Modularity benefits of Power Gems
In 2009, Power Gems launched a unique modular design for its range of high-speed ballasts that allows you to pop out the faulty module, with the option to repair it later at your leisure.
The modular design – best exemplified by the EB1812P 18kW/12kW/9kW/6kW high speed ballast – is the brainchild of Power Gems owner and head of design, Dr Phil Ellams.
After recognising the need to make repairs more manageable, he started developing the Power Gems range that would feature flexible modules.
Until then, products weren’t designed to be fixed fast. Finding and repairing a fault was an invasive process – you needed specialist component-level knowledge. Also, if a replacement was required, you needed a stock of many different PCBs.
Repair as part of the design process?
No one goes into a marriage with divorce in mind. Similarly, no one buys a ballast expecting it to be difficult to take apart. The existing models had rigid structures and a closed system so that a minor fault would have a major impact – the whole ballast would stop working.
A fan of well-thought-out products, Phil considered what happens in the real world – ballasts go wrong, so how do you minimise any downtime? You group all the power components together in modules.
Modularisation keeps equipment working. You can easily swap out the malfunctioning module, replace it with a new one, and keep the product working and earning its keep. If something happens, it only takes you a couple of minutes to unscrew and change the module.
Power Gems was also the first to develop features such as AutoScan and Crystal Locking.
Other ballast manufacturers have since adopted these breakthrough features.
Designed with you – and the end-of-the ballast’s life – in mind
From the start, the slide-in modular design has been a part of Power Gems’ sustainability ethos. You can read our thoughts on the Right to Repair legislation brought in by the European Union. Any move that makes it easier to repair and prolong your ballast’s lifespan has to be commended.
You’ll know, yourself, from the trend towards lighter, thinner mobile phones, how difficult it can be to get repairs. Many designers glue or solder parts together because it’s easier to assemble, and they expect the product to end in a landfill rather than be repaired.
For us, it’s about simple things such as designing slide-in panels rather than glueing the product together and leaving space to be able to work on the components. More about Power Gems’ approach to sustainability here
The rise of repair
With the slide-in modular design, the ballast can spend an hour in the workshop rather than a week. Occasionally, you may need to return modules to the factory for more complex repairs. What’s more, spare parts are held in Los Angeles and Manchester – and getting hold of an engineer is never an issue.
Finally, as John Smith, Director of Asset Repair, MBSE LA facility says: “Power Gems’ new line of modular ballasts is a must-have for any studio or rental house. The versatility of these ballasts, with their wide range of wattage selection, makes them the go-to ballast.
Add to that the 1000hz high speed feature already built-in and the ability to swap out modules at locations, ensuring no downtime is invaluable to the crew, production and rental house.
Having worked closely with Power Gems for the past 15 years, I can safely say their professionalism, customer service, technical support, and attention to detail are second to none.”
By fixing something, you save it from landfill. We could make Power Gems products impossible to repair, but we believe the most wasteful thing is to buy a new ballast.
This isn’t to say we wouldn’t be happy to sell you a ballast – one of the benefits of designing for repair is the resale value. So, you’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose – just like Roberto Sacristan Gomez of Aluzine Madrid rentals, shown proving how light the EB1812P is. If you too would like to pick one up – do get in touch
