•  


Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures

Sign up for e-mail updates on regulations for this and other products

The Department of Energy (DOE) has regulated the energy efficiency level of metal halide lamp fixtures since 2007. A metal halide lamp fixture uses a metal halide lamp and a metal halide lamp ballast. The lamp is the light source and the ballast starts and regulates current. Metal halide fixtures or lighting systems provide lighting for parking lots and streets, flood lighting, athletics facilities, big-box stores, and warehouses.

The current standards will save approximately 6.4 quads of energy and result in approximately $9.6 billion in energy bill savings for products shipped from 2009-2038. The standard will avoid about 93.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The Standards and Test Procedures for this product are related to Rulemaking for Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures Energy Conservation Standard.


Recent Updates | Standards | Test Procedures | Waiver, Exception, and Exemption Information | Statutory Authority | Historical Information | Contact Information


Recent Updates

DOE published a notice of public meeting announcing the availability of the preliminary analysis regarding an energy conservation standard for metal halide lamp fixtures. Federal Register, 76 FR 18127 (Apr. 1, 2011).


Standards for Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures

The following content summarizes the energy conservation standards for metal halide lamp fixtures. The text is not an official reproduction of the Code of Federal Regulations and should not be used for legal research or citation.

Current Standard

For the purpose of this regulation, metal halide lamp fixtures covered are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 431.322. These standards do not apply to:

  • Metal halide lamp fixtures with regulated lag ballasts;
  • Metal halide lamp fixtures that use electronic ballasts that operate at 480 volts; or
  • Metal halide lamp fixtures that are rated only for 150 watt lamps; are rated for use in wet locations as specified by the National Fire Protection Association in National Fire Protection Association 70; and contain a ballast that is rated to operate at ambient air temperatures above 50°C, as specified in Underwriters Laboratory 1029.

Metal halide lamp fixtures manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), on or after January 1, 2009, must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 431.326.

Lamps designed to be operated with lamps rated greater than or equal to 150 watts but less than or equal to 500 watts must contain:

  • a pulse-start metal halide ballast with a minimum ballast efficiency of 88%,
  • a magnetic probe-start ballast with a minimum ballast efficiency of 94%, or
  • a nonpulse-start electronic ballast with either a minimum ballast efficiency of 92% for wattages greater than 250 watts; or a minimum ballast efficiency of 90% for wattages less than or equal to 250 watts.

For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this standard, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.

Test Procedure for Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures

Current Test Procedure

To determine compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedures specified at 10 CFR 431.324) for metal halide lamp fixtures manufactured or distributed into commerce on or after October 21, 2012.

For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this test procedure, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.

Waivers, Exceptions, and Exemptions

Waivers

No test procedure waivers have been issued for metal halide lamp fixtures.

For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR part 431 subpart V.

Exceptions

DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for metal halide ballasts and fixtures.

For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.

State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption

DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the Federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR part 431, subpart W.

Statutory Authority

The current energy conservation standards for metal halide lamp fixtures are mandated by Part A, the "Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles" of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended. (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) These appliances are all treated as "covered products" under Part A. (42 U.S.C. 6291(2), (62), (63), and (64)))

Historical Information

EISA 2007 amended EPCA to prescribe energy conservation standards for metal halide lamp fixtures. DOE incorporated these standards into the Code of Federal Regulations on March 23, 2009 and adopted test procedures on March 9, 2010.

Helpful Links and Contact Information

Helpful Links

Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.

Contact information

For more information related to the regulation of this product, please email:


metal_halide_lamp_fixtures@ee.doe.gov