Energy Efficient Ballast Standards

The Department of Energy finalized a rule regarding the manufacture and sale of fluorescent lamp ballasts that will result in significant energy savings and emissions reductions. The commercial and industrial lighting sector will be subject to new energy-efficient lighting regulations beginning April 1, 2005.

Under these regulations ballast manufacturers can no longer produce ballasts for installation into new lighting fixtures unless they meet the new minimum Ballast Efficacy requirements (BEF’s). These regulations affect ballasts that operate T12 fluorescent lamps. The new regulation has a different effective date for new fixtures versus replacing existing ballasts in the field or replacement ballasts. With existing technology today, only electronic ballasts comply with these new DOE guidelines.

The following is a summary of this new regulation and the products and markets affected.

Ballast Regulations
T12 magnetic ballasts for replacement purposes in existing installations can be manufactured until June 30, 2010, but must meet the following requirements:
• Be labeled “For Replacement Use Only”
• Have leads shorter than the length of lamps intended to be operated
• Be shipped in packages not exceeding 10 ballasts
• Meet existing T12 magnetic BEF criteria

Exemptions include:
• T12 dimming ballasts that dim to 50% or less
• Two lamp F96T12HO ballasts designed for -20F operation and used in an outdoor sign
• Magnetic ballasts with power factors less than 0.90 designed and labeled for residential building applications

Important Effective Dates
• July 1, 2005 ballast manufacturers can no longer sell ballasts for use in new fixtures that do not meet the BEF requirements. Replacement ballasts marked “For Replacement Use Only” are to be provided until the final implementation date.
• April 1, 2006 lighting fixture manufacturers can no longer incorporate ballasts that do not meet the new BEF requirements in new fixtures.
• July 1, 2010 ballasts, including replacements, can no longer be manufactured unless they meet the new BEF Guidelines.

Thanks to Howard Industries for the summary above. For a downloadable PDF with more details go to here.