ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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My team at EwingCole (an A/E firm involved with museums and science centers) is in the process of a major addition to Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ.  We are looking for some benchmark information from other Science Centers based on their experience with power use and power consumption in exhibit areas, and in the use of ceramic metal halide spots for lighting.  You may need to pass this along to your colleagues in the facilities department or your original design engineers, but this information will help us in our discussions.  If I get enough responses,  I will incorporate the data we have gathered at the Franklin Institute and I will share this information at ASTC in San Jose or see about publishing it in Dimensions.

Please take the time to respond as this will help other Science Centers save construction and operational costs.


First - Exhibit Power & Lighting - Design Loads and Actual Draw

As you may or not may not be aware of, almost every piece of equipment (computers, motors, etc.) has a maximum rated electrical load (which is listed on equipment nameplates) and an actual continuous draw that is much less. While the power distribution to an individual piece of equipment must be rated for the maximum instantaneous electrical load, the area power distribution and HVAC system can be designed for the average peak load for all the equipment. This averaging is called the 'diversity' factor. The more equipment, the more diversity that can be taken in sizing the HVAC and electrical infrastructure.

EwingCole is attempting to develop a baseline upon which to measure the diversity for Science Museums. By minimizing the building services infrastructure costs, we can free up more money for the exhibits. With this in mind, please provide the following information for each exhibit that you can.

- Exhibit Description (name of exhibit and a brief idea of whether this exhibit has significant or few interactives)
- Exhibit Size (square feet)
- Design Power Loads in watts or watts per square foot (You may need to call your design engineer, or perhaps your exhibit team knows the number)
- Design Lighting Loads in watts or watts per square foot (You may need to call your design engineer, or perhaps your exhibit team knows the number)
- Type of lighting used in the space (spots with type of lamps), etc.
- Actual Power Loads in watts or watts per square foot (Your facilities department can probably obtain this information by taken amp readings of the circuits at the electrical panels)
- Actual Lighting Loads in watts or watts per square foot (Your facilities department can probably obtain this information by taken amp readings of the circuits at the electrical panels)

If a breakdown between power & lighting loads is not possible, combined lighting & power loads would still be very valuable. A reading for a traveling exhibit would be useful. Supply the information for as many exhibit areas as you can.

Second. Exhibit lighting - Incandescent spots vs. ceramic metal halide
Have you used alternative lamps in your exhibits.  We have used the ceramic metal halides which now have a color corrected lamp for the Franklin Institute.  Color is excellent, life is excellent, and they use 1/3rd the power and generate 1/3rd of the heat. This saves power and cooling loads.  What are your experiences. 


If all of this seems a bit too foreign to you, please ask your facilities person look at this, and if they like, call me.  

This information will help all of us learn from each other and save money.  Your help is appreciated. 

Walt Crimm
EwingCole Architects/Engineers
215-625-4656

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