December 9, 2023
5 Things to Know: Week Ending December 9
A Spec Grade lighting company is sold. Plus, a quite unusual lighting agent footprint adds another state.
Here's a roundup of some of the week's happenings curated to help lighting people stay informed.
1. SpecGrade LED changes ownership
Ohio-based Lighting Solutions Group, doing business as SpecGrade LED, has announced its acquisition by LED Lighting, LLC, which will now do business under the “SpecGrade” moniker. SpecGrade LED specializes in a diverse range of lighting products, including flood and sports lighting, highbay fixtures, site lighting, solutions for hazardous locations, high mast lighting, and horticultural lighting systems.
The company reports that this move will expand SpecGrade’s offerings beyond LED technology to “non-LED product areas to bring more value to our reps and their customers. We are also expanding into LED White Box products.”
SpecGrade has assured its U.S. lighting agent partners that there will be no disruption in the delivery of products and services, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the standard of excellence their customers expect.
2 . Is this the Most Unusual Lighting Agent Footprint?
3. LightSPEC West: A Look at the Upcoming 2024 Event
LightSPEC West, a 2-day lighting expo, is set to take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, on April 17-18, 2024. Organized by Endeavor Business Media, the inaugural LightSPEC West took place in Los Angeles in 2022. This event builds on the legacy of LightShow West, a biennial event popular in the Southern California lighting community. It faced disruptions due to the pandemic-related financial difficulties of its original organizer, Exponation.
As LightSPEC West 2024 draws nearer, a notable observation is the current level of exhibitor participation. As of December 6, only 33 exhibitors are confirmed, a contrast to the 176 exhibitors at last year's event. This figure suggests a need for increased momentum in the four remaining months before the event to ensure LightSPEC West resonates with the similar buzz it previously enjoyed, particularly in the West Coast's largest convention center.
Preliminary exhibitor list: (Source: LightSPEC West)
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4. WAC Files a Second Patent Case Against Visual Comfort
WAC Lighting has filed new patent litigation against Visual Comfort & Co. in federal court. This is the second patent lawsuit WAC brought against Visual Comfort this year.
In September, WAC initiated an investigation in the United States International Trade Commission into patent infringement of Visual Comfort’s smart fans. WAC asserted 30 claims of three of its patents in that investigation, which is expected to go to trial in 2024.
WAC’s new case, brought in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, involves different technology and four other patents. The complaint asserts patent infringement by a wide range of LED lighting products sold under a variety of Visual Comfort brands and servicing different segments of the lighting market including ceiling, wall, outdoor, and architectural lights.
WAC asserted United States Patent Nos. 8,791,494; 9,076,930; 9,837,581; and 10,833,226 in the complaint.
5. New DALI-Based Input Device Specs Unveiled
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has announced the release of a new specification, Part 306, under the IEC 62386 standard, enhancing the capabilities of DALI-based input devices in lighting control systems. This addition allows sensors to detect and measure over 50 different quantities, such as temperature, humidity, air quality, and various chemical concentrations including methane, CO2, and NOx. These devices can either actively send data to the DALI system or respond with information upon request. This development marks a significant expansion in the range of sensor functionalities available within the DALI lighting control protocol.
Part 306 joins other sensor-specific specifications within the IEC 62386 standard, including Part 303 for occupancy sensors and Part 304 for light sensors. This new specification can be accessed through the IEC webstore. The DALI Alliance, responsible for developing tests for DALI-2 product certification, plans to incorporate Part 306 into its certification program in 2024. This integration is expected to further standardize and enhance the performance and interoperability of lighting control systems in professional settings.
