To meet its goals of improving both the fan experience and energy efficiency at Hawkins Field, Vanderbilt University recently made the switch to an all LED lighting system. Hawkins Field now features a lighting system that is expected to reduce energy use by as much as 75 percent while also enhancing the view from the stands.

Vanderbilt University partnered with global company Eaton, with U.S. headquarters in Cleveland, to complete the project. The power management company provides energy-efficient solutions to help customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. The new LED system designed by Eaton features Ephesus Stadium Pro lights and a DMX control system, which enables dynamic fan experience effects and increases operational flexibility, according to a statement by the company. The new lights at Hawkins Field offer instant-on capability, eliminating the warm-up period associated with more traditional metal halide lighting products. The updated system was first put to the test at the team’s opening season night game on Feb. 19 against the University of San Diego.

“Our new LED lights from Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting make Hawkins Field an even better place to play and watch a game,” said Kevin Colon, associate athletic director for Vanderbilt University, in a statement. “As we researched the LED lighting options available, it was clear to us that Ephesus Lighting had the best solution from the standpoint of lighting quality, operations flexibility and energy efficiency.”

Hawkins Field’s new lighting system reduces glare and improves uniformity, according to Eaton, creating a better stage for players and fans both in the stadium and those watching on high-definition television. The versatility of an LED system also allows for operational flexibility and the creation of programmable light shows for fan entertainment. Additionally, the system’s significantly lower maintenance needs will help keep operating costs low.

“Since we installed the first LED lighting system in a North American sports arena, facility operators have come to understand that our digital lighting solutions create an enhanced stage for fans and performers,” said Mike Lorenz, president of Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting business, in a statement.

Eaton first used LED technology on a North American sports facility in 2012, and recently completed an installation for the major league Texas Rangers. The company now estimates that its Ephesus Lighting luminaires have been operational for more than 200 million hours at both indoor and outdoor sports and entertainment venues across North America, including collegiate facilities at the University of Phoenix, Duke University and Cornell University as well as other professional stadiums in both the U.S. and Canada.
 

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In educational settings that feature electrical equipment, it is important for professionals to have a full understanding of the dangers posed by counterfeit electrical products.

By definition, a counterfeit is a product, service or package for a product that uses — without authorization — the trademark, service mark or copyright of another, intended to make customer believe the product or service is genuine.

Counterfeit electrical products, many of which are intended to serve as protective devices, are unsafe lookalikes. Such counterfeit products — including circuit breakers, extension cords and surge protectors — are often made without regard for electrical safety or fail to meet minimal performance specifications.

These cosmetic copies can overheat or cause short circuits, leading to fires, shocks or explosions that can cause injury or considerable property damage. According to a report from the United States Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 25 percent of all non-confined school building fires occur because of an electrical malfunction.

Counterfeiters rely on deception and prices that are below market level to find their way into educational institutions. This makes detecting the difference between a counterfeit and an authentic product extremely difficult, especially as counterfeiters become more sophisticated.

To help maintain a safe environment, professionals need to know what to look for and what actions to take to protect property, students and staff from serious health and safety risks posed by counterfeit electrical products. The following checklist is intended to assist professionals in detecting suspect products and to provide resources to authenticate products and report counterfeits.

1. Buy authentic

When buying new equipment for an educational facility, the best way to avoid purchasing a counterfeit product is to buy directly from the manufacturer or an authorized distributor. There is a higher risk of counterfeits if one cannot trace the path of commerce to the original manufacturer.

2. Examine products of interest

When purchasing an electrical product, check for certification marks from organizations that certify the quality and performance of electrical products. Be leery of additional markings or labeling not applied by the original manufacturers with missing or poor-quality labels, out-of-date product codes and non-genuine packaging. As counterfeiters become more sophisticated, counterfeit products become even more difficult to detect, increasing the need for additional scrutiny.

3. Avoid “bargains”

Avoid bargains that seem too good to be true. Prices that are substantially lower than the manufacturer’s price should make any buyer suspicious. Saving a few dollars is not worth exposure to the safety risks that accompany faulty products.

4. Evaluate new products upon delivery

It is also important to evaluate the condition of any new product and its packaging immediately upon delivery. Any product that appears to have been tampered with, is missing information or is poorly made should raise a red flag.

Some manufacturers have online product registries that can confirm whether or not a product is authentic. For example, Eaton’s Circuit Breaker Authentication (CBA) tool gives customers the ability to verify the authenticity of Eaton molded-case circuit breakers (MCCBs), up to 400 amperes.

5. Report counterfeits

If questions arise about the authenticity of a product, customers should reach out to the manufacturer. This will allow for authentication and ensure that potentially unsafe products removed from the marketplace.

If brand contact information is not available, contact the IPR Center that will disseminate the information for appropriate response. Contact the IPR Center at IPRCenter@dhs.gov or 1-866-IPR-2060.

For additional information about the dangers counterfeit electrical products, visit www.eaton.com/counterfeit.

As brand protection manager for Eaton’s Electrical Sector, Tom Grace oversees counterfeit awareness, training and prevention.

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