1. Where is the factory and how do I contact them?
2. Does ExceLine have any warehouses, and if so, how could I order from the warehouses directly?
3. What is the ExceLine fixture warranty?
4. How can I receive pricing, information or job packages from ExceLine?
5. How can I learn about ExceLine's new products?
6. Does ExceLine offer fixtures in any color besides architectural bronze?
7. How do I reduce glare from my fixtures?
8. What does the suffix -8 (or -1,2,3,4,5,or 6 for that matter) mean?
9. How do I find out if ExceLine has stock on a particular fixture?
10. Does ExceLine provide lighting layouts and quantity estimates?
11. What is the scale of the grid lines on the Isolux diagrams?
12. How do I change the mounting height of a Footcandle curve?
13. What is the minimum starting temperature of the HID/compact fluorescent ballast in my HighBay luminaire?
14. Can I change a high pressure sodium fixture to a metal halide and vice versa?
15. What is a pulse start metal halide and why should I consider using this technology?
16. Does ExceLine offer electronic metal halide ballasts, and what are the advantages?
17. Does ExceLine offer lamps with their fixtures?
18. Chromacity - Why are some of my (metal halide) light bulbs giving off different colored light?
19. Non-Passive Failure - Why do some of my (metal halide) lamps burst during operation?
20. How can I track my order?
21. Material Safety Data Sheets - Can I get MSDS for the fixtures on my order?

Q. Where is the factory and how do I contact them?
A.      ExceLine
         2345 Vauxhall Rd.
         Union, NJ 08732
         (908) 964-7000 (phone)
         (908) 688-1388 (fax)

Q. Does ExceLine have any warehouses, and if so, how could I order from the warehouses directly?
A. ExceLine currently stores product at five separate warehouses located in Pennsauken, NJ, Norcross, GA, Knoxville, TN, Dallas, TX, and Fontana, CA. Your local ExceLine Representative can check stock and place orders directly with these warehouses, however, if a product is not in stock at your local warehouse it will most likely ship from Union, NJ.

Q. What is the ExceLine fixture warranty?
 

Q. How can I receive pricing, information or job packages from ExceLine?
A. ExceLine goes to market through a complete set of representatives, which service a network of distributors. Therefore, simply contact one of ExceLine's distributors or representatives and they will be able to provide you with a quotation, literature, or answer any of your technical questions.

Q. How can I learn about ExceLine's new products?
A. All new launches will be officially mailed to ExceLine's representatives and listed on this web site.

Fixtures

Q. Does ExceLine offer fixtures in any color besides architectural bronze?
A. One of ExceLine's strengths in the marketplace is our ability to provide customized fixtures with a quick turnaround time. ExceLine offers almost all of our fixtures in a variety of colors and textures. Our standard finishes include: bronze, wrinkle bronze, black, wrinkle black, white, wrinkle white , green, wrinkle green, gray, wrinkle gray, red, blue, yellow, silver and no paint (bare aluminum).

ExceLine also offers the following designer finishes: vanilla, safety orange, safety yellow, fire engine red, sky blue, tan, medium gray, almond (indoor), almond (outdoor), satin aluminum, gold (plated, matte or polished), nickel (plated, matte or polished) or copper (plated, matte or polished)

Q. How do I reduce glare from my fixtures?
A. We recommend changing the lamps to coated lamps to disperse the arc tube. Also, on several of our fixtures an opal globe or frosted lens is available to further reduce the glare. Several of our outdoor fixtures have glare shields available as an accessory, which will reduce light trespass.

Q. What does the suffix -8 (or -1,2,3,4,5,or 6 for that matter) mean?
A. ExceLine uses these dashes at the end of the catalog number to indicate the voltage. The suffixes and corresponding voltages are as follows:
 

Q. How do I find out if ExceLine has stock on a particular fixture?
A. ExceLine goes to market via representatives and distributors. Therefore, it is important that these inquiries get passed through our representatives, because they have access to our warehouse's stock via the WIN system, and in most cases they will be able to provide you with answers quicker than we can.

Photometrics

Q. Does ExceLine provide lighting layouts and quantity estimates?
A. ExceLine's representatives currently handle many of our lighting layouts and quantity estimates. However, ExceLine will also provide this service to our representatives through our applications engineering department. Our applications department was set up to handle the more complex layouts, but they also have the expertise to help with any layout or application-specific questions.

Q. What is the scale of the grid lines on the Isolux diagrams?
A. Each grid line is incremented in a horizontal distance of one mounting height (1MH, 2MH, etc.). Therefore, the templates are directly related to the mounting height.

Q. How do I change the mounting height of a Footcandle curve?
A. Determine the multiplier (desired mounting height)² / (current mounting height)² then multiply the footcandle level indicated in each isolux curve by this multiplier.

Ballasts

Q. What is the minimum starting temperature of the HID/compact fluorescent ballast in my HighBay luminaire?
A. Metal halide currently has a minimum starting temperature of -20°F/-30°C, high pressure sodium has a minimum starting temperature of -40°F/-40°C, and compact fluorescent has a minimum starting temperature of 0°F/-18°C.

Q. Can I change a high pressure sodium fixture to a metal halide and vice versa?
A. Yes you can. You will need to change out the ballast, capacitor, ignitor and lamp. However, there are several cautions that must be taken: the metal halide wattage must be within the fixture limitations; the socket position may need adjustment; the reflector may be different or the ballast strapping may not fit properly. Please contact the factory for a specific product.

Q. What is a pulse start metal halide and why should I consider using this technology?
A. Pulse start metal halide is a new system that removes the ignitor from the lamp of a typical metal halide system and incorporates a high voltage ignitor with the ballast (similar to high pressure sodium), which improves the run up time of the lamps to two minutes. Additional advantages of a pulse start system include: efficacy (lumens/watt) increases of 25% to 50%; lumen maintenance increased by up to 30%; change in color (color shift) minimized due to the improved crest factor lamp wattage regulation is reduced by up to 2/3 of the comparable probe start metal halide; the starting temperature is reduced to -40°C.

Q. Does ExceLine offer electronic metal halide ballasts, and what are the advantages?
A. ExceLine currently offers the electronic ballast in our "EB" Lumastar and "EB" Constar, we are willing to look at additional applications. The electronic metal halide ballasts offer the following features: enhanced color and CRI uniformity fixture to fixture; more consistent lumens fixture to fixture; extended photometric lamp life; end of life shutdown to prevent nuisance cycling and flashing; significant energy savings; enhanced power quality; quiet sound rated "A" operation; small compact package and cool operation.

Lamps

Q. Does ExceLine offer lamps with their fixtures?
A. ExceLine includes lamps with several of our fixtures. ExceLine also boasts a nearly complete line of lamps available to complete any lighting package. Contact your local representative or distributor for catalog numbers and prices.

Q. Chromacity - Why are some of my (metal halide) light bulbs giving off different colored light?
A. Metal halide lamps typically require between 100 and 200 hours of operation to "burn in." Lamps operated continuously should be powered off and allowed to cool a minimum of once per week. Performance of lamps can vary, even among those from the same manufacturing batch. Variations in "chromacity" (the color appearance of the light source itself) can be visibly perceptible between adjacent lamps because it is largely dependant on the relative and absolute pressures of the gaseous elements in the lamp, as well as affected by the ballast voltage and supply voltage variations. Differences in chromacity may be intensified if:
 

• the lamps are from different manufacturers
• the lamps are different models (coated, high output, etc.)
• the lamps have been operating different lengths of time such as when damaged or defective lamps are replaced during the progress of construction or different fixtures are turned on for the first time at different phases of construction. This is the most likely cause, as there is a tendency for metal halide lamps to shift in chromacity during life. As a result, when new lamps are used to replace a failed lamp in an installation, perceived color differences should be expected. This is another reason that group relamping is recommended in the industry.
• the lamp supply voltage is not the same (this can be caused by incorrect supply voltage at the fixture or incorrect socket voltage.

It should be noted that chromacity does not relate directly to color rendering, which is how the color of objects appear when illuminated by a light source. Light sources with similar chromacity may have very different color rendering properties and vice versa. Color rendering in metal halide lamps tends to be relatively constant during lamp life and variations are small from lamp to lamp of the same type.

Q. Non-Passive Failure - Why do some of my (metal halide) lamps burst during operation?
A. All metal halide lamps have the potential to fail non-passively at the end of their life.

Most metal halide lamps will not fail this way if operated according to the lamp manufacturer's instructions, but there is always the possibility. The likelihood of a non-passive failure is increased if the lamps are operated round the clock and not powered off at least once a week.

The reason that the lamp can fail this way is inherent in their design. The center arc tube is made of quartz. When not operating, the lamp is very slightly below atmospheric pressure, but when operating they can be as high as thirty atmospheres. At this pressure, a new tube can hold up fine, but as the tube ages, it weakens. This is partly from the high heat and partly because of the hot sodium and other chemicals acting on the tube. Eventually, the tube can't hold the pressure anymore and breaks apart releasing it's hot materials suddenly. For obvious reasons, this should not be taken lightly.

Following the lamp manufacturer's instructions regarding powering off the lamps at least once a week is highly recommended because it reduces the likelihood of a non-passive failure. Turning the lamps off at least weekly, encourages weakened tubes to fail in the cool cycle. It is important to note that this does not necessarily totally eliminate the possibility. Because of this, all metal halide lamps are classified by the lamp manufacturer for use in particular fixture designs.

ANSI is reviewing a Test Method (C78.387) proposed by the lamp industry, which describes how to test metal halide lamp designs so that they may be used in open fixtures (fixtures without a lens or lenses completely covering the lamp). All of the major lamp manufacturers I know of, except one, use this test method. All of them also subscribe to the following identification (ANSI C78.380 annex B):

• E - means the lamp must be operated in an enclosed fixture only.
• S - means the lamp may be operated in an open fixture but only in certain positions as designated by the lamp manufacturer (usually vertical base up and usually 400 or 1000 watt metal halide).
• O - means that the lamp may be used in open fixtures. Generally speaking the lamps that have the - O - rating have a quartz cylinder around the arc tube in their construction. This tube is what absorbs the shock in a non-passive failure and keeps the outer bulb from getting the direct force. Without this feature, the outer bulb wall will almost always break apart in a non-passive failure. That is why lamps without this feature must be operated in enclosed fixtures only. It is also why there is a special (EX-39) exclusionary mogul base socket used in open fixtures (other than the 400 & 1000 watt) that restricts the use of non-open rated lamps. (The non-open rated lamp will fit into the socket it just won't make electrical contact or operate.) The fixture manufacturer will assemble the fixture using this socket if it is sold without a lens and is a metal halide fixture below 400 watts. The sockets are easy to recognize because they are pink. (A similar system is also used in medium base sockets for open fixtures.)

It is extremely important to operate only open rated lamps in open fixtures and operate non-open rated lamps only in enclosed fixtures and to never do anything to compromise the original fixture design or operating instructions with respect to this.

MISCELLANEOUS

Q. How can I track my order?
A. Again ExceLine goes to market via representatives and distributors. Therefore, it is important that these inquiries get passed through our representatives. They have access to the order status or tracking numbers via the WIN system and in most cases they will be able to provide you with answers quicker than we can.

Q. Material Safety Data Sheets - Can I get MSDS for the fixtures on my order?
A. The following is a form letter that can be copied for customers requesting MSDS on our products.

To whom it may concern,

In response to your request for MSDS (material safety data sheets) on our products, we are providing this letter, which references the EPCRA Environmental Law Handbook & OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Title 29, CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Paragraph 1910.1200 ©,"Hazard Communication Final Rule" of the Federal Right to Know Law, to explain why MSDS are not available nor are they required to be available for our products. In summary, our products are classified as "articles" which are excluded from the requirement for MSDS. According to the code, an "article" is a manufactured item, formed to a specific shape or design, which has end use function, dependent in whole or in part upon its shape or design, and which does not release, or otherwise result in exposure to a hazardous chemical under normal conditions of use. If your use of the product is other than normal conditions of use, and you require data regarding normally sealed material supplied inside of our products, such as for lamps, capacitors, etc., please contact the component supplier directly. If you require supplier contact information for this purpose, please request it in writing from our purchasing department. Of course these components should be handled and disposed of at end of use, in accordance with the applicable local, state and federal regulations as well as any recommendations of the supplier.

The attachment that follows is a series of related references from the applicable documents to show where this is determined. If I can supply you with additional assistance, please feel free to contact me at 1-800-334-2212 (ext. 1349). We sincerely appreciate your business and take this opportunity to thank you.

Sincerely,

Harry Wingerter, Quality Systems Manager/Plant Safety Coordinator

cc:   C. Havers, Division President
        R. Jackson, Vice President, Operations

The EPCRA Environmental Law Handbook states that:

A Material Safety Data Sheet 48/ for any "hazardous chemical" must provide either a copy of each MSDS or a list of the chemicals for which an MSDS is prepared or maintained to the LEPC, the SERC, and the local fire department with jurisdiction over the facility.

Section 329(5) of EPCRA defines "hazardous chemical" as having the same meaning given the term by Section 311(e) of the act. Section 311(e), in turn, defines the term as having the meaning given it by the OSHA hazard communication regulations, with certain specified exceptions.

The OSHA rule defines the term as "any chemical which is a physical hazard or health hazard." 49/ A "physical hazard" is "a chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive) or water-reactive." 50/ A chemical that is a "health hazard" is one:

for which there is a statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. The term "health hazard" includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes....51/.

It is very important to note, however, that a wide range of materials are excluded from this definition. Section 1910.1200(b) of the OSHA regulations exempt from their requirements the following materials:

#4   "Articles", which are defined as manufactured items which are: (a) formed to a specific shape or design during manufacture; (b) which have end use functions dependent in whole or in part upon its shape or design during end use; and (c) which do not release or otherwise result in exposure to a hazardous chemical under normal conditions of use.

In addition, Selection 311(e) of EPCRA excludes the following substances:

#2   Any substance present as a solid in any manufactured item to the extent exposure to the substance does not occur under normal conditions of use.