Cooper Lighting LED Solutions Add Safe, Reliable, Energy-Efficient Lighting to Detroit Windsor Tunnel

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Windsor Tunnel, a subterranean passage connecting the United States and Canada, recently upgraded its lighting fixtures to include energy-saving LED products from Cooper Lighting, an industry leader committed to delivering innovative products and driving transformational technology in the lighting industry. Project goals, like providing ample lighting and reducing energy cost, were easily met with McGraw-Edison Valet™ LED Luminaires featuring Cooper Lighting's LightBAR™ technology and patented AccuLED Optics™.

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"Meeting standards that also provided quality, cost-efficient lighting was paramount to Detroit Windsor Tunnel, LLC and the City of Windsor," said Neal Belitsky, CEO, American Roads and Detroit Windsor Tunnel. "And, while we know that our upgraded lighting system will help our bottom line, we also know that it will aid those who utilize the Detroit Windsor Tunnel on a daily basis."

Before simply deciding on an LED solution from Cooper Lighting, the operation first called upon the University of Windsor Research Collaboration to study the tunnel. After spending three days underground, it quickly became apparent that the current lighting system, relying on metal halide fixtures, was a major cause for concern. Costing more than $160,000 each year, the system wasn't just expensive; it was also inefficient. The Collaboration recommended that the Detroit Windsor Tunnel update to a more efficient system.

From there, Cooper Lighting, working alongside Motor City Electric, was able to quickly select the McGraw-Edison Valet LED Luminaire as the ideal solution for this particular project. The Valet LED Luminaire, featuring a rugged and low-profile housing, incorporates patent-pending, modular LED LightBAR™ technology for impressive performance and energy efficiency.

Through its superior optical control, the Valet LED Luminaires deliver both uniform and energy-conscious illumination optimized to improve vehicular movement–ideal for this specific application. Additionally, patented AccuLED Optics™ provide shaped distributions and scalability and are designed to meet the exact needs of each specific requirement. For added durability, its one-piece, die-cast aluminum housing and heavy wall construction offers superior heat transfer and reliable performance for a wide range of temperatures from as low as -22 degrees F (-30 degrees C) and as high as 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

"This project has been an incredible opportunity for us to show how choosing Cooper products can help increase overall efficiencies and performance," said Mark Eubanks, President, Cooper Lighting. "We've been able to showcase both the great products we offer and our ability to adapt to each specific situation and deliver superior results. Our Valet™ LED lighting fixtures will no doubt provide ample lighting while significantly reducing the overall lighting cost within the tunnel. This is a great project and one in which we have particular pride."

In addition to providing ample lighting, the Valet LED fixtures helped decrease overall energy dependency. Key decision makers were able to do this not only by choosing ultra-efficient, long-lasting LED lighting, but by reducing the total amount of fixtures needed. Due to slow warm-up and cool down periods, the previous metal halide fixtures needed to be placed every 20 feet on center to allow for maximum coverage. With an increased light output and instant-on feature, Cooper was able to expand the distance between the lighting fixtures to 40 feet and cut the total number of fixtures in half, except at the portals and entrances, which require additional light and closer fixtures.

While the project is slated to be complete this month, initial findings show a significant amount of savings for the operator and the City of Windsor. The overall number of fixtures has decreased from 570 to just 480, wattage use per hour has dropped a dramatic 135,810 watts/hour from 185,250 to 49,440, and the cost per year has plummeted about 72 percent from more than $160,000 to just under $45,000. When evaluating the project over a timeframe of 10 years, the Detroit Windsor Tunnel will have saved more than $1.18 million dollar on energy costs.

Cooper Lighting offers a range of indoor and outdoor LED lighting products and corresponding accessories, all of which are specifically designed to maximize energy and cost savings. For additional information, click here.

About Cooper Lighting

Cooper Lighting, a subsidiary of Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE), is the leading provider of world-class lighting fixtures and controls to commercial, industrial, retail, institutional, residential and utility markets. As lighting technologies have advanced over the years, Cooper Lighting has been at the forefront of the industry in helping businesses and communities leverage the latest technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enrich the quality of the environment. For more information, visit www.cooperlighting.com.

About Cooper Industries

Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) is a global electrical products manufacturer with 2010 revenues of $5.1 billion. Founded in 1833, Cooper's sustained success is attributable to a constant focus on innovation, evolving business practices while maintaining the highest ethical standards and meeting customer needs. The Company has seven operating divisions with leading market positions and world-class products and brands including: Bussmann electrical and electronic fuses; Crouse-Hinds and CEAG explosion-proof electrical equipment; Halo and Metalux lighting fixtures; and Kyle and McGraw-Edison power systems products. With this broad range of products, Cooper is uniquely positioned for several long-term growth trends including the global infrastructure build-out, the need to improve the reliability and productivity of the electric grid, the demand for higher energy-efficient products and the need for improved electrical safety. In 2010 fifty-nine percent of total sales were to customers in the industrial and utility end-markets and thirty-nine percent of total sales were to customers outside the United States. Cooper has manufacturing facilities in 21 countries as of 2010. For more information, visit the website at www.cooperindustries.com.

SOURCE Cooper Lighting