Mazda (Philips) 'Modena' SGP 682

Lantern acquired in March 2025.

This Modena was one of twelve that had been installed at the Cock Pitt junction in Derby City Centre in the late 2000s as part of the work to transform the roundabout into a multi-way signal-controlled junction. It was removed on Sunday, 2nd March 2025, along with all other examples, when LED replacements took over. Aside from this limited use in Derby, the Modena saw no other use in Derbyshire, although its sister product, the Iridium, which shares many internal components, was a far more common lantern. With thanks to Balfour Beatty Power Networks for saving this lantern for me.

The Modena was available in two sizes - this being the larger version at 988 mm (3·24 ft) in length and 416 mm (1·36 ft) in width. The height varied depending on the choice of bowl employed - on the larger example, this was limited to the low profile glass bowl, as seen here, or a flat glass offering. The smaller SGP 681 version also had a polycarbonate bowl as an option. The optical system is shared with the Iridium, and the lantern's overall shape is similar.

Whereas the Iridium featured a Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) canopy, the Modena's is aluminium.

The Royce Thompson Microstar 2000 photocell detector has become slightly translucent with age.

One difference between the Iridium and the Modena is that the former's more functional 'trapdoor' method of making the lantern side-entry or post-top is replaced with a separate spigot piece here, which must be removed and turned around if the required mounting is different from that supplied.

A narrow aluminium clip at the front of the lantern holds the canopy in place.

Releasing the clip reveals a familiar interior - the sealed optic design and black plastic covering over the lamp control gear are lifted directly from the Iridium. The four toggles surrounding the reflector allow the optic to be removed, and the bowl separated, should the need arise.

Four unused bosses, provided for use when the reflector is attached to the inside of the canopy, are visible. The label on the Microstar photocell indicates that it was produced in June 2006.

Although there is no mention of Philips on the product label, this is identical to what would be seen on a product carrying the Philips logo instead. The date code D7 translates as April 2007 for when the lantern was manufactured.

Unclipping the top section of the gear cover allows the components to be seen, with the 250 Watt ballast being positioned towards the back.

The Electronicon 32 µF capacitor was manufactured in week 50 of 2006 (the 11th - 17th December - not long until Weihnachten)!

A surprising amount of debris had gathered in the rear 'unsealed' part of the lantern. The top part of the cable compression gland is missing.

A cable tie provided for offering some strain relief to the supply cable lies unused in its original position.

The blue handle that bridges the sealed lampholder is raised to allow the lamp to be removed from its optic. The lamp appears wet here as the lantern was treated to pressure washer treatment prior to being given to me - apparently, the canopy was rather encrusted with bird muck when the lantern was removed!

The '1C' date code on the lamp signals that it was made in March 2021.

Atlas Gamma Two | Philips JPS 573 (SGS 203)

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