Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

Test Procedures for 

Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts in Standby Mode
 

NOPR Public Meeting
 

Building Technologies Program
 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
 

U.S. Department of Energy
 

February 2, 2009
 

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/fluorescent_lamp_ballasts.html 

Introduction 

Purpose of the Public Meeting 

 Present DOE’s proposed test procedure.
 

 Seek comment from participants on the test procedure.
 

 Discuss specific issues or questions related to the proposal.
 

 Discuss the next steps for the rulemaking.
 

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0007 COMMENT 23
Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

Introduction 

Presentation Overview 

1 Regulatory History 

2 Interpretation of Active Mode 

3 Interpretation of Standby Mode 

4 Interpretation of Off Mode 

5 Scope of Applicability 

6 Standby Mode Overview for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

7 New Test Conditions for Measuring Standby Mode Power 

8 Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

3 

Introduction 

Comments and Issues from Participants 

	 Workshop participants are invited to provide summary comments or 

statements at this time. 

	 Participants are also invited to raise their issues on the NOPR for 

discussion today. 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

Presentation Overview 

Presentation Overview 

1 Regulatory History 

2 Interpretation of Active Mode 

3 Interpretation of Standby Mode 

4 Interpretation of Off Mode 

5 Scope of Applicability 

6 Standby Mode Overview for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

7 New Test Conditions for Measuring Standby Mode Power 

8 Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

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Regulatory History 

Regulatory History 

Energy Policy and 

Conservation Act, 1975 

Established energy conservation standards and methods 

of test procedure development for consumer products. 

(42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) 

National Appliance 

Energy Conservation, 

Amendments of 1988 

Added fluorescent lamp ballasts as covered products, 

required development of a test procedure, set minimum 

efficiency standards and required DOE to review those 

standards. 

54 FR 6076, February 

7, 1989 

Established fluorescent lamp ballast test procedures in 

Appendix Q to Subpart B of 10 CFR 430. 

Energy Independence 

and Security Act of 

2007 

Required DOE to amend the fluorescent lamp ballast 

test procedures to address standby and off modes by 

March 31, 2009. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(B)(ii)) 

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0007 COMMENT 23
Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

Presentation Overview 

Presentation Overview 

1 Regulatory History 

2 Interpretation of Active Mode 

3 Interpretation of Standby Mode 

4 Interpretation of Off Mode 

5 Scope of Applicability 

6 Standby Mode Overview for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

7 New Test Conditions for Measuring Standby Mode Power 

8 Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

7 

Interpretation of Active Mode 

EPCA Definition of “Active Mode” (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(i)) 

DOE must interpret the definition of “active mode” in the context of 

fluorescent lamp ballasts to clarify the definitions of “off mode” and 

“standby mode” which both use the term “active mode.” 

“[T]he condition in which an energy-using product– 

(I) is connected to a main power source; 

(II) has been activated; and 

(III) provides 1 or more main functions.” 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

9 

DOE Interpretation of “Active Mode” For Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

 A ballast is in “active mode” if it is operating one or more fluorescent lamps. 

 To account for both dimmable and non-dimmable ballasts, DOE defines active 

mode as when the lamp-and-ballast system exhibits any non-zero level of light 

output. 

 Therefore “active mode” exists when light output is greater than zero percent. 

Mains Ballast 

Lamp 

Lamp 

Issue 1: DOE invites comment on this interpretation of 

the term “active mode” for fluorescent lamp ballasts. 

Regulated 

Input Current 

Power 

Lumen Output 

Lumen Output 

Interpretation of Active Mode 

Presentation Overview 

Presentation Overview 

1 Regulatory History 

2 Interpretation of Active Mode 

3 Interpretation of Standby Mode 

4 Interpretation of Off Mode 

5 Scope of Applicability 

6 Standby Mode Overview for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

7 New Test Conditions for Measuring Standby Mode Power 

8 Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0007 COMMENT 23
Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

Interpretation of Standby Mode 

EPCA Definition of “Standby Mode” (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(iii)) 

“[T]he condition in which an energy-using product– 

(I) is connected to a main power source; and 

(II) offers 1 or more of the following user-oriented or protective 

functions: 

(aa) To facilitate the activation or deactivation of other functions 

(including active mode) by remote switch (including remote control), 

internal sensor, or timer. 

(bb) Continuous functions, including information or status displays 

(including clocks) or sensor-based functions.” 

DOE is focusing on two aspects of the EPCA definition: 

• Connection to a main power source 

• Activation or deactivation of other functions by remote switch or internal 

sensor 

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DOE Interpretation of “Standby Mode” for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

 Most ballasts are turned off via switches that disconnect main 

power, so they do not enter standby mode. 

 Standby mode only applies to ballasts with a lighting control 

interface. 

• At zero light output, the ballast consumes energy while waiting for 

instruction from the lighting control system. 

Issue 2: DOE invites comment on this interpretation of the term 

“standby mode” for fluorescent lamp ballasts. 

Interpretation of Standby Mode 

No Lumen Output 

Mains Ballast 

Lamp 

Lamp 

No Regulated 

Input Current 

Power 

No Lumen Output 

Control Signal 

Control Signal 

Power 

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0007 COMMENT 23
Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

Presentation Overview 

Presentation Overview 

1 Regulatory History 

2 Interpretation of Active Mode 

3 Interpretation of Standby Mode 

4 Interpretation of Off Mode 

5 Scope of Applicability 

6 Standby Mode Overview for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

7 New Test Conditions for Measuring Standby Mode Power 

8 Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

13 

Interpretation of Off Mode 

EPCA Definition of “Off Mode” (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)(ii)) 

“[T]he condition in which an energy-using product– 

(I) is connected to a main power source; and 

(II) is not providing any standby or active mode function.” 

EISA directs DOE to address “off mode” in this test procedure. 

(42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)) 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

15 

DOE Interpretation of “Off Mode” for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

 Off mode does not apply to fluorescent lamp ballasts.

• A ballast in a system producing any amount of light output is in Active 

Mode. 

• At zero light output, a ballast connected to a main power source while 

waiting for lighting control instructions is considered to be in Standby 

Mode. 

• If a ballast is not operating the lamp to produce light and not in 

standby mode, the ballast must be disconnected from the main 

power source, which doesn’t meet the criteria of Off Mode. 

 Thus, DOE proposes not to incorporate a test method for off mode 

energy consumption. 

Issue 3: DOE invites comment on this interpretation of the term 

“off mode” for fluorescent lamp ballasts. 

Interpretation of Off Mode 

Presentation Overview 

Presentation Overview 

1 Regulatory History 

2 Interpretation of Active Mode 

3 Interpretation of Standby Mode 

4 Interpretation of Off Mode 

5 Scope of Applicability 

6 Standby Mode Overview for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

7 New Test Conditions for Measuring Standby Mode Power 

8 Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

17 

Covered Ballasts 

 DOE is considering “standby mode” as only applicable to ballasts 

that incorporate a lighting control interface. 

 Although DOE does not currently cover many fluorescent lamp 

ballasts that have a lighting control interface (like T8 ballasts or 

dimming ballasts), DOE has the authority to cover these ballasts in 

the ballast energy conservation standards rulemaking initiated on 

January 22, 2008. (73 FR 3653) 

Scope of Applicability 

Issue 4: DOE invites comment on its interpretation of which 

ballasts are covered by the standby mode test procedure. 

Scope of Applicability 

Effective Date 

	 The fluorescent lamp ballast standby and off mode test procedure 

final rule EISA deadline is March 31, 2009. (42 U.S.C. 

6295(gg)(2)(B)(ii)) 

	 The final rule will become effective 30 days after its publication. 

	 The standby test procedure final rule will not change how 

manufacturers measure and establish compliance with existing 

energy conservation standards. 

	 If new standby mode energy conservation standards are adopted, 

these standards will not be effective until 5 years after the effective 

date of the previous amended rule but not within 3 years after the 

publication of the fluorescent ballast energy conservation standards 

rulemaking final rule in June 2011. (42 U.S.C. 6295(g)(4)(C)) 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

Scope of Applicability 

Active Mode Test Procedure for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

	 DOE is planning to initiate a test procedure rulemaking in 2009 to 

review and possibly amend the active mode efficiency measurement 

of ballasts. 

	 In the fluorescent lamp ballast active mode test procedure 

rulemaking, DOE will consider updating the references to industry
 

standards so that they harmonize with the referenced standards in
 

today’s proposed standby mode test procedure.
 

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Presentation Overview 

Presentation Overview 

1 Regulatory History 

2 Interpretation of Active Mode 

3 Interpretation of Standby Mode 

4 Interpretation of Off Mode 

5 Scope of Applicability 

6 Standby Mode Overview for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

7 New Test Conditions for Measuring Standby Mode Power 

8 Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

11 

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Standby Mode Overview for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

 Only applies to ballasts that are part of a lighting control system. 

 In standby mode, the ballast produces zero light output, yet 

consumes energy while awaiting a control signal. 

Standby Power = Input Power + Control Signal Power 

Standby Mode Overview 

No Lumen Output 

Mains Ballast 

Lamp 

Lamp 

No Regulated 

Input Current 

Power 

No Lumen Output 

Control Signal 

Control Signal 

Power 

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Method for Measurement of Standby Power 

1. Send a signal to the ballast instructing it to have zero light output. 

2. Measure the input power to the ballast (in watts) in accordance with ANSI 

Standard C82.2–2002, section 13. 

3. Measure the alternating current (AC), direct current (DC), or power line 

carrier (PLC) control signal using the appropriate method. 

• DOE estimates that control systems using wireless signals supply less than 

1.0 watts of power to the ballast, so wireless control signal power is not 

measured. 

Standby Power = Input Power + Control Signal Power 

Standby Mode Overview 

No Lumen Output 

Mains Ballast 

Lamp 

Lamp 

No Regulated 

Input Current 

Power 

No Lumen Output 

Control Signal 

Control Signal 

Power 

EERE-2008-BT-TP-0007 COMMENT 23
 

 

 

Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

Standby Mode Overview 

Proposed Definition and Standby Mode Measurement for:
 

Alternating Current Control Signal
 

AC control signal: “an alternating current (AC) signal that is supplied to the 

ballast using additional wiring for the purpose of controlling the ballast and 

putting the ballast in standby mode.” 

	 Measure the AC control signal power (watts), using a wattmeter (W), 

connected to the ballast in accordance with the circuit below. 

W 

V 

A 

From 

AC Control 

Voltage 

To test ballast 

AC Control 

terminals 

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Standby Mode Overview 

Proposed Definition and Standby Mode Measurement for:
 

Direct Current Control Signal
 

DC control signal: “a direct current (DC) signal that is supplied to the 

ballast using additional wiring for the purpose of controlling the ballast and 

putting the ballast in standby mode.” 

	 Measure the DC control signal voltage, using a voltmeter (V), and 

current, using an ammeter (A), connected to the ballast in 

accordance with the circuit below. 

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DC Control Signal Power = DC Control Signal Voltage * DC Control Signal Current 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

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Proposed Definition and Standby Mode Measurement for: 

Power Line Carrier (PLC) Control Signal 

 Measure the PLC control signal power (watts), using a wattmeter (W), 

connected to the ballast in accordance with the circuit below. 

 The wattmeter must have a frequency response that is at least 10 times 

higher than the PLC being measured in order to measure the PLC signal 

correctly. The wattmeter must also be high-pass filtered to filter out 

power at 60 Hertz. 

W 

V 

A 

From 

PLC Control 

Voltage 

To test ballast 

input terminals 

Standby Mode Overview 

PLC control signal: “a power line carrier (PLC) signal that is supplied to the 

ballast using the input ballast wiring for the purpose of controlling the ballast 

and putting the ballast in standby mode.” 

Standby Mode Overview 

Proposed Definition and Standby Mode Measurement for:
 

Wireless Control Signal
 

Wireless control signal: “a wireless signal that is radiated to and received by 

the ballast for the purpose of controlling the ballast and putting the ballast in 

standby mode.” 

	 Wireless control signal power is not measured because DOE 

estimates that the power supplied to a ballast using a wireless 

signal is much less than 1.0 watt. 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

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Method for Measurement of Control Signal Power in Standby Mode 

Issue 6: DOE invites comment on the proposed methods for 

measuring the power consumed by the control signal system 

while the ballast is in standby mode. 

Standby Mode Overview 

Issue 5: DOE invites comment on the proposed definitions of 

“AC control signal,” “DC control signal,” “PLC control signal,” 

and “wireless control signal.” 

Presentation Overview 

Presentation Overview 

1 Regulatory History 

2 Interpretation of Active Mode 

3 Interpretation of Standby Mode 

4 Interpretation of Off Mode 

5 Scope of Applicability 

6 Standby Mode Overview for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

7 New Test Conditions for Measuring Standby Mode Power 

8 Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

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New Test Conditions for Measuring Standby Mode Power 

 Current fluorescent lamp ballast active mode power test procedure 

references ANSI C82.2-1984 for test conditions. 

 The proposed standby mode power test procedure references ANSI 

C82.2-2002 (current version) for test conditions. 

 DOE will consider updating the ANSI references in the active mode 

power test procedure during a rulemaking scheduled to begin in 2009. 

New Test Conditions 

Issue 7: DOE invites comment on this method of handling 

the different test conditions associated with the existing 

and proposed new test procedure. 

Presentation Overview 

Presentation Overview 

1 Regulatory History 

2 Interpretation of Active Mode 

3 Interpretation of Standby Mode 

4 Interpretation of Off Mode 

5 Scope of Applicability 

6 Standby Mode Overview for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts 

7 New Test Conditions for Measuring Standby Mode Power 

8 Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

31 

Test Procedure Measurements 

 DOE intends to study how best to use the discrete measurements of 

main input power and control signal power in a separate rulemaking. 

 Measurements will be used in the energy conservation standards 

analysis for fluorescent lamp ballasts. 

Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

Issue 8: DOE invites comment on approaches to combining the 

measurements of main input power and control signal power into 

one metric. 

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Burden of Regulations 

 The test procedure should measure power in an accurate and repeatable 

manner. 

 The test procedure should not be unduly burdensome on manufacturers 

to conduct. 

Issue 9: DOE invites comment on the issue of burden, 

including whether there are ways that DOE could maintain 

accuracy and repeatability while reducing the burden. 

Test Procedure Measurements and Burden 

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Test Procedures for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts In Standby Mode 

Closing 

How to Submit Comments... 

	 Public Meeting – oral comments will be captured in the transcript and become part of

the public record. 

	 Written comments – NOPR comment period open until April 6, 2009. Reference docket 

#: EERE-2008-BT-TP-0007 and/or RIN #: 1904-AB77 

Web: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting 

comments. 

Email: Ballasts_Standby.Rulemaking@hq.doe.gov. Include the docket 

number EERE-2008-BT-TP-0007 and/or RIN 1904-AB77 in the

subject line of the message. 

Mail: One signed paper original to:

Ms. Brenda Edwards 

U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program 

1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Mailstop EE-2J

Washington, DC 20585-0121 

Courier: One signed paper original to: 

Ms. Brenda Edwards 

U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Program 

950 L'Enfant Plaza, 6th Floor 

Washington, DC 20024

Telephone: (202) 586-2945 33 

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