The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published NEMA 410-2011 Performance Testing for Lighting Controls and Switching Devices with Electronic Drivers and Discharge Ballasts. This standard, last published in 2004, is maintained by the association’s Lamp, Ballast, Lighting Controls, and Wiring Device sections.

NEMA 410 provides guidance for the design and testing of lighting controls and switching devices to be used with electronic drivers, discharge ballasts, and self-ballasted lamps to assist in establishing and verifying compatibility between products. This standard has been expanded to encompass additional types of lighting technology, and numerous figures and test circuit diagrams and designs have been added.

Ed Thomas of GE Lighting, chair of the Ballast Section Technical Committee, said, “NEMA 410 is the industry standard for electronic ballast inrush current. This revision extends its applicability to include self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps and integrated LED lamps, and NEMA encourages the standard’s use by those evaluating and designing electronic ballasts and device drivers.”

To find other NEMA lighting standards, go to www.nema.org/stds/lighting.cfm.

NEMA 410 may be downloaded at no charge, or a hardcopy purchased for $78, by visiting www.nema.org/stds/410.cfm, or by contacting IHS at 800-854-7179 (within the U.S.), 303-397-7956 (international), 303-397-2740 (fax), or global.ihs.com.