New NEC Regulations for Metal Halide Fixtures Cheat Sheet

Why use a lens?

The 2005 NEC contains a new requirement for Metal Halide HID fixtures that is significant to our business:

All Metal Halide HID fixtures must be enclosed (with a lens, diffuser, etc) or incorporate a device ("pink" EX39 socket) that will only allow the usage of "O" (open) rated lamps.

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) developed designations for Metal Halide and Pulse Start lamps clarifying the appropriate fixture for the specific lamp. Metal Halide and Pulse Start lamps are rated as E for Enclosed, S for Suitable, and O for Open.

E - Lamp must be used in enclosed fixtures, which meet the requirements of UL 1598.

S - Lamps are considered suitable for open fixture operation only if operated in the vertical +/-15 degree position. Lamps do not meet ANSI criteria for self-containment and must be turned off at least once per week for 15 minutes if operated 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

O - Lamps can be operated in open or enclosed fixtures within the specified operating position limits. These types meet the ANSI criteria for containment rated operation. Special exclusionary sockets are available for these lamps.

What SIMKAR/CEW products are affected?

• Only affects our High Bay products. (Low Bays are supplied with a bottom lens.)
• This affects Metal Halide (MH) and Pulse Start Metal Halide (PS/MH) lamped fixtures, both Magnetic and Electronic HID.
• The above fixtures when installed in states, which have adopted the code, in new construction or renovation projects (those jobs that require an electrical permit).
• This does NOT affect kits current supplied with open rated lamp and "pink" EX39 sockets. For example, our JBM0240 and JLM0940-M are NOT affected.

What SIMKAR/CEW now offers with lens enclosure as standard?

• Most of our lower wattage Metal Halide fixtures (250W and lower) have been in compliance to these new regulations due to the characteristics of the lamp (subject to non-passive end of life).
• Our Enclosed Rated Pulse Start Metal Halide must have bottom enclosure for all wattages. The existing 9 open rated (EX39) units do not require bottom lens.
• The EXCEPTION is our most popular 400W Metal Halide, which will now be supplied with a lens, unless, specified with open rated lamp and socket. The following part numbers affected and the enclosures which will be supplied (see attached reference list for kit part number):

• Customer may specify a kit without lens; however, the fixture might be in violation of local codes and, subsequently, is non-returnable.
• Affected Distributor Kits will contain lenses; see reference list for new part numbers.
• Open rated lamps are NOT available in 750W and 875W. The ONLY enclosed fixtures available in these wattages are the following:
• JBL with EB22GLA
• JCL with EB22GLA
• 1000W is available open rated. The ONLY 1000W enclosed fixtures available are:
• JBL with EB22GLA
• JCL with EB22GLA
• 750W, 875W, and 1000W are NOT available ENCLOSED with acrylic or polycarbonate refractors. However, open plastic shades will be available when specifically requested by customer.

What can we do to retrofit existing facilities?

Replacement projects and renovations are NOT required to comply with the above-mentioned requirement. However, if existing fixtures are NOT installed in accordance of the manufacturers' warnings and instructions, the following retrofit products provide an immediate solution to manage risk.

• R-CAD. The R-CAD ensures that only open rated protected lamps are installed in your fixtures and prevents enclosed rated lamps from being installed eliminating the need for bottom lens. With our patented C41 adaptor (Patent # 5398178), existing fixtures operate with open rated lamps only, without bottom lens, effectively eliminating safety concerns. Those safety concerns that prompted the change to the 2005 NEC!
• Open Rated Lamp/Ballast Kits. To identify open rated lamp/ballast kits use the ANSI # column in the L/B Kit brochure. The suffix O designates open rated. Field retrofitting existing fixtures with open rated Lamp/Ballast kit and "pink" EX39 socket (33-00148) is an easy way to convert non-compliant existing fixtures to safe and compliant lighting systems.

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