News

GRE Alpha's SEL-20kA Surge Limiter Guards Against Transient Voltage Surges

Background

Your investment in lighting faces two types of very real electrical threats to the equipment itself and to the operator and the public safety.

• Lightning strikes in the vicinity, leading to galvanic or inductive coupling
• Lightning strikes on the LED streetlight or the power supply cable

(Source: LEDs Magazine)

The first threat is a momentary voltage or current spike that can damage or destroy your equipment. These can occur in both indoor and outdoor installations.

The second hazard, primarily if your lighting is outdoors, is the perpetual threat of lightning strikes. The long copper cables that carry power or data signals from LED power supplies or controllers can unintentionally mimic lightning rods, drawing in danger from the very sky itself.

Having appropriate protection in place to handle common power quality issues, such as over voltage's is important

GRE Alpha SEL-20kA Surge Energy Protector

The GRE Alpha SEL-20kA Surge Energy Protector is a surge limiter that provides maximum protection for your lighting investments. The UL Listed Class 2 device complies with UL1449, EN 60.364-5-534 and EN 62.305-1. The SEL-20kA provides effective surge protection against surge over voltages, providing effective coverage against both direct and indirect lightning strikes.

The GRE Alpha SEL-20kA Surge Energy Protector. Image source: GRE Alpha

This device is a UL Type 2 surge protection device (SPD), which means that it is designed to protect against 8/20 µs current waves. It provides protection against pulses of up to 20kA / 20kV and is designed to operate from AC line voltages ranging from 100 to 277, with a 320 VAC continuous maximum.

This surge protector protects against line to line and line to ground surges and includes a LED device status indicator.

The GRE Alpha SEL-20k Surge Energy Protector comes fully potted, which means that all unoccupied space with the device is filled with a solid or gelatinous compound. This makes it impossible for water to get in to cause short circuits or other damage. Additionally, during stormy weather, the air itself can be charged with electricity, and can cause electrical sparking. Potting fills all the empty space and eliminate either of these potentially disastrous outcomes.

GRE Alpha SEL-20kA Surge Energy Protector is designed to work the company's line LED Power Supplies. Image source: GRE Alpha

The unit enjoys an IP65 rating from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This means it is 100% protected against dust and is also protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions.

The GRE Alpha SEL-20kA Surge Energy Protector is a UL Listed Class 2 device that also complies with the UL 1449, CSA C22.2 NO. 269.4-14, CSA C22.2 NO. 269.5-15 and CE safety standards.

It operates over a temperature range of -40°C to +70°C, and over relative humidity of 5% to 95%. Unit size is 70mm (L) x 60mm (W) x 50mm (H). Read more

Specialty Solutions for Street Lighting

GRE Alpha provides a complete product line for LED street lighting. Products include LED power supplies as well as surge limiters, necessary components to protect against momentary pulses of high inrush current.

Application segments include:

• Street Lighting
• Pedestrian Lighting
• High Bay Lights
• Up/down Lights
• Flood Lights
• Wall Washers

GRE Alpha is a total solution for all LED lighting specialty solutions, these include:

• Architectural Signage and LED strips
• Horticultural Lighting, Grow Lighting
• Professional Lighting including Downlights and Track Lights
• Street Lighting and Bay Lightings
• Custom Solutions including Bespoke Design and Engineering
• Dim Control, Dimming Module Accessories

About GRE Alpha

GRE Alpha® Electronics, Ltd. specializes in the design and manufacture of solid-state lighting power supplies and lighting control accessories, which are the lifeblood of indoor and outdoor LED lighting systems. Our superior performance products are the power behind LED lighting systems. GRE's unique modular approach provides ideal, easy to integrate powering solutions for new and existing installations.

Ultra High Resolution and Digital Filtering Enhances Dimming for Smooth Dim to Dark

GRE Alpha, an emerging leader in the design and manufacture of solid-state lighting power supplies, is excited to announce the release of their newest smart dimming module.

The SLD-DIM1X module is an enhanced version of GRE's innovative SLD-DIM1B dimmer, featuring ultra-high resolution dimming. With 10,000 dimming steps (versus 1024 in the SLD-DIM1B) and GRE Alpha's advanced digital filtering technology, the SLD-DIM1X dimming module provides best-in-class, flicker-free (PWM) pulse width modulated dimming for 0-10V dimming applications. These enhancements make the dimming process smoother, especially at the low end- dim to dark. For cost sensitive projects with moderate dimming performance requirements, GRE Alpha's original model SLD-DIM1B remains the wise option.

These easy-to-install dimming modules work with commercial 0-10V dimmer controls (1V=0% brightness, 10V=100% brightness), and connect between any Class 2, AC-DC LED driver and LED Fixture/Luminaire to enable exceptional, flicker-free dimming. The SLD-DIM1X can be installed into any of GRE Alpha's SLD/XLD series LED driver's DC wiring cavity, eliminating the need for external junction boxes, resulting in a quick, low cost installation.

GRE Alpha's executive director, Richard Fong, had this to say: 'I am proud to announce that GRE Alpha's talented design team is continuing work on a series of innovative, high-quality LED drivers and modules that will take our popular line of LED powering products to the next level. The exceptional performance of the SLD-DIM1X is a prime example, with its enhanced, superior dimming. The architectural lighting industry- especially lighting OEM companies that continually strive to provide higher quality dimming performance in their LED fixtures- have been among the first to adopt our newly enhanced dimming products.'

It is important to note that the SLD-DIM1X is a new addition to GRE Alpha's growing line of high-quality LED dimming modules and drivers. The SLD-DIM1B as well as the rest of GRE's high-efficiency, high reliability SLD series products will continue to be offered and supported. The following chart illustrates the functional comparison between our new SLD-DIM1X and our original SLD-DIM1B dimming modules:

Preferred by the world's leading architects, designers and lighting companies, GRE Alpha's LED drivers and dimming modules are designed to operate with the highest efficiency and reliability at extreme environmental conditions, for any LED Lighting applications, including:

• Architectural Lighting
• Effect and Contour Lighting
• Office and General Illumination
• Warehouses
• Street Lighting
• Signage
• Strip Lighting
• Swimming Pools/Fountain lighting

When it comes to LED lighting, our dimming modules are the best choice for hassle free, high quality dimming. For additional information about the SLD-DIM1X module or any of GRE Alpha's wide range of adaptable, high performing powering products, please visit the GRE contact page. With teams strategically located in North America, Japan and Hong Kong, GRE Alpha's technical advisors are within reach and ready to answer LED power source related questions.

About GRE Alpha

GRE Alpha® Electronics, Ltd. specializes in the design and manufacture of solid-state lighting power supplies and lighting control accessories, which are the lifeblood of indoor and outdoor LED lighting systems. Our superior performance products are the power behind LED lighting systems. GRE's unique modular approach provides ideal, easy to integrate powering solutions for new and existing installations.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Messe Frankfurt has decided jointly with its partners ZVEI and AVEH and the Trade Fair Advisory Council to resume its normal biannual schedule. They will hold the next Light + Building event from March 13 to 18, 2022.

The world's largest trade fair for lighting and building services, Light + Building presents the latest products in the fields of lighting, electrical engineering, home and building automation. It is known as the industry hotspot for architects, planners, electrical installers, retailers and the real estate sector from all over the world. For companies like GRE Alpha, it is easily the largest global event for the LED and solid-state lighting sectors.

In an email dated the 7th of May, the Light + Building team stated: "The health of all event participants, i.e. exhibitors and visitors, has the very highest priority for us. At the same time, we must take the earliest possible steps to ensure that all concerned incur no unnecessary costs. This was not an easy decision to take and we are now focusing all our efforts on ensuring that the next Light + Building in 2022 is a complete success."

GRE Alpha's Executive Director, Richard Fong was quick to respond: "Although we were looking forward to meeting our customers and presenting our newest innovations at the Light + Building Trade Fair, we support the postponement decision 100%. The health, safety and well-being of our employees, customers and partners has always been and will always be a number one priority for GRE Alpha."

2020 marked the 10th edition and 20th anniversary of the Light + Building Trade Fair. The theme of the fair was slated to be "Connecting, Pioneering, Fascinating." Here's hoping connected lighting and building services technology comes back just as strong as ever and Light + Building re-emerges as a beacon for the industry and a platform rich in the exchange of ideas.

Count on GRE Alpha to keep you posted with any further information on Light + Building. In the meantime, we are going all out to serve our valued customers through the pandemic and beyond -- and, as always, working behind the scenes to take our LED drivers and dimmers to the next level. Watch for news about GRE's SLD Dim 1X with digital filtering and the highest resolution to date.

From the entire team at GRE Alpha, stay well and stay safe!

Hong Kong – When the difficult decision to cancel LightFair 2020 was made, GRE Alpha supported it 100%. Against a backdrop of growing health concerns, there was no question about priorities. The show is now slated to take place in New York City in May 2021 with registration opening in early 2021. While supply chains have been signficantly impacted, it does not mean that the lighting industry has come to a halt.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, GRE Alpha has taken steps to ensure the well being of our employees is not compromised while also serving clients across critical industries. According to GRE's Executive Director, Richard Fong, "While GRE Alpha is laser focused on health and safety, we are simultaneously looking forward to the future and finding new ways to continue our LED driver development and helping our customers maintain sustainability through the crisis and beyond."

The logistics may be virtual, but GRE Alpha is most definitely open for business. In the spotlight today are two wireless LED smart powering solutions that are breaking boundaries in performance, flexibility, ease of installation and interoperability. These innovations in wireless diming have been made possible by GRE Alpha's work with leading partners in the LED lighting field.

GRE Alpha's 240 watt, constant voltage BLE Dimming Module enables hassle-free lighting control without compromise in performance. Utilizing the latest in Bluetooth mesh, the module features direct, peer-to-peer communication between nodes, ensuring instantaneous response to input from switches, sensors and mobile devices without the need for hubs or a central controller. GRE Alpha's BLD dimming module is part of the Xicalto's GalaXi ecosystem and runs on their GalaXi app, allowing quick and seamless installation and commissioning of lighting systems. This module is one of a series bringing new wireless design capabilities to:

• Theme parks
• Stage lighting
• Color controls for decorating
• Architectural lighting
• Effect & contour lighting

GRE's EnOcean Wireless Constant Current LED Dimming Module (ENO-DIM-CC). This is a new version of GRE's cutting-edge ENO-DIM dimming module. While the original is constant voltage, the CC is constant current which fills a critical need when constant power supplies work best, like with high powered LEDs. Both are available in three regional power supply versions: 902MHz in North America, 928MHz in Japan, and 868MHz in Europe and China. With GRE Alpha's unparalleled LED dimming module and LED driver expertise and EnOcean's trailblazing wireless technology, trillions of IoT sensors can be powered and efficiently deployed. That will allow for quicker innovation and rapid adoption of IoT in smart lighting spaces, optimizing productivity, lowering costs and boosting the customer experience. Applications include:

• Architectural lighting
• Effect & contour lighting
• Signage and strip lighting
• Swimming pools
• Fountain lighting

Despite the postponement of trade shows like LightFair2020, GRE Alpha is determined to show their leadership in modular LED product development by providing virtual service and support with the same creativity and passion as always. GRE has a supply of legacy and new products available and ready to ship, including the LED dimming modules described above. The full line of GRE products and spec sheets are available online at https://grealpha.com/products and through their U.S. distributing partner Arrow Electronics at https://www.arrow.com/en/manufacturers/gre-alpha-electronics-ltd/view-all.

About GRE Alpha

GRE Alpha® Electronics, Ltd. specializes in the design and manufacture of solid-state lighting power supplies and lighting control accessories, which are the lifeblood of indoor and outdoor LED lighting systems. Their superior performance products are the power behind LED lighting systems. GRE's modular approach allows their dimming modules and drivers to be used either with existing systems or new setups.

For more information about GRE Alpha products or services, please visit the visit the GRE contact page. Their team of experts will bend over backwards to give you the support you deserve during this extrarodinary time.

MESSE FRANKFURT MOVES LIGHT + BUILDING 2020 TRADE FAIR FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

Messe Frankfurt, the organizers of the Light + Building 2020 trade fair which was scheduled to take place at Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition space in Frankfurt am Main from March 8^th to March 15^th, has postponed the event due to the unexpected appearance of Covid-19 in Italy. The Light + Building 2020 trade fair is now slated to be held in Frankfurt am Main in mid-to-late September, though an exact date has not been specified.

In a press release published on February 24^th, 2020, Messe Frankfurt lists several logistical challenges that lead to the decision to postpone the trade fair.

“The unexpected appearance of Covid-19 in Italy since last weekend demanded a new analysis of the situation in close cooperation with the public-health authorities of the City of Frankfurt. A multi-stage health check on guests from China has been called for, the implementation of which would be extremely challenging for Messe Frankfurt. Additionally, more and more travel restrictions are being put into place thus making it difficult for both visitors and exhibitors to attend the fair.”

GRE Alpha will post an update with new dates and times for the Light + Building 2020 trade fair when Messe Frankfurt makes them available.