GE Press Release:

New GE High Output LED Lighting Systems Create Squint-Worthy Cabinet Signs

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April 8, 2013

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — April 8, 2013 — (NYSE:GE) — Brilliant, evenly illuminated outdoor signage is key to showcasing a company’s brand. GE’s new Tetra® PowerStrip, miniStrip and EdgeStrip high output LED box sign lighting solutions are meeting today’s signage needs by delivering 25 to 105 percent of the brightness of standard Tetra product with virtually no maintenance for several years.

This next generation of award-winning Tetra LED lighting technology transforms any size cabinet and box sign―including larger signs 24-36” in depth―into a strategic branding advantage by delivering up to two times more lumens than standard Tetra product offerings. And, GE’s patented OptiLens™ optical lens technology ensures that light is used efficiently—each LED module is optimized to capture otherwise wasted light and redirect it toward the illuminated surface of the sign, unlike fluorescent and neon options that tend to “spray” light in all directions. OptiLens also eliminates striping and shadows on the sign face that can occur with fluorescent tubes.

“We listened to what our customers have been saying and developed an LED solution for box signs specifically designed for brightness,” said Mark Shepard, global product manager for GE Lighting. “GE’s new Tetra high output LED systems create a more economical sign by allowing sign makers to use less product than necessary for products that require more narrow stroke spacing to create desired illumination levels. Retailers have already recognized the benefits of the new Tetra platforms, awarding it with a ‘Cool New Products’ award at the recent NACS Show, the National Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing.”

Designed to replace traditional light sources like T12HO fluorescent tubes, the Tetra PowerStrip, EdgeStrip and miniStrip high output LED lighting solutions reduce the maintenance burden typically associated with linear fluorescent lighting. Box signs are not easy to access, and a bucket truck and service team must be dispatched to change tubes or make repairs. LEDs are rated for 50,000 hours of life—approximately four times the life of a linear fluorescent tube—which translates to a much lower annual spend.

Plus, LED systems outperform fluorescents in colder weather, reliably operating at temperatures less than 50 degrees F, unlike linear fluorescent that dims in the cold.

New Tetra high output LED systems for maximizing brightness in cabinet signs include:

• Tetra PowerStrip High Output, available for single-sided box signs with 5-12” depths, and Tetra PowerStrip High Output DS for double-sided signs with 10-24” depths, deliver up to 720 lumens—30- 35 percent more lumens than standard Tetra—for an improved visual appearance while providing up to 79 percent energy savings versus T12HO fluorescent tubes.
• Tetra miniStrip High Output—Designed specifically for shallow, single-sided cabinet signs with 3-6” depths—and Tetra miniStrip High Output DS—for double-sided signs with 6-12” depths—deliver 192 to 240 lumens, offering 25 percent more lumens than the standard Tetra system.
• Tetra EdgeStrip High Output—Designed to mount either vertically or tightly along the perimeter of custom-shaped cabinet signs with depths of 5-8”, Tetra EdgeStrip High Output delivers greater flexibility and a higher light output of 200 to 410 lumens, which is 2 times more lumens than standard Tetra, while evenly distributing light to the sign surface.

Be the first to see these new LED solutions at GE’s free, hands-on training demonstrations on the latest box sign LED layout techniques during the ISA International Sign Expo, April 3-6 in Las Vegas.

Having developed one of the first LED solutions for box sign lighting more than six years ago, GE remains at the forefront of LED sign lighting innovation and has been recognized with many industry awards for its product designs. GE rigorously tests all Tetra LED system components and processes, ensuring the best performing, most reliable lighting solutions to give end users peace of mind that their brand image will be preserved.

For more information about LED lighting systems for cabinet signs, channel letters and other types of signage, visit www.gelighting.com.

About GE Lighting
GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs about 15,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal^® and Energy Smart^® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx™, Immersion™, Infusion™, Lumination™ and Tetra^®commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com.

50 Years of LED Innovation
Oct. 9, 1962, GE scientist Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr., invented the first practical visible-spectrum light-emitting diode (LED). In the 50 years since, GE has been on the forefront of LED innovation. The company has released inspired LED products for both residential and commercial settings, from the first ENERGY STAR®-qualified A19-shaped LED bulb to LED street lighting that illuminates cityscapes the world over.