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To: NEMA Luminaire Section
NEMA Lamp Section
NEMA Ballast Section
NEMA Solid State Lighting Section
Re: Power Factor in Energy Star Lighting Program Requirements
NEMA staff has been contacted by EPA regarding its plans for power factor requirements as part of the upcoming draft Energy Star program requirements for residential luminaires (fluorescent and SSL) as well as the longer-term development of an Energy Star light source (CFL and LED lamp) specification.
As part of its intended technology neutral approach and considering comments from utilities and utility-funded energy efficiency programs, Energy Star intends to propose lamps and ballasts meet a PF minimum of 0.7 (≥ 0.7).
This will be a jump up from the existing requirements for lamps and ballasts under the RLF program, which are now only required to have PF ≥ 0.5, but would be consistent with the SSL fixture requirements V1.1 that specify power supplies must be PF ≥ 0.7 for residential products (and ≥ 0.9 for commercial products). Based on the high number of Energy Star RLFs that currently rely on integrated GU24 lamps, Energy Star has heard some concerns on moving to ≥ 0.7 regarding potential cost to manufacturers and impacts on form factors.
In the longer run, Energy Star is also considering requiring CFLs and LED lamps to meet PF ≥ 0.7. Currently, Energy Star CFLs V4.0 requires an average of 10 samples to have PF “greater than 0.5”. Energy Star LED replacement lamps greater than 5 watts are required to have PF ≥ 0.7.
Energy Star Product/Program
Current Power Factor Requirement
RLFs
≥ 0.5
SSL Fixtures
≥ 0.7 (for residential)
CFLs
≥ 0.5
LED Replacement Lamps
≥ 0.7 (for lamps above 5 W)
Members are asked for their feedback on Energy Star’s plans at their earliest convenience.
The first draft of the combined, technology-neutral Energy Star specification for lighting fixtures is new expected to be released in early April for comments. |
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