IEC 62442-1:2018

Overview

IEC 62442-1:2018 - Energy performance of lamp controlgear, Part 1 - defines standardized measurement and calculation methods to determine the total input power of controlgear‑lamp circuits and to calculate the efficiency of lamp controlgear for fluorescent lamps. This second edition (2018) replaces the 2011 edition and is harmonized with IEC 62442-2 and IEC 62442-3. The standard applies to controlgear‑lamp circuits (controlgear + lamp(s) only) supplied by DC or AC up to 1 000 V at 50 Hz or 60 Hz and covers linear, compact (single‑ended) and other general‑purpose fluorescent lamps.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability: Measurement method applies only where the controlgear and lamp(s) are separate components (excludes controlgear integral to the lamp, controllable wire‑wound magnetic controlgear, and luminaires with additional optical requirements).
• Total input power measurement: Defines how to measure the combined input power of the controlgear‑lamp circuit under specified test conditions.
• Controlgear efficiency calculation: Provides a calculation method to derive controlgear efficiency from measured inputs and lamp operating conditions.
• Types of controlgear covered: Both magnetic (wire‑wound electromagnetic) and electronic controlgear measurement procedures are specified.
• Ancillary measurements: Procedures for measuring standby power, ballast lumen factor correction, light output measurement setup (Annex A), and guidance on lamp conditioning and sampling.
• Test conditions: Requirements for sampling, conditioning of lamps, test voltages/frequencies (50 Hz/60 Hz), and sensor/network connections to ensure repeatable results.
• Normative references: Cross‑referenced IEC standards for lamp and ballast performance (e.g., IEC 60081, IEC 60929, IEC 61347 series).

Practical applications and users

Who uses IEC 62442-1 and why:

• Controlgear and ballast manufacturers - to validate energy performance, optimize designs, and support efficiency claims.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies - to perform reproducible measurements for compliance, product certification, and reporting.
• Lighting designers, specifiers and procurement teams - to compare controlgear efficiency and estimate system energy use in projects.
• Regulators and energy program managers - to define conformity criteria, energy labeling, and efficiency incentive schemes.
• R&D teams - for benchmarking electronic vs. magnetic controlgear and for evaluating standby losses and lumen factor impacts.

Practical benefits include reliable comparison of products, better energy budgeting for installations using fluorescent lighting, and harmonized test evidence for regulatory and market access purposes.

Related standards

• IEC 62442-2 and IEC 62442-3 (harmonized parts of the series)
• IEC 60081, IEC 60901, IEC 60921, IEC 60929, IEC 61347 (normative references cited by IEC 62442-1)

Keywords: IEC 62442-1, lamp controlgear, energy performance, fluorescent lamps, total input power, controlgear efficiency, ballast, measurement method, standby power, electrical testing.