Our E.B. Horsman & Son team collaborated closely with all parties, including Mac’s II Agencies, O’M Engineering, Complete Power Systems and Cooper Lighting Solutions to achieve an immersive lighting experience with a simple 1-to-1 swap of their existing fixtures to assemble a quality sports-grade lighting package.

Cooper Lighting Solutions: Ephesus sport lighting fixtures offer both skaters and spectators the chance to immerse themselves in an elevated game-day and events experience, turning every moment on the ice into a showstopping one.

Alongside delivering a spectacular dynamic light show, the project has also resulted in:

• A significant reduction in the number of fixtures, dropping from 72 to a total of 42 Ephesus luminaires (a 58% reduction in fixtures).
• Lower overall wattage consumption thanks to the adoption of upgraded energy-efficient LED lighting.
• Reduced yearly maintenance requirements, leading to less lighting downtime and eliminating the need for lamp changeouts.

Scenes like ‘Paparazzi’ create a dazzling dance of lights, ‘Canada’ transforms the ice with Red, White, and Red hues, and ‘Score’ unleashes a cascade of colours reflecting the home team’s spirit. These carefully curated scenes set the perfect mood for any event hosted at the arena; whether it’s pre-set for convenience or manually adjusted for a personalized touch, the entire lighting system is seamlessly controlled with a digital interface, ensuring a smooth and dynamic experience at the push of a button. This commitment to versatility and ease of use enhances the overall appeal and enjoyment for all patrons of the South Surrey Arena. The lighting upgrade at the South Surrey Arena remains a captivating investment, enthralling the City of Surrey and bringing delight to skaters, players, and spectators alike!

Project Collaborators and Achievements

E.B. Horsman & Son is a well-established electrical distributor in Canada. We specialize in providing electrical products, solutions, and services to various industries, including industrial, commercial, residential, and institutional sectors. Our extensive product offerings include a wide range of electrical products, including lighting fixtures, wiring devices, automation and control systems, electrical distribution equipment, motors, and power generation equipment. We are partnered with leading manufacturers in the industry to ensure the availability of high-quality products for our customers. In addition, E.B. Horsman & Son provides value-added services such as project management, technical support, panel modification, lighting, datacom, automation, industrial control, and motion solutions.

Mac’s II Agencies is renowned for its professionalism and passion, ensuring that both customers and manufacturers are treated with courtesy, consideration, and tact. The company is dedicated to providing unmatched value to its partners and the industry at large.

Cooper Lighting Solutions is recognized for crafting forward-thinking lighting solutions that enhance safety and contribute to the intelligence and sustainability of buildings, homes, and cities. They deliver an industry-leading portfolio that includes indoor and outdoor lighting, along with advanced lighting controls and smart lighting systems. Cooper Lighting Solutions is a business unit of Signify, the world leader in lighting.

Complete Power Systems offers the highest quality of industrial electrical services for a wide range of commercial projects.

O’M Engineering delivers leading engineering services to end-users, developers, and contractors, including tailored electrical and sustainability design services.

Lighting Expertise

From complete lighting design to selecting individual light fixtures, our lighting specialists know how lamps, ballasts, fixtures and lighting controls can help you achieve your lighting goals. With the right lighting, you can reduce power costs; and improve worker efficiency and lighting levels while maintaining aesthetically pleasing design.

If you need to meet local codes (ASHREA 90.1-2010) or simply want to reduce power consumption to save money, our team can audit your existing lighting components and recommend appropriate upgrades.

Work with our in-house lighting specialists to choose the right products, or shop online via our e-commerce platform for quick purchase. Our extensive inventory and our supplier quick-ship programs will ensure that you get the right lighting products on time.

E.B. Horsman Lighting Service:

• Site inspection & audits
• Design support
• Quotation & bidding
• Energy-management calculations
• Supply-management & inventory support
• Assistance in filing applications with provincial rebate programs

The post E.B. Horsman Join Forces with Mac’s II Agencies for South Surrey Arena Transformation appeared first on E.B. Horsman & Son.

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Lighting Ballast

• July 4, 2023

Linkedin Twitter Instagram Facebook Youtube

Tips for Choosing the Right Lighting Ballast

1. Know the Different Types of Lighting Ballast

Put simply, ballasts do two main things in regulating and maintaining the performance of fluorescent and high-density discharge (HID) lamps: they start lamps and control lamp operations.

But before choosing a ballast, it’s important to know about the different types.

• Magnetic ballasts: Traditional and robust, these ballasts are commonly used with older fluorescent lighting fixtures. They tend to be less energy efficient than other types of ballasts, however, and can produce flickering and humming sounds.
• Electronic ballasts: More energy-efficient and offering better lamp performance than magnetic ballasts, these are suitable for a wide range of applications. They’re often used with newer fluorescent and compact fluorescent (CFL) fixtures.
• Digital ballasts: The most advanced type, these provide superior control and efficiency, especially for high-intensity lighting applications.
• LED Drivers: If your building has LED lighting fixtures, you’ll need LED drivers instead of traditional ballasts. These electronic devices regulate the power supply to LED lights. They’re energy-efficient, have long lifespans, and offer dimming capabilities. LED drivers come in different types, such as constant current drivers and constant voltage drivers, selected based on the specific LED fixtures you have.

2. Evaluate Energy Efficiency

Next, it’s important to consider energy efficiency. Look for ballasts with the ENERGY STAR® symbol, as they meet internationally recognized standards for energy efficiency. Ballasts with this symbol consume less energy, emit less heat, and have a longer lifespan than ballasts without. You can also select ballasts that are compatible with energy-saving lamps, such as LED tubes, to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs.

3. Consider Lighting Requirements and Lamp Compability

Before choosing ballasts, check your lamp types. Different ballasts are designed for different lamp types, such as T5, T8, or T12 fluorescent lamps and HID lamps. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications for recommended lamp types and wattages. Using the correct ballast enhances lamp life, reduces flickering, and maintains consistent lighting levels.

4. Assess Dimming and Control Options

Many ballasts are compatible with dimming systems. So if your residential or commercial building has advanced lighting control features, select dimming ballasts that meet these needs. Dimming helps save energy, creates ambiance, and improves occupant comfort.

5. Choose Reliable Brands

Your ballast is only as good as the brand you source it from. Here at Albrite and E.B. Horsman & Son, you can trust that we only supply ballasts from outstanding manufacturers like Signify, Philips, Lutron, Leviton, and others. 

Choosing from a well-known, reliable brand makes your work easier by keeping maintenance and longevity in mind. Once you pick your brand of choice, look for ballasts that offer easy installation, have a long operational life, require minimal maintenance, and offer warranty options.

Here is a guide for Philips Lamp, (LED & Traditional), Ballasts and Drivers.

Common FAQs

Our customers often need ballasts for their specific use cases. If you’re a property manager for a residential or commercial building or a purchasing agent for a nationwide chain—like many of our customers—here are some additional factors to consider.

“I’m a property manager for a residential building. What ballasts should I choose?”

Choosing the right ballasts for your building depends on several factors, including the type of lighting fixtures you have, your energy-efficiency goals, and your budget. 

But in general, electronic ballasts are a great choice for energy-conscious residential buildings. They provide better light quality, reduce flickering, and eliminate humming noises, keeping your residents happy.

“I’m a purchasing agent. Are there any special considerations for my needs?”

Many of our customers are purchasing agents for commercial chains. If this sounds like you, make sure to:

• Understand your building’s requirements: Consider the type and quantity of fixtures, wattage requirements, and any specific features or compatibility requirements.
• Research and compare: Learn about the different lighting ballast options, and compare their specifications, features, energy efficiency ratings, and pricing. Sound overwhelming? Don’t worry—our team can help you narrow it down!
• Comply with regulations: Ensure that your ballasts comply with electrical safety standards, environmental regulations, and energy-efficiency requirements in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, or wherever your building is located.
• Consider future building expansions or upgrades: To accommodate future expansion or upgrades to your buildings’ lighting systems, consider ballasts that are flexible and compatible with a range of lighting fixtures. This can help save money down the road by streamlining future retrofitting projects and minimizing compatibility issues.
  

Still Unsure? We're Happy to Help

Still need guidance finding the right ballast for your commercial or residential building? Get in touch with our team of lighting experts. Lamps and ballasts have been Albrite’s bread and butter for over 50 years—with brands like Lutron, Philips, Fulham, Intermatic, Crouse-Hinds, EcoSystem, Nova T.

We’re more than happy to help you find the perfect ballast for your lighting needs!

Latest Articles

Transforming Lighting at Canadian College Surrey Campus with Mac’s II Agencies

From enhanced energy efficiency to modern design, see how this project is setting a new standard in campus lighting.

Learn More

Liteline Recessed Downlights & Colour Selection

LED lighting options come in a spectrum of hues known as colour temperatures. This correlates to how warm (yellowish) or cool (bluish) the light appears.

Learn More

Smart Retrofits for Multi-Family Buildings: What You Should Know – Albrite Lighting

Smart lighting retrofits for multi-family buildings might seem daunting, but the investment can be all worthwhile.

Learn More

The post 5 Tips for Choosing the Right Lighting Ballast – Albrite Lighting appeared first on E.B. Horsman & Son.