EFC Working to Ensure HID Ballast Efficiency Requirements Consistent with Product Availability

Hid Ballast

Rob McIntyre

Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) is working with provincial jurisdictions to ensure HID ballast efficiency requirements are consistent with product availability. This will minimize market disruption and allow for an orderly winding down of the use of HID lamps in lighting applications.

For background, In 2012 CAN/CSA – C863-04 was passed as the energy efficiency standard for HID ballasts in Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium Fixtures. Common metal halide and high pressure sodium fixtures range from 20 watts to 1000 watts, and are available for both outdoor and indoor applications. Outdoor applications of these lighting products are the most common, and are designed to operate in severe climate extremes.

Few (if any) traditional electromagnetic ballasts at 200 watts or below for metal halide ballasts and 250 watts and below for high pressure sodium ballasts can meet an 85% efficiency threshold. Only electronic ballasts designed for low wattage HID systems can meet an 85% efficiency level. Nearly all outdoor HID low wattage fixtures are designed to use electromagnetic ballasts. Fixed losses in electromagnetic ballasts, as a percentage of the rated wattage of the device, are taken into consideration in the efficiency levels shown in CSA C863-04 by listing lower efficiencies for lower wattage devices.
The only significant availability of HID electronic ballasts is for low wattage metal halide or ceramic metal halide (generally 150 watts and below) designed for use with indoor fixtures in conditioned spaces with good temperature control. When this ballast regulation first passed, it was reasonable to believe electronic ballasts would continue to be developed for HID lamps and that electronic ballasts would be developed for use in existing fixtures at all wattages. However, at this time there are a limited number of electronic HID ballasts available today, mostly for new low wattage metal halide fixtures designed for indoor applications.

During the past three years, development on HID electronic ballasts essentially stopped as industry has switched nearly all of its research and development activities to LED fixtures. New outdoor and indoor lighting applications that typically used HID fixtures in the past are switching rapidly to LED fixtures. This trend will ultimately see a shift away from HID lighting applications to be replaced by LED fixtures.

For more information, contact Rob McIntyre, EFC Manager Product Sections, rmcintyre@electrofed.com

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    In interior design, lighting is not just about brightening the room. Sensitive lighting layout is the key in the whole aesthetic atmosphere. An outstanding lighting solution will not rely on one type of fixture. Rather, it is through the combination of different types of lighting. Accent, ambient, and task lighting are three basic types of… Read More…

  • Graphic Office Interiors Enhance Their Office Space, Incorporating State-Of-The-Art Lighting Solutions

    Graphic Office Interiors Enhance Their Office Space, Incorporating State-Of-The-Art Lighting Solutions

    Graphic Office Interiors, a renowned office design and furnishings company serving Vancouver Island since 1966, embarked on a unique lighting project for their personal office in Saanichton, BC. This project marked the first collaboration between Kelly Inglis of Mac’s II Agencies and Graphic Office Interiors’ in-house registered interior designer, Laura Harlos. Known for their exclusive Steelcase furniture line, modular moveable… Read More…


New Products

  • Legrand Unveils Wattstopper i3:  Next-Generation Lighting & Building Intelligence Solution Powered by KODE Labs

    Legrand Unveils Wattstopper i3:  Next-Generation Lighting & Building Intelligence Solution Powered by KODE Labs

    Legrand has announced the launch of the Wattstopper i3 Platform, a next-generation lighting and building intelligence solution powered by KODE Labs, a recognized name in advanced smart building technology. Wattstopper i3 unites Legrand’s established Wattstopper DLM and Wattstopper PLUS systems under a cohesive interface. With KODE’s award-winning OS at its core, the platform consolidates data… Read More…

  • Acuity: New C1D2 Emergency Exit Combo – HLEMC

    Acuity: New C1D2 Emergency Exit Combo – HLEMC

    The HLEMC from Holophane is a high-performing, IP66 rated emergency exit combo that is designed for use in Class 1, Div 2, groups A, B, C, & D hazardous environments, meeting up to a T3C temperature rating. The HLEMC is designed with a one-piece corrosion-resistant enclosure that is high-impact resistant to protect fixture against elements,… Read More…