User Guide

Energy Legislation Update
On April 1, 2005 the 2000 Federal Ballast Efficacy
Regulations were implemented to raise the minimum Ballast
Efficacy Factor (BEF) for T12 fluorescent ballasts. The ruling
affects only high power factor fluorescent ballasts for:
• One or two F40T12 and F40T12/U lamps
operated on a 120 or 277V ballast
• Two F96T12 lamps operated on a 120 or
277V ballast
• Two F96T12HO lamps operated on a 120
or 277V ballast
On August 8, 2005, the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(EPAct 2005) was signed. EPAct 2005 addresses ballasts
for reduced wattage T12 lamps not originally covered in the
original 2000 Federal Ballast Efficacy Regulations. Minimum
ballast efficacy standards for ballasts capable of operating
full and reduced wattage F40T12, F40T12/U, F96T12 and
F96T12HO lamps have been set in EPAct 2005. The levels
set deadlines for the cessation of production of inefficient
ballasts and the gradual phase out of replacement units.
Listed below is the essential timetable for the 2000 Federal
Ballast Efficacy Regulations and EPAct 2005 for Fixture
Manufacturers, Residential Markets and Distributors
(Replacement Market).
Residential Market
T12 magnetic fluorescent normal power factor ballasts
designed for residential applications were not affected
by either ruling. However, ballasts sold must be marked
“For Residential Use Only”.
Action
Ballast manufacturers can no
longer make ballasts that do not
pass the new requirements for
use in new fixtures.
Ballast manufacturers cannot
sell ballasts that do not pass the
new requirements to U.S. fixture
manufacturers.
Fixture manufacturers cannot
sell fixtures that include ballasts
that do not pass the new
requirements.
2005 BEF Standards for
Full-Wattage T12 Lamps
(F40T12, F40T12/U, F96T12
and F96T12HO)
April 1, 2005
July 1, 2005
April 1, 2006
2009 BEF Standards for
Energy-Saving T12 Lamps
(F40T12, F40T12/U, F96T12
and F96T12HO)
July 1, 2009
October 1, 2009
July 1, 2010
FIXTURE MARKET (OEM)
2000 Federal Ballast
Efficacy Regulation EPAct 2005
196
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