REQUIREMENTS:
The new rules:
1) Establish energy efficiency standards for each ballast type
2) Require the ballast have a power factor of >0.90 if designed for nonresidential use or >0.50 if designed for residential use;
3) Require outdoor sign ballasts acquire UL Type 2 rating and be designed, labeled and marketed for use in this application; and
4) Require residential-only ballasts satisfy FCC 47 CFR part 18 and be designed, labeled and marketed only for use in this application.
EXCEPTIONS:
- Additional dimming ballasts;
- Low frequency T8 ballasts that are designed, labeled, and marketed for use in EMI-sensitive environments and sold in packages of 10 or fewer;
- PS ballasts that operate 4-foot MBP T8 lamps and deliver on average less than 140mA to each lamp.
- dimming ballasts that dim to 50% or less of full light output (except for T12 dimming ballasts);
- programmed-start ballasts operating 4-ft. medium bi-pin lamps that deliver a current of less than 140 mA to each lamp (0.71 ballast factor); and
- T8 magnetic ballasts labeled and marketed for use in electromagnetic interference-sensitive applications and sold in packages of 10 or fewer units.
Many products already comply, while some do not; manufacturers are currently evaluating their products to determine on a case by case basis what models comply or not, and for those that do not, whether they will be re-engineered or discontinued. The following ballast types are at greatest risk:
- majority of T12 electronic ballasts;
- majority of outdoor-sign and residential-only ballasts; and
- T8 and T5 programmed-start ballasts lacking a cathode cutout design.