The project: The New Years Eve Ball (NYE Ball) at One Times Square in New York needed to be replaced. The new ball has over 5,000 light dots, is slightly larger, has a more powerful motor, and is covered with round light-refracting crystals. IMEG provided electrical design for the high-profile project that is on display for the whole world on New Years Eve.

The goal: Replace the existing ball and create a NYE Ball that tourists can visit year-round.

Design approach: IMEG worked directly for the owner as a prime consultant. The project required detailed coordination efforts between multiple consultants handling different aspects of the New Years Eve Ball related to design and operation. The team worked closely through significant coordination meetings on site.

Design highlights: IMEG provided services to review and design the main source of power, ventilation requirements, and low voltage. Providing power and fiber to a moveable object meant very specific requirements to connect the NYE Ball with an NYC code approved “umbilical” cord, so the movement of the NYE Ball could be possible.

The project required close team coordination for:

• Lead times of equipment and approximately 5,000 feet of cable
• New lighting controls
• Replacing the existing motor of the hoist that ascends/descends the ball with a larger motor
• Ensuring the quantity of circuits running up to the ball were atminimum for manageability due to mobility

Challenge: The existing lighting distribution was removed back to the load side of the existing transformer that previously fed the former NYE Ball.

Solution: New electrical panels were provided and installed based upon the load and quantity of power supplies required for the new ball.

The outcome: The NYE Ball was commissioned by ownership and ran every day to ensure it runs successfully on New Years Eve. The ball is also on display throughout the year for tourists to visit.