintenance costs, as well as carbon footprint, while also improving light distribution, at its facility in Ramsgate, Kent. These cost savings are conservatively predicted by Cummins to be in the order of £30-35,000 per annum.

The 4 x 80W T5 fluorescent Brilliance fittings have replaced 400W high pressure sodium (SON) fittings, each with an energy consumption of up to 480W including control gear losses. Each Brilliance fitting can be used in a three stage control approach, with different numbers of lamps switched on at each stage in configurations of zero, two or four lamps.

“Despite the extensive roof lighting in the building the SON fittings were on for 24 hours a day because of the re-strike time,” explained Cummins’ Facilities Manager Richard Wilson. “With the Brilliance fittings we can automatically reduce artificial lighting in relation to natural daylight to save on energy. In addition, we were previously replacing lamps every 18 months, whereas these are expected to last well over twice as long and maintain performance – providing considerable maintenance savings,” he added.

Mounted at a height of 11.5m, the Brilliance fittings provide all of the benefits of T5 lighting, including improved colour rendering for people working in the space. At Cummins, they have also greatly improved light distribution for the workforce.

Brilliance luminaires are fitted with long life lamps as standard and are also available with ‘Ultra’ lamps, which in this application would reduce maintenance cycles to approximately 10 years. In addition, they can be supplied with dimmable control gear, where required.