Can't find it now, but just seen on here last week or so about staying away from the James LED's right now. Something to do with UL. Any insight on this? I was getting ready to order when I ran across that. Seen the comparable alphalite fixtures but they only come in 5000k it appears.
James high bay LED's
- Thread starter Jwbfx4
- Start date
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
It's nothing. They had an issue with misuse of the UL label on one of their retrofit tubes. Not sure why CD has been poking at this here and there without providing any real info. The issue has been addressed and James continues to make decent fixtures. No reason to avoid them.
They still have many active UL files. To confirm, go to UL.com scroll to bottom and select "Online Certifications Directory", then enter JAMES TRADING CO LTD in the company name section and you'll see 2 pages of active UL files.
They also have a significant presence on DLC designlights.org and lightingfacts.com (search "James Industry")
They still have many active UL files. To confirm, go to UL.com scroll to bottom and select "Online Certifications Directory", then enter JAMES TRADING CO LTD in the company name section and you'll see 2 pages of active UL files.
They also have a significant presence on DLC designlights.org and lightingfacts.com (search "James Industry")
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Here ya go...
https://www.ul.com/newsroom/publicnotices/ul-warns-of-potentially-hazardous-led-tube-lamps/
UL doesn't issue warnings over "nothing". James has responded to the warning and tried to downplay the issue. UL could respond to James if they felt compelled to, but they haven't.
Here ya go...
On October 8, 2016, a fire erupted at the four-story Four Seasons Homeowners Association building, located in Beverly Hills, California. The fire and resulting smoke condition caused damage throughout the building and its cause is currently under investigation. The fire began in a James Industries' Direct Replacement Dual-Mode LED Tube (Model Number ZY-T8-18W1200 BIXX).
Another fire occurred on December 7, 2016 in Chelsea, Massachusetts at a large cold storage facility owned by State Garden, Inc. This fire again involved a James Industry dual-mode LED retrofit T8 tube.
The reason I mention this at all is because James is one of those companies that is shady about the figures that they report and this issue is just another example of their integrity.
I have no dog in this fight, just providing info for those that are considering what brands of products to buy.
CD
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
I always did find those universal dual mode ballast/direct wire retrofit bulbs suspect. (outside of being a really dumb idea) I bet the fires were in fixtures that left the ballast in the circuit as opposed to direct wiring. The important part is the issue is being addressed and has nothing to do with their standard LED fixture line.
I can't agree about them being shady about the figures they report. They are definitely a step above most of these Chinese companies that have no UL, no DLC and no Lighting Facts.
I have no dog in this fight either, but I have purchased and tested several of their bulbs and edge lit panels. Only item I ever had an issue with was the universal dual mode ballast/direct wire retrofit. When used with a fluorescent ballast I experienced high frequency flicker. I informed James of this issue long before any of the above fires (Dec 2014 to be exact). They asked me to send the bulbs back, but they didn't want to pay for shipping and I saw no reason I should flip the bill for shipping to China so that was the end of it. They should have been able to reproduce the problem with their stock anyway.
I can't agree about them being shady about the figures they report. They are definitely a step above most of these Chinese companies that have no UL, no DLC and no Lighting Facts.
I have no dog in this fight either, but I have purchased and tested several of their bulbs and edge lit panels. Only item I ever had an issue with was the universal dual mode ballast/direct wire retrofit. When used with a fluorescent ballast I experienced high frequency flicker. I informed James of this issue long before any of the above fires (Dec 2014 to be exact). They asked me to send the bulbs back, but they didn't want to pay for shipping and I saw no reason I should flip the bill for shipping to China so that was the end of it. They should have been able to reproduce the problem with their stock anyway.
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Typical failure in an LED tube is from arcing at an overheated solder joint. When bypassing, this could be the result of mis-wiring by installer or use of improper sockets. When using the ballast, lamp failure usually comes from an incompatible ballast, or overheating from high ambients.
Or, either way it could just be a weak solder joint from factory, or just a generally crappy product.
CD
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
FWIW We've been running the direct wire bypass James bulbs and edge lit fixtures in our lab for 3 years without issue.
wssix99
Well-known member
There's that noise, but must people should stay away from them because they don't actually have a "high bay" application.
High Bay:
Generally Not High Bay:
^ Each manufacturer has different specs on what this means, so one should research and figure out what the difference is between their light fixtures and work surfaces.
One could also use these strategically like mixing spot and flood lights for architectural effects. (The light spread works similarly.)