American Airlines Arena Adds Eaton's LED Lighting and Controls System

Power management company Eaton announced that AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida, home of the National Basketball Association's (NBA^®) Miami HEAT, is installing its advanced Ephesus sports lighting light-emitting diode (LED) and controls system. Featuring industry-leading control functions, the LED system enhances the viewing experience for spectators while reducing energy use by as much as 75 percent.

The Miami HEAT join the Minnesota Timberwolves this season as the first two NBA teams to install Eaton's Ephesus sports lighting system in their arenas. The HEAT's first game under the new lights will be tonight, October 11, when the team hosts the Brooklyn Nets in a preseason game. AmericanAirlines Arena joins a growing list of professional sports venues from all four major professional sports organizations to select the Ephesus lighting system.

"We rely heavily on lighting to set the stage for Miami HEAT games, creating the right environment for our players and our fans," said Michael McCullough, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Miami HEAT. "Eaton's Ephesus system allows us to introduce dramatic effects and color into our lighting presentations inside AmericanAirlines Arena, and we're very excited about its unveiling this season."

The new solid-state lighting system features Ephesus Arena Pro luminaires and Prism color fixtures with its patented color temperature tuning capabilities and a control system that will interface with the arena's existing control system. The LED system is the only one available with 100 percent dimming capabilities, tunable light temperature and advanced control capabilities within each fixture.

Despite installing significantly less fixtures than the previous lighting system, Eaton's Ephesus sports lighting provides optimallighting that illuminates more uniformly on the playing surface, creating an improved stage for players and fans watching live and on high-definition television. The LED system is easy to install, maintenance-free 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 Eaton's digital lighting solutions create an enhanced stage for fans and performers," said Mike Lorenz, president, Eaton's Ephesus Lighting business. "We are confident that fans attending the many different types of events at AmericanAirlines Arena, including Miami HEAT basketball, will experience a better game or show with our industry-leading digital lighting and controls system."

This Ephesus 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 the University of Phoenix Stadium (Arizona Cardinals); Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Dolphins); U.S. Bank Stadium (Minnesota Vikings); Bridgestone Arena (Nashville Predators); Globe Life Park (Texas Rangers) and many more.

Eaton's Ephesus Lighting business manufactures high-output solid-state lighting solutions for challenging applications in the industrial and sporting markets. The business is focused on innovating advanced lighting solutions that will enrich and illuminate the world, by creating brighter, more vibrant and sustainable environments. For more information, visit www.eaton.com/ephesus, contact 315-579-2873 or email EphesusInfo@eaton.com.

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 2015 sales of $20.9 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 95,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.