Time Running Out for Magnetic Sign Ballasts
Manufacturing of magnetic-type ballasts for fluorescent signs will be phased out on November 14, 2014. This is the effective date previously established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to implement its new metric for efficacy testing applicable to these products. DOE had previously investigated the sign ballast product category and found that very few sign ballasts do not have the capability to operate 8-foot HO lamps either in single- or multiple-lamp combinations. Thus, the only ballasts not covered by the DOE rulemaking are those which cannot operate F96T12HO lamps in any combination. This phase-out is applicable to a majority of the commonly-used, fluorescent sign ballasts.
The DOE rulemaking, however, does not prohibit sales or use of existing inventories of magnetic sign ballasts after the November compliance date and until inventories are depleted. After remaining inventories have been sold, sign manufacturers and sign-maintenance personnel will only be able to purchase ballasts which comply with the DOE rulemaking. In effect, therefore, only electronic-type sign ballasts will then be available from manufacturers and suppliers.
For more information, please contact Bill Dundas, ISA Manager of Technical & Regulatory Affairs.
