Proposed Regulations for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
BULLETIN
July 2001
Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
Revisions to the Minimum Efficacy Levels of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
The Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is proposing to amend Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations) under which Canadian dealers would be required to comply with more stringent minimum energy performance standards for fluorescent lamp ballasts imported or shipped interprovincially for sale or lease in Canada.
The purpose of this document is to provide stakeholders with background information for meaningful consultation on the content of the regulation before proceeding with pre-publication in Canada Gazette. It attempts to address key issues that have been raised. It is not intended to provide a definitive representation of the proposed regulation. At this time NRCan is not scheduling a public workshop on the proposed amendments described herein.
Background
Fluorescent lamp ballasts were included in the first set of Energy Efficiency Regulations published on November 29, 1994. The compliance date was February 1995. NRCan now believes that the market penetration of higher-efficiency technologies requires raising the bar to new levels.
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) issued its final rule in 10 CFR, Part 430, Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts Energy Conservation Standards in September 2000. The proposed amendment would update Canada’s Regulations to harmonize with the new minimum levels set by DOE, effective April 2005.
Product Description
NRCan is proposing that the Regulations apply to ballasts intended to operate in the following: F32T8, F34T12, F40T10 or F40T12 rapid start; or F96T12IS, F96T12ES, F96T12HO, or F96T12HO ES fluorescent lamps.
Ballasts designed for use in ambient temperatures of –17.8°C (0°F) or lower are specifically excluded from this regulation.
Energy-Performance Test Procedure
The Canadian Standards Association's CAN/CSA-C654-M91 (amended 2001) Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Efficacy Measurements is the proposed test procedure for fluorescent lamp ballasts prescribed under the proposed amendment.
The standard can be ordered from:
Canadian Standards Association
178 Rexdale Boulevard
Etobicoke ON M9W 1R3
Tel.: 1 800 463-6727 (toll-free)
(416-747-4044 in the Greater Toronto Area)
Web site: http://www.csa.ca
Energy Efficiency Standards
The minimum ballast efficacy factor will be as found in the Canadian Standards Association standard CAN/CSA-C654-M91 Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Efficacy Measurements, Section 4.1, Column B.
| Application for operation of |
Basic input voltage |
Total nominal lamp watts |
Column A
Ballast efficacy factor
|
Column B
Ballast efficacy factor
|
| One F40T12 lamp1 |
120V |
40 |
1.805 |
2.29 |
| 277V |
40 |
1.805 |
2.29 |
| 347V |
40 |
1.750 |
2.22 |
Two F40T122
lamps |
120V |
80 |
1.060 |
1.17 |
| 277V |
80 |
1.050 |
1.17 |
| 347V |
80 |
1.020 |
1.12 |
Two F96T123
lamps
|
120V |
150 |
0.570 |
0.63 |
| 277V |
150 |
0.570 |
0.63 |
| 347V |
150 |
0.530 |
0.62 |
Two 110w
F96T12HO lamps4
|
120V |
220 |
0.390 |
0.390 |
| 277V |
220 |
0.390 |
0.390 |
| 347V |
220 |
0.380 |
0.380 |
| Two F32T8 lamps |
120V |
64 |
1.250 |
1.250 |
| 277V |
64 |
1.230 |
1.230 |
| 347V |
64 |
1.200 |
1.200 |
1Also for use on 34W/48T12/RS and 40W/48T10/RS lamps
2Also for use on 34W/48T12/RS and 40W/48T10/RS lamps
3Also for use on 60W/96T12/IS lamps
4Also for use on 95W/96T12/HO lamps
Effective Date
NRCan is proposing that the energy efficiency standard for fluorescent lamp ballasts come into effect on April 1, 2005. All ballasts described in this document and manufactured after this date will be required to meet the stated levels.
Labelling Requirements
No labelling requirements will be introduced at this time.
Verification, Reporting and Importing Requirements
NRCan proposes no changes to the verification, reporting and importing requirements currently in place for fluorescent lamp ballasts.
Harmonization
Although NRCan attempts to harmonize with other regulatory agencies as much as possible, there are some distinct differences between the DOE Final Rule (10CFR, Part 430) and this proposed amendment, including the following:
- NRCan sets minimum levels for ballast input voltages of 120V, 277V and 347V; 10 CFR, Part 430, includes 120V and 277V.
- NRCan sets minimum levels for ballasts designed to operate with F32T8 lamps.
- NRCan includes the residential market.
- NRCan does not propose to provide an extension to the effective date for replacement ballasts.
Comments Invited
The information in this bulletin is being issued in advance of pre-publication in Canada Gazette to allow time for concerned parties to comment on the proposal. All correspondence should be forwarded to
Katherine Delves
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, 18th floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0E4
Tel.: (613) 947-1207
Fax: (613) 947-0373
kdelves{AT}nrcan.gc.ca
Web site: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/regulations/home_page.cfm
Comments will be received until August 15, 2001.
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