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Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures

This page presents information on the test procedures, energy conservation

standards, and rulemaking activities for metal halide lamp fixtures.

A metal halide lamp fixture contains metal halide lamp(s) and metal halide lamp

ballast(s). The metal halide lamps are the light sources that provide the illumination

and the ballasts are electrical devices in the fixture that start and operate metal

halide lamps. These lighting systems are used primarily in the commercial,

industrial, and public sectors.

Energy conservation standards cover metal halide lamp fixtures, however, the

ballast is the energy-using device regulated in the fixture. The fixture manufacturers

must comply with energy conservation standards when shipping fixtures or

separately shipping ballast enclosures containing ballasts. Therefore, the

information here focuses on metal halide lamp fixtures and the metal halide ballasts

used within those fixtures.

In a separate rulemaking, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is currently

undergoing a determination analysis of potential energy savings for high intensity

discharge lamps which includes metal halide lamps.

Statutory Authority

Section 324(e) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007),

Pub. L. 110-140, amended the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) (42

U.S.C. 6291 et seq) to prescribe mandatory minimum efficiency levels for

pulse-start metal halide ballasts, magnetic probe-start ballasts, and nonpulse-start

electronic ballasts that operate lamps rated greater than or equal to 150 watts (W)

but less than or equal to 500W. (42 U.S.C. 6295(hh)(1)(A))

These standards apply to metal halide lamp fixtures manufactured on or after

January 1, 2009. (42 U.S.C. 6295(hh)(1)(C)) Section 42 U.S.C. 6295 (hh) also

requires a rulemaking on metal halide lamp fixtures by January 1, 2012, applicable

to all metal halide lamp fixtures manufactured on or after January 1, 2015.

Title III of EPCA sets forth provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. Part A

of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) establishes the "Energy Conservation Program for

Consumer Products Other than Automobiles," which covers many products, including

metal halide lamp ballasts. Under the Act, the overall program consists of testing,

labeling, and Federal energy conservation standards. Pursuant to EPCA,

manufacturers of covered equipment must use specific test procedures as the basis

for establishing and certifying to DOE that their equipment complies with applicable

energy conservation standards adopted under EPCA.

Section 324(c) of EISA 2007 amended EPCA, and, in relevant part, required DOE to

establish test procedures for metal halide ballasts—a newly covered equipment type

under the statute—as follows: "(18) METAL HALIDE LAMP BALLASTS. – Test

procedures for metal halide lamp ballasts shall be based on ANSI Standard

C82.6–2005, entitled 'Ballasts for High-Intensity Discharge Lamps–Method of

Measurement'." (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(18))

Frequently Asked Questions

DOE has prepared answers to frequently asked questions about the provisions in

EISA 2007 related to metal halide lamp fixtures.

Test Procedures Rulemaking

Metal Halide Lamp Ballasts Test Procedures Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Contact Information

Linda Graves

Project Manager

(202) 586-1851

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
 

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Metal Halide Lamp 

Fixtures Frequently 

Asked Questions 

Updated September 4, 2009 

This page presents the U.S. 

Department of Energy's (DOE) 

answers to frequently asked 

questions about the provisions 

in the Energy Independence and 

Security Act of 2007 (EISA

2007) related to metal halide 

lamp fixtures. 

General Questions 

What are the ballast 

efficiency values for 

compliance?

Definitions Contained in 

EISA 2007 

What is a metal halide 

lamp fixture?

What is a metal halide 

lamp?

What is a metal halide 

ballast?

What is a ballast?

What is an electronic 

ballast?

What is a probe-start

metal halide ballast?

What is a pulse-start

metal halide ballast?

Definitions Not 

Contained in EISA 2007 

What is regulated lag 

EERE Information Center

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
ballast?

Labeling and 

Enforcement

How do fixture 

manufacturers comply 

with the EISA 2007 

efficiency requirements 

for metal halide lamp

fixtures?

How do fixture 

manufacturers comply

with EISA 2007 labeling 

requirements for metal 

halide lamp fixtures?

What is the enforcement 

mechanism for the

standard? Is it up to the 

local inspectors to accept 

or challenge the circle "E" 

qualification?

Manufacturers must 

submit metal halide lamp

fixture data annually by 

September 1. What data 

are required? Is the

format the same as 

required by the State of 

California? Which agency

receives the data?

As a manufacturer, if I 

ship a ballast in a ballast

enclosure, but not a 

fixture body (i.e., lamp 

holder and optical

assembly) must the 

ballast be compliant with 

the EISA 2007 

requirements in section 

324(e)?

In the exclusions set forth 

under 42 U.S.C. 6295(hh)

(1)(B), does the last 

exclusion "...contain a 

ballast that is rated to 

operate at ambient air 

temperatures above 50°

C per UL 1029-2001" 

apply to any metal halide 

fixture that has a metal 

halide ballast made and 

marked above 50°C per 

UL 1029-2001?

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
General Questions 

Question: What are the ballast 

efficiency values for compliance? 

Answer: Section 324(e) of EISA 

2007 requires specific efficiency 

values for the various types of 

covered metal halide ballasts. 

These requirements, codified at 

42 U.S.C. 6295(hh), are as 

follows:

"(hh) METAL HALIDE LAMP 

FIXTURES.—

"(1) STANDARDS.—

"(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to 

subparagraphs (B) and

(C), metal halide lamp fixtures 

designed to be operated

with lamps rated greater than or 

equal to 150 watts but

less than or equal to 500 watts 

shall contain—

"(i) a pulse-start metal halide 

ballast with a minimum

ballast efficiency of 88 percent;

"(ii) a magnetic probe-start 

ballast with a minimum

ballast efficiency of 94 percent; 

or

"(iii) a nonpulse-start electronic 

ballast with—

"(I) a minimum ballast efficiency 

of 92 percent

for wattages greater than 250 

watts; and

"(II) a minimum ballast 

efficiency of 90 percent

for wattages less than or equal 

to 250 watts

Section 324(e) of EISA 2007 

also establishes certain 

exclusions from the regulation. 

These are as follows: 

"(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The 

standards established under

subparagraph (A) shall not apply 

to—

 "(i) fixtures with regulated lag 

ballasts;

"(ii) fixtures that use electronic 

ballasts that

operate at 480 volts; or

"(iii) fixtures that—

"(I) are rated only for 150 watt 

lamps;

"(II) are rated for use in wet 

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
locations, as

specified by the National 

Electrical Code 2002,

section 410.4(A); and "(III) 

contain a ballast that is rated to 

operate

at ambient air temperatures 

above 50°C, as specified

by UL 1029–2001

Definitions Contained in 

EISA 2007 

EISA 2007 amends the Energy 

Policy and Conservation Act (42 

U.S.C. 6291; EPCA), in relevant 

part, by adding the following 

definitions: 

Question: What is a metal 

halide lamp fixture? 

Answer: The term "metal 

halide lamp fixture" means a 

light fixture for general lighting 

application designed to be 

operated with a metal halide 

lamp and a ballast for a metal 

halide lamp. (42 U.S.C. 6291

(64)) 

Question: What is a metal 

halide lamp? 

Answer: The term "metal 

halide lamp" means a high 

intensity discharge lamp in 

which the major portion of the 

light is produced by radiation of 

metal halides and their products 

of dissociation, possibly in 

combination with metallic 

vapors. (42 U.S.C. 6291(63)) 

Question: What is a metal 

halide ballast? 

Answer: The term "metal 

halide ballast" means a ballast 

used to start and operate metal 

halide lamps. (42 U.S.C. 6291

(62)) 

Question: What is a ballast? 

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
Answer: The term "ballast" 

means a device used with an 

electric discharge lamp to obtain 

necessary circuit conditions 

(voltage, current, and 

waveform) for starting and 

operating a lamp. (42 U.S.C. 

6291(58)) 

Question: What is an electronic 

ballast?

Answer: The term "electronic 

ballast" means a device that 

uses semiconductors as the 

primary means to control lamp 

starting and operation. (42 

U.S.C. 6291(60)) 

Question: What is a probestart metal halide ballast? 

Answer: The term "probe-start 

metal halide ballast" means a 

ballast that: (a) starts a probestart metal halide lamp that 

contains a third starting 

electrode (probe) in the arc 

tube; and (b) does not generally 

contain an igniter but instead 

starts lamps with high ballast 

open circuit voltage. (42 U.S.C. 

6291(65)) 

Question: What is a pulse-start 

metal halide ballast? 

Answer: The term "pulse-start 

metal halide ballast" means an 

electronic or electromagnetic 

metal halide ballast that starts a 

pulse-start metal halide lamp 

with high voltage pulses. Lamps 

shall be started by first 

providing a high voltage pulse 

for ionization of the gas to 

produce a glow discharge, and 

to complete the starting 

process, power shall be 

provided by the ballast to 

sustain the discharge through 

the glow-to-arc transition. (42 

U.S.C. 6291(66)) 

Definitions Not 

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
Contained in EISA 2007 

id="regulated_lag"Question:

What is regulated lag ballast? 

Answer: A "regulated lag 

ballast" is the industry term for 

a lag ballast with a third coil for 

improved lamp power 

regulation. 

Labeling and 

Enforcement

Question: How do fixture 

manufacturers comply with 

EISA 2007 efficiency 

requirements for metal halide 

lamp fixtures? 

Answer: As defined above, 

"metal halide lamp fixtures" are 

designed to be operated with 

metal halide ballasts and those 

fixtures must provide ballasts 

that meet certain efficiency 

requirements. For ballast 

efficiency measurements, 

section 324(c) of EISA 2007 

states that "Test procedures for 

metal halide lamp ballasts shall 

be based on ANSI Standard 

C82.6–2005, entitled 'Ballasts 

for High Intensity Discharge 

Lamps—Method of 

Measurement'." As directed by 

EPCA, as amended, DOE is 

conducting a rulemaking to 

determine the adequacy and 

accuracy of this test procedure 

with respect to measurement of 

metal halide ballast efficiency.

Question: How do fixture 

manufacturers comply with 

EISA 2007 labeling 

requirements for metal halide 

lamp fixtures? 

Answer:The Federal Trade 

Commission (FTC) established 

requirements for metal halide 

ballast/package labeling in 

2008. These requirements are 

contained in two Federal 

Register notices, 73 FR 39221,

July 9, 2008, and 73 FR 63066,

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
October 23, 2008. The FTC 

labeling requirements relevant 

to metal halide lamp fixtures are 

codified in FTC's regulations at 

16 CFR part 305. 

The FTC requires an encircled 

capital letter "E" (i.e., circle "E" 

or ) for metal halide 

fixtures' product packaging, the 

ballast contained in the metal 

halide fixture, and all 

advertising/marketing materials 

(e.g., point of purchase 

merchandising, catalogs, 

manufacturer Website content). 

This symbol signifies that the 

product meets applicable DOE 

energy conservation standards 

and is consistent with the 

labeling requirements for other 

lighting products. Therefore, the 

covered metal halide fixtures 

(150W –500W) manufactured 

on/after January 1, 2009, will 

require the circle "E" 

identification mark. 

Specifically, the FTC requires: 

(1) insertion of metal halide 

lamp fixtures into the list of 

covered products (16 CFR 305.2 

and inclusion of (21)) and 

inclusion of metal halide lamp 

fixtures in the descriptions of 

covered products (16 CFR 305.3

(s)); (2) clear and conspicuous 

disclosure of the circle "E" in 

color-contrasting ink on the 

label of metal halide lamp 

fixture packages and the 

ballasts contained in those 

fixtures (16 CFR 305.15(c)); 

and (3) inclusion by retail 

catalog sellers of the circle "E" 

in their descriptions of metal 

halide lamp fixtures (16 CFR 

305.20(e)). The final 

amendments also require the 

circle "E" disclosures in point of 

sale promotional material as 

required for other covered 

products; and (4) consistent 

with requirements for other 

covered products, addition of 

reporting requirements for 

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
metal halide lamp fixtures (16 

CFR 305.8(a)(5) and (b)(1)). 

For further information on 

labeling requirements, please 

see the FTC website at 

www.ftc.gov/energy.

Question: What is the 

enforcement mechanism for the 

standard? Is it up to the local 

inspectors to accept or 

challenge the circle "E" 

qualification? 

Answer: DOE is responsible for 

enforcing Federal energy 

conservation standards, 

whether those standards were 

developed through a DOE 

rulemaking or prescribed by 

Congress. (42 U.S.C. 6303, 

6304, 6316) DOE establishes 

specific enforcement regulations 

for each product covered by 

these standards, which may 

require manufacturers to file 

documents such as a 

compliance statement and a 

certification report. In a 

compliance statement, the 

manufacturer certifies its 

products meet all applicable 

regulatory requirements. In a 

certification report, the 

manufacturer provides productspecific information, such as the 

model number, energy 

consumption or efficiency, and 

other model-specific information 

that would enable DOE to 

determine which product class 

and standard the product is 

subject to and whether the 

product meets the standard. 

However, DOE has not yet 

finalized enforcement 

regulations for metal halide 

lamp ballasts. Until DOE 

finalizes such regulations, 

manufacturers will not be 

required to report any data to 

DOE, but they must still meet 

all statutorily prescribed 

standards that went into effect 

on January 1, 2009. If there is a 

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
question regarding compliance, 

DOE will contact the 

manufacturer to confirm 

compliance, and the 

manufacturer will need to 

demonstrate that the product 

meets the requirements of the 

applicable standard. 

Question: Manufacturers must 

submit metal halide lamp fixture 

data annually by September 1. 

What data are required? Is the 

format the same as required by 

the State of California? Which 

agency receives the data? 

Answer:The FTC established 

requirements for metal halide 

ballast/package labeling in 2008. 

These requirements are 

contained in two Federal 

Register notices, 73 FR 39221

July 9, 2008, and 73 FR 63066,

October 23, 2008. Data must be 

submitted to the FTC by 

September 1 of each year. (16 

CFR 305.8(b)(1)). Pursuant to 

16 CFR 305.8(a)(5), metal 

halide lamp fixture 

manufacturers must submit the 

following data: 

1. Name and address of 

manufacturer

2. All trade names under 

which the metal halide 

lamp fixture is marketed

3. Model number

4. Starting serial number, 

date code, or other means 

of identifying the date of 

manufacture (date of 

manufacture information 

must be included with only 

the first submission for 

each basic model)

5. Type of ballast (e.g., 

pulse, probe, or 

electronic)

6. Nominal input voltage and 

frequency

7. Ballast efficiency (as 

determined pursuant to 42 

U.S.C. 6293(b)(18))

8. Lamp type and wattage 

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
(or range of wattages) 

with which the metal 

halide lamp fixture is 

designed to be used.

California's Title 20 (Appliance 

Energy Regulations) has 

requirements for Metal Halide 

Luminaires. California defines 

"Metal Halide Luminaire" as a 

luminaire that includes one or 

more metal halide lamps (CEC400-2007-016). Please refer to 

the California Energy 

Commission Appliance Efficiency 

Program for more information 

about the data required to be 

submitted to the State of 

California. 

Question: As a manufacturer, if 

I ship a ballast in a ballast 

enclosure, but not a fixture 

body (i.e., lamp holder and 

optical assembly) must the 

ballast be compliant with the 

EISA 2007 requirements in 

section 324(e)? 

Answer: New metal halide 

lamp fixtures must meet all 

applicable EISA 2007 

requirements, regardless of how 

the equipment is packaged or 

shipped. 

Question: In the exclusions set 

forth under 42 U.S.C. 6295(hh)

(1)(B), does the last exclusion 

"...contain a ballast that is rated 

to operate at ambient air 

temperatures above 50°C per 

UL 1029-2001" apply to any 

metal halide fixture that has a 

metal halide ballast made and 

marked above 50°C per UL 

1029-2001? 

Answer: According to Section 

30.2.6 of UL-1029, "a ballast 

that is intended for highambient temperature use shall 

be marked 'This ballast is 

suitable for operation in ambient 

conditions not exceeding ___°

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
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C' (40, 55, 65, 75, or 90°C)." 

Therefore, any metal halide 

lamp fixture that has a metal 

halide ballast marked as above 

for high-ambient temperature 

use (i.e., over 50°C) would be 

excluded, but only if the fixture 

also met the other two specified 

statutory requirements: (1) that 

the fixture is rated only for 

150W lamps (42 U.S.C. 6295

(hh)(1)(B)(iii)(I)); and (2) that 

the fixture is wet-location rated, 

as specified by section 410.4(A) 

of the National Electrical Code 

2002 (42 U.S.C. 6295(hh)(1)(B)

(iii)(II)).

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
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Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures Frequently Asked Questions

Updated September 4, 2009

This page presents the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) answers to frequently

asked questions about the provisions in the Energy Independence and Security Act

of 2007 (EISA 2007) related to metal halide lamp fixtures.

General Questions

What are the ballast efficiency values for compliance?

Definitions Contained in EISA 2007

What is a metal halide lamp fixture?

What is a metal halide lamp?

What is a metal halide ballast?

What is a ballast?

What is an electronic ballast?

What is a probe-start metal halide ballast?

What is a pulse-start metal halide ballast?

Definitions Not Contained in EISA 2007

What is regulated lag ballast?

Labeling and Enforcement

How do fixture manufacturers comply with the EISA 2007 efficiency

requirements for metal halide lamp fixtures?

How do fixture manufacturers comply with EISA 2007 labeling requirements

for metal halide lamp fixtures?

What is the enforcement mechanism for the standard? Is it up to the local

inspectors to accept or challenge the circle "E" qualification?

Manufacturers must submit metal halide lamp fixture data annually by

September 1. What data are required? Is the format the same as required by

the State of California? Which agency receives the data?

As a manufacturer, if I ship a ballast in a ballast enclosure, but not a fixture

body (i.e., lamp holder and optical assembly) must the ballast be compliant

with the EISA 2007 requirements in section 324(e)?

In the exclusions set forth under 42 U.S.C. 6295(hh)(1)(B), does the last

exclusion "...contain a ballast that is rated to operate at ambient air

temperatures above 50° C per UL 1029-2001" apply to any metal halide

fixture that has a metal halide ballast made and marked above 50°C per UL

1029-2001?

General Questions

Question: What are the ballast efficiency values for compliance?

Answer: Section 324(e) of EISA 2007 requires specific efficiency values for the

various types of covered metal halide ballasts. These requirements, codified at 42

U.S.C. 6295(hh), are as follows:

"(hh) METAL HALIDE LAMP FIXTURES.—

"(1) STANDARDS.—

"(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraphs (B) and

(C), metal halide lamp fixtures designed to be operated

with lamps rated greater than or equal to 150 watts but

less than or equal to 500 watts shall contain—

"(i) a pulse-start metal halide ballast with a minimum

ballast efficiency of 88 percent;

"(ii) a magnetic probe-start ballast with a minimum

ballast efficiency of 94 percent; or

"(iii) a nonpulse-start electronic ballast with—

"(I) a minimum ballast efficiency of 92 percent

for wattages greater than 250 watts; and

"(II) a minimum ballast efficiency of 90 percent

for wattages less than or equal to 250 watts

Section 324(e) of EISA 2007 also establishes certain exclusions from the regulation.

These are as follows:

"(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The standards established under

subparagraph (A) shall not apply to—

 "(i) fixtures with regulated lag ballasts;

"(ii) fixtures that use electronic ballasts that

operate at 480 volts; or

"(iii) fixtures that—

"(I) are rated only for 150 watt lamps;

"(II) are rated for use in wet locations, as

specified by the National Electrical Code 2002,

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
section 410.4(A); and "(III) contain a ballast that is rated to operate

at ambient air temperatures above 50°C, as specified

by UL 1029–2001

Definitions Contained in EISA 2007

EISA 2007 amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291; EPCA),

in relevant part, by adding the following definitions:

Question: What is a metal halide lamp fixture?

Answer: The term "metal halide lamp fixture" means a light fixture for general

lighting application designed to be operated with a metal halide lamp and a ballast

for a metal halide lamp. (42 U.S.C. 6291(64))

Question: What is a metal halide lamp?

Answer: The term "metal halide lamp" means a high intensity discharge lamp in

which the major portion of the light is produced by radiation of metal halides and

their products of dissociation, possibly in combination with metallic vapors. (42

U.S.C. 6291(63))

Question: What is a metal halide ballast?

Answer: The term "metal halide ballast" means a ballast used to start and operate

metal halide lamps. (42 U.S.C. 6291(62))

Question: What is a ballast?

Answer: The term "ballast" means a device used with an electric discharge lamp to

obtain necessary circuit conditions (voltage, current, and waveform) for starting and

operating a lamp. (42 U.S.C. 6291(58))

Question: What is an electronic ballast?

Answer: The term "electronic ballast" means a device that uses semiconductors as

the primary means to control lamp starting and operation. (42 U.S.C. 6291(60))

Question: What is a probe-start metal halide ballast?

Answer: The term "probe-start metal halide ballast" means a ballast that: (a) starts

a probe-start metal halide lamp that contains a third starting electrode (probe) in

the arc tube; and (b) does not generally contain an igniter but instead starts lamps

with high ballast open circuit voltage. (42 U.S.C. 6291(65))

Question: What is a pulse-start metal halide ballast?

Answer: The term "pulse-start metal halide ballast" means an electronic or

electromagnetic metal halide ballast that starts a pulse-start metal halide lamp with

high voltage pulses. Lamps shall be started by first providing a high voltage pulse

for ionization of the gas to produce a glow discharge, and to complete the starting

process, power shall be provided by the ballast to sustain the discharge through the

glow-to-arc transition. (42 U.S.C. 6291(66))

Definitions Not Contained in EISA 2007

Question: What is regulated lag ballast?

Answer: A "regulated lag ballast" is the industry term for a lag ballast with a third

coil for improved lamp power regulation.

Labeling and Enforcement

Question: How do fixture manufacturers comply with EISA 2007 efficiency

requirements for metal halide lamp fixtures?

Answer: As defined above, "metal halide lamp fixtures" are designed to be

operated with metal halide ballasts and those fixtures must provide ballasts that

meet certain efficiency requirements. For ballast efficiency measurements, section

324(c) of EISA 2007 states that "Test procedures for metal halide lamp ballasts shall

be based on ANSI Standard C82.6–2005, entitled 'Ballasts for High Intensity

Discharge Lamps—Method of Measurement'." As directed by EPCA, as amended, DOE

is conducting a rulemaking to determine the adequacy and accuracy of this test

procedure with respect to measurement of metal halide ballast efficiency.

Question: How do fixture manufacturers comply with EISA 2007 labeling

requirements for metal halide lamp fixtures?

Answer:The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) established requirements for metal

halide ballast/package labeling in 2008. These requirements are contained in two

Federal Register notices, 73 FR 39221, July 9, 2008, and 73 FR 63066, October 23,

2008. The FTC labeling requirements relevant to metal halide lamp fixtures are

codified in FTC's regulations at 16 CFR part 305.

The FTC requires an encircled capital letter "E" (i.e., circle "E" or ) for metal

halide fixtures' product packaging, the ballast contained in the metal halide fixture,

and all advertising/marketing materials (e.g., point of purchase merchandising,

catalogs, manufacturer Website content). This symbol signifies that the product

meets applicable DOE energy conservation standards and is consistent with the

labeling requirements for other lighting products. Therefore, the covered metal

halide fixtures (150W –500W) manufactured on/after January 1, 2009, will require

the circle "E" identification mark.

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Specifically, the FTC final rule amendments contain the following provisions: (1)

insert metal halide lamp fixtures into the list of covered products (16 CFR

305.2(21)) and include metal halide lamp fixtures in the descriptions of covered

products (16 CFR 305.3(s)); (2) require that the circle "E" be clearly and

conspicuously disclosed in color-contrasting ink on the label of metal halide lamp

fixture packages and the ballasts contained in those fixtures (16 CFR 305.15(c));

(3) require retail catalog sellers to include the circle "E" in their descriptions of

metal halide lamp fixtures[1][1] (16 CFR 305.20(e)). The final amendments also

require the circle "E" disclosures in point of sale promotional material as required

for other covered products; and (4) consistent with requirements for other covered

products, the final amendments add reporting requirements for metal halide lamp

fixtures (16 CFR 305.8(a)(5) and (b)(1)).

For further information on labeling requirements, please see the FTC website at

www.ftc.gov/energy.

Question: What is the enforcement mechanism for the standard? Is it up to the

local inspectors to accept or challenge the circle "E" qualification?

Answer: DOE is responsible for enforcing Federal energy conservation standards,

whether those standards were developed through a DOE rulemaking or prescribed

by Congress. (42 U.S.C. 6303, 6304, 6316) DOE establishes specific enforcement

regulations for each product covered by these standards, which may require

manufacturers to file documents such as a compliance statement and a certification

report. In a compliance statement, the manufacturer certifies its products meet all

applicable regulatory requirements. In a certification report, the manufacturer

provides product-specific information, such as the model number, energy

consumption or efficiency, and other model-specific information that would enable

DOE to determine which product class and standard the product is subject to and

whether the product meets the standard. However, DOE has not yet finalized

enforcement regulations for metal halide lamp ballasts. Until DOE finalizes such

regulations, manufacturers will not be required to report any data to DOE, but they

must still meet all statutorily prescribed standards that went into effect on January

1, 2009. If there is a question regarding compliance, DOE will contact the

manufacturer to confirm compliance, and the manufacturer will need to demonstrate

that the product meets the requirements of the applicable standard.

Question: Manufacturers must submit metal halide lamp fixture data annually by

September 1. What data are required? Is the format the same as required by the

State of California? Which agency receives the data?

Answer:The FTC established requirements for metal halide ballast/package labeling

in 2008. These requirements are contained in two Federal Register notices, 73 FR

39221 July 9, 2008, and 73 FR 63066, October 23, 2008. Data must be submitted to

the FTC by September 1 of each year. (16 CFR 305.8(b)(1)). Pursuant to 16 CFR

305.8(a)(5), metal halide lamp fixture manufacturers must submit the following

data:

1. Name and address of manufacturer

2. All trade names under which the metal halide lamp fixture is marketed

3. Model number

Starting serial number, date code, or other means of identifying the date of

manufacture (date of manufacture information must be included with only the

first submission for each basic model)

4.

5. Type of ballast (e.g., pulse, probe, or electronic)

6. Nominal input voltage and frequency

7. Ballast efficiency (as determined pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(18))

Lamp type and wattage (or range of wattages) with which the metal halide

lamp fixture is designed to be used.

8.

California's Title 20 (Appliance Energy Regulations) has requirements for Metal

Halide Luminaires. California defines "Metal Halide Luminaire" as a luminaire that

includes one or more metal halide lamps (CEC-400-2007-016). Please refer to the

California Energy Commission Appliance Efficiency Program for more information

about the data required to be submitted to the State of California.

Question: As a manufacturer, if I ship a ballast in a ballast enclosure, but not a

fixture body (i.e., lamp holder and optical assembly) must the ballast be compliant

with the EISA 2007 requirements in section 324(e)?

Answer: New metal halide lamp fixtures must meet all applicable EISA 2007

requirements, regardless of how the equipment is packaged or shipped.

Question: In the exclusions set forth under 42 U.S.C. 6295(hh)(1)(B), does the

last exclusion "...contain a ballast that is rated to operate at ambient air

temperatures above 50°C per UL 1029-2001" apply to any metal halide fixture that

has a metal halide ballast made and marked above 50°C per UL 1029-2001?

Answer: According to Section 30.2.6 of UL-1029, "a ballast that is intended for

high-ambient temperature use shall be marked 'This ballast is suitable for operation

in ambient conditions not exceeding ___°C' (40, 55, 65, 75, or 90°C)." Therefore,

any metal halide lamp fixture that has a metal halide ballast marked as above for

high-ambient temperature use (i.e., over 50°C) would be excluded, but only if the

fixture also met the other two specified statutory requirements: (1) that the fixture

is rated only for 150W lamps (42 U.S.C. 6295(hh)(1)(B)(iii)(I)); and (2) that the

fixture is wet-location rated, as specified by section 410.4(A) of the National

Electrical Code 2002 (42 U.S.C. 6295(hh)(1)(B)(iii)(II)).

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Printable Version

Metal Halide Lamp Ballast Test

Procedure Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking

This page presents information on the metal halide

lamp ballasts test procedure notice of proposed

rulemaking (NOPR).

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing a

notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) for the test

procedures for metal halide lamp ballasts. The NOPR

stage is the first in the test procedure rulemaking

process. It will be followed by a Final Rule.

At the NOPR stage, DOE proposed that the test

procedure used to test metal halide lamp ballasts be

based on the American National Standards Institute

(ANSI) Standard C82.6-2005, "Ballasts for

High-Intensity Discharge Lamps—Method of

Measurement." Therefore, DOE is undertaking

rulemaking to establish a metal halide lamp ballast

test procedure based on ANSI Standard C82.6-2005

for certification, compliance and enforcement

provisions of the energy conservation standards.

Interested parties are invited to review the NOPR

document, attend the public meeting, and submit

comments on the DOE's approach.

The following documents are available as Adobe

Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

Test Procedures for Metal Halide Lamp Ballasts,

NOPR, Federal Register, 74 FR 33171, July 10,

2009 (PDF 232 KB)

NOPR Public Meeting

Notice of Public Meeting and Availability of the

NOPR, Federal Register, 73 FR 76569,

December 5, 2008 (PDF 324 KB)

You may submit comments via the Federal

rulemaking portal, electronically, by mail, or by

courier. Whenever possible, comments in the

electronic format should carry the electronic signature

of the author. Absent an electronic signature,

comments submitted electronically must be

authenticated by submitting the signed original paper

document.

Federal e-Rulemaking Portal:

http://www.regulations.gov/

Follow the instructions for submitting

comments.

E-mail:

metal_halide_ballasts.rulemaking@hq.doe.gov.

Include EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 and/or RIN

1904-AB87 in the subject line of the message.

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
Postal Mail:

Brenda Edwards

U.S. Department of Energy

Building Technologies Program

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Mailstop EE-2J

Washington, DC 20585

Include one signed original.

Hand Delivery or Courier:

Brenda Edwards

U.S. Department of Energy

Building Technologies Program

950 L'Enfant Plaza, 6th Floor

Washington, DC 20024.

Telephone: (202) 586-2945

Include one signed original.

Comments should clearly identify docket number

EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017. The deadline for submitting

comments is September 23, 2009.

Contact Information

Linda Graves

Project Manager

202-586-1851

Printable Version

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Printable Version

Metal Halide Lamp Ballast Test

Procedure Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking Public Meeting

This

page

presents information on the public meeting regarding

test procedures for metal halide lamp ballasts in

metal halide lamp fixtures.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) held a public

meeting to cover the notice of proposed rulemaking

(NOPR) for the Metal Halide Lamp Ballast Test

Procedure. The public provided DOE the opportunity

to present the proposal and to respond to interested

parties' questions. DOE also seek input from

interested parties on the proposed test procedure, its

methods, and sources.

Here you will find information on the meeting as well

as instructions for submitting comments for this

public meeting. The documents are available as

Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

Meeting Materials

Test Procedures for Metal Halide Lamp Ballasts,

NOPR, Federal Register, 74 FR 33171, July 10,

2009 (PDF 232 KB)

Notice of Public Meeting and Availability of the

NOPR, Federal Register, 73 FR 76569,

December 5, 2008 (PDF 324 KB)

Agenda (PDF 17 KB)

Presentation (PDF 333 KB)

Transcript (PDF 164 KB) A transcript is

available for public inspection in the Building

Technologies Program Reading Room, between

9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through

Friday, except Federal Holidays. To schedule an

appointment or to purchase this transcript,

contact:

Brenda Edwards

U.S. Department of Energy

Building Technologies Program

950 L'Enfant Plaza, 6th Floor

Washington, DC 20024

Telephone: (202) 586-2945

Date: December 19, 2008

Time: 9:00 AM - approximately 12 PM

EST

Location:

U.S. Department of Energy

Forrestal Building

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 8E-089

Washington, DC 20585

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19
How to Submit Comments

You may submit comments via the Federal

rulemaking portal, electronically, by mail, or by

courier. Whenever possible, comments in the

electronic format should carry the electronic signature

of the author. Absent an electronic signature,

comments submitted electronically must be

authenticated by submitting the signed original paper

document.

Federal e-Rulemaking Portal:

http://www.regulations.gov/

Follow the instructions for submitting

comments.

E-mail:

metal_halide_ballasts.rulemaking@hq.doe.gov.

Include EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 and/or RIN

1904-AB87 in the subject line of the message.

Postal Mail:

Brenda Edwards

U.S. Department of Energy

Building Technologies Program

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Mailstop EE-2J

Washington, DC 20585

Include one signed original.

Hand Delivery or Courier:

Brenda Edwards

U.S. Department of Energy

Building Technologies Program

950 L'Enfant Plaza, 6th Floor

Washington, DC 20024.

Telephone: (202) 586-2945

Include one signed original.

Comments should clearly identify docket number

EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017. The deadline for submitting

comments is September 23, 2009.

Contact Information

Linda Graves

Project Manager

(202) 586-1851

Printable Version

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0017 COMMENT 19