IEC 62442-2:2018

Overview - IEC 62442-2:2018 (Energy performance of lamp controlgear)

IEC 62442-2:2018 specifies a standardized method of measurement and calculation to determine the energy performance and efficiency of controlgear used with high intensity discharge (HID) lamps (excluding fluorescent lamps). This second edition (2018) replaces the 2014 edition and has been harmonized with IEC 62442‑1 and IEC 62442‑3. The standard covers measurement of:

• Power losses for electromagnetic (wire‑wound) controlgear
• Total input power and standby power for electronic controlgear
• A calculation method to derive controlgear efficiency for HID lamp circuits

IEC 62442-2 assumes controlgear designed for DC or AC supplies up to 1 000 V at 50 Hz or 60 Hz and applies to controlgear–lamp circuits where the circuit is comprised solely of the controlgear and the lamp(s).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Measurement setups: Defined test arrangements for electromagnetic (magnetic wire‑wound) and electronic controlgear including schematic configurations and required instrument accuracy.
• Efficiency calculation: Procedures to calculate controlgear efficiency (ratio of lamp output power to input power) with sensors, network connections and auxiliary loads disconnected or excluded.
• Standby power: Definition of standby mode and standardized method to measure average standby power of electronic controlgear.
• Applicability and exclusions: Not applicable to controlgear integral to lamps, controlgear circuits with series capacitors, or controllable wire‑wound electromagnetic controlgear.
• Test conditions and uncertainty: Guidance on supply voltage waveform, sampling, measurement uncertainty and instrument calibration in line with IEC Guide 115.
• Harmonization: Aligned with IEC 62442‑1 and IEC 62442‑3 and references to IEC 61347‑1, IEC 61347‑2‑9 and IEC 61347‑2‑12.

Practical applications - who uses IEC 62442-2:2018

• Manufacturers of HID electronic and electromagnetic ballasts/controlgear - to validate product energy performance and prepare technical data.
• Independent test laboratories and certification bodies - to run repeatable, comparable efficiency and standby power tests.
• Lighting designers and luminaire manufacturers - to select compatible, energy‑efficient controlgear for HID installations.
• Procurement, regulatory and energy efficiency programs - to set specifications, compliance criteria, and label performance claims.

Related standards

• IEC 62442‑1 (series general principles)
• IEC 62442‑3 (other lamp types or measurement details)
• IEC 61347‑1, IEC 61347‑2‑9, IEC 61347‑2‑12 (lamp controlgear safety and particular requirements)
• IEC Guide 115 (measurement uncertainty for conformity assessment)

Keywords: IEC 62442-2:2018, lamp controlgear efficiency, high intensity discharge lamps, controlgear measurement method, standby power, electromagnetic controlgear, electronic controlgear.