Power Supply is Integral to the LED Circuit Board Contained within the Fixture Enclosure

Plastic from Bayer MaterialScience LLC sheds light on TerraGlo’s LED design 

 When TerraGlo Lighting needed an optically clear material that met stringent Underwriter Laboratories Inc. (UL) 5VA guidelines for its Alba Series luminaires, there were few options on the market. Fortunately, TerraGlo found one material that clearly met its design needs: Bayer MaterialScience LLC's Makrolon® polycarbonate.

TerraGlo's Alba Series luminaires can be used as surface- or recessed-mount wall sconces or pendant-mounted fixtures. A unique aspect of the Alba lights is a power supply that is integral to the LED circuit board contained within the fixture enclosure, according to TerraGlo president, Laura Rodriguez. "There is no external power supply, so it is essentially a 'plug and play' system," she explains.

UL required TerraGlo to enclose the circuit board using a UL94 5VA-rated material. TerraGlo selected Bayer's Makrolon FR7087 polycarbonate to mold the 3-mm-thick lens cover. After the molding process, the optically clear cover is mounted over the circuit board within the enclosed light fixture.

This particular application had dual challenges. The integral circuit made it challenging to design a 5VA-rated cover. "Furthermore, the cover needed to be optically clear, since it covers the light source and the AC/DC electronic circuit," said Bryan Gudusky, product manager, TerraGlo. "Bayer's Makrolon FR7087 plastic met all of our needs and the demands of this specific design."

According to Kevin Dunay, market segment leader, Electrical/Electronics (EE) Polycarbonates, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, Makrolon FR7087 is a transparent, flame—retardant polycarbonate resin that has been proven in demanding applications, particularly LED lighting and electrical products. "When we commercially launched this grade of plastic, it was believed to be the first clear thermoplastic material to meet stringent flammability specifications — UL 94 5VA at 3 mm thickness," said Dunay.

Makrolon FR7087 was issued the Yellow Card and listed on the UL Online Certifications Directory after being subjected to rigorous UL testing, including glow wire flammability and ignition. The UL Yellow Card features specific information about a polymeric material a company has submitted for testing. UL 94 is widely regarded as the standard for the safety testing of plastic materials with regard to flammability for use in devices and appliances.

About TerraGlo Lighting:

TerraGlo Lighting is a WBE-certified business that was established in 2008 and then incorporated in 2009 with the sole intention to provide the highest quality and the most innovative LED luminaires at the most competitive prices. The company's unique approach and experience in both the electronics and lighting industries enables TerraGlo to offer the most efficient LED fixtures that will ensure optimum performance, long life cycles and high efficiency rates. TerraGlo was founded based on the following principles; excellence, aesthetics, efficiency and performance.

About Bayer MaterialScience LLC:

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,700 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2010 sales of 10.2 billion euros. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC's business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s polycarbonate material offerings for the LED lighting market, call 1-800-662-2927, email pcinfo@bayer.com or visit www.bmsnafta.com.

For more information about TerraGlo Lighting, call 800-397-4940, email bgudusky@terraglo.com