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Wyoming Local Installs
Fiber-Optic Project

January/February 2001 IBEW Journal

IBEW Local 415 is receiving kudos for suggesting and implementing an innovative fiber-optic lighting installation for a major hospital remodel project in Cheyenne, Wyoming. At the United Medical Center West Building, the new lobby features a night sky with stars, ambient area lighting, and lights to highlight a waterfall and indoor stream.

Local 415 member Phil Ketron, chief supervisor of electrical construction and maintenance for the hospital complex, encouraged the hospital engineers, architects and administrators to consider fiber-optic lighting as an alternative to conventional wiringas a means to reduce future repair and maintenance, and thus reduce the long-term cost to the hospital and taxpayer.

With conventional lighting, the logistics would require many recessed fixtures, high voltage neon fixtures and wiring to deal with the wet location. Because of the high ceiling and multi-level floor, a scaffold would be required for future repair and maintenance, increasing long-term costs. With the fiber-optic option, the cost of labor and material would be comparable with conventional wiring methods, and future upkeep would be minimal.

A team of Local 415 members installed the fiber optic lighting. The hospital project has received great reviews because of the innovation of our members, said Richard A. Vosler, Local 415 educational advisor/organizer.

A 75-watt MR-16 lamp lights the night sky and powers the fiber-optic light source. Nearly 600 fibers carry light to the stars and light the scene below. Benefits of this type of lighting include no heat emission where light leaves the ceiling, no infrared light emitted and no ultra-violet rays. A disc can be installed to cause a sparkle effect to the stars, and a colored wheel to provide a constantly changing color field in the sky. The side-lighted cable can be used in wet or hazardous locations because there is no electricity in the cable. There are no high voltage transformers, no loose wire connections, and no easily broken glass. The controls are located in accessible spaces that provide ready maintenance.

Another branch of the electrical industry is opening up, noted Local 415 Business Manager Robert E. Mayhew. Are we going to be on the leading edge of change? Are we going to do the work?

[Local 415 Educational Advisor/ Organizer Richard A. Vosler provided information for this article.]