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NLPIP now available online

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NLPIP is an objective source of manufacturer-specific performance information on energy-efficient lighting products. The program is sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and a few other US non-profit institutions. One of the main reasons for setting up the NLPIP in the early 90s was the start-up of the US Green Lights Program. The need for unbiased information on product performance based on tests was recognized. Without such information, it was concluded that many facility owners would not take the risk of investing in new lighting technologies unfamiliar to them.

These publications contain independent evaluations of hundreds of ballasts, CFLs, occupancy sensors, photosensors, exit signs, specular reflectors, power reducers, HID and CFL luminaires, and other things. The so-called Specifier Reports make up the main body of publications, but there are also other shorter brochures on specific topics. The NLPIP reports are available on the web as pdf files, and some of them are also covered by abstracts in quickly accessed html-format. The new on-line service also provides a searchable database with product information for compact fluorescent lamps, electronic ballasts, and dimming electronic ballasts for fluorescent lighting. In carrying out a search, users can specify a product or any test characteristic, such as active power or power factor, and can compare manufacturerÕs claims with NLPIP performance data.

Users can register for free and will be given a user name and password. The database provides a smart, but very easy-to-use, function that helps those who have forgotten their passwords to retrieve them again. According to the LRC website, the service will be offered for free until at least October 15, 1999.

NLPIP on-line: at www.lrc.rpi.edu.

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