What is PRIVA-LITE?
PRIVA-LITE is laminated glass consisting in two sheets of extra-clear glass “sandwiched” around a liquid crystal film.  It has the property of instantly shifting from a translucent state to a transparent state.
How does it work?    In the “off” position, PRIVA-LITE is translucent and prevents your seeing through it.  In the “on” position, it becomes transparent, with the liquid crystals in the film all oriented in the same direction.  All it takes is a flick of a switch to instantly trigger the change of state; this operation is reversible and can be repeated an indefinite number of times.

What are the main applications for PRIVA-LITE?
Partitions to ensure privacy at will, for meeting rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, entrance halls … or security checkpoints (banks, hospitals, post offices, police stations, etc.).
- Back-projection screen
- Swinging or sliding door with the view temporarily obstructed
- Floor or ceiling tiles (under certain conditions)
- Advertising or branding on buildings at certain times of the day (dynamic façades or display windows).

Can PRIVA-LITE be used as a projection screen?   
Yes. In the “off” position, when coupled to a back-projection system, it serves as an excellent screen which, unlike a traditional screen, occupies no extra space.

Does it offer enough privacy to be used in bathrooms?
Yes, providing you choose High Privacy PRIVA-LITE with a double liquid crystal film, even for the door.  The same is true for high-security private meeting rooms.

Does the change of state of PRIVA-LITE affect the degree of light transmission?
No. Light transmission (76%) is unchanged regardless of the state.

Is it possible to adjust the speed of the transition from translucent to transparent?
Absolutely not!  The change in either direction is instantaneous.

When does PRIVA-LITE consume power?
PRIVA-LITE consumes energy only in the “on” position, i.e. when it is transparent.

How much power does it consume when “on”?
PRIVA-LITE consumes only 7 watts per m² when the temperature is 25°C.  So a 12-m² glass wall consumes the same power as a 60-W lightbulb in your home.

What voltage does it require?
PRIVA-LITE requires 100 Volts AC /50Hz

If PRIVA-LITE works on 100 Volts AC / 50 Hz, does it need to be connected to a specific transformer?
Yes, it does, in countries where most voltage is 220-240VAC/50Hz.
Note that you must use PRIVA-LITE transformers and accessories supplied by Saint-Gobain.
There are four types of transformers; the one you choose will depend on the surface area of the PRIVA-LITE panels it is connected to.
Specific relays have been developed for countries where the voltage is 100-130VAC/60Hz.

What is the maximum distance between the glazing and the transformer?
20 meters maximum.

What type of cable is needed to connect the transformer to the glazing?
As in the case of the transformer, only our shielded cables may be used.

What are the possible shapes for PRIVA-LITE?
Squares, rectangles, trapezoids and triangles (with angles greater than 30°), as well as half-circles.
Circles are not possible, however.

What are the maximum dimensions?
The maximum dimensions of PRIVA-LITE are
1000 x 3000 mm with a single liquid crystal film,
2000 x 3000 mm for two films in 1 panel of glazing.
In this case, the two films are spaced 4 mm (+ or – 2 mm) apart.
The transparent area between the two LC films can be sandblasted (depolished) if needed.

What is the standard composition of PRIVA-LITE glazing?
A standard PRIVA-LITE panel is composed of two 5-mm sheets of extra-clear glass and a liquid crystal film.
The standard version is 12 mm (+ or - 2 mm) thick.

Is it available in other thicknesses?
Of course!
The thinnest panel of PRIVA-LITE, 8mm (+/- 2 mm) thick, is composed of two 3-mm sheets of extra-clear glass.
The thickest, 26 mm (+/- 2 mm) thick, is composed of two 12-mm sheets.
PRIVA-LITE can also be made of two sheets of extra-clear glass of 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 mm.
It is primarily symmetrical laminated glazing. Asymmetrical combinations are also possible (ask us).

Can PRIVA-LITE be toughened/tempered?
Yes. PRIVA-LITE can be made of two sheets of extra-clear toughened/tempered glass of 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mm.

Can PRIVA-LITE be assembled in double glazing?
Yes.
It can be take the form of double glazing with tempered, solar protection, non-reflecting, fire-resistant, bullet-proof or heating glass.

Can PRIVA-LITE be screen-printed or colored?
Yes. It can be laminated with patterned glass like SGG Seralit (the pattern must then be screened all over the two outer faces of the system) or with colored glass like gray, bronze or green SGG Parasol® . 
All RAL colors are possible, but only as triple glazing using SGG Stadip Color®.

Could it be made with a polycarbonate?
Yes. But only when PRIVA-LITE is assembled in double glazing with polycarbonate like SGG Ultimax®

How is PRIVA-LITE installed?
A PRIVA-LITE panel can be installed in a frame of wood, steel, aluminum or PVC drilled with 10-mm holes for the female connectors of the shielded cables. Conductive frames have to be grounded to the earth entry of the transformer.
The rebate height has to be at least 16 mm for SGG PRIVA-LITE mono-glazing and at least 22 mm for SGG PRIVA-LITE panels assembled in double glazing.
Double glazing frames must be correctly drained.
Because PRIVA-LITE cannot withstand pressure over 20 N/cm², appropriate clamps must be used.  

Can PRIVA-LITE be frameless?
No. The weight and connections require at least a top and bottom profile.

Can PRIVA-LITE be butt jointed?
Yes. But only the Multisil silicone provided by Techniver or other products approved by the Saint-Gobain R&D department may be in contact with the edges of the PRIVA-LITE panels.

Can it just be glued on?
No, the weight and connections require a frame/profile.

Can PRIVA-LITE be pierced?
The liquid crystal film must never be pierced! 
Holes can be drilled only in the parts of the glazing where there is no LC film.
For doors, the handles, screws, etc. must be positioned on the frame.

Can you bend PRIVA-LITE?
Yes, if the curvature radius is at least 2000 mm.
The length of the curve will depend on the height of the panel: it will be 1000 mm maximum if the panel is 3000 mm high, or 3000 mm if the height is 1000 mm.

Does PRIVA-LITE have any acoustic qualities?
Yes.  The standard version has a noise-reduction ratio (Rw) of 36 decibels.

How much does one panel weigh?
In the standard version, the weight of one PRIVA-LITE panel is 25 kg/m².

What is the best temperature for a PRIVA-LITE panel?
The optimum temperature for PRIVA-LITE is between -20°C and + 60°C.

Is it dangerous to touch PRIVA-LITE in the “on” position?
Not at all!
Because the liquid crystal film is hermetically sealed between two glass sheets, there is no risk in touching a PRIVA-LITE panel, even on the edge, when in the “on” position.
Furthermore, it is IP43 rated.

Is PRIVA-LITE expensive?
Certainly not if you compare it with the price of the derivative products of its main electrical component, like plasma screens!
In addition, remember that PRIVA-LITE has five potential uses:
-    Transparency
-    or privacy, as you wish
-    Back-projection screen in the “off” position
-    Safety
-    Sound insulation
So you could divide the cost by 5!

Who makes PRIVA-LITE?
PRIVA-LITE is produced by SGGS Techniver, the Belgian subsidiary of Saint-Gobain Glass Solutions.
It is sold exclusively by QUANTUM GLASS™, the new Business Unit of Saint-Gobain Glass Solutions.

How is PRIVA-LITE different from its competitors?   
While it is not unique, PRIVA-LITE  still represents a real difference, due to:
-    the stability of the liquid crystal film
-    the reliability of the technology, tested over 15 years, guaranteed by Saint-Gobain, a leader in the industry for 350 years, and recognized through prestigious international certifications
-    the unmatched coefficient of haze
-    its multiple applications
-    the fact that it is not simply a product but actually a turnkey system
-    and that it can be personalized and coupled with other QUANTUM GLASS™ technologies
-    the international network of approved installers

In addition, PRIVA-LITE is a full range of assistance in design and implementation of tailor-made solutions, thanks to QUANTUM GLASS™, the exclusive distributor worldwide.

What guarantees does it offer?
Its optical performance is guaranteed for 5 years. Warranty conditions are available on request.

What is the expected lifetime?
The first PRIVA-LITE panels were installed at the end of the Eighties and are still in perfect working order!

Are the panels complicated to install?
Specialists from the QUANTUM GLASS™ network install them according to very strict specifications.

Is PRIVA-LITE eco-friendly?
It certainly is!
First because, of course, it is essentially composed of an entirely recyclable material: glass!
Also, when installed as double glazing with low-emissivity solar protection glass, PRIVA-LITE lets you regulate the temperature inside a building and, consequently, reduce carbon emissions and costs related to air conditioning or heating.

If you have any other questions about PRIVA-LITE: communication@quantumglass.com