Into gear

The company claims the ballasts have an operational life of up to 10,000 hours at temperatures up to 60°C and are capable of withstanding voltage surges as well as steam, dust and vibration. In providing ongoing lamp maintenance and protection, the ballasts also extend the life of the lamps, extending re-lamping cycles and reducing maintenance costs.

The ballasts can withstand voltage peaks up to 4 kV and incorporate the company’s Intelligent Voltage Guard for protection against under voltage and over voltage. Intelligent Voltage Guard ensures that if the operating voltage falls below 150 V the lamp circuit will be switched off to prevent damage. If the operating voltage exceeds 300 V the ballast will cause the lighting to flash on and off, signalling that the mains should be shut off.

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Brand new boilers

The Ecotec from Vaillant is a new range of combination and system boilers. The range, which is SEDBUK Band A rated, consists of the Ecotec Plus and Ecotec Pro. The Plus measures 720 mm × 440 mm × 335 mm and has a built-in 10 litre expansion vessel, automatic two-speed pump and an automatic adjustable bypass. It also comes with a built-in filling loop, siphonic condensate discharge and is available with a liquid petroleum gas conversion kit.

The Ecotec Pro has a more basic specification, with a single speed pump, no built-in filling loop and a condensate trap in place of a siphonic discharge.

Vaillant has developed a range of programmable controls for use with the boilers, including plug-in central heater timers and programmable room thermostats. The boilers will also work with Vaillant’s horizontal flue system.

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Avoiding the glare

Fagerhult Lighting has launched the Indigo family of luminaires. The fittings are designed to offer comfortable, glare free environments and incorporate a double parabolic louvre with side reflectors and cross blades, which helps give controlled light distribution. The range consists of four models: Indigo Dual, Indigo Combo, Indigo Clivus and Indigo Ed2.

Indigo Dual and Indigo Combo are recessed fittings available in square and rectangular designs. The Dual incorporates a suspended secondary reflector that throws incidental light onto the surrounding ceiling, while the Combo controls indirect light using a lined diffuser that distributes the secondary light and gives a balanced luminance in the reflector. The Ed2 is also a recessed fitting with predominantly indirect light distribution. Indigo Clivus is a surface mounted luminaire that can be installed on suspended or one-piece ceilings. Units have wings that provide a striking visual appearance while providing smooth light distribution.

The Dual, Combo and Clivus use T5 lamps in 14 W, 24 W, 28 W and 54 W, while Ed2 uses T5 and compact fluorescents.

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Remote control

The Ultima RAC range of remote air-cooled chillers has been developed by Airedale International Air Conditioning. The 15 model range covers cooling capacities from 75 kW to 450 kW and is optimised for use with R407C refrigerant. The chillers use tanden and triple scroll compressors are used on dual, independent refrigeration circuits. Electronic expansion valves come as standard, allowing stable superheat control in varying operating conditions and enabling the system to take advantage of times when the operating load is below the design range.

All 15 models have stainless steel plate evaporators with insulation and pad heaters and the scroll compressors have internal motor protection, internal pressure relief and discharge temperature protection.

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At arms length

Nederman has introduced a new version of its articulated extraction arm for the removal of harmful and hazardous dusts and fumes at source. The wall mounted arm is suitable for light to medium duty extraction rates and comes in 2 m and 3 m lengths. The articulated joints allow the flanged capture hood to be moved to the optimum position. The hose can be connected directly to a duct or single fan. A butterfly valve accessory can be installed to control the airflow between 0 and 1000 m3/h; a microswitch automatically turns off the fan if the valve is closed fully.

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Say goodbye to bacteria

Ashland Speciality Chemical has launched the Sonoxide water treatment system for treating bacteria, algae and biofilm in industrial water systems, such as cooling towers. The system uses non-chemical technology, passing water through a chamber where bacterial cells are exposed to low power, high frequency ultrasonic energy. This causes alterations to the bacterial and algae cells which ultimately kills them.

The company claims the entirely self-contained system offers improved microbial control in an environmentally considerate way, without worker safety issues.

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Reach for the Sky

Daikin Europe has introduced a B series of its Sky Air Super Inverter Range. Designed for large commercial air conditioning installations, the three-phase RZQ operates on R410A refrigerant and is available in sizes ranging from 10 kW to 14 kW in cooling mode and 11·25 kW to 16 kW in heating mode. The ambient temperature operating range is -15°C to 50°C (cooling) and -20°C to 15·5°C (heating).

The unit makes use of the company’s reluctance DC compressor motor technology, which it claims delivers high energy efficiency, particularly when used in the mid to low settings.

Operating sound levels of between 49 dBA and 52 dBA are achieved thanks to the “aero spiral” fan with backward curved blade tips, which reduce air turbulence and pressure loss. These figures can be reduced by a further 4-5 dBA using the night-time function.

The range is supported by a full compliment of Daikin indoor units, including 950 mm × 950 mm and 600 mm × 600 mm cassettes, ceiling ducted, ceiling suspended cassette and wall mounted indoor fan coil configurations, for use as pairs, twin, triple or double twin combinations.

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Having a gas

Sanyo Air Conditioners has unveiled the Eco G gas heat pump range, which the company claims is the Europe’s only gas heat pump variant refrigerant flow system to provide simultaneous heating and cooling. Units can run on natural gas or liquid petroleum gas and are available with DX or chilled water for the indoor heat exchange.

The range can accommodate pipe runs of up to 780 m and will run for 10,000 hours between engine service intervals. The GHP range also qualifies for inclusion on the Energy Technology list.

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