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.

Rulemakings in Progress

Test Procedures Rulemaking

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Final Rule, Test Procedure for Metal Halide Lamp Ballasts (Active and Standby Modes) and Proposed Information Collection, et al.; Federal Register, 75 FR 10950, March 9, 2010.

Energy Conservation Standards

Preliminary Analysis

Energy Conservation Standards for Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures: Notice of Public Meeting and Availability of the Preliminary Technical Support Document Federal Register, 76 FR 18127, April 1, 2011
Technical Support Document
Analytical Tools
Public Meeting

Framework

Framework Document and Public Meeting

Prescribed Energy Conservation Standards

Standards prescribed in EISA 2007

Contact Information

Lucy deButts
Project Manager