A method of equipping a lighting fixture with a source of LED illumination, the lighting fixture having an outer housing and a lamp mounting region comprising a support integral with or attached to the outer housing, the method comprising:
- providing a linear LED lamp, the linear LED lamp comprising:
- an elongate body extending between first and second lamp ends;
- a source of illumination comprising at least one LED emitter panel;
- a first end cap assembly at the first end of the body, the first end cap assembly comprising a housing having a sidewall extending in a direction generally parallel to the length of the body and an end wall extending transverse to the length of the body, the sidewall defining an opening bounded by an edge;
- first and second conductive electrical components disposed within the housing, at least one of the conductive electrical components adapted to provide power to the lamp, the conductive electrical components each having an elongated engagement portion extending transverse to the length of the body and towards the opening without extending through the opening;
- a second end cap assembly at the second end of the body, the second end cap assembly comprising a housing having a sidewall extending in a direction generally parallel to the length of the body and an end wall extending transverse to the length of the body, the sidewall defining an opening bounded by an edge;
- providing first and second support connectors for the linear LED lamp, each support connector comprising:
- a first portion including an integral mounting base configured to couple the support connector to the support;
- a second portion extending from the first portion, the second portion having a reduced outer profile relative to the first portion forming a shoulder at the juncture of the first portion and the second portion, the second portion configured to be insertable through the sidewall opening of a respective one of the first and second end cap assembly housings as an incident of the linear LED lamp moving relative to the support connector from a position fully separated from the support connector in a path that is transverse to the length of the body into an engaged position, the shoulder preventing the first portion from being insertable through the opening;
- the second portion having generally parallel first and second sides, a first retractable part associated with the first side and a second retractable part associated with the second side, the first and second retractable parts having second surfaces configured to engage corresponding first surfaces of the corresponding end cap assembly, the first surfaces defined by an inner surface of the sidewall of the end cap assembly housing adjacent opposite ends of the opening;
- the retractable parts configured so that the second surfaces can be placed into confronting relationship with the first surfaces to couple the support connector to the corresponding end cap assembly with the second portion of the support connector residing within the end cap assembly in the engaged position;
- and
- the first support connector having spaced third and fourth conductive electrical components at least partially disposed within the second portion thereof, the third and fourth conductive electrical components held within the second portion in general alignment with a corresponding one of first and second openings defined in a leading end wall of the second portion, at least one of the conductive electrical components adapted to provide power to the lamp;
- the third and fourth conductive electrical components each configured to be electrically connected to the engagement portion of a respective one of the first and second conductive electrical components of the first end cap assembly inserted through a respective one of the first and second openings as the first end cap assembly is moved relative to the first support connector towards the engaged position;
- coupling the mounting base of the first support connector to the support;
- coupling the mounting base of the second support connector to the support;
- and
- moving the linear LED lamp relative to the first and second support connectors from a position fully separated from the first and second support connectors in a path that is transverse to the length of the body into the engaged position.