Published: 9 October 2014
Category: Technical articles
Megaman has long been involved with downlighters for a range of applications, more latterly with LED variants too. Now, however, the company has entered the fire rated downlight arena with an LED lamped product that is stylish, innovative and flexible:
Whatever can be said about the downlighter market (and there’s a lot to say), ever since the 1980s explosion in the use of halogen spotlights in everywhere from boardrooms to toilets, there has been a continuing trend among specifiers and installers to use more and more of them.
This has not abated with the advent of LED and indeed, in recent years, this trend has accelerated further.
What is important when choosing an LED downlighter, however, is the understanding of the components within these lamps, and how they fit and work together properly.
This is an area where Megaman has extensive experience. The company says that it invented the CFLi 11W GU10 lamp, and also worked in close partnership with the two biggest fire rated manufactures in the early ‘naughties’.
Through a comprehensive testing program that regularly involved lighting surgery, which comprised drilling the lamp body and attaching thermocouples to components on the PCB - and then testing, Megaman engineers operated the lamps within pre-set temperature limits (inside the fitting and within a ceiling void mock up).
The company only certified and warranted a few manufacturers to use these lamps, as it became clear that many other companies substituted materials that were not thermally capable protecting the lamp when in situ.
Into the fire rated market
Now, Megaman is building on its pedigree of delivering high quality lamps that work at elevated temperatures with its entrance into the fire rated market.
VersaLED has been in the making some time. It is, says the company, ‘a sensible product, yet having features that most of its competitors do not. For example, why exactly – asks Megaman - do you need to throw away a light fitting when it reaches the end of its life? This is a good question - particularly so if the main part is capable of operating for many more hours?
This is the thinking behind what is thought to be the world’s first fully serviceable fire rated light fitting.
This, explains the company, solves many problems in one go. For example, if the building’s use changes, it is easy to change the module to a more appropriate colour temperature.
If one should fail (even with its long guarantee), or simply be subjected to a continuity test by some unwitting electrician in error, then it is easy to change the module in store without an electrician.
As LEDs increase in efficacy, it is envisaged that higher or lower power modules will be added to the range to offer a suite of products, for instance, matching the traditional 20W, 50W and 75W halogen spotlight equivalents. This will allow more design freedom in buildings. It also means that the base unit can be installed, and ceilings painted, with the modules safely enclosed in a box ready for final commissioning, so they won’t become damaged or accidentally painted over.
In terms of style, VersaLED has the Megaman signature front lens that disperses the light efficiently with no glare. Moreover, it will blend completely with other lamps already installed or from the family of products available.
These downlights are available in fixed and tilt variations with three finishes (white, chrome and satin chrome). Versa-LED’s also come in two colour temperatures, 2800K and 4000K.
Megaman at LuxLive 2014
Megaman UK will be exhibiting at LuxLive 2014 and its stand (50) will feature a variety of newly launched products that offer high performance and energy efficiency, in addition to low operating costs.
The stand will have a ‘cool cocktail lounge’ theme with various areas focusing on different aspects of the business, including lighting controls, a Megaman dimming room and also a LightwaveRF lounge exhibiting the latest in wireless smart home systems for the control of lighting, power and heating devices.
The dimming room will incorporate its full range of decorative and reflector LED lamps including a new 6W dimming candle, the new 5W dimming IncandaLED candle in extra warm white, the Crown Silver range including 3.5W and 6W dimming lamps and a brand new Crown Brass.
A dedicated fixture display area will feature the new VersaLED integrated LED fittings range, while the LightwaveRF lounge will feature the full range of lighting, power and heating product ranges all controlled by a giant iTab. This will control the lighting throughout the stand, as well as the curtains, blinds and radiators. The products being demonstrated will include the Lightwave Link, LED dimmer, wall socket, radiator TRV, magnetic window switch and inline relay.