Fluorescent lamp ballasts

Energy Efficiency Regulations

Regulatory definition

Fluorescent lamp ballast, a device that:

• is designed to start and operate fluorescent lamps by providing the necessary voltage and current, limiting the current during normal operation, and if necessary to facilitate lamp operation, providing cathode heating
• is designed for a nominal voltage of at least 120 V, but not more than 347 V, and
• is described in Table 1A of CSA C654-14

but does not include any of the following:

• a ballast – other than a T12 dimming ballast - that, by means of an integrated dimming capability, is designed to reduce the output of the fluorescent lamp by 50% or more
• a low-frequency T8 ballast that is designed and marketed only for use in an electromagnetic-interference-sensitive environment and that is sold in a package of 10 or fewer, or
• a program-start ballast that is designed to operate one or more T8 fluorescent lamps with a nominal overall length of 1 200 mm and a medium bi-pin base, and that delivers an average current of less than 140 mA to each lamp

T12 dimming ballast, a fluorescent lamp ballast that:

• is designed for a nominal voltage of at least 120 V but not more than 277 V
• by means of an integrated dimming capability, is designed to reduce the output of a T12 fluorescent lamp by 50% or more, and
• is designed to operate one F34T12 fluorescent lamp or two F34T12, F96T12ES or F96T12HO ES fluorescent lamps

Compliance date

Manufactured on or after November 14, 2014

For models manufactured prior, refer to the Regulations

Compliant product models

Fluorescent lamp ballasts as listed on NRCan’s searchable database

Testing standard

CSA C654-14 or 10 C.F.R Appendix Q to Subpart B, Part 430 of Title 10 to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, entitled Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

Energy efficiency standard

Energy performance standard for fluorescent lamp ballasts

Description	Voltage	Minimum ballast luminous efficiency*
Instant start and rapid start ballasts (not classified as residential) that are designed to operate lamps commonly referred to as: 4-foot medium bi-pin lamps 2-foot U-shaped lamps 8-foot slimline lamps	277	BLE ≥ 0.993 ÷ (1 + 0.27 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.25)
Programmed start ballasts (not classified as residential) that are designed to operate lamps commonly referred to as: 4-foot medium bi-pin lamps 2-foot U-shaped lamps 4-foot miniature bi-pin standard output lamps 4-foot miniature bi-pin high output lamps	277	BLE ≥ 0.993 ÷ (1 + 0.51 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.37)
Instant start and rapid start ballasts (not classified as sign ballasts) that are designed to operate lamps commonly referred to as 8-foot high output lamps	277	BLE ≥ 0.993 ÷ (1 + 0.38 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.25)
Programmed start ballasts (not classified as sign ballasts) that are designed to operate lamps commonly referred to as 8-foot high output lamps	277	BLE ≥ 0.973 ÷ (1 + 0.70 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.37)
Sign ballasts that operate lamps commonly referred to as 8-foot high output lamps	277	BLE ≥ 0.993 ÷ (1 + 0.47 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.25)
Instant start and rapid start residential ballasts that operate lamps commonly referred to as: 4-foot medium bi-pin lamps 2-foot U-shaped lamps 8-foot slimline lamps	120	BLE ≥ 0.993 ÷ (1 + 0.41 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.25)
Programmed start residential ballasts that are designed to operate lamps commonly referred to as: 4-foot medium bi-pin lamps 2-foot U-shaped lamps	120	BLE ≥ 0.973 ÷ (1 + 0.71 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.37)
Instant start and rapid start ballasts (not classified as residential) that are designed to operate lamps commonly referred to as: 4-foot medium bi-pin lamps 2-foot U-shaped lamps 8-foot slimline lamps	347	BLE ≥ 0.963 ÷ (1 + 0.27 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.25)
Programmed start ballasts (not classified as residential) that are designed to operate lamps commonly referred to as: 4-foot medium bi-pin lamps 2-foot U-shaped lamps 4-foot miniature bi-pin standard output lamps 4-foot miniature bi-pin high output lamps	347	BLE ≥ 0.963 ÷ (1 + 0.51 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.37)
Instant start and rapid start ballasts (not classified as sign ballasts) that are designed to operate lamps commonly referred to as 8-foot high output lamps	347	BLE ≥ 0.963 ÷ (1 + 0.38 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.25)
Programmed start ballasts (not classified as sign ballasts) that are designed to operate lamps commonly referred to as 8-foot high output lamps	347	BLE ≥ 0.944 ÷ (1 + 0.70 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.37)
Sign ballasts that operate lamps commonly referred to as 8-foot high output lamps	347	BLE ≥ 0.963 ÷ (1 + 0.47 × [total lamp arc power]- 0.25)

Energy performance standard for T12 dimming ballasts

Designed for the operation of	Ballast input voltage	Total nominal lamp watts	Ballast luminous efficiency
			Low frequency ballasts	High frequency ballasts
One F34T12 lamp	120/277	34	0.777	0.778
Two F34T12 lamps	120/277	68	0.804	0.805
Two F96T12/ES lamps	120/277	120	0.876	0.884
Two F96T12HO/ES lamps	120/277	190	0.711	0.713

Energy efficiency report requirements

• name of product
• brand name
• model number
• manufacturer
• name of the certification body or province whose verification mark will be on the product or its package
• whether a mathematical model as defined in the Regulations was used to generate any of the information provided below
• class number set out in Table 1A of CSA C654-14
• for T12 dimming ballast
  • type and number of fluorescent lamp it is designed to operate
  • whether it is high-frequency or low-frequency
• ballast luminous efficiency
• nominal voltage
• ballast input power, in watts
• total lamp arc power, in watts
• power factor

Download the energy efficiency reporting template.

This document does not constitute part of the Energy Efficiency Act (Act) or its associated regulations.  This document is an administrative document that is intended to facilitate compliance by the regulated party with the Act and its associated regulations.  This document is not intended to provide legal advice regarding the interpretation of the Act or its associated regulations. If a regulated party has questions about their legal obligations or responsibilities under the Act or its associated regulations, they should seek the advice of legal counsel.