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ASAP

Mercury Vapor Lamp Ballasts

Last Updated: October 2007
See the federal standards main page to view current status

Mercury vapor lamps are an old type of high intensity discharge (HID) lamp that is less efficient than the now widely used metal halide and high pressure sodium lamps.  However, these lamps continue to be used, both in existing fixtures and in some applications where the lower cost of mercury vapor lamps and ballasts are attractive to purchasers, despite their higher energy use. In 2005, Congress passed a law banning sale of mercury vapor ballasts as of 2008.  No new fixtures can be sold, and as existing ballasts burn out, they must be replaced with other lamp types.

There is no recent ASAP activity regarding mercury vapor lamp ballasts.