ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc., a producer of energy-efficient lighting and control solutions, introduces the new patent-pending WSD NGX (Neutral/Ground Exchangeable) wall switch sensor as an addition to its Sensor Switch line of occupancy sensors. This new sensor provides an innovative and contractor-friendly solution to meet the neutral/ground wiring requirements under the 2011 National Electric Code (“NEC 2011”) without having to purchase a dedicated unit.The WSD NGX sensor can use either the neutral conductor required by NEC 2011 for new construction projects, or it can use the ground connection, which is a common wiring method for many retrofit applications. The sensor’s...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Verbatim Americas, LLC, a member of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC) group, announces the official Energy Star qualification of its new line of PAR-type retrofit LED lamps, all with the quality and energy efficiency requirement set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Certified based on strict criteria, Verbatim Energy Star LED lamps assure users high efficiency and long lifetime with consistent color output, translating into considerable reductions in energy consumption and maintenance costs. Verbatim Energy Star LED lamps qualify for utility rebates and are backed by a five year warranty. Verbatim’s Energy Star qualified LED...

COOPERSBURG, PA.—Lutron Electronics has introduced updates to its Energi TriPak family of energy-saving products including stairwell retrofit solutions and simple energy retrofit packages for small commercial spaces. The flexible Energi TriPak product family allows users to select a mix of components to best meet the needs of their space and save energy. New, energy retrofit packages allow contractors to order one model number that includes all the components necessary for a simple, dual voltage switching solution with occupancy sensing. Each package includes a Maestro Wireless switch with Claro faceplate and either a wireless, ceiling-mount occupancy/vacancy sensor, or wireless, ceiling-mount vacancy-only...

DES PLAINES, ILL.—Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, the newest casino in the Chicagoland area, has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Rivers Casino is the first casino in the world to achieve the LEED Gold certification.“We are proud to be recognized as a leader in sustainable development and we hope to set an example for the rest of the gaming and entertainment industries,” said Greg Carlin, CEO of Rivers Casino. “It’s important to all of our team members that we are a good corporate citizen.”“Achieving LEED...

CHICAGO—Six hundred bucks is not a bad monthly electricity bill for a 15-story, 63-room urban hotel. Granted, The Ivy Hotel has not opened yet but general manager James Cazares says public space lighting has been burning 24/7. Key to the tiny bill last month is LED recessed lighting—MR16 bulbs that consume just one watt each. LED lighting is just one of the many green facets of the luxury boutique Chicago property set to open at the end of April.Just over a block from Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s Near North neighborhood, The Ivy Hotel was once an office building. The...

COOPERSBURG, PA.—Light control manufacturer Lutron Electronics announced updates to its web-based LED Product and Driver Selection Tools. These tools make product selection simple and easy by eliminating guesswork and ensuring compatibility between LED fixtures and LED drivers. The Lutron LED Product Selection tool features hundreds of fixture/driver/control combinations that have been evaluated in the free Lutron testing program, ensuring compatibility between controls and LED drivers, luminaires and screw-in bulbs. “Lutron is committed to helping customers answer their questions about LEDs and avoiding potential compatibility problems in the field,” says Ed Blair, Lutron vice president of Commercial Solutions. “As the world leader...

WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—MaxLite has introduced a variety of accessories including a PhotoCell, an Emergency Battery Backup and Wire Guards in its MaxLED family of LED lamps and fixtures for hotels, restaurants and resorts. MaxLite is a global manufacturer and marketer of MaxLED, a line of LED luminaires and lamps using LED technology. The new Wire Guards can be used with all MaxLED standard Wallpacks. Constructed with welded continuous wire, the Wire Guards protect and guard the high-quality shatter-resistant glass lens inside the fixture. The 2.8 mm wire, polyester powder coated in standard black, easily attaches to the wallpack’s housing...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc., a maker of energy-efficient lighting and control solutions, has expanded its LED indoor ambient lighting portfolio with the launch of the Z Series LED striplight by Lithonia Lighting. The Z Series luminaires are compact, low-profile solid-state strips that deliver long maintenance-free performance in a wide range of retrofit and new construction applications, including uplight and downlight in commercial, retail, manufacturing, warehouse, cove and display.The Z Series luminaires are available in both T5 and T8 lengths, and may be surface-mounted or suspended with chain, aircraft cable or stem. The Z Series luminaires are available in white, galvanized,...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—WattStopper has introduced the rugged FSP-211 Digital High/Low Passive Infrared Fixture Integrated Outdoor Sensor to conveniently control lighting in areas such as parking facilities and pathways. The sensor, which was accepted into the 2011 IES Progress Report, mounts in a lighting fixture and provides motion-based multi-level control combined with optional hold off daylighting control. Its feature set provides the flexibility to quickly and easily customize control parameters for each project to ensure energy savings while also addressing security concerns. All parameters are adjustable via a wireless configuration tool capable of storing and transmitting multiple sensor profiles. The sensor...

HOUSTON—Toshiba International Corp. announced that it is introducing new PAR38 and MR16 lamps that offer higher lumen output while still providing energy savings when compared to similar lumen halogen bulbs. Toshiba’s new PAR38 1100 Series is a direct replacement for 90 to 110W halogen lamps, offers outputs of up to 1,170 lumens and uses up to 75 percent less energy than halogens. Toshiba’s new MR16 450 Series is a direct replacement for 35W halogen lamps, offers lumen outputs of up to 475 lumens, and uses up to 80 percent less energy than halogens. Both models are dimmable, contain no mercury...