Press Release for UL certified lights – Signal Mate Commercial

For more information, contact

David Horst CEO of Signal Mate LLC

Phone: 410-777-5550

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. January 4, 2018- Signal Mate, manufacturer of the patented Signal Mate synchronized horn and anchor light signaling controller, and ABYC A-16 certified Light-Emitting Diode (LED) navigation lights, announced today the release of a new, full line of commercial LED navigation lights that are certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 1104; compliant with International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution 253 (83) 4.3, and submersible in accordance with International Protection marking IP67.

U.S. Coast Guard Approved

Signal Mate’s UL 1104 certified lights have a new modular design, which is fully serviceable with a replaceable LED module and power supply for easy field repairs and less down time. Quick and economical, a module can be replaced for less than the cost of the light, as opposed to replacing the whole light as other manufactures require. The modular design also allows the light to be upgradable from basic light (no monitoring) to monitoring, and from single to double head.

Signal Mate is the only manufacturer that monitors the intensity of the LED with a microprocessor in the light and compares it to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) candela requirements, to provide all vessels the same safety and reliability that is required in IMO resolution 253 (83) 4.3 for LED navigation lights.

The new line of UL 1104 certified lights is available in basic (no monitoring) or monitoring versions; single or double head; 120 – 240 VAC, 12 – 32 VDC, AC with DC back-up (redundancy); one or two (primary and secondary) connectors; in a new modular design for inspected vessels 20M and over, blue water vessels 50M and over.

Why is monitoring the LED intensity important?

The IMO Resolution MSC.253 (83) 4.3 Special requirements for navigation lights using LEDs states:

“The luminous intensity of LEDs gradually decreases while the electricity consumption remains unchanged.”

This makes two points: When the LEDs intensity decreases, the nautical mile visibility is not maintained as required. Plus, as the intensity diminishes, the current remains the same; therefore, the alarm panel will not be triggered to notify the operator.

IMO MSC 253 (83) 4.3 also states, “The rate of decrease of luminous intensity depends on the output of LEDs and temperatures of LEDs.”

For longevity of LED navigation lights, proper thermal management and constant current drivers are needed, but still the LED intensity will diminish over time.

To address this issue, the IMO resolution provides two choices for manufactures of UL 1104 certified LED navigation lights for blue water vessels: 4.3.1. monitor intensity; or 4.3.2. specify lifespan (count hours).

Most manufacturers of LED navigation lights for inspected vessels have chosen 4.3.2 to count 50,000 hours of use before replacement. This lifespan of 50,000 hours came from the manufacturer of High Brightness (HB) LEDs that were tested in the lab. At 70,000 hours, the LEDs will have lost 30% of the initial intensity. In the marine environment, it is inevitable that the intensity of some LED navigation lights will diminish or fail prematurely.

“It is optimistic to assume the LED navigation light will maintain full brightness for a life span of 50,000 hours,” said David Horst, CEO of Signal Mate LLC. “If the technology is available to check the LED intensity, why not use it to provide safety and reliability for your vessel.”

With an incandescent light, when the filament burns out, the light goes off; therefore, there is no more current and the alarm is sounded. LEDs decrease in intensity with no change in current; therefore, no alarm is sounded.

The only way to be sure the LED intensity is COLREGS compliant is to monitor the intensity in the light. Signal Mate monitors the LED intensity 4.3.1 and counts hours of use 4.3.2.

Signal Mate offers the following IMO MSC 253(83) 4.3 compliant models:

Single Head: Flashes 3 times to notify operator, momentarily triggering alarm, but leaves light on (for vessels with or without alarm panels, and no back-up lights).
Double Head: Flashes 3 times and turns light off, no more current, alarm triggered (for vessels with alarm panels and back-up lights).
New autonomous, double head, single input: Flashes 3 times to notify operator, momentarily triggering alarm. At startup, automatically switches heads, ensuring a working back-up, and giving twice the life of the light. Plus, if the LED intensity is not compliant, automatically switches heads (for vessels that only have a single power cable, but want the safety and reliability that a double head provides).

Signal Mate’s new UL 1104 certified LED navigation lights are robust, machined hard coat aluminum, providing proper thermal management, constant current drivers, and switching power supplies. Signal Mate lights are the only lights available that have the option to monitor the LED intensity in a modular design.

Signal Mate is all about safety. Be Safe. Be Seen. Be sure.

Signal Mate LED lights are warranted for 5 years, or for 7 years with an extended warranty if a spare LED module is purchased along with the light.

The modular lights with replaceable parts and monitoring LED intensity will be demonstrated at the following shows:

Work Boat Show in New Orleans, Booth # 3962, Nov. 29 – Dec. 1^st.
The Passenger Vessel Association Convention in Savannah, Georgia, Booth #82, January 28-31, 2018.
Sea-Air-Space Navy League’s Exposition, Booth CB108 April 9-11, 2018, - National Harbor Maryland.
Inland Marine Expo (IMX) in St. Louis, Missouri, Booth #445, May 21 – 23, 2018.
MACC Show in Baltimore, Maryland, Booth # C12, July 18- 19, 2018.

Signal Mate LED lights are proudly designed, sourced, and made in USA.

For more information, contact David Horst CEO of Signal Mate LLC. at 410-777-5550 or email info@signalmate.com or visit us at www.SignalMate.com