March 2017

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dipped slightly into negative territory in January after a very strong showing in December. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the January ABI score was [...]

Seniors represent the fastest-growing segment of the population with over 40 million Americans over 65 (U.S. Census Bureau, The Older Population. 2010), with over 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day. The over-40 population represents approximately 89 million people and of those, 63% have vision problems (National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health [...]

Zumtobel’s Mellow Light is a family of luminaires offering separately controllable dual light channels (bright direct and gentle light wings), enabling customized general and task lighting. Up to 4,400 lumens in 2×2 and 1×4 sizes, 80+ CRI, 3000-4000K CCT, recessed and surface-mounted models. Click here to learn more.

My contributions to the February issue of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR included an article about lighting certifications, covering the LC, CLD, CLMC, CLCP, CLEP, CALCTP and NALCTP. Check it out here.

PC WORLD recently published an article about the type of visible light communication we don’t want, one that leaks passwords and other data. Here’s how it works. Malware hijacks the blinking lights on a PC, which then transmit data to a drone. The researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev demonstrated how it could be [...]

Eaton recently announced its 2017 calendar of classes available at its SOURCE Lighting Education Center. The facility, which has educated more than 163,000 professionals and students, offers a wide variety of continuing education-accredited classes designed to broaden the understanding of lighting, controls and its applications. This year, the SOURCE curriculum includes new lighting controls classes [...]

The ANSI Accredited Standards Committee C81 recently revised two standards for the lighting industry: ANSI C81.61-2017 American National Standard for Electric Lamp Bases—Specifications for Bases (Caps) for Electric Lamps and ANSI C81.62-2017 American National Standard for Electric Lampholders. These standards present specifications for lamp bases and holders, and now include G6.6 designations. “The tubular LED [...]

NEMA’s Lighting System Shipment Index, a measure of demand for lighting equipment, decreased by 9.7% in 3Q 2016 compared to 3Q 2015 and 4.7% decrease compared to last quarter (2Q 2016). The decrease was driven by all components of the index which includes fixtures, emergency lighting, ballast, and lamp – large and miniature – components [...]

ALVA’s LIDEA is a surface-mounted linear luminaire available in 12-, 24-, 36- and 48-in. lengths, 80-90 CRI and 3000K CCT (3500K coming soon). The luminaire features 0-10V dimming and LumenSelect four-level output. Various shades available. Ten-year warranty, ETL Damp-Listed. Click here to learn more. Introducing ALVA's LIDEA™ from ALVA Lighting on Vimeo.