Fieldinstalled fluorescent lamp retrofits with LED sign lighting systems have, until recently, been pretty much overlooked. Of the sign retrofits that have been completed over the past few years, the vast majority has been for channel letter sets—swapping out neon for LED systems.
在标识改造中，一直都存在着使用LED标识发光系统对荧光灯的改造，直到最近才被重视起来。在过去几年已经完成的标识改造项目中，LED系统在绝大多数的发光字改造中，已经直接把霓虹灯替换掉了。
LED sign lighting manufacturers have only recently placed more focus on products designed to replace fluorescent lamps in cabinet signs, but even so, the primary application for these new products has been new sign manufacturing rather than retrofits.
LED标识光源制造商最近才专注为需要改造的荧光灯发光标牌设计产品，但即使如此，产品的主要应用范围都是以新安装的标识牌为主。
Service companies outside the sign industry have been replacing T12 fluorescent lamps in retrofit scenarios for more than a decade, primarily using T8 replacements. However, recent advances in LED chip technology have made fluorescent lamp retrofits with LEDs not only possible, but also economically sensible. LED sign lighting manufacturers have taken note lately, and have brought to market several LED-based fluorescent lamp alternatives for use in in cabinet signs. Flip through this magazine issue and you’ll see what I mean.
广告标识行业外的服务公司在过去十年都是使用T8型号的荧光灯，发光标牌的内部基本都是T12荧光灯。无论怎样，最近LED芯片技术不仅仅在改造中可以替换荧光灯，这也是智慧经济。LED标识光源制作商最近注意到这一点，并为发光标牌市场带来几款替代荧光灯的LED产品。在接下来的文章，您可以了解到我的观点。
The Market
市场
According to the 2011 U.S. Census there are more than a million retail establishments in the United States (approximately 1,062,942). Included in this list (NAICS code 44-45) are gas stations, grocery stores, clothing stores, hardware stores and pharmacies, to name a few. In addition, there are more than 800,000 banking, finance, insurance and real estate establishments (NAICS code 52-53) and 650,000 hotels and motels (NAICS code 72). Those business categories alone account for more than 2.5 million establishments. The percentage of these establishments that own cabinet signs is unknown, but it is safe to say that the retrofit opportunities are practically boundless.
根据2011年美国的普查，有超过100万家的美国零售企业（约有：1062942家）。其中包括:加油站，便利店，服装店，五金店，药店和其它不同企业。而且，有超过80万家银行，金融，保险和房地产公司，还有65万家酒店和旅馆。这些企业种类个体总共250万家。虽然这些企业中拥有发光标识牌的百分比我们不知道，但是保守估计这些企业中标识改造的机会是无限的。
Cabinet Sign Retrofit Objectives
发光标识改造的目的
The success of any retrofit revolves around annual cost savings. A key metric in any retrofit proposal is the return on investment that in this case is measured in years. ROI is calculated by dividing the cost of the retrofit by the total annual cost savings the retrofit will deliver. Make sure to include all annual operating expenses for the sign, not just energy savings, and apply any and all available rebates, to improve the ROI.
一个成功发光标识改造可以扭转企业每年的节省费用。在任何改造计划中关键的一点是评估每年投资回报率。投资回报率的计算方式是每年通过标识改造产生总的节省费用除以标识改造的总费用。确保包括全年的标识营运支出费用，不只是能源的节省，而是全部可以节约的费用来提高投资回报率。
Energy consumption, installation costs, operating costs, lumen output, color consistency and longevity are the most critical performance characteristics to cabinet sign owners. Selecting the LED sign lighting system that delivers the best combination of those characteristics will determine the success of each retrofit. However, not all LED systems are UL Classified for retrofits, so be sure to select one that is.
发光标牌的能源消耗、安装费用、运营费用、光的输出、颜色一致性和寿命，这些重要因素都是标识老板最关心的。所以应用LED标识光源是考虑这些因素的最好选择，并且是决定每次改造成功的关键。但是，并不是全部的发光标牌都适合用LED做改造，因此我们需要选择合适的方案。
The key elements to a successful sign retrofit that delivers a satisfactory ROI are:
一个成功的标识改造能产生满意回报的关键:
Energy performance
能源节省方面
Maintenance expense reduction
减少维护成本
Retrofit cost
改造费用
Proper illumination
合适的照明
Energy Performance
能源节省方面
If energy reduction is the main objective of a retrofit, illumination properties must also be included when choosing the appropriate LED sign lighting system. The ability to deliver maximum lumen output with the minimum consumption of energy is the true indicator of system performance. System efficacy, as the indicator is called, is measured in lumens-per-watt. It shows how much energy will have to be consumed to deliver a given lumen output. Simply compare the energy consumption of different LED systems at the same lumen totals to select the best lumen-per-watt performance.
如果能源节省是标识改造的重要目的，那一定要考虑到在什么时候选择适合的LED标识光源系统。最大限度地展示光的输出，最小限度减少能源消耗。系统能效的指标，可以被看作是每瓦特光的测量。这可以体现光在输出中有多少能量将被消耗。简单的对比，可以很好的鉴别在不同LED系统中，相同的光度会产生最好的特性。
Typical energy savings vary based on the efficiencies of the LED sign lighting system selected, but fluorescent–to-LED cabinet sign retrofits should result in a 50-90 percent savings. A recent retrofit of a pylon sign for a Shell station in Connecticut resulted in an energy consumption decrease from 1,920 watts to 229 watts. That’s an 88 percent energy reduction, resulting in $1,043 savings per year to the business owner. In addition, the contractor applied for and received a $2,018 rebate for this single sign.
通常能源节约的不同是基于LED标识光源系统的效能，但是从荧光灯到LED发光标牌的改造可以达到50%-90%的能源节约。最近在康涅狄格州一个壳牌加油站的高塔标识改造把能源消耗从1920瓦特减少到229瓦特。这项能源的节省达到88%，为标识老板每年节省$1043美元。并且，改造商获得每个标牌$2018美元的佣金。
Maintenance Expense Reduction
减少维护成本
While energy reduction is the objective that the power companies are looking to achieve, business owners are equally interested in lowering maintenance costs. With some hard-to-reach cabinet signs, changing a light bulb is not a simple proposition. LED retrofits can virtually eliminate maintenance calls from the business owner’s budget.
如果节能减排是电力公司要实现的目标，那公司老板对降低维护成本同样感兴趣。在一些较难接触的标识牌中，换标识中的灯泡并不是一件简单的工作。所以LED改造几乎可以让企业老板的预算中避免维护费用。
In any sign lighting system, the driving device (power pack) has typically been the most common failure point. The vast majority of LED sign lighting system service calls result from issues with the power supply. LED power supplies fail for various reasons, including component failure, exposure to excessive heat, power surges and lightning strikes. Simplifying access to the power supply dramatically reduces the potential for costly future service calls. For this reason, mounting the power supply remotely, in an easy accessible location, is a significant advantage.
在任何标识光源系统中，电源是常见发生问题的部件。大多数LED标识光源系统的问题都是来自于电源。LED电源部件故障由于不同的因素，包括零部件异常，过热，电力过大和雷击。电源易于维护大大减少未来需要的服务费用。因此，把安装电源在一个容易拆除的方便位置，是非常重要的环节。
Be mindful of the additional cost incurred if heavier gauge wire is required to remotemount power supplies. Compare driving distances on the manufacturers’ specification sheets to keep wire costs to a minimum. Using the existing conduit for the main power running to the fluorescent ballasts in the sign is the simplest and least expensive method to remote mount the LED power supplies. Easy access to the power supplies combined with LEDs with lifetime projections in excess of 100,000 hours can virtually eliminate maintenance costs for years to come.
要清楚重新安装电源将需要更多的电线这也会产生额外的费用。比较制造商的规格表去减少电线的费用。在已存在标识中荧光灯镇流器的主电源运行位置安装LED电源是最简单和节约成本的方法。适合的电源安放位置加上超过100000小时的LED光源寿命几乎可以消除一年来的维护成本。
Retrofit Cost
改造费用
Any ROI analysis starts with the upfront cost of the retrofit. The cost will be calculated as the sum of material costs plus labor costs plus equipment rental. Site surveys are critical in determining the appropriate labor and equipment requirements. Use the layout and bill of materials provided by the LED manufacturer to determine material costs.
任何的投资回报的分析都需要考虑改造前期的成本。成本的计算是总的材料费用加上人工费用加上设备租金。勘察现场非常重要，这可以了解需要多少人工和设备。通过给LED制造商提供布局和材料清单可以决定材料的成本。
For maximum labor efficiency, a minimum of a twoman crew is recommended for most sign retrofits. Doubling the size of the crew can reduce labor costs by more than 50 percent, making the larger crew more cost effective. With retrofits, time is money. Topography and accessibility to a sign will also impact the size of the crew and equipment needed. More importantly, sample and test the available LED retrofit systems and find the one that is easiest to work with. Ease of handling, assembly and installation in the field will determine the amount of time you spend in the field.
为了最大限度地产生劳动效率，大多数的标识改造建议使用最少两名男性的工人。施工人数增加一倍可以减少超过50%的人工成本，创造更大的团队产生的效率将更高。因为在改造当中，时间就是金钱。标识改造的地点和难度决定所需的施工人数和设备。最重要的是，使用样板或者测试LED改造系统，来寻找最容易的方式去施工。施工地点是否容易接入，安装施工需要多长的时间。
Many sign companies are either not aware of (or simply ignore) the rebates that are often available from the power company. But power company energy rebates can reduce the upfront cost of a cabinet sign retrofit from 50 percent (of the material cost) to 75 percent (of the entire job). Maximize your rebate dollars by using the LED sign lighting systems that offer maximum system efficacy – delivering the highest lumen output per watt consumed.
很多标识公司都没有意识到或者不清楚电力公司可以给予补贴。电力公司的能源补贴可以减少发光标牌改造前期成本从50%（材料费用）到70%（整个项目）。最好的经济补贴其实是LED标识光源系统带来的能效 – 提供每瓦特最高的光输出。
Proper Illumination
适合的照明
“Proper illumination” is whatever your client says it is. Poor illumination, or the cost of maintaining proper illumination, is often a contributing factor to the decision to retrofit cabinet signs. As a sign service professional, it’s your job to determine what your client wants and then to deliver it.
是否“适合的照明”都是客户说了算。差的照明或者需要维护的照明，是决定发光标牌改造的重要因素。作为一个标识服务的专业人士，你的工作系统性决定客户是否选择你。
LED sign lighting system manufacturers provide module layouts to help ensure that proper sign illumination is achieved. When followed accurately, layouts should produce proper illumination and provide the position of each module in a string, along with lumen output, energy consumption and power supply requirements. Individual sign characteristics can vary dramatically. Can depth, face material, internal obstructions and internal reflectivity can all affect the illumination of the face of the sign. Be aware that it may be necessary to make some field adjustments to the layouts provided, adding, subtracting or repositioning modules to deliver the desired illumination results.
LED标识光源制造商提供模组布局的帮助，以保证标识牌达到很好的发光。为了做到精确，布局应该做到适合的照明和提供每个模组的位置，随着光的输出，能源消耗和电源的需要。每个独立标识的特点都有很多变化的。比如深度、表面材料、内部障碍物和内部反射率都可以影响标识表面的发光。要知道，有时需要在布局方面做一些内部的调整，增加、减少或者重新安放模组，来实现所需要的照明效果。
Closing
总结
Cabinet sign lighting retrofits represent a huge, virtually untapped market that we are just starting to realize. Unlike many other types of retrofits, the cabinet sign lighting retrofit industry is only now ramping up, with millions existing signs still waiting to be changed. With a little research, information and experience, cabinet sign lighting retrofits will add valuable revenue and profits to your bottom line for years to come.
发光标牌光源改造是一个巨大的，几乎尚未开发的市场，并且我们才刚刚开始意识到。不像很多其它类型的改造，发光标牌光源改造的产业才刚刚升温，并有数以百万的标识还等待着改造。通过一些研究、信息和经验，发光标牌光源改造为你带来更多的收入和利润。
