Advanced CMH Electronic Ballast, Dimmable, Multi-Lamp

This study characterizes the lighting performance of bi-level ceramic metal halide (CMH) area lighting fixtures for substation uplight duty, and quantifies the energy savings potential when compared to conventional pulse start metal halide (PSMH) area fixtures. This market subset of the general outdoor lighting market was chosen to meet jointly the specific market and application of lighting electric substation switchracks for safety, i.e., workers operating switches typically 7- to 12-feet AFG and for walkabout in those zones.

Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Emerging Technology Program assesses products that have the potential to reduce electric energy use. One class of emerging technology is dimmable multi-lamp electronic ballasted (EB) ceramic metal halide CMH. This CMH is a new high color rendering long-life derivative application of evolving pulse start metal halide (PSMH) technology whose potential energy savings have not been quantified to date. This project evaluates the amount of illumination delivered and the potential energy savings attributable to this type of CMH fixture. Serving SCE there are approximately 500 electric distribution substations. About 98% are smaller in size, about 50K-sq ft each, the remaining 2% are about 15 million sq ft each. It is estimated these CMH area lights could satisfy about 40% of the total required lighting duty for safety. This is estimated at 7,900 CMH lights of the wattage tested and applied in this report. The rest of the duty to light the stations is estimated to be most effectively and efficiently done with LED floodlights, area lights, streetlights, and bollards.