An EMC Market Surveillance Project on Energy-Saving Lamps in Finland

The Safety Technology Authority (TUKES) organized EMC market surveillance tests on 36 energy-saving lamp models, according to the standard EN 55015. First of all, conducted disturbance emissions at mains ports were tested for. The first test results showed that 10 lamps out of 36 did not pass the tests and that there were serious defects in three lamp types. Surprisingly, defects were found to be equally distributed between inexpensive and expensive lamp models. Following this, 10 lamps were selected to undergo a magnetic disturbance test, but none failed. As well as this, the harmonic current emissions caused by energy-saving lamps are going to be tested in the near future. In the product family standard for electrical lighting and similar equipment (EN 55015), there are no measuring methods available for testing radiated emissions. However, we intended to make radiated interference tests on some energy-saving lamps, according to the standard EN 55022. Our aim was to analyze the radiated interference levels of energy-saving lamps and to compare these with the interference levels permitted for other electrical products. Also, four halogen floor lamps were tested and analyzed as a point of comparison.