:: Architectural Products Co., Ltd.

Cold Cathode: The long lasting and energy efficient architectural lighting

Suitable for outdoor and indoor use, cold cathode has many advantages over other forms of lighting

Using a cold cathode system releases the architect or lighting designer from having to conform to standardized, often inflexible stock systems from a lighting manufacturer’s catalogue. Cold cathode is unrivaled in its design flexibility, wide range of colors, high energy efficiency, low maintenance requirements, and lamp life is not affected by on/off cycles.

Cold cathode is the product of choice for architectural designers, property developers, and owners of commercial and residential com-plexes. Design quality into your signage and displays by specifying the finest products on the market.

The Kasikorn/Thai Farmers Bank
Cold Cathode installed by
Architectural Products Co., Ltd.

Unique selling points

- Instant on: No flicker, no noise, no starters
- Flexibility: Made to order, any shape or size
- Long lamp life: Up to 50,000 hours
- Continuous: Shadowless cove lighting without dark ends
- Energy efficient: 20-25 watt per meter
- High light output: 70 lumen per watt
- Low maintenance: ideal for light boxes
- Dimmable to 10-20% of total light output
- Dimming/animation no effect on life span
- Wide range of colors available
- Exposed outdoor lighting possible

The word “cold” actually refers to the temperature of the tubes when they are on: The tube rem ains cold. Which is one of the reasons why “hot cathode”the industrial name for fluorescent tubes) cannot be used for exposed outdoor applications: Rain on a hot tube could cause the glass to break and cause a short circuit.

The efficacy (lumen per watt) of cold cathode is approximately 40% higher than fluorescent tubes, and with an energyconsumption of 20-25 watts per linear meter and a lamp life of up to 50,000 hours, cold cathode easily outperforms other forms of lighting.

APC works exclusively with the best raw materials, imported from the US and the EU. The high quality and reliability of the cold cathode tubes, electrodes, and transformers ensure that our customers get value for money.

APC has designed, installed, and maintained the cold cathode lighting system for:
- Kasikorn Bank
- GMM Grammy
- Bangkok Bank
- TMB Bank
- Government Provident Fund (GPF)
... and many, many more...

To ensure safe and proper installation, we have trained a team of technicians and we give warranty on our installation works as well as a limited war-ranty on the product itself. We also provide maintenance services to ensure that you will always find your landmark completely lit.

Cold Cathode	Specifications
Glass tube length	2.40 meter standard; 1.60 meter for colored glass
Diameter	20 - 25 mm (15 and 12 mm also available)
Gas pressure	7-8 milibar for 20 mm; 6-7 milibar for 25 mm diameter. The lower the air pressure, the longer the lamp life. Thicker tubes (20 mm and up) last significantly longer than thin tubes
Electrodes	Suitable for up to 120mA
IP Rating	IP67 when off; IP44 when on due to high tension cabling
Clear glass	Argon (blue) or Neon (red) gas
Coated glass (white or yellowish coated glass)	Argon or Neon gas. Colors range from white 2400K to white 8400K, and from Brilliant Blue to Argon Red with everything in between
Colored glass	Midnight Blue, Deep Green, Evening Red. Deep, warm colors; not as bright as colored glass and slightly higher in price than coated glass
Custom shapes and sizes	Any shape or size possible: Letters, logos, circles, ovals; anything is possible and made to order
Production lead time	Varying from 2 to 10 days, and a month or longer for larger projects
Minimum order	Any quantity or length possible. Discount for orders exceeding 30 meters, and special discounts for orders of more than 100 meters

Power Supply (traditional)	Corecoil transformers
Corecoil transformers	F.A.R.T. Italy maintenance free resincore transformers with safety switch. IP44 rated. One transformer for 20 m of 20 mm cold cathode
Installation	Near to the lighting system to shorten the length of the wires and located in an accessible area.Transformers must be fused.
Primary voltage	Two phase 230V / 50Hz
Secondary voltage	Varying from 1 to 10kV in increments of 1kV, and 12 and 15kV
Power cons. / power factor	Up to 420W / Cos Φ .45 and fully dimmable

Power Supply (electronic)	Electronic lowvoltage converters
Electronic converters	Hansen Denmark maintenance free electronic converters for lowvoltage requirements. One converter for 2.5 m of 20 mm cold cathode
Installation	Near to the lighting system.
Primary secondary voltage	230V / 50Hz - 990V / 10,000Hz
Power cons. / power factor	Up to 50W / Cos Φ .90 and fully dimmable

Cabling
High tension UL approved cable	Max 15kV
Trunking	All cables are individually trunked to prevent damage and arcing

Specification overview cold cathode and comparison chart with fluorescent (hot cathode) lighting. Exact figures and specifications on request.

Comparison	Fluorescent	Cold Cathode
Wattage / meter	30	21
Rated lifespan	up to 7,000 hours (depending on on/off cycles)	up to 50,000 hours (irrespective of on/off cycles)
Starter/ballast	yes/yes	no/no (no flicker)
Vibration proof	no	yes
Dimmable	no unless with special tubes/ballasts at much higher cost)	yes, fully dimmable dimming and animation no effect on life cycle)
Startup	3 hours lamp life per cycle	unlimited on/off cycles
Replacement cost	Bt 250 / meter / year	Bt 526 / meter / year
Color temperature	few choices available	from 2400 to 8400K
Color range	white only	wide range of colors
Color rendering index	80	80
Lumen / meter	1500	1400
Lumen / watt	50	70
Heat (air conditioning loading)	substantial	negligible
Energy / meter / year	263 KWh	184 KWh
Cost / year (basis Bt 4 / KWh)	Bt 1,052	Bt 736
Savings / meter / year (not including aircon loading)	--	Bt 316