Information Archived on the Web
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.
Bulletin on Amendment
FLUORESCENT LAMP BALLASTS
In April 2003, an amendment to Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations (EER) was published in the Canada Gazette Part II. This amendment included an increase to the minimum ballast efficacy for fluorescent lamp ballasts.
The energy efficiency standard for fluorescent lamp ballasts comes into effect on April 1, 2005. The effective date for "replacement ballasts" will be April 1, 2010. All ballasts as described in this document, manufactured after these dates, will be required to meet the stated levels.
Consultation on these changes began with the rule making in the United States, followed by the amendment to the CSA Standard. Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's) Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) followed this up with a series of bulletins that were posted to the Web site, e-mailed to identified stakeholders and distributed at trade shows.
The proposed amendment was pre-published in the Canada Gazette Part I in December 2002, and additional comments were received and addressed during the 75-day comment period.
Product Description
The Regulations will 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 (these ballasts are all currently regulated at lower levels).
A fluorescent lamp ballast for the purposes of Canada's EER is defined as a device used to start and operate fluorescent lamps by providing a starting voltage and current, limiting the current during normal operation and where necessary to facilitate lamp operations and provide cathode heating. The regulations include ballasts designed for 120-, 277- or 347-volt input.
Ballasts designed for use in ambient temperatures of -17.8° C or lower are specifically excluded from this regulation.
"Replacement ballasts" are specifically defined in the regulations and are subject to a different timetable for meeting the new ballast efficacies.
"Replacement ballasts" shall:
- be sold in packages containing not more than 10 units;
- have a total length of the output leads shorter than the length of the lamps with which it is intended to operate; and
- be marked "FOR REPLACEMENT USE ONLY".
Energy Performance Test Procedure
The Canadian Standards Association standard, CAN/CSA-C654-M91 (amended 2001) Fluorescent Lamp Ballast Efficacy Measurements, is the test procedure for fluorescent lamp ballasts prescribed under the amendment.
The standard can be ordered from:
Canadian Standards Association
5060 Spectrum Way
Mississauga ON
L4W 5N6
Tel.: 1 800 463-6727 (toll-free) or (416) 747-4044 (in Greater Toronto Area)
Web site: csa.ca
Economic and Environmental Analysis
NRCan employed a benefit-cost analysis to determine the economic attractiveness of improving the energy efficiency of fluorescent lamp ballasts. The net present value, calculated by subtracting the present value of the incremental costs from the present value of the incremental benefits over the life of the product was chosen as the indicator of economic attractiveness. The base case analysis used a 7 percent social discount rate and Canada average real commercial and industrial electricity prices based on NRCan's official energy supply and demand forecast (Canada's Energy Outlook 1992-2020: Update 1999). Sensitivity analyses were conducted for the discount rate (10 and 5 percent) and energy prices (high and low commercial and industrial electricity prices).
The economic analysis showed positive net benefits for the base case in seven of the eight cases studied. The sensitivity analyses of the discount rate and electricity prices yielded robust results that support the case for increasing the stringency of the minimum energy performance standards for fluorescent lamp ballasts.
The energy savings and CO2 analyses were conducted by comparing the forecasted energy use of the commercial and industrial fluorescent lamp ballast market with the amendment and without. (i.e. baseline). The amendment is forecasted to save 0.2 PJ of energy and 0.03 Mt of GHG emissions in 2005 and 3.0 PJ of energy and 0.40 Mt of GHG emissions in 2020.
Energy Efficiency Standards
The new 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 | Ballast input voltage | Total nominal lamp watts |
COLUMN A Ballast efficacy factor (All ballasts until March 31, 2005. "Replacement ballasts": April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2010) |
COLUMN B Ballast efficacy factor (Ballasts except "Replacement ballasts": April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2010. All ballasts after April 1, 2010) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One F40T12 lamp 1 | 120V | 40 | 1.805 | 2.29 |
| 277V | 40 | 1.805 | 2.29 | |
| 347V | 40 | 1.750 | 2.22 | |
| Two F40T12 2 lamps | 120V | 80 | 1.060 | 1.17 |
| 277V | 80 | 1.050 | 1.17 | |
| 347V | 80 | 1.020 | 1.12 | |
| Two F96T12 3 lamps | 120V | 150 | 0.570 | 0.63 |
| 277V | 150 | 0.570 | 0.63 | |
| 347V | 150 | 0.530 | 0.62 | |
| Two 110W F96T12HO lamps 4 | 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
Labelling Requirements
There are no labelling requirements for fluorescent lamp ballasts.
Verification, Reporting and Importing Requirements
There were no changes to the verification, reporting and importing requirements currently in place for fluorescent lamp ballasts.
Fluorescent lamp ballasts must be tested and third party verified using the appropriate energy performance test standard. They must also bear a verification mark from a Standards Council of Canada accredited certification body that is recognized by NRCan.
Dealers are required to file an energy efficiency report with NRCan for all models that will be sold or leased in Canada. Energy efficiency reports must be submitted to NRCan prior to a product's first importation into Canada or shipment between provinces/territories. These reports can be filed at sec.5@nrcan.gc.ca.
Dealers importing regulated energy-using products into Canada must include specific import information on the customs release document (e.g., customs or commercial invoice, bill of sale, price list) provided to CCRA at the time of release. For additional information, visit the Web site.
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 Canada's EER, including the following:
- Canada's EER sets minimum levels for ballast input voltages of 120V, 277V and 347V; 10 CFR Part 430 includes 120V and 277V only.
- Canada's EER sets minimum levels for ballasts designed to operate with F32T8 lamps.
- Canada's EER includes products sold in the residential market.