Industry News

Power management company Eaton today announced that its advanced Ephesus light-emitting diode (LED) sports lighting and controls system is being installed at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, for the 2017 season. Featuring industry-leading control functions, the LED system gives facility operators unsurpassed control to enhance the viewing experience for spectators while reducing energy use by as much as 75 percent.

The Pirates become one of five Major League Baseball teams playing home games under Eaton’s LED sports lighting solution this season. They join the Texas Rangers, who last season became the first team to install Eaton’s Ephesus LED Lighting and controls system, as well as the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians, who are also installing the system this season. 

“We selected Eaton’s sports lighting system in large part because of its industry-leading glare control and overall performance capabilities that will make PNC Park an even better place to watch and play,” said Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly. “The system’s ability to provide high-quality and consistent lighting and game entertainment functions is consistent with our mission of making PNC Park the best place to watch a ballgame. We know our fans will enjoy the many new and exciting capabilities these lights offer. The system being installed at PNC Park features Ephesus Stadium Pro fixtures with a wired DMX control system. The innovative control system is available with 100 percent dimming capabilities, color temperature tuning and advanced control capabilities within each fixture.

Despite installing significantly fewer fixtures than the previous systems, Eaton’s Ephesus sports lighting product line will provide optimal lighting that illuminates more uniformly on the playing surface and offers an improved stage for players and fans watching live and on high-definition television. The system is easy to install, requires little to no maintenance for years, and offers the lowest total operating costs compared to other traditional sports lighting systems. 

“Since we installed the first ever solid-state lighting system in a North American sports arena, facility operators and team executives have come to understand that our digital lighting solutions offer a distinct advantage when compared to conventional LED lights in creating an enhanced stage for fans and performers,” said Mike Lorenz, president, Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting business. “Professional baseball teams have been especially drawn to the ability of our system to better minimize glare zones and keep lighting levels consistent for players and fans as the sun sets and it turns from dusk to the night sky.”

This Eaton solution continues the rapid acceptance of LED lighting at sports and entertainment venues of all sizes across North America. Hundreds of facilities have made the switch to Eaton’s LED sports lighting system including: University of Phoenix Stadium (Arizona Cardinals); Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Dolphins); U.S. Bank Stadium (Minnesota Vikings); Bridgestone Arena (Nashville Predators); and the historic Martinsville Speedway in Virginia -- the first NASCAR track with LED lighting. 

Eaton manufactures its Ephesus line of high-output solid-state sports lighting solutions for a broad range of applications, from municipal ballfields to indoor and outdoor professional venues. These innovative advanced lighting solutions create brighter, more vibrant and sustainable environments. For more information, visit www.eaton.com/ephesus, phone 315-579-2873 or email [email protected].

Eaton’s electrical business is a global leader with expertise in power distribution and circuit protection; backup power protection; control and automation; lighting and security; structural solutions and wiring devices; solutions for harsh and hazardous environments; and engineering services. Eaton is positioned through its global solutions to answer today’s most critical electrical power management challenges.

Eaton is a power management company with 2016 sales of $19.7 billion. We provide energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton is dedicated to improving the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services. Eaton has approximately 95,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit Eaton.com.