Lighting

Lamp-crushing firm Balcan Engineering, Doyle & Tratt, makers of the Varilight intelligent dimmer; and Safe and Sound Lighting, a three-person firm that makes recessed downlighters with built-­in fire and acoustic protection, have won Queens Awards for Enterprise.

The latest products from Balcan of Horncastle in Lincolnshire ac­cept both whole and pre-crushed lamps and separate glass, alumin­ium, plastic and mercury-bearing phosphor powder for recycling – which will soon to be required by law. Because end-of-life lamps can be crushed before they are transported to a recycling plant, five times as much waste can he carried on a lorry.

Varilight microprocessor controlled, intelligent dimmer switches for mains and low-voltage lighting boast overload protection, soft start to extend lamp life and low radio frequency interference. One variant of the product can be controlled remotely.

Manufacturer Doyle & Tratt of Horsham in West Sussex has added a version with a digitally dimmable fluorescent lamp that can cut energy consumption by 80 per cent compared with standard GLS lamps. It has also pioneered techniques to deal with heat generated by power semiconductors and radio interference close to sensitive low-current electronic components – without adding to the size of its products. 

Doyle & Tratt also makes com­ponents for other manufacturers. 

Three person Birmingham firm Safe and Sound Lighting Limited has developed a range of recessed downlighters with built in fire and acoustic protection. Its Iatest products prevent condensation escape and heat loss, and seal against smoke progression. There was a total of 145 awards this year, the largest number for 11 years. Winners can use The Queen's Award emblem for five years as a symbol of their commer­cial success.

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