Universal Lighting Technologies, Nashville, is launching a new online course covering electronic high-intensity discharge (eHID) ballasts at its e-Learning Center online at www.unvlt.com. Subjects covered include a history of eHID technology, an analysis of its performance and benefits, and a review of its most common applications, including a detailed replacement matrix for retrofitting magnetic HID systems.

eHID ballasts can significantly reduce energy use and monthly operating costs in a broad range of applications such as warehouses, big-box retail stores, factories, manufacturing facilities, schools and parking lots.

The company's Vossloh-Schwabe line of eHID ballasts drive metal-halide lamps ranging from 20 to 210 watts, with energy savings up to 17 percent compared to magnetic HID ballasts. All Vossloh-Schwabe eHID ballasts feature a microprocessor that continuously monitors lamp characteristics during operation and adjusts the lamp current to optimize lamp performance.

The e-Learning Center is designed to educate lighting contractors, distributors and end users about the latest lighting technologies, and many courses qualify for continuing education credits through professional certification organizations such as NAED, NALMCO and NCQLP. The eHID module is now available online free of charge to anyone involved in the lighting industry. Other courses include Ballast Basics, DCL Technology, and Fundamentals of HID.

K/E Electric Supply, Mount Clemens, Mich., hosted 100 contractors Jan. 26 and 27 for two seminars sponsored by the distributor in conjunction with Generac Power Systems. K/E Electric Supply said it offered the course as part of its commitment to continued educational training for its customers. A certified Generac Power Systems specialist presented updates on code changes dealing with backup generator power installation and hosted a question and answer forum.

Circuit protection manufacturer Mersen, Newburyport, Mass., (formerly Ferraz Shawmut), recently published a new Protection Intelligence Quotient (PIQ) Quiz on the new UL standards for photovoltaic circuit protection. This is the latest quiz in an ongoing program which challenges participants to see if they are up to speed on the best practices in electrical safety. The quiz is online at us.ferrazshawmut.com/PIQPR. Participants who pass the quiz can enter to win a $100 gift card. Three winners are selected every month. No purchase is necessary.

With the educational PIQ program, solar power design engineers, specifiers, electrical professionals and equipment manufacturers discover how much they know about the hazards that can harm people, equipment and investments. “We are clearly filling a need for circuit protection and safety information,” said Stephen Colvin, vice president of marketing at Mersen. “Many visitors take the latest quiz, and then move on to take earlier archived quizzes on topics such as arc-flash hazard protection, overvoltage protection and selective coordination.” The 2011 program runs through Dec. 31.

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