What You Should Know About UL Certified Retrofit Kits

UL Publishes a Paper on What You Should Know about UL Lighting Retrofit Kits

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does retrofitting a luminaire ‘void’ its UL Listing? 
Retrofitting an installed luminaire does not impact the original Listing. The UL Listing Mark is applied by the luminaire manufacturer (OEM) at the factory. It is the manufacturer’s attestation that the product met the appropriate UL Standard when it was shipped. The UL Certification Mark on the Retrofit Kit indicates that the kit (including its components and the accompanying installation instructions) have been evaluated by UL for use with the identified luminaires. It also indicates that when the kit is installed in accordance with its markings and instructions, the converted luminaire complies with UL 1598, the UL standard for luminaires.

2. Is a UL Field Evaluation required for retrofitting? 
If a UL Certified Retrofit Kit is installed in strict adherence with its installation instructions, then a Field Evaluation should not be required on the modified luminaire.

3. Does the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) need to be notified when a luminaire is retrofitted?
Jurisdictions typically require permits and AHJ approval when retrofitting installed luminaires. Since regulations vary by jurisdiction you should check with your local AHJ regarding the regulations in your area.

4. Is it acceptable for installers to build their own retrofit kit using “off the shelf” pieces and parts? 
The 2014 NEC, Section 410.6 requires luminaire retrofit kits to be Listed. UL Certified Retrofit Kits include parts and instructions that have been verified to confirm that the modified luminaire would comply with the UL standard for luminaires (UL 1598) - when installed in according to instructions. If an installer or contractor decides to modify a luminaire using off-the-shelf pieces and parts instead of using a UL Certified Retrofit Kit, then the modified luminaire would be no different than any other field-modified electrical equipment, and its compliance with applicable Codes and standards would need to be determined either by UL via a Field Evaluation or by an AHJ in accordance with local regulations.

5. Where do I find UL Certified Retrofit Kits? 
Suppliers of UL certified Retrofit Kits can be found at www.UL.com/ database by searching under the UL category code “IFAR”. UL also offers an on-line database, which can be searched parametrically to find UL Certified Retrofit Kits that meet specific applications. Go to http://iq.ul.com/ssl/ choose “LED retrofit kits” from the drop-down menu and simply select the parameters that you need. The database will do the rest!

6. Is permission from the original luminaire manufacturer required to retrofit their product? 
Installed luminaires are the responsibility of the owner. The owner makes the decision regarding retrofitting and should consider suitability of the proposed UL Certified Retrofit Kit(s)for the target luminaires as well as installer qualifications necessary to meet the local code requirements. However, retrofitting a luminaire without explicit permission from the luminaire manufacturer could eliminate any remaining warranty coverage.

7. What qualifications are required for someone to retrofit a luminaire? 
Jurisdictions vary in their adopted requirements regarding qualifications necessary for modifying installed equipment. Some areas may require licensed electricians and some allow other means of qualifying retrofit installers. Contact your local AHJ or planning department to determine the qualifications necessary in your area.

8. Can a retrofit kit be made by a manufacturer other than the original luminaire manufacturer? 
UL certified Retrofit Kits can be made by any company. Some luminaire manufacturers may make retrofit kits specific for their luminaires. The kit’s installation instructions identify the type of luminaire for which the kit is intended and should always be consulted prior to any retrofit decision to determine suitability.

9. Are retrofit kits for specific luminaires or are they generic? 
Retrofit kit manufacturers can certify their products for either specific luminaire models or for generic types of luminaires that meet the specific mechanical and electrical criteria identified in the kit’s installation instructions. This criteria typically includes the original luminaire’s minimum or maximum dimensions, the luminaire’s shape or configuration (i.e.: troffer, high hat, etc.) and any specific physical features that are required for proper fit. When kits are certified for specific luminaire models, their installation instructions will include the luminaire model numbers.

10. What is included in a retrofit kit? 
Certified retrofit kits always contain a set of detailed Installation instructions which identify the type of luminaires(s) for which the kit is suitable, major kit components, preparation steps (including drawings and/ or figures) and wiring instructions. Kits include the major components such as the LED Driver or Power Supply, LED Modules and mounting means. Kits might also include adhesives, connectors, lampholders, and wire, although these common components may instead be called out in the installation instructions as installer supplied parts.

11. Where is the retrofit kit certification mark? 
The UL Certification Mark is required to be located on a kit component in a manner such that it will be visible during servicing after the kit’s installation. Typically this is on the LED light source (lamp) or its driver.

12. Why are both a UL Recognized Mark and a Classification Mark on the power supply? 
Most components used in retrofit kits are required to be separately evaluated and will bear the UL Recognition Mark or the UL Listing Mark. As such one major component of the kit (the LED driver or the LED lamp) will include an additional UL Certification Mark related to the retrofit kit.

13. Can I retrofit refrigerated display cases? 
The requirements for refrigerated display cases are somewhat different than those for luminaires. UL evaluates LED retrofit kits specifically for commercial refrigerators and freezers under category code IFAS. This helps to ensure that the modified equipment will continue to comply with UL 471, the UL Standard for Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers.

14. Can I retrofit Signs? 
There are also separate requirements for retrofit kits intended for field installation into UL certified signs. UL evaluates such kits under category code UYWU to ensure the converted sign continues to comply with UL 48, the UL Standard for Electric Signs.

15. How do I get UL certification to make retrofit kits? 
Contact UL at LightingInfo@UL.com.

16. Who can I contact if I see retrofit kits or products being misused in the marketplace or in the field? Report safety related concerns about UL products to our Market Surveillance team by filing a Product Incident Report. To file a report go to www.UL.com/ahjreport.

UL and the UL logo are trademarks of UL LLC © 2016
Original Paper: http://industries.ul.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/09/Certified-Retrofit-Kits-What-you-should-know1.pdf

Samsung and Daintree Networks Team Up to Advance Smart Building IoT

SEOUL, Korea and LOS ALTOS, Calif.—March 16, 2016—Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., andDaintree Networks®—the leader in open networked wireless control, sensing and Enterprise Internet of Things™ solutions for smart buildings—are collaborating on joint solutions involving Samsung’s smart lighting module (SLM). Samsung’s SLM, which will be integrated with LED luminaires from lighting OEMs, enables greater intelligence through device-level processing, as well as enhanced connectivity through multiple embedded communications technologies, including the open standard ZigBee® protocol.  Combining Samsung’s SLM technology with the Daintree Networks ControlScope® networked wireless control solution makes new Internet of Things (IoT) applications possible for smart buildings.

Dr. Jacob Tarn, Executive Vice President, LED Business Team, Samsung Electronics, explained, “Samsung’s SLM technology will make all devices connected to it, from LED luminaires to sensors to future control products, even smarter. Because SLM is the key for a wide variety of smart lighting applications, our customers can achieve fast time-to-market and their luminaires can be optimized for many different smart lighting environments. By partnering with Daintree Networks, with their ControlScope solution, we will support traditional lighting control as well as enable new sensor-driven applications. For example, by connecting third-party occupancy sensors to our SLM technology, ControlScope customers will be able to more accurately monitor occupant patterns that can improve business operations and enhance security in retail environments.”

“Our partnership with Samsung reinforces our commitment to provide open wireless networking solutions to enable the Enterprise Internet of Things^TM (E-IoT^TM),” said Derek Proudian, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Daintree Networks, Inc. “The unique architecture found in Samsung’s SLM is a great match for the advanced technology in ControlScope and further demonstrates connected LED lighting as the natural infrastructure for smart buildings across retail, office and industrial environments. With an expanding array of open standard control devices and open software innovation, Daintree is accelerating the development of high-value business outcomes for our enterprise customers. We are excited to collaborate with Samsung to advance our industry.”

ControlScope is an open standards-based mesh networking control solution and enterprise IoT platform. Daintree Networks provides the in-building wireless network communications and cloud-based intelligent control software, and customers are free to choose from a variety of third-party control devices including sensors, fixtures, programmable thermostats, and more—all using trusted industry standards for wireless communications. Daintree Networks’ ControlScope is the industry’s most flexible, cost-effective energy management and building automation solution that also enables the sensor data-driven E-IoT.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies that redefine the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. We are also leading in the Internet of Things space with the open platform SmartThings, our broad range of smart devices, and through proactive cross-industry collaboration. We employ 319,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196 billion. To discover more, and for the latest news, feature articles and press material, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

About Daintree Networks, Inc.

Daintree Networks® leads the market in smart building control, sensing, and Enterprise Internet of Things™ (E-IoT™) applications. ControlScope®, the company’s open networked wireless solution for lighting and building control, monitoring, and optimization, reduces energy and operating costs, improves the occupant experience, increases business productivity and scales to manage a large portfolio of buildings. Leveraging an open system architecture and an expanding ecosystem of certified lighting, building, and software partners, ControlScope also serves as a platform for best-of-breed applications such as facility and asset management, space planning, and more. Daintree is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California.  More information is available at daintree.net.

Daintree Networks and Partners Drive Industry’s Only Open Standards Wireless Ecosystem

LOS ALTOS, Calif.—March 24, 2016—Daintree Networks^®, the leader in open networked wireless control, sensing, and Enterprise Internet of Things™ solutions for smart buildings, and its ecosystem partners are leading the industry by driving open standards embedded wireless connectivity to provide more product choices and lower costs. Together, Daintree Networks and its ecosystem partners are advancing the Enterprise Internet of Things (E-IoT^TM) to create smart buildings.

“Daintree has an easy, streamlined program that enables our product partners to join the ControlScope^® ecosystem and deliver standard ZigBee^®-ready luminaires, LED drivers and other devices quickly to market,” said Peter Atanasovski, Vice President, Product Management, Daintree Networks, Inc. “This includes a clearly defined ZigBee device interface development package for a growing community of supported devices, access to program partners for full-lifecycle development support, and a certification process that ensures interoperability and successful field deployment for our channel partners and end users. By partnering with best-of-breed product and service providers, we can leverage their innovation and drive cost-effective solutions. These partnerships further Daintree Networks’ commitment to provide a wide variety of open wireless networking solutions for commercial, retail, and industrial customers to control and manage lighting and other high-value applications, such as HVAC and plug loads, and enable the E-IoT.”

“We’re the place to start when looking for wireless enterprise lighting solutions with ZigBee-ready LED drivers, stud-mount and linear ballast enclosures as well as ZigBee end-node adaptors that are Daintree ControlScope-certified and ready to deploy. Our Daintree-certified products are helping to drive the Internet of Things for the enterprise,” said Gail Wang, President of Magtech Industries. “With 26 years of experience in switch-mode power supply design and manufacturing, Magtech brings considerable expertise to the LED lighting industry and has quickly become a leader in the LED lighting space.”

Marshall Miles, Vice President, Business Development at Inventronics said, “Our CNV-ZIGB wireless dimming converter for ZigBee lighting-control networks provides maximum flexibility in lighting design and effortless facility expansions without the high installation costs of control wiring. The wireless dimming converter enables one or more Inventronics LED drivers to be controlled by Daintree’s ControlScope network solution. With ControlScope, the interoperability with other ZigBee devices such as switches, dimmers, occupancy and daylight sensors allows us to provide wireless connectivity at the lowest system cost for a wide range of indoor and outdoor lighting applications.”

EuControls Corp. is dedicated to the development and manufacture of LED lighting controls, and the newly released Lighting Control Module (LCM) is Daintree compatible and a ZigBee-certified HA product. LCM enables wireless connectivity for LED drivers, or any 0-10V dimming ballast lighting system. “Our team has been working with Daintree Networks for years by participating in and enhancing ControlScope’s interoperable enterprise network solutions, and our LCM works with ControlScope seamlessly,” said Steve Turner, Vice President of Marketing & Sales. EuControls is a member of the ZigBee Alliance and its innovative products encompass digital LED controllers and sensors for intelligent lighting management and energy savings.

MMB Networks offers a turnkey ControlScope-enablement solution for lighting and sensors, with drop-in ZigBee modules powered by MMB’s RapidConnect networking software. RapidConnect is an embedded application that simplifies development, reduces time-to-market from months to weeks, and gives IoT devices robust, real-world networking and interoperability including out of the box support for Daintree Networks’ ControlScope. MMB is also an official Daintree Networks test partner, providing end-to-end enablement and certification support, as well as development and customization services.

The Coming LiFi Opportunity?

As we’ve seen over the past couple of months with the entry of Cisco into the lighting space and emergence of PoE, the lighting space is changing.  By virtue of the technology is there a significant risk that a percentage of lighting spend could move to other channels? If so, which channels?  the market size may grow but it may become more fragmented.  Those that are familiar with technology, that Cisco has “easy” access to and/or channels that are amenable to PoE companies and new approaches could become the electrical / lighting distributors’ new competitors (and manufacturers’ new “partners”.  Or perhaps it will become building automation manufacturers / distributors who install and manage the business and hence could install and manage networks and “lighting networks”?

Another upcoming technology that takes advantage of lighting as an infrastructure but could be a major technology infrastructure is LiFi.  Chris Cloutier from D + R explains:

One of the great frustrations of travelling is WiFi. With as much reliance as we have on the systems, most airports and airplanes still have WiFi networks that frequently are fee-based and are almost always sluggish and slow. Given how many people are in planes and airports that want to use an effective data transmission system, it’s surprising how few planes and airports have useful, accessible WiFi systems.

Thankfully, there may be help on the horizon – help that could also represent a substantial business opportunity for lighting and electrical distributors that understand these changes.

In the most recent release of what is expected to be Apple’s next version of the iPhone’s operating system, there is a reference to LiFi capability. Simply, LiFi is the ability to send data through the visible light spectrum.

See the full article at Electrical Trends.com:

http://www.electricaltrends.com/2016/03/the-coming-lifi-opportunity.html

Simon And Acuity Brands Pilot Lighting-Based Parking Technology At Lenox Square And Florida Mall

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Simon announced today that it is conducting a pilot program in conjunction with Acuity Brands that will employ outdoor LED lighting systems to monitor parking lot vehicle counts and occupancy data to facilitate the efficient management of traffic and parking. The pilot will be conducted at Lenox Square in Atlanta, GA and Florida Mall inOrlando, FL.

Parking lot density will be monitored via existing Acuity Brands lighting fixtures installed throughout the two malls. Sensors will be added to the fixtures and will transmit occupancy data to an online dashboard, creating heat maps for visualizing parking density and highlighting locations where there is parking availability.

"This pilot will provide an opportunity to test an enhanced system for our parking areas, allowing us to easily and quickly identify congested areas and redirect customers to available parking," saidTim Earnest, Executive Vice President, Simon Management Group. "This is one of the many ways we are looking at how to improve the experience of our customers by providing amenities that make shopping even more convenient and enjoyable."

The pilot will continue through spring of 2016. The second phase of the pilot will focus on using the occupancy data to create a consumer-facing parking app with the potential of rolling it out to select centers by the end of 2016.

Simon has installed Acuity Brands' LED lighting systems at more than 26 locations. These lighting systems provide enhanced light levels and quality while delivering energy savings.

"Simon Property Group is leading the industry in terms of leveraging Acuity Brands technology to deliver on multiple fronts," said Lance Hollner, Vice President - Business Development, IoT Solutions, Acuity Brands Lighting. "We look forward to creating a parking and traffic management solution for initial use by Simon, and with broad appeal to other smart parking applications within retail, campus or city applications."

Source: Simon