Fluorescent Lamp and

Ballast Options

Description

Of the two types

ofballasts available
on the market today,
electromagnetic and
electronic, the first
is not energy efficient
and is currently being
phased out of the
Canadian market.

Figure 1 - T-8 Lamps

Fluorescent lamps require a high-voltage

surge at start-up. A device called a ballast
creates this surge, then limits the flow of
current during operation. This fact sheet
provides a review of some of the current
technologies for lamps and ballasts, along
with a brief review of their advantages
and disadvantages. The focus is on the
122-cm (4-ft.) length x two-lamp ballast
combination, as it is the most common
configuration in Canada.
There are two types of ballasts available
on the market today: electromagnetic
and electronic. The first is not energy
efficient and is currently being phased
out of the Canadian market. The
electronic ballast is used with the more
efficient T-8 lamps and offers a more
efficient lighting system.

Technical
Specifications

Fluorescent Lamps
T-8 lamps can be grouped into three basic
categories: standard, low-wattage and
premium efficiency.

The STANDARD T-8 lamp (Figure 1) has

become the fluorescent lamp of choice
for many reasons.
Although this lamp type has only been
actively used in Canada since the 1990s,
manufacturers continue to improve this
product. Newer designs of T-8 lamps
include longer life, higher colour rendering index (CRI), lower wattage and higher
lumen output.
The benefits of these lamps over the
older design T-12 lamps include:
Higher CRI a typical cool white
F40T12/ES (Energy Saving) lamp has
a CRI of approximately 62, whereas
the CRI of a typical 800 series F32T8
lamp ranges from 82 to 86 (100 is
considered optimal). This high index
is achieved cost-effectively by using
more expensive tri-phosphor coatings.

Technical Fact Sheet

Smaller-diameter lamp allows for greater

optical control, thereby increasing luminous
efficiency.
Longer-rated lamp life 24 000 to
30 000 hours versus 20 000 hours (based on
three hours per start).
Better lumen maintenance 94 percent
versus 86 percent for T-12 lamps.
Lamp choices including CRI ratings of
70+, 80+ and 90+.
Colour choices colours typically used
include 3000Kelvin (K) (similar to warm
white), 4100K (similar to cool white) and
3500K, which is the most popular choice.

Light output for T-8 lamps typically range from 2800

to 3100 lumens (F40T12/ES) lamps are rated at
2650 lumens). STANDARD T-8 lamps are rated at
32 watts. LOW WATTAGE lamps are available at 30,
28, 27 and 25 watts. These low-wattage lamps also
have a relative drop in lumen output. These lamps can
be used to achieve energy savings in applications that
are slightly over-illuminated. There are, however, some
disadvantages to these lower-wattage lamps:

They are more sensitive to cold

temperatures.
They do not offer any dimming capabilities.
They are not recommended for use with
occupancy sensors.
They are limited in the type of ballasts
they can use.
In some cases, they offer a shorter lamp life.

Figure 2 - Electronic Ballast

PREMIUM EFFICIENCY (PE) T-8 lamps have recently

been introduced by the major lamp manufacturers.
These lamps have rated light output levels as high as
3100 lumens, have a lamp life of up to 30 000 hours
and are available in the popular colour temperatures.
Another newly introduced fluorescent lamp type, the
T-5, has grown in popularity for special applications. Its
primary benefit is based on its smaller diameter, which
allows increased optical control even over T-8 lamps.
It is mostly used for indirect lighting applications. A
luminaire designed specifically for the T-5 lamp can
provide a greater spread of light on the ceiling.
The T-5 lamp is well suited for highbay applications.
With its higher efficiency, optical control ability, instant
on and good lumen maintenance, the T-5 and T-5 high
output (HO) lighting systems have many advantages
over metal halide lighting systems.
Retrofitting existing fluorescent systems has proven
to be a cost-effective way of reducing energy use.
Although the T-5, T-5 HO and T-8 have similar
efficiencies, the T-5 and T-5 HO lamps are shorter and
cannot be directly installed for a retrofit in existing T-12 or
T-8 luminaires. Another design consideration is that T-5
and T-5 HO lamps are designed to provide their maximum
light output at 35C versus 25C for T-8 lamps.

BALLASTS
There are two main types of fluorescent lamp ballasts
in use today: electromagnetic and electronic. Electromagnetic ballasts perform the essential functions
required to start and operate a lamp, but are not as
efficient as electronic ballasts (Figure 2).
In addition to lower efficiency, electromagnetic ballasts
have a number of disadvantages compared with
electronic ballasts, including lamp flicker, tar leakage
and a shorter life expectancy. Electronic ballasts virtually
eliminate lamp flicker, do not leak and have a 20-year
life expectancy (Table 1).
Federal legislation introduced in 2005 regulates the
ballast performance for 1- and 2-lamp ballasts, essentially eliminating the use of most electromagnetic ballasts for new applications; in 2010, the replacement
ballasts will also be regulated. The only applications

Technical Fact Sheet

that are exempt from this regulation are the ballasts
requiring low-temperature operation, such as exterior
signs or ballasts with integrated dimming capabilities of
50 percent or more. For more information on these
new regulations, visit Natural Resources Canadas
Web site at oee.nrcan.gc.ca/regulations/amendment9
_part1.cfm?text=Y&printview=N. For general information about lighting, see the Lighting Reference Guide
at oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/equipment/lighting/.

ENERGY INFORMATION

Electronic ballasts are available in four basic types:

instant start (IS), rapid start (RS), program start (PS) and
dimmable. Dimmable ballasts for fluorescent lamps
are more expensive than non-dimmable systems, and
are therefore typically used for special applications,
such as boardrooms and perimeter areas with daylight
control systems. The primary difference between IS,
RS and PS ballasts is the way they start lamps. IS ballasts
apply a high voltage across the lamp without
preheating the cathodes, whereas PS and RS ballasts
apply a lower voltage to the cathodes to preheat them
before starting the lamp. PS ballasts maintain the lamp
operation at a lower wattage than the RS design and
are expected to replace the RS design in the future.

A recent introduction to the IS ballasts design is the

Premium Efficiency IS ballast.
As a result of this difference in starting, IS and
PS ballasts are more energy efficient than RS ballasts,
typically using 1.5 to 2 watts less per lamp, with
Premium Efficiency IS ballasts achieving up to 4 watts
less per lamp. However, on shorter duty cycles
(e.g. 3 hours per start or less), IS ballasts reduce lamp
life. As the duty cycle increases to 8 hours and more,
the effect on lamp life is similar. RS ballasts are therefore recommended where lights are cycled on and off
frequently, such as in an environment where lights are
operated by occupancy sensors.

Table 1 - Ballast Types

Electronic

Electromagnetic

No lamp flicker (20 000+ Hz)

Visible lamp flicker (60 Hz)

No tar

Can leak tar

20-year life expectancy

10-year life expectancy

1-, 2-, 3- or 4-lamp models

1- or 2-lamp models

Ballasts are available with various ballast factors.

Ballast factor is defined as the relative light output
compared with a reference ballast. For example, a
ballast factor of 0.85 would yield 85 percent of a
lamps rated lumens or light output. Refer to Table 2
for energy usage for various types. Electronic ballasts
are typically available in three groups of ballast factors:
Low ballast factor (LBF) = 70 to 80 percent
of rated lamp light output
Normal ballast factor (NBF) = 85 to 95 percent
light output
High ballast factor (HBF) = 105 to 115 percent
light output

Table 2 illustrates the differences in operating costs

for a common two-lamp system. The analysis reveals
that T-8 lamps combined with an electronic ballast
produce approximately 89 lumens of light per watt,
whereas T-12 lamps using a standard electromagnetic
ballast produce only 54 lumens per watt. The maximum energy efficiency can be achieved by using both
premium lamps in combination with premium ballasts.
This combination produces close to 100 lumens of
light per watt.

COMPARISON
The combination of lamp and ballast determines the
type of light produced. Selecting the right combination starts with knowing the location and purpose of
the lighting. After determining the required lighting
levels and selecting the appropriate luminaire, the
proper lamp and ballast must be chosen. Refer to
Table 2 for light output comparison. It should be
noted that light outputs are based on initial levels.
The lamp lumen depreciation (LLD), at 40 percent of
rated lamp life, is 85 percent of initial lumens for a T-12
lamp, whereas the T-8, T-5 and T-5 HO lamps are much
better at 95 percent.
In areas with fixed ceiling grid patterns or for a retrofit
project, the available options allow you to select the
right combination of lamps and ballasts to meet the
lighting requirements for the space in the most costeffective and energy-efficient manner.

4
Table 2 - Energy Use for a Two-Lamp System
System

Watts

Lumens
Per Watt

Light
Output

kWh/m2*

(initial lumens)

Operating
Cost/yr

($5/kW;
$0.05/kWh @
4000 h/yr)

Operating
Cost/m2 *

T-12 ES (Energy-Saving) and

standard electromagnetic
ballast

81

54

4370

$25.92

66.17

$5.29

T-12 ES and ES
electromagnetic ballast

74

59

4370

$23.68

60.45

$4.84

T-8 lamp and LBF ballast

51

89

4543

$16.32

40.07

$3.21

T-8 lamp and NBF ballast

59

90

5310

$18.88

39.66

$3.17

T-8 lamp and HBF ballast

78

91

7080

$24.96

39.33

$3.15

T-8 PE LBF ballast

48

96

4602

$15.36

37.24

$2.98

T-8 PE NBF ballast

55

96

5280

$17.60

37.19

$2.98

T-8 PE HBF ballast

72

98

7125

$23.04

36.08

$2.89

T-5 NBF ballast

62

94

5800

$19.84

38.16

$3.05

T-5 HO NBF ballast

120

83

10 000

$38.40

42.84

$3.43

*Values have been normalized to be relative to matching light outputs.

Case Study
FIGURE 3 - OFFICE
BUILDING

As an example of an upgrade to an existing lighting system, consider the

case of a 25-storey building with 6500 luminaires (Figure 3). The existing
lighting used recessed lensed luminaires with three F40T12/ES lamps and
standard electromagnetic ballasts. To optimize this type of lighting system,
the existing three-lamp luminaires were converted to three F32T8/841
lamps with an LBF ballast. This combination allows the tenants to select
three different lighting levels with one, two or three lamps operating.
With the three-lamp arrangement, de-lamping could be achieved while
maintaining an even illumination over the lens surface.
As Figure 4 illustrates, the energy savings for an office building project of
this size would be $100,000 per year, at a rate of $5 per kilowatt (kW) and
$0.05 per kilowatt hour (kWh), with a resulting 5-year payback period.

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2007

Aussi disponible en franais sous le titre :
Options de lampes fluorescentes et de ballasts
Cat. No. M144-148/2007E
ISBN 978-0-662-45537-0

1000

800

Millions of kWh

Office of Energy Efficiency

Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, 18th Floor,
Ottawa ON K1A 0E4
Fax: 613-952-8169
Or call our toll-free number
to order: 1-877-360-5500
Web site: oee.nrcan.gc.ca/buildings

kW

FIGURE 4 - ESTIMATED SAVINGS

600
400
200
0

3
2
1
-

Existing
kW

Projected
kW

Savings
kW

Natural Resources Canadas Office of Energy Efficiency

Leading Canadians to Energy Efficiency at Home, at Work and on the Road

Existing
GWh

Projected
GWh

Savings
GWh

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