Times Square NYC New Year with Philips LED lighting

Friday, 31 December 2010 00:57 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

For the 11th year running Philips Lighting will illuminate the Times Square Ball, watched by a billion people. Just before midnight it is lowered to mark the coming of the New Year.

Each year during the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square, New York, a ‘Time Ball’ made from Waterford Crystal is raised to the top of a special pole. The ball descends 23 meters and comes to rest at the bottom at exactly 12 midnight. The billboard directly below the ball counts down the seconds to midnight.

Every year, up to one million people gather in Times Square to watch the ball descend and an estimated one billion watch it on TV.

For the past 11 years, Philips has been chosen to illuminate this world famous ball. This year Philips used the latest LED technology. Back in 1999 Philips used specially designed ‘Millennium’ halogen lamps, but for this year’s event Philips installed Luxeon LEDs, which consume just 12% of the energy used by the original halogens.

The ball benefits from the investment in LED technology, with its modules lasting about 30,000 hours and using just 22 watts of electricity. What’s more, this same LED technology is available to consumers through Philips AmbientLED line, which includes such innovations as the world’s first LED 60 watt-equivalent lamp.

In Sri Lanka Philips Lighting is represented by Hayleys Consumer Products Ltd.