Brand:

• Martin

Models:

• MAC Aura XIP

Symptoms:

• Oily or hazy film visible on internal lenses or diffusion elements.
• Rainbow-like or circular residue patterns on optical surfaces.
• Reduced output clarity or increased cleaning requirements.
• Issue appearing after use of haze or smoke effects.

Cause:

MAC Aura XIP fixtures are designed with an IP54-rated enclosure.  This rating provides protection against water ingress and dust; however, the fixture is not fully airtight.

The XIP design uses:

• Overlapping covers and seals to prevent water ingress.
• Special internal air channels that allow air exchange between the inside and outside of the fixture.

Because of this design:

• Airborne particles such as smoke or haze (especially oil-based haze) can enter the fixture.
• When the fixture cools down, haze particles (a form of vapor) can condense on cooler internal optical surfaces, most commonly the front lens or diffusion elements.
• This effect is reduced compared to non-IP fixtures, but it cannot be fully eliminated in products that are not completely sealed.

Contributing Factors:

The likelihood of residue build-up increases when:

• Oil-based haze (e.g. MDG-type haze) is used.
• Fixtures are exposed to haze for extended periods.
• Haze output is directed close to or toward the fixture.
• Fixtures cool down while haze remains present in the environment.

Resolution:

Once haze residue has formed on internal optical components:

• Normal operation will not remove the contamination.
• Manual cleaning of the affected optical elements is required.
• Cleaning must be carried out using optics-safe materials and procedures.

If cleaning guidance is required, contact HARMAN Professional Support.

Recommendations / Prevention:

To minimize future occurrence:

• Reduce the use of oil-based haze where possible.
• Consider water-based haze alternatives.
• Avoid directing haze output directly toward fixtures.
• Allow fixtures to cool down in a clear (non-hazed) environment.
• Implement regular optical inspection and cleaning as part of routine maintenance.

Additional Notes:

• This behavior is considered an environmental effect, not a product fault.
• IP54 protection does not imply an airtight enclosure.
• Regular maintenance is expected when haze or smoke effects are used.