Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies, 16958-16986 [2010-6318]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 63 (Friday, April 2, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16958-16986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6318]



[[Page 16957]]

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Part III





Department of Energy





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10 CFR Part 430



Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Battery Chargers and 
External Power Supplies; Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 75 , No. 63 / Friday, April 2, 2010 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 16958]]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[Docket No. EERE-2009-BT-TP-0019]
RIN 1904-AC03


Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Battery Chargers 
and External Power Supplies

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes major revisions 
to its test procedures for battery chargers and external power 
supplies. In particular, DOE proposes to insert a new active mode 
energy consumption test procedure for battery chargers, to assist in 
the development of energy conservation standards as directed by the 
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. DOE also proposes to 
amend portions of its existing standby and off mode battery charger 
test procedure to shorten the measurement time. DOE is also considering 
amending its existing active mode single-voltage external power supply 
test procedure to permit testing of certain types of external power 
supplies that the existing test procedure may be unable to test. 
Additionally, DOE proposes to insert a new procedure to address 
multiple-voltage external power supplies, which are not covered under 
the current single-voltage external power supply test procedure. 
Finally, DOE is announcing a public meeting to receive comment on the 
issues presented in this notice of proposed rulemaking.

DATES: DOE will hold a public meeting in Washington, DC on Friday, May 
7, 2010, beginning at 9 a.m. DOE must receive requests to speak at the 
meeting before 4 p.m., Friday, April 23, 2010. DOE must receive a 
signed original and an electronic copy of statements to be given at the 
public meeting before 4 p.m., Friday, April 30, 2010.
    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) before or after the public 
meeting, but no later than June 16, 2010. See Section V, ``Public 
Participation,'' of this NOPR for details.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of 
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 8E-089, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121. To attend the public meeting, please notify 
Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945. Please note that foreign 
nationals participating in the public meeting are subject to advance 
security screening procedures, requiring a 30-day advance notice. If a 
foreign national wishes to participate in the workshop, please inform 
DOE of this fact as soon as possible by contacting Ms. Brenda Edwards 
at (202) 586-2945 so that the necessary procedures can be completed.
    Any comments submitted must identify the Battery Charger Active 
Mode Test Procedure NOPR, and provide the docket number EERE-2009-BT-
TP-0019 and/or Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1904-AC03. Comments 
may be submitted using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: BC&EPS_Test_Proc@ee.doe.gov. Include the docket 
number EERE-2009-BT-TP-0019 and/or RIN 1904-AC03 in the subject line of 
the message.
     Postal Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Please submit one 
signed paper original.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 6th Floor, 950 L'Enfant 
Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please 
submit one signed paper original.
    For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional 
information on the rulemaking process, see section V., ``Public 
Participation,'' of this document.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, visit the U.S. Department of Energy, 6th Floor, 950 
L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024, (202) 586-2945, between 9 
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Please 
call Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945 for additional information 
regarding visiting the Resource Room. Please note: DOE's Freedom of 
Information Reading Room no longer houses rulemaking materials.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Victor Petrolati, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building 
Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-4549. E-mail: 
Victor.Petrolati@ee.doe.gov. In the Office of General Counsel, contact 
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-72, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. 
Telephone: (202) 586-9507. E-mail: Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
    For additional information on how to submit or review public 
comments and on how to participate in the public meeting, contact Ms. 
Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency 
and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program, EE-2J, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 
586-2945. E-mail: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Authority and Background
II. Summary of the Proposal
    A. Battery Charger Active Mode Test Procedure
    B. Review of Battery Charger and External Power Supply Standby 
Mode and Off Mode Test Procedures
    C. Review of Single-Voltage External Power Supply Test Procedure
    D. Multiple-Voltage External Power Supply Test Procedure
III. Discussion
    A. Effective Date for the Amended Test Procedures
    B. Battery Charger Active Mode Test Procedure
    1. Summary of the CEC Test Procedure
    2. Scope
    3. Definitions
    (a) Deletions of Existing Definitions
    (b) Revisions to Existing Definitions
    (c) Additions of New Definitions
    4. Test Apparatus and General Instructions
    (a) Confidence Intervals
    (b) Temperature
    (c) AC Input Voltage and Frequency
    (d) Charge Rate Selection
    (e) Battery Selection
    (f) Non-Battery Charging Functions
    (g) Determining the Charge Capacity of Batteries With No Rating
    5. Test Measurement
    (a) Removing Inactive Mode Energy Consumption Test Apparatus and 
Measurement
    (b) Charge Test Duration
    (c) Battery Conditioning
    (d) Battery Preparation
    (e) Reversed Testing Order
    (f) End of Discharge for Other Chemistries
    C. Review of Battery Charger and External Power Supply Standby 
and Off Mode Test Procedures
    D. Review of the Single-Voltage External Power Supply Test 
Procedure
    1. EPSs That Communicate With Their Loads
    2. EPSs With Output Current Limiting
    3. High-Power EPSs
    4. Active Power Definition
    E. Multiple-Voltage External Power Supply Test Procedure

[[Page 16959]]

    F. Test Procedure Amendments Not Proposed in this Notice
    1. Accelerating the Test Procedure Schedule
    2. Incorporating Usage Profiles
    3. Measuring Charger Output Energy
    4. Alternative Depth-of-Discharge Measurement
IV. Regulatory Review
    A. Executive Order 12866
    B. National Environmental Policy Act
    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
    D. Paperwork Reduction Act
    E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    F. Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999
    G. Executive Order 13132
    H. Executive Order 12988
    I. Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001
    J. Executive Order 13211
    K. Executive Order 12630
    L. Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974
V. Public Participation
    A. Attendance at Public Meeting
    B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To Speak
    C. Conduct of Public Meeting
    D. Submission of Comments
    E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
    1. BC Active Mode
    2. Limiting the Scope of the Test Procedure
    3. BCs for Golf Carts and Other Consumer Motive Equipment
    4. Amendments to definitions
    5. Selecting the Charge Rate for Testing
    6. Selecting the Batteries for Testing
    7. Non-Battery Charging Functions
    8. Procedure for Determining the Charge Capacity of Batteries 
With No Rating
    9. Deletion of the Inactive Mode Energy Consumption Test 
Procedure
    10. Shortening the BC Charge and Maintenance Mode Test
    11. Reversing Testing Order
    12. End-of-Discharge Voltages for Novel Chemistries
    13. Standby Mode and Off Mode Duration
    14. Single-Voltage EPS Test Procedure Amendments To Accommodate 
EPSs that Communicate With Their Loads
    15. Further Single-Voltage EPS Test Procedure Amendments
    16. Loading Conditions for Multiple-Voltage EPSs
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Authority and Background

    Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291 
et seq.; EPCA or the Act) sets forth a variety of provisions designed 
to improve energy efficiency. Part A of title III (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) 
establishes the ``Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products 
Other Than Automobiles,'' which covers consumer products and certain 
commercial products (all of which are referred to below as ``covered 
products''), including battery chargers (BCs) and external power 
supplies (EPSs).
    Under EPCA, the overall program consists essentially of the 
following parts: Testing, labeling, and Federal energy conservation 
standards. The testing requirements consist of procedures that 
manufacturers of covered products must use to certify to the U.S. 
Department of Energy (DOE) that their products comply with EPCA energy 
conservation standards and to quantify the efficiency of their 
products. Also, these test procedures must be used whenever testing is 
required in an enforcement action to determine whether covered products 
comply with EPCA standards.
    Section 323 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6293) sets forth generally 
applicable criteria and procedures for DOE's adoption and amendment of 
such test procedures. It states, for example, that test procedures for 
covered products should measure energy use, energy efficiency, or 
annual operating cost during a period that is representative of typical 
use. The test procedure should not be ``unduly burdensome.'' (42 U.S.C. 
6293(b)(3)) In addition, consistent with 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(2) and 
Executive Order 12899, 58 FR 69681 (Dec. 30, 1993), if DOE determines 
that a test procedure amendment is warranted, it must publish proposed 
test procedures and offer the public an opportunity to present oral and 
written comments on them, with a comment period of not less than 75 
days. Finally, in any rulemaking to amend a test procedure, DOE must 
determine ``to what extent the proposed test procedure would alter the 
measured energy efficiency as determined under the existing test 
procedure.'' (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(1)) If DOE determines that the amended 
test procedure would alter the measured efficiency of a covered 
product, DOE must amend the applicable energy conservation standard 
accordingly. (42 U.S.C. 6293(e)(2))
    Relevant to today's notice, section 135 of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (EPACT), Public Law 109-58, amended sections 321 and 325 of EPCA 
by providing definitions for BCs and EPSs and directing the Secretary 
to prescribe ``definitions and test procedures for the power use of 
battery chargers and external power supplies.'' (42 U.S.C. 
6295(u)(1)(A)) DOE complied with this requirement by publishing a test 
procedure final rule, 71 FR 71340, on December 8, 2006 (EPACT 2005 En 
Masse final rule). In that notice, DOE codified the test procedure for 
BCs in appendix Y to subpart B of part 430 in title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) (``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the 
Energy Consumption of Battery Chargers''; hereafter referred to as 
``appendix Y'') and the test procedure for EPSs in appendix Z to 
subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 (``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the 
Energy Consumption of External Power Supplies''; hereafter referred to 
as ``appendix Z'').
    On December 19, 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
2007 (EISA 2007), Public Law 110-140, further amended sections 321, 
323, and 325 of EPCA, prompting DOE to propose and promulgate 
amendments to its test procedures for BCs and EPSs.
    Section 301 of EISA 2007 amended section 321 of EPCA by modifying 
definitions concerning EPSs. EPACT had amended EPCA to define an EPS as 
``an external power supply circuit that is used to convert household 
electric current into DC current or lower-voltage AC current to operate 
a consumer product.'' \1\ (42 U.S.C. 6291(36)(A)) Section 301 of EISA 
2007 further amended this definition by creating a subset of EPSs 
called Class A EPSs. EISA 2007 defined this subset as those EPSs that, 
in addition to meeting several other requirements common to all EPSs, 
are ``able to convert to only 1 AC or DC output voltage at a time'' and 
have ``nameplate output power that is less than or equal to 250 
watts.'' \2\ (42 U.S.C. 6291(36)(C)(i))
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    \1\ The terms ``AC'' and ``DC'' refer to the polarity (i.e., 
direction) and amplitude of current and voltage associated with 
electrical power. For example, a household wall socket supplies 
alternating current (AC), which varies in amplitude and reverses 
polarity. In contrast, a battery or solar cell supplies direct 
current (DC), which is constant in both amplitude and polarity.
    \2\ EISA 2007 defines a Class A EPS as an EPS that converts AC 
line voltage to only 1 lower AC or DC output, is intended to be used 
with an end-use product, is in a different enclosure from the end-
use product, is wired to the end-use product, and has rated output 
power that is less than 250 watts. (42 U.S.C. 6291(36)(C)(i)).
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    Section 301 also amended EPCA to establish minimum standards for 
these products, which became effective on July 1, 2008 (42 U.S.C. 
6295(u)(3)(A)), and directed DOE to publish a final rule by July 1, 
2011, to determine whether to amend these standards. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(u)(3)(D)) Section 301 further directed DOE to issue a final rule 
that prescribes energy conservation standards for BCs or determine that 
no ``standard is technically feasible or economically justified.'' (42 
U.S.C. 6295(u)(1)(E)(i)(II))
    In satisfaction of this requirement, DOE is bundling BCs and Class 
A EPSs together in a single rulemaking proceeding to consider 
appropriate energy conservation standards for these products. DOE 
published a notice of Public Meeting and Availability of Framework 
Document for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies on June 4, 
2009. 74 FR 26816. DOE then

[[Page 16960]]

held a public meeting to receive comment on the framework document \3\ 
on July 16, 2009 (hereafter referred to as the framework document 
public meeting). During this public meeting, DOE also received comments 
on the BC active mode test procedure and other test procedure issues, 
some of which will be discussed in today's notice.
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    \3\ ``Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking for Battery 
Chargers and External Power Supplies.'' May 2009. Available at: 
https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/pdfs/bceps_frameworkdocument.pdf.
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    Under Section 302 of EISA, Congress instructed DOE to review its 
test procedures every seven (7) years. As needed, DOE must either amend 
the test procedure to (1) Improve its measurement representativeness or 
accuracy or (2) reduce its burden, or (3) determine that such 
amendments are unnecessary. DOE considers this rulemaking to constitute 
a 7-year review for both BC and EPS test procedures as required under 
EPCA, as modified by section 302 of EISA. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)) 
Because DOE's existing test procedures for BCs and EPSs were in place 
on December 19, 2007, when the 7-year test procedure review provisions 
of EPCA were enacted (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)), DOE would have to 
review these test procedures by December 2014. But because DOE is 
conducting this rulemaking, the Department has satisfied this review 
requirement in advance of this date.
    Section 309 of EISA further amended section 325(u)(1)(E) of EPCA, 
instructing DOE to issue no later than two years after EISA's enactment 
a final rule ``that determines whether energy conservation standards 
shall be issued for external power supplies or classes of external 
power supplies.'' (42 U.S.C. 6295(u)(1)(E)(i)(I)) However, as section 
301 of EISA simultaneously set standards for Class A external power 
supplies, DOE interprets sections 301 and 309 jointly as a requirement 
to determine, no later than two years after EISA's enactment, whether 
additional energy conservation standards shall be issued for EPSs that 
are outside the scope of the current Class A standards, e.g., multiple-
voltage EPSs.
    Finally, section 310 of EISA 2007 amended section 325 of EPCA to 
establish definitions for active mode, standby mode, and off mode. (42 
U.S.C. 6295(gg)(1)(A)) This section also directed DOE to amend its 
existing test procedures by December 31, 2008, to measure the energy 
consumed in standby mode and off mode for both BCs and EPSs. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(gg)(2)(B)(i)) Further, it authorized DOE to amend, by rule, any of 
the definitions for active, standby, and off mode (42 U.S.C. 
6295(gg)(2)(A)) The Department presented its then-proposed amendments 
during a public meeting on September 12, 2008 (hereafter referred to as 
the standby and off mode test procedure public meeting) and published 
them in the Test Procedures for Battery Chargers and External Power 
Supplies (Standby Mode and Off Mode) Final Rule on March 27, 2009. 74 
FR 13318.
    Today's notice proposes (1) the adoption of new test procedures for 
the active mode of BCs and all modes of multiple-voltage EPSs and (2) 
the modification of existing parts of the BC and EPS test procedures 
(e.g., BC standby and off mode test duration). In doing so, it proposes 
to amend both appendices Y and Z in multiple places. Furthermore, 
although DOE proposes to retain the current language of certain 
sections of appendices Y and Z, in selecting proposed amendments for 
inclusion in today's notice, DOE considered all aspects of the existing 
BC and EPS test procedures. Nonetheless, DOE seeks comment on the 
entirety of the BC and EPS test procedure to ensure that no additional 
amendments are needed at this time to further improve the procedures' 
representativeness or reduce its burden.
    In the absence of comments on issues beyond those discussed in 
today's notice, DOE expects to issue a final rule adopting these 
proposals in a timely manner. In this case, DOE would expect this 
rulemaking to satisfy the 7-year review requirement and would not 
expect any further review of the test procedures until 7 years after 
the effective date of the proposals in this notice--i.e., no sooner 
than 2017.
    To the extent that DOE receives comments on issues beyond those 
discussed in today's notice, DOE may address these comments in a 
separate test procedure rulemaking, which would allow DOE to finalize 
today's proposed BC active mode test procedure in time to support the 
corresponding standards rulemaking but allow sufficient time to take 
into consideration all comments from interested parties as required by 
the 7-year review provisions of 42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A).

II. Summary of the Proposal

    In this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), DOE proposes to:
    (1) Insert a new test procedure to measure the energy consumption 
of BCs in active mode to assist in the development of energy 
conservation standards;
    (2) Amend the BC test procedure to decrease the testing time of BCs 
in standby and off modes;
    (3) Potentially amend the single-voltage EPSs test procedure to 
accommodate EPSs with Universal Serial Bus (USB) outputs and others 
that may not currently be tested in accordance with the test procedure; 
and
    (4) Insert a new test procedure for multiple-voltage EPSs, a type 
of non-Class A EPS that DOE will evaluate in the non-Class A 
determination analysis.
    Table 1 lists the sections of 10 CFR part 430 potentially affected 
by the amendments proposed in this NOPR. The left-hand column in the 
table cites the locations of the potentially affected CFR provisions, 
while the right-hand column lists the proposed changes.

  Table 1--Summary of Proposed Changes and Affected Sections of 10 CFR
                                Part 430
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                                               Summary of proposed
  Existing section in 10 CFR Part 430             modifications
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Section 430.23 of Subpart B--Test         Modify `(aa) battery
 procedures for the measurement of        charger' to include energy
 energy and water consumption.            consumption in active mode.
Appendix Y to Subpart B of Part 430--     Renumber the existing
 Uniform Test Method for Measuring the    sections to ease referencing
 Energy Consumption of Battery Chargers.  and use by testing
                                          technicians.
    1. Scope...........................   Limit scope to only
                                          include BCs intended for
                                          operation in the United
                                          States.

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    2. Definitions.....................   Add definitions for:
                                         [cir] Active power or real
                                          power (P).
                                         [cir] Ambient temperature.
                                         [cir] Apparent power (S).
                                         [cir] Batch charger.
                                         [cir] Battery rest period.
                                         [cir] C-rate.
                                         [cir] Crest factor.
                                         [cir] Equalization.
                                         [cir] Instructions or
                                          manufacturer's instructions.
                                         [cir] Measured charge capacity.
                                         [cir] Power factor.
                                         [cir] Rated battery voltage.
                                         [cir] Rated charge capacity.
                                         [cir] Rated energy capacity.
                                         [cir] Total harmonic distortion
                                          (THD).
                                         [cir] Unit under test (UUT).
                                          Remove definitions
                                          for:
                                            [cir] Accumulated nonactive
                                             energy.
                                            [cir] Energy ratio or
                                             nonactive energy ratio.
                                          Modify definitions
                                          for:
                                            [cir] Active mode.
                                            [cir] Multi-port charger.
                                            [cir] Multi-voltage a la
                                             carte charger.
                                            [cir] Standby mode.
    3. Test Apparatus and General         Insert apparatus and
     Instructions.                        instructions to measure energy
                                          consumption in active mode.
    4. Test Measurement................   Insert procedures to
                                          measure energy consumption in
                                          active mode.
                                          Modify 4(c) to change
                                          standby mode measurement time.
                                          Modify 4(d) to change
                                          off mode measurement time.
Appendix Z to Subpart B of Part 430--
 Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
 Energy Consumption of External Power
 Supplies.
    1. Scope...........................   No change.
    2. Definitions.....................   Modify definition of
                                          active power.
    3. Test Apparatus and General         Modify 3(b) to
     Instructions.                        accommodate multiple-voltage
                                          EPSs.
    4. Test Measurement................   Potentially modify
                                          4(a) to accommodate EPSs that
                                          communicate with the load,
                                          perform current limiting, or
                                          have output power greater than
                                          250 watts.
                                          Modify 4(b) to
                                          accommodate multiple-voltage
                                          EPSs.
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    In developing today's proposed test procedure amendments, DOE 
considered comments received from interested parties following the 
standby and off mode test procedure and framework document public 
meetings. Numerous comments dealt with testing new modes. In order to 
incorporate such changes, DOE reviewed the existing test procedures for 
BCs and EPSs, and found that, with some modifications, they could be 
used as a basis for updating DOE's test procedures. This issue is 
discussed in greater detail later in this notice.
    DOE also examined whether the proposed amendments to its test 
procedures would significantly change the measured energy consumption 
or efficiency of the BC or EPS. This question is particularly important 
for Class A EPSs, which are subject to the EISA minimum efficiency 
standard that took effect on July 1, 2008. (42 U.S.C. 6295(u)(3)(A))
    The amendments under consideration to the single-voltage EPS test 
procedure (used to test compliance with Class A EPS standards) would 
affect the measured efficiency of EPSs with USB output and others that 
communicate with their loads--the subset of Class A EPSs to which these 
amendments would apply.\4\ As described in section III.D., these 
amendments are presented in today's notice because of DOE's concern 
that the current single-voltage EPS test procedure may not measure the 
efficiency of these EPSs in a manner representative of their typical 
use, resulting in a lower measured efficiency than achievable under 
typical operating conditions. Because the single voltage test procedure 
amendments discussed in section III.D. would modify the test conditions 
to make them more representative of typical use, the measured 
efficiency of these EPSs would likely increase. Nonetheless, DOE does 
not expect any commensurate increase in the standards level for these 
EPSs. EPSs that communicate with their loads should be held to the same 
standard as the remainder of EPSs, which do not communicate with their 
loads, as long as they are measured in a representative fashion.
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    \4\ The term ``communicating'' with a load refers to an EPS's 
ability to identify or otherwise exchange information with its load 
(i.e., the end-use product to which it is connected). While most 
EPSs provide power at a fixed output voltage regardless of what load 
is connected to their outputs, some EPSs will only provide power 
once they have ``communicated'' with the load and identified it as 
the intended load.
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    The remaining amendments included in today's notice, if adopted, 
would have the following impacts on measured energy consumption or 
efficiency:
    (1) The BC active mode test procedure amendment would change the 
measured energy consumption of BCs by eliminating the nonactive energy 
ratio metric and replacing it with a new metric that measures energy 
consumption in active mode;
    (2) The standby and off mode test procedure amendment would not 
change the measured energy consumption of BCs or EPSs; and

[[Page 16962]]

    (3) The multiple-voltage EPS amendment would insert a new test 
procedure for these products,

A. Battery Charger Active Mode Test Procedure

    The current DOE BC test procedure, first created by the EPACT 2005 
En Masse final rule, 71 FR 71340, and amended by the standby and off 
mode final rule, 74 FR 13318, does not measure BC energy consumption in 
all modes. Instead, it excludes the energy consumed by the BC while 
charging a battery. The procedure measures energy consumption only in 
maintenance, standby (no battery), and off modes, when the battery has 
either been fully charged or removed from the BC.
    The BC active mode test procedure proposal in today's notice, if 
adopted, would remove the inactive mode measurement (section 4(a) of 
appendix Y--which is a composite of different operational modes that 
would be measured separately under today's proposal), add active mode 
measurement to section 4(b), amend the scope, definitions, and test 
apparatus and general instructions (sections 1, 2, and 3) in support of 
the new active mode test procedure, as well as rearrange and renumber 
the sections to ease referencing and use by testing technicians. The 
active mode amendment is based on the optional battery charger system 
test procedure adopted by the California Energy Commission (CEC),\5\ 
but has been modified to decrease testing burden (e.g., by considering 
a shorter test period and more efficient use of equipment) and increase 
clarity (e.g., by dividing complex procedures into discrete steps). 
These and other details of the proposal are discussed further in 
section III.B.
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    \5\ Ecos Consulting, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) 
Solutions, Southern California Edison (SCE). ``Energy Efficiency 
Battery Charger System Test Procedure.'' Version 2.2. November 12, 
2008. https://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/2008rulemaking/2008-AAER-1B/2008-11-19_BATTERY_CHARGER_SYSTEM_TEST_PROCEDURE.PDF.
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B. Review of Battery Charger and External Power Supply Standby Mode and 
Off Mode Test Procedures

    DOE addressed the EPCA requirements to prescribe definitions and 
test procedures for measuring the energy consumption of EPSs and BCs in 
standby and off modes (42 U.S.C. 6298(gg)(A) and (B)) in the Test 
Procedures for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies (Standby 
Mode and Off Mode) Final Rule. 74 FR 13318. This final rule 
incorporated standby and off mode measurements as well as updated 
definitions into appendices Y and Z.
    In today's notice, DOE proposes amending the BC test procedure to 
require the use of a 30-minute warm-up period followed by a 10-minute 
measurement period. Currently, the DOE test procedure requires a 1-hour 
measurement period. This amendment would harmonize DOE's standby and 
off mode measurement for BCs with that contained in section IV of part 
1 of the CEC BC test procedure. DOE anticipates that harmonizing its 
procedure with the CEC BC test procedure will produce a test procedure 
that decreases the testing burden on manufacturers while preserving 
testing accuracy. No changes are proposed to the standby and off mode 
test procedures for EPSs. Detailed discussion of the changes under 
consideration can be found in section III.C., below.

C. Review of Single-Voltage External Power Supply Test Procedure

    DOE is also considering amending the test procedure for single-
voltage EPSs to accommodate several classes of EPSs that cannot be 
tested in a representative or repeatable manner under the current test 
procedure. These EPSs include (1) Those that communicate with their 
loads through USB and other protocols,\6\ (2) limit their output 
current below the maximum listed on their nameplate, and (3) have 
output power in excess of 250 watts. However, because these EPSs do not 
exist in significant numbers in the market, DOE has not been able to 
analyze them in depth and develop a general approach to testing them 
under the single-voltage EPS test procedure. Therefore, DOE will only 
be presenting the general outline of the test procedure changes under 
consideration, and will proceed in developing and promulgating a 
procedure covering these EPSs if it receives comments from interested 
parties verifying the approaches presented (e.g., custom test fixtures 
in the case of EPSs that communicate with their loads). The three types 
of EPSs that could be affected are briefly described below, while the 
test procedure changes under consideration can be found in section 
III.D.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Some EPSs feature circuitry that allows them to communicate 
with their loads. This is used to tailor operation to the needs of 
the load as well as prevent use with incompatible loads.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

USB-Based EPSs
    USB EPSs typically power portable electronic products such as 
cellular telephones and portable media players that frequently receive 
power and data from a personal computer through its USB port. In 
contrast to most EPSs, which only provide one pair of output conductors 
(for power), the USB interface provides two pairs--for data and power, 
respectively. Although DOE's current single-voltage EPS test procedure 
accommodates testing single-voltage EPSs that have more than one pair 
of output conductors, it may not result in measurements representative 
of typical use if the other pairs of conductors are necessary for the 
specified operation of the EPS.
EPSs That Communicate With Loads
    In addition to USB-based EPSs, other EPSs exist that also 
communicate with loads (e.g., notebook computers) using proprietary 
protocols. To address these designs, DOE is considering amending the 
single-voltage EPS test procedure to permit communication between the 
EPS and the load during testing. Any changes to the EPS test procedure 
to address this issue would affect only USB-compliant EPSs and other 
EPSs that cannot operate in a representative fashion without 
communication with the load. Additional details regarding this possible 
change are presented in section III.D.1., below.
Output Current Limiting EPSs
    Similarly, DOE has encountered EPSs that may not be tested due to 
``output current limiting,'' i.e., a mode of operation in which the EPS 
significantly lowers its output voltage once an internal limit on the 
output current has been exceeded. Although all EPSs limit their output 
current to provide additional safety during short-circuit conditions, 
some EPSs have been found to limit current to a value below the maximum 
specified on their nameplate. Because DOE's single-voltage EPS test 
procedure does not provide for this possibility, DOE is considering 
adding language specifying the correct loading points in this case. The 
changes under consideration are detailed in section III.D.2.
EPS with Nameplate Output Exceeding 250 Watts
    Finally, the current DOE single-voltage EPS test procedure may not 
sufficiently accommodate the testing of single-voltage EPSs with 
nameplate output power greater than 250 watts. In contrast to EPSs with 
output power less than 250 watts, high-power EPSs may have several 
maximum output currents, something the test procedure does not take 
into consideration. DOE is therefore considering clarifying the current 
regulatory language to account for this configuration. The changes 
under

[[Page 16963]]

consideration are detailed in section III.D.3.

D. Multiple-Voltage External Power Supply Test Procedure

    Section 309 of EISA amended section 325 of EPCA by directing DOE to 
conduct a determination analysis for EPSs such as those EPSs equipped 
with multiple simultaneous output voltages. DOE is not aware of any 
existing test procedure developed specifically to measure the 
efficiency or energy consumption of multiple-voltage EPSs. To develop 
such a procedure, DOE reviewed related test procedures currently in use 
and proposed a test procedure for multiple-voltage EPSs based on the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) single-voltage EPS \7\ and 
internal power supply (IPS) \8\ test procedures. 73 FR 48054. In 
today's notice, DOE is proposing a test procedure generally consistent 
with its August 2008 proposal, but with some changes to accommodate the 
concerns of interested parties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ ``Test Method for Calculating the Energy Efficiency of 
Single-Voltage External Ac-Dc and Ac-Ac Power Supplies,'' August 11, 
2004, previously incorporated by reference into appendix Y. https://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/downloads/power_supplies/EPSupplyEffic_TestMethod_0804.pdf.
    \8\ ``Proposed Test Protocol for Calculating the Energy 
Efficiency of Internal Ac-Dc Power Supplies, Rev. 6.4.3,'' October 
26, 2009. https://efficientpowersupplies.epri.com/pages/Latest_Protocol/Generalized_Internal_Power_Supply_Efficiency_Test_Protocol_R6.4.3.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Incorporating this amendment into the EPS test procedure would 
enable DOE to evaluate power consumption for multiple-voltage EPSs in 
all modes of operation: active, standby (i.e., no-load), and off. A 
detailed discussion of DOE's proposed test procedure for multiple-
voltage EPSs can be found in section III.E., below.

III. Discussion

A. Effective Date for the Amended Test Procedures

    If adopted, the amendments proposed today would become effective 30 
days after the publication of the final rule. As of this effective 
date, manufacturers (and DOE) would be required to use the amended 
appendices when testing to determine if BCs and EPSs comply with energy 
conservation standards. In addition, any representations made regarding 
energy use or the cost of energy use for such products manufactured on 
or after the effective date would have to be based on the amended test 
procedures in appendices Y and Z.
    However, absent new standards, only the amendments to the single-
voltage EPS test procedure would be binding after the effective date, 
since DOE does not yet have standards for non-Class A EPSs or BCs. DOE 
has initiated work on standards for non-Class A EPSs and BCs, with a 
framework document published on June 4, 2009. The amendments to the BC 
and non-Class A test procedures would become binding following 
publication of a final rule that establishes these standards.

B. Battery Charger Active Mode Test Procedure

    The BC test procedure was inserted into appendix Y by the EPACT 
2005 En Masse final rule, 71 FR 71368, and amended by the standby and 
off mode final rule 74 FR 13334. It is composed of four parts: (1) 
Scope, (2) definitions, (3) test apparatus and general instructions, 
and (4) test measurement. The test measurement section is further 
subdivided into:
    (a) Inactive mode energy consumption measurement,\9\ which 
incorporates by reference section 5 of the EPA ENERGY STAR BC test 
procedure \10\;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ The inactive mode energy consumption consists of the energy 
measured over 36 hours in maintenance mode, followed by 12 hours in 
standby (no-battery) mode, with the possibility of abbreviating the 
measurement to 6 hours and 1 hour, respectively.
    \10\ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ``Test Methodology 
For Determining the Energy Performance of Battery Charging 
Systems.'' December 2005. https://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/downloads/Battery_Chargers_Test_Method.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Active mode energy consumption measurement, which is currently 
reserved;
    (c) Standby mode energy consumption measurement; and
    (d) Off mode energy consumption measurement.
    During the standby and off mode test procedure rulemaking, numerous 
interested parties commented that the current DOE test procedure is 
insufficient as a basis for the development of energy conservation 
standards, as it does not measure energy consumption during active 
(charge) mode. Many of these interested parties also recommended that 
DOE adopt the optional BC test procedure then under consideration in 
draft form at the CEC. As mentioned in the standby and off mode test 
procedure final rule, DOE was unable to act on these comments, as it 
had not proposed any active mode changes in the standby and off mode 
test procedure NOPR, 73 FR 48054 (August 15, 2008). 74 FR 13322.
    On December 3, 2008, CEC adopted version 2.2 of the test procedure 
developed by Ecos, EPRI Solutions, and SCE, as an optional test 
procedure for the measurement of BC energy consumption in charging 
(active), maintenance, no-battery (standby), and off modes. The test 
procedure was incorporated by reference into section 1604(w) of title 
20 of the California Code of Regulations,\11\ alongside the DOE test 
procedure from appendix Y.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ California Energy Commission (CEC), ``2009 Appliance 
Efficiency Regulations,'' August 2009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In its framework document, DOE mentioned its desire to amend the BC 
test procedure in appendix Y to measure energy consumption in each of 
the modes of operation of a BC (including active mode). During and 
after the framework document public meeting, interested parties 
expressed their general desire for DOE to adopt the CEC test procedure 
as the Federal test procedure for measuring the active mode energy 
consumption of BCs. In particular, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), 
CEC, and Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) commented that 
DOE should expedite the rulemaking for an active mode test procedure, 
harmonizing with the CEC BC test procedure. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at 
pp. 40-41,\12\ PG&E et al., No. 20 at p. 7,\13\ CEC et al., No. 19 at 
p. 1 \14\). The

[[Page 16964]]

Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) similarly requested 
that DOE harmonize its test procedure for battery chargers with other 
jurisdictions, but consider changes in methodology where appropriate. 
(AHAM, No. 16 at p. 2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ A notation in the form ``Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at pp. 40-
41'' identifies an oral comment that DOE received during the July 
16, 2009, framework document public meeting. This comment was 
recorded in the public meeting transcript in the docket of the BC 
and EPS energy conservation standards rulemaking (Docket No. EERE-
2008-BT-STD-0005, RIN 1904-AB57), maintained in the Resource Room of 
the Building Technologies Program and available at https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/pdfs/bceps_standards_meeting_transcript.pdf. This particular 
notation refers to a comment (1) recorded in document number 14, 
which is the public meeting transcript filed in the docket, and (2) 
appearing on pages 40-41 of document number 14.
    \13\ A notation in the form ``PG&E et al., No. 20 at p. 7'' 
identifies a written comment that DOE has received and included in 
the docket of the BC and EPS energy conservation standards 
rulemaking (Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-STD-0005, RIN 1904-AB57). This 
comment was submitted by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern 
California Edison Design & Engineering Services, Southern California 
Gas Company San Diego Gas and Electric Company, Appliance Standards 
Awareness Project, and American Council for an Energy-Efficient 
Economy. For referencing purposes, throughout this notice, comments 
submitted from these groups will be referred to as ``PG&E et al.'' 
This particular notation refers to (1) A comment submitted by 
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) et al., (2) in document number 20 in 
the docket, and (3) appearing on page 7 of document number 20.
    \14\ This comment was submitted by California Energy Commission, 
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison Design 
& Engineering Services, Southern California Gas Company, San Diego 
Gas and Electric Company, American Council for an Energy-Efficient 
Economy, Appliance Standards Awareness Project, Consumer Federation 
of America, National Consumer Law Center, on behalf of its low-
income clients, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Northwest Power 
and Conservation Council, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, and 
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project. For referencing purposes, 
throughout this notice, comments submitted from these groups will be 
referred to as ``CEC et al.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE researched existing worldwide test procedures for measuring BC 
energy consumption in active mode and found that there are currently 
three test procedures for measuring the energy consumption of consumer 
battery chargers: (1) The EPA ENERGY STAR BC test procedure, (2) the 
Canadian Standards Association (CSA) C381.2 test procedure,\15\ and (3) 
the CEC test procedure.\5\ No energy efficiency standards-setting or 
promoting organizations in Europe, Australia, or China have developed 
or adopted additional BC test procedures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ Canadian Standards Association (CSA). C381.2-08. ``Test 
Method for Determining the Energy Efficiency of Battery-Charging 
Systems.'' November 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The EPA ENERGY STAR test procedure was adopted by ENERGY STAR in 
2005 and has remained unchanged since then. This is the same test 
procedure incorporated by reference by DOE into sections 3 and 4(a) of 
appendix Y by the EPACT 2005 En Masse final rule, 71 FR 71340. Although 
it has been used to test numerous BCs (over 135 BCs qualified for the 
ENERGY STAR mark following testing in accordance with the test 
procedure),\16\ this test procedure does not measure energy consumption 
of these products in active mode.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ EPA ENERGY STAR. ``Qualified Product (QP) List for ENERGY 
STAR Qualified Battery Charging Systems .'' October 1, 2009. 
Available at: https://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/prod_lists/BCS_prod_list.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Similarly, the CSA 381.2 test procedure, adopted in 2008, does not 
measure BC active mode consumption. Instead, the procedure relies on 
the same inactive mode energy consumption measurement as the EPA ENERGY 
STAR BC test procedure and the current DOE test procedure.
    The CEC test procedure, in contrast, includes active mode energy 
consumption through its 24-hour active and maintenance mode test. This 
test procedure was developed over six years through a collaborative 
process between energy efficiency advocates and industry experts, 
including multiple meetings and revisions (PG&E, No. 13 at p. 2). The 
result, according to PG&E, has been a test procedure that applies to 
the full spectrum of consumer battery chargers, regardless of input 
voltage (AC or DC), battery chemistry, and battery type (detachable or 
integral). PG&E provided test results from the application of the test 
procedure to over 142 consumer BCs (PG&E, No. 13 at p. 6).\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ The above discussion applies to part 1 of the CEC test 
procedure; in addition, the test procedure also includes a part 2, 
which applies to larger (greater than 2000 watt output) BCs intended 
for transport and industrial applications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE has conducted further tests using this procedure and considers 
its measurement metrics, accuracy, and variability to be appropriate 
for the product being tested. Consequently, DOE is proposing to adopt 
part 1 of the CEC test procedure (for consumer products with input 
power under 2 kilowatts) to measure (1) BC energy consumption in active 
and maintenance modes and (2) the amount of energy recovered from the 
battery during discharge. DOE would, however, make several 
modifications to constrain its application to BCs sold in the United 
States, improve its clarity, and decrease its testing burden. DOE 
expects the resulting test procedure, explained in detail below, to 
produce equivalent results as the test procedure adopted by the CEC, 
while reducing the required technician and equipment time to perform 
the tests.
    Finally, although part 1 of the CEC test procedure also contains 
instructions for measuring energy consumption in standby and off modes, 
DOE previously adopted standby and off mode test procedures in its 
March 2009 final rule. 74 FR 13334. Today's proposal retains these test 
procedures, which would be incorporated into sections 4(c) and 4(d) of 
appendix Y, and be modified as described in section III.B, in lieu of 
adopting their equivalents from the CEC test procedure (part 1, section 
IV). A summary of the CEC test procedure follows, along with specific 
modifications that DOE would make prior to incorporation in appendix Y. 
As with all other sections in this proposal, DOE seeks comment 
regarding all aspects of its proposed approach.
1. Summary of the CEC Test Procedure
    The lengthy stakeholder consultation process conducted by the CEC 
led to the development of a test procedure for measuring the energy 
consumption of both consumer (part 1) and industrial (part 2) 
chargers.\18\ Both parts of the test procedure measure the input energy 
to the battery charger when recharging a battery that had previously 
been conditioned (if necessary) and discharged to a specified depth. 
(Part 2 also requires measurement of the charger output energy.) Both 
parts of the test procedure then require measurement of the energy 
recoverable from the battery during discharge. Finally, the test 
procedure requires measurement of the charger input power with (1) The 
battery fully charged and connected to the charger (maintenance mode), 
(2) the battery removed from the charger (standby mode), and (3) the 
battery removed from the charger and the charger turned off, if a 
manual on-off switch is present (off mode). The number of tests, their 
duration, and other specifics vary between the two parts and also from 
charger to charger, depending on its capabilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Part 2 of the CEC test procedure also applies to BCs for 
golf carts and other motive equipment that DOE considers to be 
consumer products. This issue is discussed further in section 
III.B.2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The test procedure provides a set of definitions needed to test a 
wide variety of BCs. While some of these definitions are necessary for 
testing the larger industrial chargers, others are used in both parts 
of the test procedure and provide additional specificity beyond the 
definitions currently incorporated in section 2 of appendix Y.
    Part 1 of the test procedure continues with specification of the 
test conditions in section I. Like the test conditions section of the 
EPA BC test procedure (which is incorporated into section 3 of appendix 
Y), this section of the CEC test procedure sets a variety of 
requirements, including limits on the input voltage to the charger, the 
speed and temperature of the air surrounding the unit under test (UUT), 
and measurement precision and accuracy. The AC input voltage waveform 
characteristics and ambient airspeed and temperature requirements of 
the CEC test procedure are equivalent to those of the EPA test 
procedure. The remaining requirements are stricter, however, specifying 
tighter limits on some parameters (e.g., measurement resolution, etc.) 
and limits on additional parameters that may affect measurement results 
(e.g., uncertainty, materials on which the BC may rest, characteristic 
of input voltage waveform for DC chargers, etc.). These tighter 
specifications on testing conditions should result in a more repeatable 
test procedure.
    Following the test condition section, the CEC test procedure 
proceeds to specify the selection and setup of the battery and charger 
in section II. The age of the UUT is specified, as in the EPA test 
procedure. However, the CEC test procedure also specifies the mode of 
operation of the BC for chargers with several charge modes and/or 
additional functionality. Finally, the CEC test procedure specifies 
which batteries

[[Page 16965]]

should be used for the test, how to access their terminals, and how to 
estimate the energy capacity (used later in the test procedure to 
calculate the discharge rate) of the battery in case the battery is not 
labeled. The battery selection procedure is particularly helpful when 
testing BCs not packaged with batteries. Again, these additional 
specifications allow the test procedure to return repeatable results 
when testing a wider variety of BCs beyond those included in the EPA 
ENERGY STAR program.
    Once the BC has been set to the correct mode or modes and the test 
battery or batteries have been identified, the measurements can begin. 
The measurement instructions are contained in section III of part 1, 
and specify how to condition, prepare, rest, charge, and discharge the 
battery, as well as which quantities to measure during each of these 
steps. Section III.A requires the tester to condition nickel-based 
batteries that have not been previously tested by charging them three 
times and discharging twice. This step is necessary because nickel-
based batteries must be cycled several times before their capacity 
stabilizes and the test results become representative of typical use. 
The next step, preparation, consists of a controlled discharge to the 
end-of-discharge voltage. This step ensures that the battery has been 
fully discharged and that the energy consumed by the charger as it 
takes the battery from a fully discharged to a fully charged state can 
be compared to the energy recovered from the battery. Finally, the 
battery is rested, allowing it to return to the ambient temperature. 
Since many battery parameters depend on temperature, this step further 
improves the repeatability of the test procedure. All three of these 
initial steps are required for ensuring the repeatability of the test 
procedure, and are incorporated into today's proposal, with the minor 
modifications presented in sections III.B.5.(c) and III.B.5.(d) of this 
notice.
    Section III of part 1 of the CEC test procedure requires measuring 
the energy consumed by the charger (as an integral of input power 
samples) when recharging the fully discharged and rested battery, but 
with any special charging functions (e.g., equalization) turned off. 
This requirement is a significant departure from the EPA test procedure 
because the EPA procedure does not record the energy consumed during 
charging. The CEC test procedure also requires testers to record 
further parameters such as temperature, power factor, and current crest 
factor.
    The CEC test procedure also specifies that the test must run for 24 
hours or longer, as required by the manufacturer or as determined by 
the tester through observation of the charger (see section II.E of the 
part 1). Although BCs work at different rates, the CEC test procedure 
subjects them all to a full 24-hour charge and maintenance test. This 
is done to (1) obtain a uniform metric for comparisons and (2) increase 
the likelihood that the input power to the charger measured at the end 
of the 24-hour period is representative of the maintenance-mode power 
usage that a user will encounter when he or she leaves a battery 
connected to the charger for an extended period of time, which is the 
case for BCs used in handheld vacuum cleaners and cordless telephones, 
among others. While DOE believes these procedural requirements have 
merit, DOE seeks comment from interested parties on whether it is 
possible to shorten the measurement period that the CEC procedure 
currently requires while preserving the accuracy and completeness of 
that procedure's measurements. This method is described further in 
section III.B.5.(b) of this notice.
    Finally, section IV of part 1 of the CEC test procedure describes 
the no-battery (standby) and off mode tests, while section V specifies 
the reporting requirements. Because DOE has already adopted standby and 
off mode test procedures for battery chargers, and because it specifies 
reporting requirements separately in section 430.22, it is not 
proposing today to incorporate these sections of the CEC test procedure 
into appendix Y.
    Part 2 of the CEC test procedure follows a similar structure to 
part 1, but adds requirements to measure the output of the charger, 
test the charger with the battery at three different depths-of-
discharge, and ensure charger-test battery compatibility, among others. 
These requirements may be needed to fully characterize the energy 
consumption of large lead-acid BCs for industrial applications; 
however, because DOE's current scope covers chargers for consumer 
products, DOE focused primarily on part 1, though the differences 
between the two parts are discussed in further detail in III.B.2. of 
this notice.
    As the above summary shows, the CEC test procedure is a complete 
and detailed energy efficiency test procedure that can serve as a basis 
for a DOE test procedure. The steps outlined above contribute to the 
accurate measurement of the energy efficiency of battery chargers and 
have been incorporated into today's proposal, except where a less 
burdensome or more accurate alternative exists. These departures are 
presented in more detail in the subsequent sections.
2. Scope
    The scope of the current DOE test procedure encompasses all 
BCs,\19\ regardless of input voltage. However, following the framework 
document public meeting, a member company of the Information Technology 
Industry (ITI) Council submitted a comment requesting that DOE limit 
testing to U.S. line-voltage AC input (115 volts at 60 hertz).\20\ (ITI 
member,\21\ No. 17 at p. 1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ ``The term `battery charger' means a device that charges 
batteries for consumer products, including battery chargers embedded 
in other consumer products. (42 U.S.C. 6291(32))
    \20\ AC line voltage in the U.S. is nominally 120 volts at 60 
hertz. However, several international test procedures specify 
testing at 115 volts, as that test condition will also be applicable 
to devices used in several South and Central American countries, 
where the AC line voltage is nominally 110 volts at 60 hertz.
    \21\ ITI submitted comments on behalf of one of its member 
companies, who wishes to remain anonymous. The comments submitted do 
not reflect the opinion of ITI.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Limiting the scope of the test procedure to encompass BCs with DC 
or U.S. line-voltage AC input would ensure that all consumer battery 
chargers intended for use in the U.S. will be covered, while preventing 
unnecessary testing of industrial BCs or consumer BCs intended for use 
outside of the U.S. Such a modification to the scope would also be 
consistent with DOE's treatment of EPSs, which are not only defined as 
a circuit ``used to convert household [line-voltage AC] electric 
current'' in the statute (42 U.S.C. 6291(36)), but are also tested at 
115 volts at 60 hertz, as specified in section 3 of appendix Z part 430 
of title 10 of the CFR.
    This limitation on input voltage would differentiate the proposed 
scope from that in the CEC BC test procedure. The proposed scope 
further differs from the CEC BC test procedure by including only BCs 
for consumer products. (42 U.S.C. 6291(32)) The CEC BC test procedure, 
on the other hand, covers not only BCs for consumer products, but also 
BCs for commercial and industrial applications such as forklifts and 
emergency egress lighting.
    Even though the CEC test procedure covers BCs for applications from 
all market segments, it is divided by input and output parameters and 
intended application, among other criteria. For example, part 1 of the 
CEC BC test procedure applies to consumer chargers with input power 
under 2 kilowatts, while part 2 applies primarily to larger industrial 
chargers and chargers for golf carts and other consumer motive 
equipment.

[[Page 16966]]

    Chargers for golf carts and other motive equipment were covered by 
part 2 of the CEC test procedure due to their similarity to large 
industrial BCs--both typically charge flooded lead-acid batteries. Part 
2 addresses the particular concerns of testing these flooded lead-acid 
systems, such as different charger and battery manufacturers, high 
charger efficiency (necessary due to high output power), and an 
unsealed battery construction permitting measurements of the 
temperature and specific gravity of the acid electrolyte to determine 
battery state.
    While these test procedure provisions may be necessary to 
accurately measure the energy efficiency of large industrial BCs, 
chargers for golf carts and other types of consumer motive equipment 
(collectively, consumer motive equipment) fall at the low-power end of 
the lead-acid BC range, where the need for a specialized test procedure 
is not as clear. For example, high-power industrial chargers are 
already highly efficient, so part 2 requires a series of tests under 
various conditions to detect any differences in energy consumption. On 
the other hand, there is sufficient efficiency variation in the 
consumer motive equipment BC market such that a less burdensome test 
procedure will suffice for energy consumption measurements. To 
accommodate consumer motive equipment within the BC test procedure, DO