tself may have changed. You can check the current page or check for previous versions at the Internet Archive. Yahoo! is not affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content. Artificial lighting has become an indispensable component of modern lifestyle, creating a huge
annual demand for energy an issue that has already become a key environmental concern
worldwide. Among all artificial lighting sources, Fluorescent Tube Lamps (FTL) are by far the most
commonly used lamp type around the world.
REINIG INOTEC GROUP is a leading technology innovator of energy saving lighting products
through its extensive research and development in lighting technology. Save It Easy
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, a worldwide-
patented invention originated from Germany, is an electronic ballast offering simple Plug & Save
retrofitting solutions in energy savings for FTL applications.
High frequency electronic ballasts are designed to
r e p l a c e t h e f u n c t i o n s o f c o n v e n t i o n a l
electromagnetic ballasts in a more efficient manner.
Electronic ballasts consume substantially less
energy than conventional electromagnetic ballasts,
and operate at near optimal power factors. Peak
power demand can be reduced by as much as 50%.
T h e y a l s o e n h a n c e t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f F T L s ,
whereby their efficacy can be increased by about
10% when operated at higher frequencies. Together
w i t h l o w e r b a l l a s t l o s s e s , s y s t e m e f f i c a c y i s
improved by as much as 30%.
The key benefits of FTLs operating with electronic
ballasts are 1) Energy savings between 20-30%; 2)
Higher power factor; 3) Increased lamp life; 4)
Instant startup without flickering; 5) Quiet operation;
6 ) N o v i s i b l e f l i c k e r d u r i n g o p e r a t i o n ; 7 ) N o
stroboscopic effect and; 8) Lower total harmonic
distortion (THD).
Indeed the European Parliament aims to have all
conventional electromagnetic ballasts phased out
and replaced with energy saving electronic ballasts
within the European Union by 2005.
Despite the growing demand to conserve energy,
relatively high costs hinder the market penetration of
common electronic ballasts. Not only does it involve
the capital cost of the electronic ballast itself, but the
entire cabling system for the lighting fixture also has
to be modified by qualified electricians. Moreover,
considerably long installation time for replacement of
existing conventional electromagnetic ballast also
d i s r u p t s n o r m a l o p e r a t i o n s o f f a c i l i t i e s . T h e
application of common electronic ballasts will only
be commercially viable in limited cases.
Ballast - electronic
Expensive wiring cost
Save It Easy
�
no wiring cost
Electronic Ballasts save energy
Fluorescent Tube Lamp (FTL)
The choice of FTL over all other lamp types is
mainly due to its high efficacy and long lifetime.
L i n e a r F T L h a s a n e v e n h i g h e r e f f i c a c y t h a n
common Compact Fluorescent Lamps (known as
energy saving Light Bulbs). Unlike high & low
pressure sodium lamps, FTLs are more preferred by
users for lower costs and effective colour rendering.
Having a wide medium for distribution of light and
operating at lower temperature, FTLs are the most
c o m m o n l i g h t i n g s o l u t i o n f o r i n d u s t r i a l a n d
commercial applications.
Unlike traditional incandescent lamps (Light Bulbs),
FTLs cannot be connected directly to the electrical
mains, but instead must operate in conjunction with
e i t h e r c o n v e n t i o n a l e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c o r h i g h
frequency electronic ballasts.
General Comparative Efficacy of Common Lamp Types
Lamp type
Efficacy
(Lumens per W)
(Operating Hours)
Lifetime
Standard incandescent
Tungsten-Halogen
Mercury vapor
Compact fluorescent
Linear Fluorescent Tube T8
Linear Fluorescent Tube T5
High pressure sodium
Low pressure sodium
12
18
30
60
90
105
110
180
1,000
2,000
24,000
12,000
12,000
24,000
24,000
18,000
Save It Easy
�
is an innovative electronic ballast for
the purpose of retrofitting existing FTL fixtures with
conventional electromagnetic ballasts. Its Plug &
Save technology is designed to be user-friendly.
Indeed, its quick and easy installation method is just
as straight forward as replacing a FTL. By fitting
Save It Easy
�
onto one end of the FTL and then
placing it back into the fixture, it does not require
h i g h l y q u a l i f i e d e l e c t r i c i a n s t o p e r f o r m s u c h
retrofitting task. As such, without the complications
of wiring, no installation or recurrent maintenance
costs are incurred. SAVE IT EASY
�
is patented in
over 50 countries, its fixing method overcomes all
constraints of the common electronic ballasts and
provides a real solution for greater financial savings.
Save It Easy
�
Save It Easy
�
Save It Easy
�
Save It Easy
�
- DIMMER
Save It Easy
�
- MOTION SENSOR
Since the introduction in the 1930's, FTLs have
been operated with conventional electromagnetic
ballasts.
Conventional electromagnetic ballasts generate
substantial energy losses and operate with poor
power factor. Excessive heat, noise and flickering
a r e t h e i n h e r e n t p r o b l e m a t i c b e h a v i o r . B e i n g
e c o n o m i c a l a n d s t a b l e , c o n v e n t i o n a l
electromagnetic ballasts continue to be commonly
deployed, despite such shortcomings.
Ballast -

conventional electromagnetic
Conventional ballasts are
inefficient
Fluorescent Tube Lamp is
most commonly used Save It Easy
�
enhances FTL system efficacy with its
electronic high frequency operation. As it consumes
far less power and operate at near-optimal power
factor, SAave It Easy
�
is capable of achieving up to
35% energy cost savings when compared with the
use of standard type conventional electromagnetic
ballasts. Where applicable, energy demand cost
also decreases.
Save It Easy
�
- the electronic ballast
Save It Easy
�
- DIMMER is an optional attachment
for the standard model of Save It Easy
�
. By simply
plugging in the Plug & Save Dimmer, light output of
the FTL can be adjusted to preset levels for further
energy savings in areas where dimming is desirable.
The Dimmers come in 2 models which enable on-
board or remote dimming control.
Save It Easy
�
- MOTION SENSOR is an optional
attachment for the standard model of Save It Easy
�
.
The Plug & Save Motion Sensor is integrated with
the Dimmer, which provide even more flexible ways
to save energy.
Further saving options
Save It Easy
�
also provides other advantages for FTLs including:
Plug & Save is the key characteristic of Save It
Easy
�
. Without the employment of highly qualified
and expensive electricians, the high initial and
recurring installation costs are substantially reduced
throughout the life cycle of the FTL system.
The fast and simple installation method of Save It
Easy
�
drastically reduces installation time and effort.
A s a r e s u l t , t h e d i s r u p t i o n t o n o r m a l w o r k i n g
environment is greatly minimized.
Reversible Retrofit is another key feature of Save It
Easy
�
. Unlike other common electronic ballasts,
Save It Easy
�
are only add-on items to existing FTL
fixtures but without any modification done to them.
Therefore, such fixtures can be reverted back into its
original form of operations, if and when so desired,
by a simple and easy dismantle process. This
p r o v i d e s a n e x c e l l e n t m o b i l i t y s o l u t i o n f o r
redeployment of Save It Easy
�
.
Save It Easy
�
- your solution to easy savings
Plug & Save
Reversible Retrofitting
Dimmer & Motion Sensor
Energy saving up to 35%
SAVE I T EASY
�
INLINE - T8
INLINE - T5
Save It Easy
�
is available for most commonly used
F T L t y p e s s u c h a s T 1 2 , T 1 0 & T 8 , w h i c h a r e
interchangeable. In most common cases, T8 FTLs
are recommended due to higher efficacy.
Save It Easy
�
- T5 is also available for T5 FTLs,
which are smaller in diameter while providing even
higher efficacy. In certain operating environment,
they are even more efficient than T8 FTLs. Since T5
FTLs are not interchangeable with T12, T10 & T8
FTLs, T5 FTLs require complete new sets of specific
fixtures.
Save It Easy
�
- T5 provides another Plug & Save
innovative solution, which allows T5 FTLs to be
adapted to existing common T12, T10 & T8 FTL
fixtures.
Save It Easy
�
- INLINE is a Plug & Save solution
allowing longer and higher power FTL fixtures to use
shorter and lower power FTLs for further energy
savings. Save It Easy
�
- INLINE plugs into one end
of shorter FTLs as extensions, allowing them to be
fitted into longer fixtures.Optional dimmers are
a v a i l a b l e f o r c u s t o m i z e d l i g h t o u t p u t l e v e l s ,
delivering additional energy savi