Emerson: Retrofit LED Saves Up to 65 Percent Energy, Lowers Maintenance Costs in Hazardous Task Lighting

November 29, 2018

Raising the bar in lighting performance, operational efficiency and employee safety, Emerson today launched the Appleton Contender LED, an extra low-profile enclosed and gasketed LED luminaire that brings energy and maintenance savings of up to 65 percent to challenging low clearance areas, such as walkways, catwalks, stairwells and tunnels. Designed specifically for retrofit applications, this cost-effective solution mounts directly to the hood of a competitor’s High-Intensity Discharge (HID) hazardous location luminaire without an adapter, saving time and labor costs. 

“Until recently, HID has been the primary light source for hazardous locations. LED is now the go-to choice for retrofitting the installed base of tens of thousands of HID luminaries,” said Michael McCormack, Director of Product Marketing, Emerson Automation Solutions. “To meet this growing market demand, the Appleton Contender LED was designed to directly retrofit to one of our competitor’s most popular HID models. Additionally, it is certified with Appleton Mercmaster LED Low Profile globes and many of its accessories including the visor, angled reflector, globe guards and safety cable.”

Oil & Gas facilities, chemical processors and other hazardous locations place critical demands on luminaries, especially when it comes to extreme temperature ranges and long service lives. The Appleton Contender LED provides rated illumination through its full ambient operating temperature range of -40° F to +149° F to make sure facilities are safely lit in arctic cold or when the going gets hot. In addition, it features a rated L70 lifetime of 100,000+ hours — the equivalent of more than 11 years — adding value while minimizing maintenance requirements. To withstand particularly harsh areas the construction includes:

  • a proprietary epoxy powder coat finish for unmatched corrosion resistance
  • a rugged IP68 watertight hub to ensure water in the conduit is kept out of the luminaire, heavy industrial-grade gaskets
  • high vibration and shock resistance
  • plus a robust 6KV surge suppression circuit to protect against damaging transients.

With three lumen output options and four interchangeable and field replaceable globes options — clear and diffused polycarbonate, clear glass or prismatic glass refractor — this luminaire delivers the lighting equivalent of 70W to 175W HID luminaires to provide a fully customized solution.

To ensure safe operation in areas where flammable gases or vapors may be present, the Appleton Contender LED is engineered to meet or exceed industry standards to assure workers in places such as offshore rigs, petrochemical and chemical processing plants, water treatment plants, and grain elevators can work productively and comfortably. It is NEC/CEC certified for hazardous locations rated Class I, Division 2 and Class I, Zone 2, Class II, Division 1 and 2, Zone 21 and 22, and Class III, as well as NEMA Type 3R, 4 and 4X wet locations and is IP 66/67 and ABS certified.

For more information, click here.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • March 19, 2026 - Wow Lighting and Controls Proudly Celebrates 70 Years in the Lighting Industry

    Wow Lighting and Controls Proudly Celebrates 70 Years in the Lighting Industry

    This year, Wow Lighting and Controls proudly celebrates 70 years in the lighting industry! During that time, Wow Lighting and Controls has been a trusted expert in Alberta’s lighting industry. Their independence and entrepreneurial spirit have been key to their success, allowing them to cultivate strong relationships with clients, customers, and manufacturing partners while delivering innovative lighting solutions. Read More…

  • March 18, 2026 - Liteline Presents ATTRACKT - New Product Webinar - March 31, 2026

    Liteline Presents: ATTRACKT – New Product Webinar – March 31, 2026

    Join Liteline for the launch of ATTRAKT, a low-voltage magnetic lighting system designed for modern spaces. ATTRACKT’s compact, refined form factor delivers exceptional flexibility, with fixtures that can be easily positioned and reconfigured to suit evolving lighting needs. With versatile modules and connectors to create customized layouts, ATTRACKT provides a clean, modular solution that elevates… Read More…


Design

  • Prolux Lighting & Controls: Lighting Project Highlight – The Westin Pool, Calgary

    Prolux Lighting & Controls: Lighting Project Highlight – The Westin Pool, Calgary

    Lighting natatorium environments requires fixtures that can withstand humidity, chemicals, and demanding conditions, without compromising the architectural design of the space. For this project, the team specified the LumenWerx VIA2 Seal above the pool with a natatorium finish, designed specifically for high-moisture environments. Traditional natatorium fixtures are often large and bulky to ensure durability, but… Read More…

  • CSC LED: Why Blue Light at Night Is a Problem & How Amber Optics Solve It

    CSC LED: Why Blue Light at Night Is a Problem & How Amber Optics Solve It

    Outdoor lighting plays a critical role in safety, visibility, and security—but not all light is created equal. In recent years, increased awareness around blue-rich white light has raised important questions about its impact on human health, wildlife, and the night sky. As municipalities, designers, and property owners look for better solutions, Amber Optics are becoming… Read More…


New Products

  • Cooper Lighting: PrentaLux ARO Series Decorative Pendants

    Cooper Lighting: PrentaLux ARO Series Decorative Pendants

    The PrentaLux ARO Series is a celebration of form, translucency, and texture. Designed in collaboration with award-winning Architecture Research Office (ARO), these three high-performance decorative luminaires, each with a unique shape, were inspired by natural metamorphic forms. Additive-manufactured with a sustainable use of resources in mind, these striking pendants are available in three sizes and… Read More…

  • Leviton|Viscor: Certolux MSUo-Green LED Recessed Surgical Luminaire w/Overlapping Door Frame

    Leviton|Viscor: Certolux MSUo-Green LED Recessed Surgical Luminaire w/Overlapping Door Frame

    The MSUo-Green LED Recessed Surgical Luminaire is engineered to deliver exceptional performance in demanding healthcare environments, making it an ideal choice for surgical suites requiring precise illumination and rigorous infection control. Designed for supplemental lighting above the operating table perimeter, this fixture combines advanced cleanroom construction with energy-efficient technology. Featuring green and white LED arrays, the MSUo-Green… Read More…