European Ballasts Rated and Labeled
European Ballasts Rated and Labeled
At the 1996 Hannover Light Fair, the European lighting industry announced a voluntary labeling scheme for fluorescent lamp ballasts.
The classification method used for the labeling scheme is used by the European Commission when considering mandatory ballast-efficiency standards. However, voluntary agreements between the Commission and the industry may be enough to get rid of the least efficient ballasts on the market.
BACKGROUND
In 1995, the European Commission asked the UK Building Research Establishment (BRE) to study the pros and cons of European minimum efficiency standards for fluorescent lamp ballasts. The study was carried out by a team consisting of BRE, the Netherlands Agency for Energy and the Environment (Novem), and the Italian Lighting Manufacturers Association (ANIE).
Parallel to this study the European lighting manufacturers associations (CELMA for luminaires and ELC for lamps) developed an energy classification system for fluorescent lamp ballasts that could be used for establishing minimum energy efficiency standards as well as for energy labeling. During the work with the study for the European Commission, the study team exchanged views with representatives of the CELMA components committee and the ELC.
The outcome of this process was that ELC and CELMA announced their voluntary ballast classification system in April at the Hannover Fair. The labeling system is also open for manufacturers not affiliated with CELMA. Now, the European Commission has to decide if it is going to implement minimum efficiency standards for ballasts or if voluntary agreements with the industry will be enough.
THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The classification system for linear fluorescent lamp ballasts is based on the total circuit wattage criterion to be corrected by the so-called Ballast Lumen Factor (a factor which represents the influence of the ballasts on the light output of the lamp). This "Energy Efficiency Index" (EEI) is applicable solely to the lamp-ballast circuit.
The classification itself is applicable to ballasts for virtually all fluorescent lamps on the market (linear, U-shaped or ring-shaped lamps). It also covers both dimmable and non-dimmable, as well as single and multi-lamp ballasts.
The classification system uses seven different classes, defined by the limiting value of the EEI: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C, and D. Values associated with standard 18-W 36-W, and 58-W lamps have been agreed upon, while values for other wattages are under consideration by CELMA. The classes are not related to specific technologies. However, based on the state of available technology, electronic ballasts will fit into any of the A classes (whereby A1 is reserved for dimmable ones.) The class B1 and B2 ballasts cover the low-loss, magnetic, wire-wound ballasts, and class C and D conventional and high-loss magnetic wire-wound ballasts respectively.
The testing procedures used to classify the ballasts will be defined by the European standardization organization CENELEC.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW?
In their final report, the European study team concluded that gradually phasing out sales in Europe of C and D (high-loss) ballasts within a few years is a feasible approach and easy to justify from a total societal point of view. Buyers would not face higher life-cycle costs, nor would the ballast industry suffer severe damage. The study also considered phasing out the least efficient of the low-loss ballasts (B2).
There seems to be a good chance of a voluntary agreement being reached between the Commission and the industry with the aim of achieving increased ballast efficiency at the European level. Reaching voluntary agreements would certainly be a smoother process than passing legislation. Nevertheless, some manufacturers are in favor of adopting mandatory standards, since that would reduce the risks of competition from low-quality imports produced by companies not participating in the voluntary agreement. Whether or not this is a valid concern remains to be seen.
It would also be hard to reach a consensus on phasing out sales of all conventional wire-wound ballasts available on the market today, in other words, even the most efficient of the conventional ones. The European Commission does not seem to be prepared to use legal force to achieve this. Instead, the study team recommended the Commission to carefully monitor changes in the cost/performance of low-loss and electronic ballasts in the coming years and monitor any other factors that would motivate the Commission to change its position on minimum efficiency standards.
Boudewijn Huenges Wajer
Information on the CELMA/ELC ballast classification system:
CELMA secretariat
c/o Fabrimetal
Rue des Drapiers 21
1050 Brussels, Belgium
Fax: +32 2 510 2561
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