[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 63 (Friday, April 2, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16958-16986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing 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: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: [email protected]. 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: 
[email protected]. 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: [email protected].
    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: [email protected].

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: 
http://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. http://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. http://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. http://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. http://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 http://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: http://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, DOE 
has two options:
    (1) Include BCs for consumer motive equipment batteries with those 
for all other consumer products, in a single test procedure based on 
part 1 of the CEC BC test procedure; or
    (2) Include BCs for consumer motive equipment in one test procedure 
based on part 2 of the CEC BC test procedure, while including BCs for 
all other consumer products in a second test procedure based on part 1 
of the CEC BC test procedure.
    Approach 2, above, would result in an additional DOE test procedure 
based on part 2 of the CEC test procedure. However, because DOE's scope 
does not extend to large industrial chargers, this additional test 
procedure would only cover chargers for golf carts and other consumer 
motive equipment. Under this approach, separate test setup and 
measurement requirements would need to be established to test a class 
of products with few models and limited shipments.
    However, a previous draft of the CEC test procedure included 
consumer motive equipment together with smaller consumer BCs, 
simplifying the testing requirements. Although the testing requirements 
for consumer motive equipment and the remaining consumer BCs were later 
separated into the two parts of the test procedure, an integrated test 
procedure remains valid for testing the efficiency of both classes of 
BCs.
    Therefore, rather than proposing a separate procedure that would 
cover only a single class of BCs (consumer motive equipment), DOE 
proposes to follow approach 1 above and include consumer motive 
equipment chargers under a general test procedure for all consumer 
products. The particulars of this proposed test procedure are discussed 
at length in the remainder of this section.
    For the reasons stated above, DOE proposes to amend section 1 of 
appendix Y to read as set out in the regulatory text of this NOPR.
    Nonetheless, DOE is also considering approach 2--adopting an 
additional test procedure for consumer motive equipment chargers based 
on part 2 of the CEC test procedure--given sufficient comment and 
supporting data from interested parties. DOE invites interested parties 
to comment on both approaches. In particular, DOE seeks comment on the 
applicability of part 1 of the CEC test procedure, and today's proposed 
test procedure, to BCs for golf carts and other consumer motive 
equipment and the testing burden of part 2 of the CEC test procedure 
compared to part 1 of the CEC test procedure and today's proposed test 
procedure. DOE also seeks comment generally on the completeness of the 
battery chemistries included in its proposal.
3. Definitions
    DOE is proposing to incorporate elements of the CEC test procedure 
into the current version of appendix Y. For example, some of the CEC 
definitions differed slightly from those in section 2 of appendix Y, 
while other terms used in the CEC test procedure were undefined in 
appendix Y. Because of these discrepancies, DOE is proposing to amend 
section 2 of appendix Y (definitions) by amending, deleting, and 
incorporating new definitions to prevent potential confusion with 
respect to today's proposal. Finally, DOE is proposing to remove 
definitions used only in section 4(a) of appendix Y (inactive mode 
energy consumption measurement), which DOE also proposes to remove (see 
section III.B.5. (a) of this notice).
    The specific changes proposed in today's notice consist of a series 
of deletions, amendments and additions. First, DOE proposes to remove 
the definitions of ``accumulated nonactive energy'' and ``energy ratio 
or nonactive energy ratio.'' Second, DOE proposes to modify the 
definitions of ``active mode,'' ``multi-port charger,'' ``multi-voltage 
a la carte charger,'' and ``standby mode.'' Finally, DOE proposes to 
add definitions for ``active power or real power (P),'' ``ambient 
temperature,'' ``apparent power (S),'' ``batch charger,'' ``battery 
rest period,'' ``rated energy capacity,'' ``C-rate,'' ``crest factor,'' 
``equalization,'' ``instructions or manufacturer's instructions,'' 
``measured charge capacity'' ``power factor,'' ``rated battery 
voltage,'' ``rated charge capacity,'' ``total harmonic distortion 
(THD),'' and ``unit under test (UUT).'' By amending, deleting, and 
incorporating new definitions, DOE aims to improve the clarity and 
utility of its test procedure for BCs.
(a) Deletions of Existing Definitions
    DOE is proposing to delete the definitions of ``accumulated 
nonactive energy'' and ``energy ratio or nonactive energy ratio.'' 
These definitions are no longer useful since they relate only to the 
inactive energy consumption measurement (section 4(b)), which DOE is 
proposing to remove from appendix Y in today's notice.
(b) Revisions to Existing Definitions
    DOE is proposing to update some of the definitions codified in 
appendix Y by the EPACT 2005 En Masse final rule, 71 FR 71368, to avoid 
confusion in their application to the proposed BC active mode test 
procedure. Specifically, DOE proposes to modify the definition of 
``active mode'' by adding the alternative term ``charge mode'' to the 
definition. As these two terms are often used interchangeably, DOE 
believes that this change will reduce the confusion between the two 
terms.
    Also, DOE proposes to modify the definition of ``multi-port 
charger'' and ``multi-voltage a la carte charger.'' The definitions of 
``multi-port charger'' and ``multi-voltage a la carte charger'' 
included in appendix Y did not previously specify that they encompassed 
a batch charger (see section III.B.3. (c)). As both the proposed BC 
active mode test procedure and the CEC test procedure upon which it is 
based rely on the characteristics of the charger when specifying the 
batteries to be used for the test, DOE is proposing to replace the 
current definitions in appendix Y with those in the CEC test procedure 
to ensure that battery selection for these types of BCs will be 
performed in the same manner.
    Finally, DOE proposes to modify the definition of BC ``standby 
mode,'' which is synonymous with ``no-battery mode.'' These two terms 
are already included in the definition; however, DOE proposes

[[Page 16967]]

to remove the parenthetical and simply present both terms for 
consistency with its other definitions. DOE is proposing to redefine 
this term in section 2.24 of appendix Y, as set out in the regulatory 
text of this NOPR.
(c) Additions of New Definitions
    Although the EPACT 2005 En Masse final rule inserted numerous 
definitions into appendix Y, 71 FR 71368, the expansion of the BC test 
procedure to include active mode requires DOE to propose additional 
definitions in today's notice. These proposed definitions (as well as 
the proposed procedure) are based on those used by the CEC and help 
clarify the proposed active mode test procedure. Nonetheless, these 
definitions have broader applicability, as they are based in large part 
on established international standards (e.g., International 
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard 62301, Household Electrical 
Appliances--Measurement of Standby Power, or Institute of Electrical 
and Electronics Engineers standard 1515-2000, Recommended Practice for 
Electronic Power Subsystems: Parameter Definitions, Test Conditions, 
and Test Methods). Furthermore, some of these definitions had 
previously been incorporated into the DOE EPS test procedure in 
appendix Z. 74 FR 13335.
    By adopting the following definitions, DOE hopes to avoid confusion 
or inconsistency in the application of its proposed test procedure. 
Accordingly, DOE is proposing to incorporate definitions that are 
consistent with the CEC test procedure for the following terms in 
section 2 of appendix Y: ``batch charger,'' ``battery rest period,'' 
``equalization,'' ``power factor,'' ``rated energy capacity,'' and 
``rated battery voltage.'' The Department is also proposing new 
definitions for ``active power or real power (P),'' ``ambient 
temperature,'' ``apparent power (S),'' ``C-rate,'' ``crest factor,'' 
``instructions or manufacturer's instructions,'' ``measured charge 
capacity,'' ``rated charge capacity,'' ``total harmonic distortion 
(THD),'' and ``unit under test (UUT).'' The proposed definitions are 
detailed below.
    DOE is proposing to define ``active power or real power (P)'' using 
the definition found in IEEE standard 1515-2000, rather than the 
definition in the CEC test procedure. The CEC test procedure defines 
active power as the average of instantaneous power taken over one or 
more periods of time. In contrast, IEEE Standard 1515-2000 defines 
active power as the integral over one period of the product of the 
voltage and current waveforms divided by the period. DOE believes that 
the approach of IEEE Standard 1515-2000 is preferable because it is 
clearer and, as the industry standard, more widely accepted. 
Accordingly, DOE is proposing to define this term in appendix Y, 
section 2.2, as set out in the regulatory text of this NOPR.
    DOE proposes to include a definition for ``ambient temperature'' in 
its test procedure based on the CEC definition except for the addition 
of the word ``immediately.'' The primary reason for this change is to 
make the proposed DOE definition in appendix Y consistent with appendix 
Z and IEEE standard 1515-2000. Furthermore, the inclusion of the word 
``immediately'' limits the definition to only the volume of air within 
close proximity to the unit under test. It is the temperature of this 
particular volume of air, and not of that elsewhere in the test room--
that could potentially impact the test results.\22\ DOE is proposing to 
define this term as set out in the regulatory text of this NOPR.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ The efficiency of BCs is dependent on temperature. 
Therefore, the test procedure specifies the ambient temperature to 
ensure consistent results between tests.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE notes that although it is not proposing to set a specified 
distance within which this temperature measure must be taken (e.g., 5 
feet from the unit under test in all directions), it is considering the 
inclusion of such a requirement in order to minimize the risks of 
potential gaming during compliance certification testing. Comments from 
the public on this particular issue are also sought.
    To achieve consistency with the proposed definition of active mode, 
DOE proposes to include a definition for ``apparent power (S)'' in its 
test procedure that would incorporate language from the CEC test 
procedure (which is the same as that in appendix Z and IEEE standard 
1515-2000), with the sole exception of specifying that the measurement 
be expressed in volt-amperes. This change achieves consistency with the 
active mode because that definition also specifies the units of 
measurement. Apparent power is used in the power factor definition and 
is included for consistency with the CEC test procedure, which includes 
a similar definition. DOE is proposing to define this term in appendix 
Y, section 2.4 as set out in the regulatory text of this NOPR.
    DOE is also proposing a definition of ``batch charger'' based on 
the CEC definition. DOE believes that the CEC definition for ``batch 
charger'' is clear and concise, and is proposing that the definition be 
adopted verbatim. DOE is proposing to define this term in appendix Y, 
section 2.5 as set out in the regulatory text of this NOPR.
    DOE is proposing to include a definition for ``battery rest 
period'' in the test procedure, adopted verbatim from the CEC test 
procedure. ``Battery rest period'' is the period between preparing the 
battery and the battery discharge test, as well as the period between 
the battery discharge test and the charge and maintenance mode test. 
DOE is proposing to define this term in appendix Y, section 2.9 as set 
out in the regulatory text of this NOPR.
    The proposed ``C-rate'' definition is based on the CEC test 
procedure, but has been modified to remove the example C-rate 
calculation, retaining only the definition. C-rate is used in the test 
procedure to describe the rate of charge and discharge during testing. 
DOE is proposing to define this term in appendix Y, section 2.10 as set 
out in the regulatory text of this NOPR.
    The proposed definition for ``crest factor'' is based on the 
definition in the CEC test procedure. Crest factor, which refers to the 
ratio of the peak instantaneous value of a quantity to its root-mean-
square (RMS) value, is recorded when performing the charge mode and 
battery maintenance mode test. IEEE standard 1515-2000 and IEC standard 
62301 both define this term in a manner similar to CEC. DOE is 
proposing to adopt the definition from the two industry standards, as 
that version is more concise. DOE is proposing to define this term in 
appendix Y, section 2.12 as set out in the regulatory text of this 
NOPR.
    The proposed definition for ``equalization'' has been taken 
verbatim from the CEC test procedure. The equalization charge is not 
tested under the proposed test procedure, since it is considered one of 
the ``special charge cycles that are recommended only for occasional 
use to preserve battery health.'' DOE is proposing to define this term 
in appendix Y, section 2.13 as set out in the regulatory text of this 
NOPR.
    The proposed definition for ``instructions or manufacturer's 
instructions'' is based on the ``instructions'' definition from the CEC 
test procedure, which states that `` `instructions' includes any 
information on the packaging or on the product itself * * * 
`Instructions' also includes any service manuals or data sheets that 
the manufacturer offers for sale to independent service technicians, 
whether printed or in electronic form.'' DOE is proposing to expand the 
scope of this definition by also including information about the 
product that is

[[Page 16968]]

available on the manufacturer's website. These instructions, which only 
include those materials available at the time of the test, must be 
followed when setting up the battery charging system, except when in 
conflict with the requirements of this test procedure. DOE is proposing 
this change in the definition because the test procedure must be 
representative of typical use, and users will only be influenced by 
instructions publicly available at the time of the test. DOE is 
proposing to define this term in appendix Y, section 2.14 as set out in 
the regulatory text of this NOPR.
    The proposed definition for ``measured charge capacity'' is based 
on the ``measured charge capacity'' definition from the CEC test 
procedure, but replaces the term ``rate'' with ``current'' and 
``final'' with ``specified end-of-discharge.'' These changes were made 
to clarify the definition by replacing general words with words that 
are more specific. In the proposed test procedure, the measured charge 
capacity must be calculated for those batteries that do not have a 
rated charge capacity. DOE is proposing to define this term in Y, 
section 2.15, as set out in the regulatory text of this NOPR.
    The proposed definition for ``power factor'' has been taken 
verbatim from the ``power factor'' definition in the CEC test 
procedure. This definition is also present in IEEE standard 1515-2000 
as ``power factor (true).'' The power factor is recorded when 
performing the charge mode and battery maintenance mode test. DOE is 
proposing to define this term in appendix Y, section 2.20 as set out in 
the regulatory text of this NOPR.
    The proposed definition for ``rated battery voltage'' is based on 
the ``rated battery voltage'' definition from the CEC test procedure. 
The definition varies from the CEC definition in that it replaces the 
phrase ``a batch of batteries includes series connections'' with 
``there are multiple batteries that are connected in series,'' replaces 
``batch'' with ``batteries,'' and replaces ``times'' with ``multiplied 
by.'' The rated battery voltage is recorded before testing and is used 
to calculate rated energy capacity. DOE is proposing to define this 
term in appendix Y, section 2.21 as set out in the regulatory text of 
this NOPR.
    The proposed definition for ``rated charge capacity'' is based on 
the ``rated charge capacity'' definition from the CEC test procedure. 
DOE is proposing to add the clause ``the manufacturer states the 
battery can store under specified test conditions,'' to clarify the 
definition. DOE is also proposing to replace the phrase ``a batch of 
batteries included parallel connections'' with ``there are multiple 
batteries that are connected in parallel,'' ``batch'' with 
``batteries,'' and ``times'' with ``multiplied by.'' The rated charge 
capacity is used in the proposed test procedure to select the battery 
used for testing when there are no batteries packaged with the charger 
and there are multiple batteries with the lowest rated voltage. DOE is 
proposing to define this term in appendix Y, section 2.22 as set out in 
the regulatory text of this NOPR.
    The proposed definition for ``rated energy capacity'' has been 
taken verbatim from the ``calculated energy capacity'' definition in 
the CEC test procedure. DOE changed the word ``calculated'' to 
``rated'' to emphasize that the value is computed using only rated 
values. The definition is proposed to avoid confusion with the term 
``measured charge capacity.'' DOE is proposing to define this term in 
appendix Y, section 2.23 as set out in the regulatory text of this 
NOPR.
    DOE also proposes defining ``total harmonic distortion (THD),'' 
clarifying the input voltage requirements of the proposed test 
procedure. A variation of the definition (with an associated equation) 
is also present in IEEE standard 1515-2000 as well as in appendix Z. 
The inclusion of a THD requirement ensures the presence of a 
sufficiently sinusoidal input voltage waveform, which is necessary for 
repeatability. This factor is important when measuring the energy use 
of these products because the energy consumption of BCs depends on the 
shape of the input voltage waveform. The THD of the input voltage is 
required to be <= 2%, up to and including the 13th harmonic.\23\ The 
proposed definition for this term would appear in appendix Z, section 
2.25 and reads as set out in the regulatory text of this NOPR.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ Any periodic signal can be decomposed into a sum of sine 
waves at integer multiples of its fundamental frequency (the inverse 
of the period of repetition). The signal can be represented by a 
sine wave at the same frequency as the original, plus a second sine 
wave at twice the frequency, plus a third sine wave at three times 
the frequency, and so on. These sine waves are known as 
``harmonics.'' Although the number of harmonics are infinite in 
number, their amplitude tends to decrease precipitously with each 
subsequent harmonic, such that it is reasonable to stop the 
measurement at a particular harmonic, and the 13th has been found to 
be sufficient in practice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE proposes defining the term ``unit under test (UUT)'' in its 
battery charger test procedure based on the CEC test procedure 
definition, to clarify the term. The abbreviation ``UUT'' is defined in 
IEEE standard 1515-2000 and used throughout the proposed test procedure 
in place of the terms ``battery charger'' and ``test battery.'' This 
proposed change would simplify the test procedure text. DOE is 
proposing to define this term in appendix Y, section 2.26 as set out in 
the regulatory text of this NOPR.
4. Test Apparatus and General Instructions
    Appendix Y, section 3 currently specifies that the test apparatus, 
standard testing conditions, and instructions for testing battery 
chargers shall conform to the requirements specified in section 4, 
``Standard Testing Conditions,'' of the EPA's ``Test Methodology for 
Determining the Energy Performance of Battery Charging Systems.'' As 
described below, DOE is proposing to remove the existing test apparatus 
and general instruction, and include sections I and II (the standard 
test conditions and battery charger system set up) of part 1 of the CEC 
test procedure, with minor revisions to improve the procedure's 
clarity.
(a) Confidence Intervals
    The CEC test procedure specifies that all ``[m]easurements of 
active power of 0.5 W or greater shall be made with an uncertainty of 
<= 2%. Measurements of active power of less than 0.5 W shall be made 
with an uncertainty of <= 0.01 W.'' However, the CEC test procedure 
does not specify any confidence levels to which these uncertainty 
measurements must adhere. The proposed uncertainty requirements for 
testing equipment specified are equivalent to those in the current CEC 
test procedure, with the addition of an explicit confidence qualifier. 
This qualifier, which is necessary when expressing uncertainty in 
measurement, is the 95 percent confidence level customarily employed in 
experimental work, which accounts for errors that fall within two 
standard deviations of the mean of a normal distribution. The proposed 
uncertainty requirements would make the test procedure consistent with 
standard engineering practice.
(b) Temperature
    The temperature range currently specified in the CEC test procedure 
is 20 [deg]C  5 [deg]C. However, this low temperature range 
is difficult to maintain while testing in warmer climates. DOE is 
proposing raising the temperature specifications to 25 [deg]C  5 [deg]C to create a testing environment that is achievable 
across diverse climates. All of the consumer BC tests conducted to date 
by parties other than DOE \24\ and mentioned at the framework document

[[Page 16969]]

public meeting (PG&E, No. 13 at p. 6) were performed at temperatures 
between 20 and 27 degrees Celsius, which would be covered by the higher 
temperature range proposed in today's notice. By adjusting the 
temperature control within the test room in this manner, the testing 
burden will be lessened without sacrificing the accuracy and 
repeatability of the test procedure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ BC efficiency test data submitted by Pacific Gas and 
Electric (collected by its technical consultant Ecos) are available 
on DOE's website. Please see: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/battery_external_std_2008.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) AC Input Voltage and Frequency
    The CEC test procedure requires, when possible, the testing of 
units that accept AC line-voltage input at two voltage and frequency 
combinations, 115 volts at 60 hertz and 230 volts at 50 hertz. As 
mentioned in section III.B.2., above, an ITI member company commented 
that testing should be limited to the U.S. line voltage (115 volts, 60 
hertz) (ITI member, No. 17 at p. 1).
    Since DOE's scope of coverage extends only to consumer BCs 
operating in the United States, DOE is proposing to require that BCs 
only be tested at the U.S. AC line voltage, 115V at 60Hz, even if they 
can also be operated at other voltages and frequencies (for worldwide 
use). This change will harmonize the DOE BC test procedure with the 
current EPS test procedure, which also specifies that ``[t]he UUT shall 
be tested at 115 V [volts] at 60 Hz [hertz].'' Since DOE is already 
proposing to limit the scope of its test procedure to cover BCs 
intended for operation at U.S. AC line voltage--whether or not they are 
also capable of operation at other voltages--limiting the testing to 
the U.S. input voltage and frequency should reduce the testing burden 
by half for BCs with universal input voltage (i.e., capable of 
operating at both 115 and 230 volts) without impacting the 
representativeness of the test procedure.
(d) Charge Rate Selection
    Section II.A (general setup) of part 1 of the CEC test procedure 
requires that, ``If the battery charger has user controls to select 
from two or more charge rates (such as regular or fast charge) or 
different charge currents, the test shall be conducted with each of the 
possible choices.'' However, this option presents a large burden on 
manufacturers as each test can take over 24 hours to complete, which 
could take a manufacturer several days to complete testing of a single 
unit.
    DOE believes that, given a choice, users will opt for the fastest 
charge that does not impact the battery's long term health, as 
evidenced by the popularity of successively faster chargers in the 
market. In light of this observation, to limit the test procedure 
burden while still maintaining its representativeness, DOE is proposing 
that, if the battery charger has user controls to select from two or 
more charge rates, the test shall be conducted at the fastest charge 
rate that is recommended by the manufacturer for everyday use.
(e) Battery Selection
    Section II.C of part 1 of the CEC test procedure requires that 
multi-voltage, multi-port, and/or multi-capacity chargers be tested 
numerous times, with a variety of batteries. Again, since each test 
takes over 24 hours, following this aspect of the CEC procedure will 
result in more than three days of testing for some BCs. Interested 
parties also acknowledge the issue: an ITI member suggested that in 
cases where a battery charger offers multiple outputs, but one output 
is the primary intended scenario, the BC should only be tested using 
that output. (ITI member, No. 17 at p. 1)
    Since any BC is a ``multi-capacity'' charger,\25\ this burden is 
not limited to just a few specialty BCs. Manufacturers of products with 
user-replaceable batteries (e.g., cellular telephones, power tools, 
etc.) tend to sell high-capacity add-on batteries, and the capacity of 
the replacement batteries increases gradually as battery technology 
improves with time. As a result, many BCs would need to be tested twice 
(once with the lowest and once with the highest capacity battery), 
which is a step included in the CEC test procedure. Furthermore, these 
BCs may require re-testing as new higher-capacity batteries are 
released after the manufacture of the original product. To reduce the 
number of tests, DOE is focusing on the typical usage scenario--i.e., 
testing with the battery packaged with the charger. Since most users 
will not purchase the additional higher-capacity battery, the proposed 
DOE test procedure would require testing using only the battery 
packaged with the charger.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ Unless controlled by a timer, a BC designed for a specific 
voltage, chemistry, and physical package can charge all batteries of 
the same voltage, chemistry, and physical package, regardless of 
capacity. The only difference will be the charge time, which will 
increase with battery charge capacity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If multiple batteries or no batteries are packaged with the 
charger, DOE proposes selecting batteries for testing from those 
recommended for use with the BC by the manufacturer. In the absence of 
any recommendation, the batteries for test would be selected from any 
suitable for use with the charger. If these batteries vary in voltage 
or capacity, the charger would be tested with (1) The lowest voltage, 
lowest capacity battery; (2) the highest voltage, lowest capacity 
battery; and (3) the highest total energy capacity battery, as 
applicable. In each case, the term ``battery'' refers to one or more 
cells in one or more separate enclosures.
    The proposed battery selection procedure described above for 
chargers packaged either with multiple or no batteries is consistent 
with section II.C of part 1 of the CEC test procedure. Because this 
procedure may result in multiple tests spanning several days for a 
single charger, DOE is also considering an alternative battery 
selection procedure that would require that the BC only be tested with 
the most typical battery intended for use with the BC. This alternative 
approach would attempt to reduce the testing burden while measuring ``a 
representative average use cycle,'' as required by statute. (42 U.S.C. 
6293(b)(3))
    Nonetheless, due to insufficient information regarding the typical 
batteries used with chargers that are packaged with multiple batteries 
or packaged without batteries, DOE is unable to ensure that tests 
limited to just one battery (e.g., the lowest capacity battery) would 
be representative of typical use. Therefore, DOE welcomes comments from 
interested parties on (1) the typical use of chargers for standard-
sized, AA and AAA batteries and 12 volt lead-acid batteries, which are 
used with a variety of batteries, and (2) the likely burden due to the 
proposed battery selection method, which is based on the CEC test 
procedure.
(f) Non-Battery Charging Functions
    The proposed active mode BC test procedure retains the instructions 
concerning additional functionality from section II.D of part 1 of the 
CEC test procedure, which requires the tester to turn off any user-
controlled functions and disconnect all auxiliary electrical 
connections to the BC. These instructions address the two types of 
additional functionality typically included with battery chargers, 
i.e., connections with other systems (e.g., cordless telephone base) 
and user interaction (e.g., power tool charger radio).
    The first type of additional functionality is exemplified by 
cordless telephone bases that monitor the state of the telephone line 
and/or store voicemail messages. These types of devices provide an 
added utility through connection with other systems, e.g., the 
telephone line. Because the additional functionality relies on the 
connection to other parts of the system, manufacturers can use a 
physical disconnection (required by the proposed

[[Page 16970]]

BC active mode test procedure) as a signal to the device to disable the 
additional functionality and reduce power consumption to the level of a 
BC that is not equipped with that additional functionality.
    The second type of additional functionality is exemplified by a 
power tool charger radio that provides an interface for operation by 
the user. Because this type of device already relies on users to 
operate it, a manufacturer should be able to add or repurpose one of 
the interface elements to allow a user (and tester) to turn off the 
additional functionality of the device. Doing so would reduce the 
device's power consumption to a level comparable with BCs and EPSs 
without the additional functionality. In either case, the energy 
consumption of the additional functionality can be substantially 
reduced, if not eliminated, which would reduce the energy consumption 
of the BC to the level of similar BCs equipped without additional 
functionality.
    If adopted, the instructions in section 4.4 of the proposed test 
procedure would allow the BC to decrease the energy consumption of any 
additional functionality to a negligible level. Therefore, DOE does not 
expect to make any allowances for energy consumption due to additional 
functionality in the corresponding energy conservation standard. 
Nonetheless, DOE welcomes suggestions from interested parties on how it 
should address additional functionality.
(g) Determining the Charge Capacity of Batteries with No Rating
    Section II.G of the CEC test procedure requires the use of trial-
and-error to estimate the charge capacity \26\ of batteries when it is 
not provided by the manufacturer. Reaching results in this manner would 
likely not be repeatable. Therefore, the method that DOE is proposing 
today explicitly lays out the iterative steps required to measure the 
battery capacity, providing a clear process which will likely limit the 
time required to determine the charge capacity and produce a more 
repeatable result than the trial-and-error method.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ This parameter corresponds to the amount of charge a 
battery can store and is a function of the size and chemical 
composition of the battery. The testing technician must obtain this 
parameter to calculate the discharge current necessary to measure 
the battery energy during the discharge test.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Test Measurement
    Appendix Y, section 4 is currently divided into sections (a), (b), 
(c), and (d), as discussed above. DOE is proposing to: (1) Remove the 
existing inactive mode energy consumption measurement in section 4(a); 
(2) retain sections 4(c) and 4(d), which contain the standby and off 
mode test procedures; and (3) insert section III of part 1 of the CEC 
test procedure, ``Measuring the Battery Charger System Efficiency,'' 
into section 4(b) with minor revisions for clarity and the following 
substantive modifications. Finally, DOE proposes renumbering the 
resulting section 4 for ease of reference and use by testing 
technicians.
    (a) Removing Inactive Mode Energy Consumption Test Apparatus and 
Measurement
    The inactive mode energy consumption measurement in section 4(a) of 
appendix Y requires integrating the input power to the BC over numerous 
hours in maintenance and no-battery modes and dividing it by the 
battery energy measured during discharge, resulting in a non-active 
energy ratio. The standby and off mode test procedure final rule added 
a requirement to measure standby (no-battery) and off mode energy 
consumption, 74 FR 13334, while today's proposal includes requirements 
to measure active (charge) and maintenance modes. Because these test 
procedure updates would collectively result in a BC test procedure that 
measures battery charger energy consumption in all four modes--active 
(charge), maintenance, standby (no-battery), and off--there is no 
longer a continued need for the inactive mode test procedure adopted on 
December 8, 2006. Therefore, in today's notice, DOE proposes to strike 
the inactive mode energy consumption measurement from section 4(a).
(b) Charge Test Duration
    During the 2009 public meeting, DOE sought comment on shortening 
the 24-hour test period specified in the CEC procedure. The Power Tool 
Institute (PTI) saw no problem in shortening the maintenance mode test 
period (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 190), whereas AHAM and Wahl Clipper 
Corporation (Wahl) commented that a 24-hour charge cycle should be used 
as the basis for measuring active mode energy consumption. (AHAM, No. 
16 at p. 2; Wahl, No. 23 at p. 1) Ecos Consulting (Ecos) added that a 
shorter test period was considered during the development of the CEC 
procedure but explained that it was not feasible to incorporate a 
shorter test period since many batteries have a much longer charge 
time. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 191-92) PTI specifically cited 
nickel-cadmium as an example of a battery chemistry that requires 
charge of at least 16 hours, cautioning that if the active charge 
window were shortened, only a portion of the charge energy would be 
captured by the measurement. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 190) Ecos 
also indicated that although charge indicator lights are reliable 
determinants of active mode duration, they are only included in roughly 
one-third of chargers and therefore cannot be relied on to shorten the 
measurement period in all cases. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 193)
    Although a shortened test period would reduce the burden on 
manufacturers, the 24-hour charge energy metric provides uniformity 
between tests and enables BCs for cellular telephones to be easily 
compared with BCs for cordless telephones, regardless of how long each 
BC spends actually charging a battery. In today's notice, DOE is 
proposing using a 24-hour charge and maintenance energy measurement 
consistent with the CEC test procedure, but is inviting interested 
parties to comment on incorporating an optional, shorter test period, 
described below.
    To accommodate the comments of interested parties, DOE is proposing 
to retain the 24-hour test period but seeks comment on possibly 
supplementing it with an optional shortened test period that can be 
used when feasible. The proposal outlines scenarios where a shorter 
test period would be appropriate. These scenarios would require that a 
testing technician must determine that the BC is in steady-state 
operation in maintenance mode, at which point the input power no longer 
changes. In other words, continuing the test past this point under this 
scenario would not yield any new information regarding the energy 
consumption characteristics of the tested unit.
    In the shortened test procedure, the BC would undergo an initial 
charging period with a duration determined by the state of a charge 
indicator light, manufacturers' instructions, or, in the absence of the 
above, a minimum of 4 hours. Following this, the technician would 
inspect the input power to the BC, and the BC would be in a steady 
state if its input power does not vary by more than 2 percent over a 1-
hour period. A relatively constant input power over a significant 
length of time indicates that the BC has finished charging the battery 
and entered maintenance mode. Since, absent user interaction, the BC is 
expected to remain in this mode for all future time, it should be 
possible to stop the test early and extrapolate the energy measurement 
to the full 24-hour period.

[[Page 16971]]

    This extrapolation is done by taking the energy consumption from 
the beginning of the test to the point when the BC entered steady-state 
operation and adding it to the steady-state maintenance mode power 
multiplied by the remaining number of hours in the test. This procedure 
is shown in detail in Eq. 1, below.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02AP10.000

Where:

E24 EXTRAPOLATED is the 24-hour energy estimate 
calculated through extrapolation;
tSTEADY-STATE is the time at which the charger entered steady-state 
operation;
E CHARGE [bond] t=0
 tSTEADY-STATE
 is the energy consumption from the beginning of the test to the 
point when the BC entered steady-state operation and the test was 
interrupted;
PMAINT.STEADY-STATE is the maintenance power measured in steady 
state.

    In this manner, the testing time for some BCs may be shortened, 
freeing valuable laboratory equipment without impacting the uniformity 
of the 24-hour metric. DOE evaluated the results of shortening the test 
method for six ``fast'' battery chargers (e.g., lithium-ion battery 
chargers for notebook computer and DVD player applications) by 
utilizing data from 24-hour tests. DOE had simulated the effects of 
shortening the test period according to the proposed method described 
above, from 24 hours to an average of 5.7 hours, resulting in a time 
savings of 18.3 hours on average. Using only data obtained during these 
shortened test periods DOE then extrapolated 24-hour energy 
consumption. The calculated 24-hour energy consumption differed from 
the measured 24-hour energy consumption by an average of -1.1 percent, 
but with a range of -0.1 to +6.5 percent.
    The 24-hour energy consumption of the fast BC with the greatest 
variation was calculated to be 6.5 percent lower with the shortened 
test method than that measured with the full 24-hour test method. This 
BC met the steady state criteria (meaning the unit was in maintenance 
mode) that allowed the shortened test period to be used. However, once 
in maintenance mode, the BC would periodically ``wake up,'' presumably 
to provide pulses energy to the battery to counteract any self-
discharge. Since these pluses happened once the unit was in maintenance 
mode, they were not captured by the shortened test procedure (which 
would have terminated the test soon after the BC had entered 
maintenance mode). Therefore, the extrapolated 24-hour energy 
consumption was lower than the measured 24-hour energy consumption.
    Furthermore, DOE realizes that using the above method to shorten 
the measurement period for some ``slow'' chargers may also result in an 
extrapolated 24-hour energy consumption that differs widely from the 
measured 24-hour energy. For example, when the above test method was 
applied to nine slow chargers for nickel-metal hydride and lead-acid 
batteries, the extrapolated 24-hour energy consumption differs by 11.2 
percent from the measured 24-hour energy on average.
    In general, the input power to the BC during charging decreases 
with time, stopping the test early and extrapolating over the full 24 
hours will tend to result in a higher calculated 24-hour energy 
consumption unless the BC has entered steady state.\27\ Therefore, it 
is not in the manufacturer's interest to abuse this method and shorten 
the test inappropriately, as doing so will typically result in worse 
measured performance.\28\ Furthermore, any DOE enforcement testing will 
be performed using only the full 24-hour test procedure as the method 
to determine compliance with the standard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ Of the nine slow chargers mentioned above, all had higher 
extrapolated than measured 24-hour energy consumption, some by as 
much as 30 percent.
    \28\ This generalization does not apply to chargers such as the 
fast charge mentioned above, which periodically wake up during 
maintenance mode.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because of the potential for significant discrepancies in results 
between the shortened and full, 24-hour measurement methods, DOE is not 
proposing to depart from the 24-hour method currently in the CEC test 
procedure. Nonetheless, DOE would like to invite interested parties to 
comment on allowing the shortened test method for units that meet the 
steady state criteria described above. After reviewing the comments DOE 
will consider incorporating this latter test method into the test 
procedure in the final rule. In particular, DOE would be interested in 
(1) a comparison of testing burden for the shortened and full testing 
methods, as well as (2) an assessment of the measurement variability 
between the two methods across a wide range of BCs.
(c) Battery Conditioning
    Section III.A of part 1 of the CEC test procedure specifies that 
battery conditioning must be performed on all batteries, with the 
exception of lead-acid or lithium-based batteries. Battery conditioning 
is the process by which the battery is cycled several times prior to 
testing to permit the battery to reach its specified capacity. By 
conditioning the battery in this manner, any taken measurement will be 
representative of typical use. DOE's proposed active mode test 
procedure requires that the battery undergo two full charges followed 
by two full discharges, ending on a discharge. The third charge present 
in section III.A of the CEC test procedure has been removed from the 
proposal pursuant to the reversed testing order described in section 
III.B.5. (e), below.
(d) Battery Preparation
    Section III.B of the CEC test procedure has a provision that 
requires preparing the battery for testing by performing a controlled 
discharge to a specified end-of-discharge voltage. This preparatory 
step ensures that the BC test begins and ends with the battery at the 
same known state--namely, fully discharged--such that all the energy 
consumed during the charge test can be fairly compared to the energy 
obtained from the battery during the discharge test. DOE's proposed 
active mode test procedure would likewise prepare the battery by 
bringing it to a known state prior to starting the test. However, the 
battery preparation would consist of charging the battery instead of 
discharging due to the proposed reversed testing order described below.
(e) Reversed Testing Order
    In DOE's proposed BC active mode test procedure, the discharge test 
would be performed prior to the charge test, in reverse order of the 
CEC test procedure: The battery would be (1) Conditioned, if necessary; 
(2) charged until full by the BC under test, in preparation for the 
measurement; (3) discharged; and (4) recharged by the BC under test. 
The discharge energy in step (3) and the input power to the BC in step 
(4), above, would be measured. The proposed reversal of the test order 
will have no impact on the measured charge or discharge energy because 
the BC-battery system is deterministic and will behave in the same 
manner given the same inputs and environmental conditions.

[[Page 16972]]

The energy recovered from the battery during discharge will be the same 
whether it is measured once or many times (ignoring the long-term 
effects of storage or cycling), as will the charge energy consumed by 
the charger. Therefore, the order in which these steps are performed 
does not matter, as long as the measurement encompasses the entirety of 
a charge-discharge or discharge-charge cycle and all the energy 
consumed by the charger is accounted for during discharge, and vice-
versa.
    While reversing the testing order such that the discharge is 
performed prior to the charge would have no impact on the measurement 
results, it would allow the preparatory step to be a charge rather than 
a discharge. This distinction is important because it allows 
preparation to be conducted in the UUT, rather than a battery analyzer, 
and require less test equipment time. Thus, the proposed test procedure 
would further decrease testing burden without impacting accuracy.
(f) End of Discharge for Other Chemistries
    Table D in part 1 of the CEC test procedure instructs that the end-
of-discharge voltage for any battery chemistry not listed explicitly in 
the table be found ``Per appropriate IEC standard.'' However, DOE 
cannot incorporate in its test procedure an open-ended reference to a 
non-existent standard. To address this concern, DOE spoke with members 
of industry and reviewed the literature \29\ to identify which 
chemistries are likely to become popular in the near future as well as 
the end-of-discharge voltages associated with them. These chemistries 
would be explicitly included in the table of end-of-discharge voltages 
in the proposed test procedure. The additional chemistries would 
include nanophosphate lithium-ion and silver-zinc. If batteries of 
other chemistries are developed in the future, they would be addressed 
through the waiver process or a revision to the test procedure. DOE 
invites comments on whether the battery chemistries and associated 
discharge voltages contained in its proposed list are sufficient or 
require modification.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ See, for example: A123 Systems, ``High Power Lithium Ion 
ANR26650M1A,'' April 2009, http://www.a123systems.com/cms/product/pdf/1/ANR26650M1A_Datasheet_APRIL_2009.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Review of Battery Charger and External Power Supply Standby and Off 
Mode Test Procedures

    In the March 2009 final rule, DOE adopted a 1-hour test duration 
for the BC standby and off mode tests, based on the abbreviated test 
method in the EPA's ``Test Methodology for Determining the Energy 
Performance of Battery Charging Systems, December 2005,'' previously 
incorporated by reference into appendix Y. 74 FR 13335. However, during 
the 2008 standby and off mode public meeting, interested parties 
suggested that the proposed 1-hour testing period be shortened further. 
Nonetheless, as mentioned in the March 2009 final rule, the BC standby 
mode test procedure must take into account equipment warm up and low-
frequency pulsed operation to produce accurate and repeatable 
measurement results. 74 FR 13324.
    In today's notice, DOE proposes amending the test period to a 30-
minute warm up period followed by a 10-minute measurement period. This 
proposed modification would harmonize DOE's standby and off mode 
measurement procedures with sections IV.B and IV.C in part 1 of the 
optional CEC BC test procedure. Abbreviating the measurement period 
from 1 hour to 10 minutes will not affect the accuracy of the test 
because the amended test procedures would retain a 30-minute warm up 
period. Variations in component efficiency due to temperature are the 
most common reason for changes in BC energy consumption in standby and 
off modes, and the 30-minute warm up period would be sufficient to 
permit the input power of most BCs to stabilize. DOE recognizes that 
further instabilities (pulses) in energy consumption in standby and off 
modes may be caused by periodic operation of certain BC functions, as 
when a BC occasionally checks its output for the presence of the 
battery. In general, there is always a potential for a limited-time 
test procedure to fail to capture a behavior occurring at an arbitrary 
time, such that these pulses might be captured over a 1-hour 
measurement period but not in a 10-minute period. DOE has not, however, 
encountered any such cases in practice.
    Based on the above reasons, DOE believes that the shortened test 
measurement will reduce testing burdens on manufacturers while 
providing an accurate and repeatable test. Further, DOE is proposing to 
retain the remainder of its BC standby and off mode test procedure. 
Finally, DOE is not proposing any changes to the standby and off mode 
test procedures for EPSs. The proposed measurement periods for these 
test procedures are only as long as necessary to obtain a repeatable 
result and would not impose an additional burden on manufacturers, as 
both are based on and incorporate by reference the no-load measurement 
in the EPA single-voltage EPS test procedure. DOE seeks comment on the 
merits of this aspect of today's proposal.

D. Review of the Single-Voltage External Power Supply Test Procedure

    While DOE is interested in applying its single-voltage EPS test 
procedure (appendix Z to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430) to all single-
voltage EPSs subject to current or potential future standards, DOE 
recognizes that some EPSs may not be testable under the existing test 
procedure in a representative or repeatable manner. In particular, the 
following devices may pose issues for the current procedure: (1) EPSs 
that communicate with their loads; (2) EPSs that limit their output 
current below that specified on the nameplate; and (3) high-power EPSs 
that do not display a clear maximum output power on their nameplates. A 
discussion of these three types of EPSs follows, along with test 
procedure changes necessary to accommodate them. DOE is considering 
adopting these changes pending comment from interested parties. DOE is 
also proposing to redefine ``active power'' for consistency with 
appendix Y and industry standards.
1. EPSs That Communicate With Their Loads
    Some EPSs used for powering cellular telephones, notebook 
computers, and other consumer electronic products use USB and other 
protocols that require communication between the EPS and its load. 
Currently, DOE's single-voltage EPS test procedure incorporates by 
reference sections 4 and 5 of the CEC single-voltage EPS test 
procedure. Within these incorporated sections, the test procedure 
requires that ``the tests should be conducted on the two output wires 
that supply the output power * * * [t]he other wires * * * should be 
left electrically disconnected.''
    This requirement is problematic, however, because it may interfere 
with the operation of EPSs that require additional output wires for 
communication with their loads. For example, the USB specification \30\ 
requires devices to communicate over the data lines prior to 
transferring significant amounts of power (in excess of 1 ``unit load'' 
or approximately 0.5 watts). DOE is concerned that by requiring the 
disconnection of data lines, the existing single-voltage EPS test 
procedure may not test EPSs that use interfaces such as a USB in a

[[Page 16973]]

manner that would be representative of their power consumption when 
operating.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ ``Universal Serial Bus Specification, Revision 2.0,'' April 
27, 2000, p. 174. http://www.usb.org/developers/docs/usb_20_122909-2.zip.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The communication issue is not limited to EPSs with multiple sets 
of conductors. In some cases (e.g., EPSs for some notebook computers), 
the communication between an EPS and its load can occur over the same 
set of conductors that transfer power, using an AC-coupled signal. 
Initial evaluations indicate that such communication may be used to set 
the output voltage of an EPS intended for use with multiple computers 
made by the same manufacturer. Because these EPSs may need to identify 
their load prior to operation, measurements conducted in the laboratory 
without the intended load (as required by the DOE test procedure) may 
not be representative of typical use.
    DOE is uncertain of the extent of this problem in practice. In 
particular, although the cellular telephone industry is planning to 
adopt the USB interface as a ``universal charging solution'' for all 
handsets by 2012,\31\ DOE's analysis of EPSs for cellular applications 
indicates that the transition to USB-compliant EPSs has not yet begun. 
Examination of eight mobile phone EPSs with connectors with four or 
more pins (including mini-USB connectors) revealed that in only one 
case were these pins connected to any wires in the output cable. Even 
in the single case of multiple pairs of conductors, the EPS performed 
as specified when tested according to the DOE test procedure (i.e., 
with the additional wires disconnected), implying that no communication 
with the load was necessary for specified operation. Similarly, DOE has 
only been able to identify two models of EPSs for notebook computers 
that communicate with their loads. These observations lead DOE to 
believe that these products are not currently popular.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ GSM Association, ``Mobile Industry Unites to Drive 
Universal Charging Solution for Mobile Phones,'' GSM World, February 
17, 2009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Even though power supplies that communicate with their loads are a 
rarity today, DOE does foresee a need for the test procedure to 
accommodate them in the future. To address this need, DOE is 
considering amending the single-voltage EPS test procedure by 
permitting manufacturers to supply additional connection instructions 
or fixtures for testing EPSs that require communication with the load. 
Today's notice does not contain a specific proposal for amending the 
test procedure but solicits comments from interested parties on 
specific EPSs that cannot be tested in a representative manner 
according to the DOE single-voltage EPS test procedure, due to the test 
procedure's requirements that the EPS be tested with a dummy load and 
that all additional conductors be disconnected. DOE is also seeking 
comments regarding specific changes that the procedures would need to 
permit the testing of these devices. Any amendments to the test 
procedure in this regard would only apply to EPSs that must communicate 
with their loads and would have no impact on existing standards for 
Class A EPSs.
2. EPSs With Output Current Limiting
    As mentioned in section II.C., some EPSs limit their output current 
below that which is specified on their nameplate or in manufacturer 
datasheets. Whether due to manufacturing variation or another cause, 
this situation can be problematic because the current DOE test 
procedure may be unable to consistently measure the efficiency of these 
EPSs. The current DOE single-voltage EPS test procedure incorporates by 
reference the CEC single-voltage EPS test procedure and requires 
testing at fixed percentages (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 percent) of 
nameplate output current. However, the test procedure does not specify 
what to do in cases when the EPS limits output current as described 
above, such that it is unable to output 100 percent or even 75 percent 
of its nameplate output current--which would prevent one from obtaining 
one or more efficiency measurements specified under the procedure.
    DOE is considering several changes to the single-voltage EPS test 
procedure that would accommodate EPSs that limit their output current 
below that listed on the nameplate. In particular, DOE is considering 
adopting one of three options: (1) Ignore the loading points affected 
by output current limiting when calculating the average efficiency; (2) 
shift the loading points affected by output current limiting on a case-
by-case basis such that they are no longer affected by current limiting 
(i.e., if the EPS limits its output current to 90 percent of nameplate 
output current, calculate the active mode efficiency as the average of 
efficiencies at 25, 50, 75, and 90 percent load); or (3) record the 
efficiency as 0 percent for any loading points affected by output 
current limiting. DOE welcomes comments from interested parties on the 
prevalence of this issue as well as the above three proposed amendments 
under consideration.
3. High-Power EPSs
    The scope of DOE's single-voltage EPS test procedure already 
permits the testing of high-power EPSs, as do most of the test setup 
and test measurement instructions. The only limitation that DOE has 
encountered while attempting to test high-power EPSs in accordance with 
the DOE test procedure involved nameplate output current. As mentioned 
above, the test procedure requires the nameplate output current to 
calculate the loading points for efficiency measurements. However, some 
high-power EPSs do not specify the maximum output current on the 
nameplate.
    DOE partially addressed this issue in the standby and off mode test 
procedure final rule by modifying the definition of nameplate output 
current to include the output current provided by the manufacturer ``if 
absent from the housing'' of the EPS.\32\ 74 FR 13335. However, when 
manufacturers do provide output current information, they may specify 
two maximum values: one for intermittent output current and another for 
continuous output current. To enable the testing of high-power EPSs, 
DOE is considering making changes to the single-voltage EPS test 
procedure that would detail what to do in cases when more than one 
maximum output current is specified on the nameplate or provided by the 
manufacturer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ Manufacturers typically specify the performance of an EPS 
through datasheets and other marketing materials.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, DOE welcomes comments from interested parties on 
whether the situation where both intermittent and continuous output 
currents are listed on the EPS nameplate or in manufacturer 
documentation may cause confusion. Furthermore, DOE welcomes comments 
from interested parties on the potential impact of this confusion on 
the repeatability or representativeness of the single-voltage EPS test 
procedure already contained in appendix Z. DOE is considering amending 
the nameplate output power definition to specify that the maximum 
continuous current should be used as the nameplate output current when 
two or more currents are provided but seeks comments regarding the 
merits of this approach.
4. Active Power Definition
    As mentioned in section III.B.3. (c) of this notice, DOE is 
proposing to define ``active power'' in section 2 of appendix Y based 
on the definition in IEEE standard 1515-2000. The definition in IEEE 
standard 1515-2000 is the widely

[[Page 16974]]

accepted industry definition for ``active power.'' However, if adopted, 
this definition would differ from the one currently in appendix Z. To 
harmonize the two definitions, DOE is proposing to redefine this term 
in appendix Z, section 2.c, as set out in the regulatory text of this 
NOPR.

E. Multiple-Voltage External Power Supply Test Procedure

    Section 325 of EPCA, as amended by section 309 of EISA, directs DOE 
to promulgate a final rule determining whether energy conservation 
standards shall be issued for EPSs or ``classes'' of EPSs. (42 U.S.C. 
6295(u)(1)(C)) Currently, DOE divides EPSs into Class A and non-Class 
A. Under section 301 of EISA, Congress required that Class A power 
supplies meet specifically prescribed standards that became effective 
on July 1, 2008. DOE is examining the possibility of developing 
standards for the remaining, non-Class A EPSs that are not covered by 
the Congressionally mandated standards.
    Multiple-voltage EPSs (i.e., EPSs that provide more than one output 
voltage simultaneously) have the highest shipments and widest range of 
consumer product applications of the EPSs that fall outside of Class A. 
Because it must develop test procedures either prior to (or 
concurrently with) the development of an efficiency standard for a 
product, DOE reviewed numerous test procedures in 2008 to develop a 
standardized test procedure for these products. In the standby and off 
mode NOPR, DOE proposed a multiple-voltage EPS test procedure that 
generally followed the structure of the CEC single-voltage EPS test 
procedure with some modifications specific to multiple-voltage power 
supplies. See 73 FR 48064-48068. However, due to the limited time 
available for review, DOE was unable to address the comments received 
from interested parties and decided not to incorporate these elements 
of the proposed test procedure into the March 2009 final rule until 
such time when DOE could provide a greater opportunity for comment. 74 
FR 13322. In today's notice, DOE proposes adopting a test procedure 
generally consistent with its August 2008 proposal in the standby and 
off mode NOPR. However, to accommodate the concerns of some interested 
parties, DOE is also proposing several modifications to the previously 
proposed approach.
    During the 2008 standby and off mode rulemaking, interested parties 
commented that the proposed loading conditions (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% 
of full load) may not be appropriate for all multiple-voltage EPSs, 
particularly dedicated-use EPSs, because they do not provide a 
representative measure of energy consumption. On the other hand, when 
DOE presented a potential loading profile (as opposed to the previous 
simple average of the efficiencies measured at each of the four active-
mode loading points) to incorporate into the test procedure during its 
framework document public meeting, PG&E commented that multiple voltage 
EPSs should be tested over their entire output current range to 
represent the range of loading possible with a variety of applications. 
(PG&E et al., No. 20 at p. 17)
    Therefore, in this notice, DOE is proposing measuring efficiency at 
no-load, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of nameplate output, but without 
averaging the results as would have been required under the previous 
proposal. Instead, the currently proposed test procedure would output 
five separate efficiency or input power measurements, one for each 
loading point. The results could then be weighted during the standards 
phase of the rulemaking to reflect typical usage. This multiple-voltage 
test procedure, which otherwise remains unchanged from the one DOE 
proposed in 2008, would be incorporated into sections 3(b) and 4(b) of 
appendix Z.
    By removing equal weighting of active-mode loading conditions 
(i.e., averaging of efficiency results at each nonzero loading point) 
from the test procedure and reporting these metrics separately, DOE 
would be able to maintain a flexible and uniform test procedure. DOE 
would then tailor the weightings to each product class during the 
standards-setting phase of the rulemaking. In addition, by deciding on 
how to address the power supply weighting during the standards 
rulemaking, DOE will be able to receive additional comments from 
interested parties on the applications that use multiple-voltage EPSs 
and their expected usage to help shape the agency's decision on this 
issue.

F. Test Procedure Amendments Not Proposed in This Notice

    As mentioned above, DOE presented potential modifications to the 
CEC test procedure during the framework document public meeting. After 
receiving comments, and doing further analysis, DOE is no longer 
proposing some of these amendments for incorporation into the test 
procedure. Nonetheless, DOE wishes to document these potential 
amendments and the comments received on these and other issues. These 
include:
    (1) Accelerating the test procedure schedule
    (2) Incorporating usage profiles into the test procedure
    (3) Measuring charger output energy
    (4) Measuring alternative depths of discharge
1. Accelerating the Test Procedure Schedule
    During the framework document public meeting, some interested 
parties requested an expedited rulemaking schedule for the BC active 
mode test procedure. In particular AHAM suggested that DOE provide 
stakeholders with a revised battery charger test procedure, including 
active mode, by September 30, 2009, and that DOE complete the test 
procedure updates by the end of 2009 (AHAM, No. 16 at p. 2, Pub. Mtg. 
Tr., No. 14 at p. 45) AHAM also expressed general concern regarding how 
the Department can conduct its analyses for BCs without a finalized BC 
test procedure. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 36)
    DOE acknowledges the concerns of interested parties regarding an 
accelerated schedule; however, due to process requirements, DOE will 
continue with the current rulemaking schedule. The target date to issue 
the BC Active Mode Test Procedure remains October 31, 2010.
2. Incorporating Usage Profiles
    Battery charging systems consume different amounts of energy while 
they are in different modes, and the amount of time that the charger 
spends in each mode varies depending on the applications of the end-use 
project. Some BCs, such as those for cell phones and media players, 
spend more time in active mode, while others, such as those for 
handheld vacuums and electric shavers, remain primarily in maintenance 
or unplugged mode.
    At the framework document public meeting, DOE discussed 
incorporating BC usage profiles into the test procedure. These usage 
profiles would weight the energy consumption of the BC in each mode 
using the time spent in that mode. However, interested parties were 
opposed to the incorporation of usage profiles into the test procedure, 
and suggested that the consideration of usage profiles be instead 
deferred to the standard.
    Ecos and PG&E et al. did not favor the incorporation of usage 
profiles. PG&E felt that it would be difficult to incorporate them 
because of insufficient data to arrive at a ``realistic and creditable 
understanding.'' (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 161, Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 
14 at p. 158-59; PG&E et al., No. 20 at

[[Page 16975]]

p. 15) Ecos similarly stated that they are not convinced that usage 
profiles should be used, especially in the test procedure. (Pub. Mtg. 
Tr., No. 14 at p. 182) PG&E agreed by stating that usage profiles may 
be feasible for future rulemakings once more data have been collected. 
(Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 178) On the other hand, CEA and Wahl 
suggested that usage profiles should not be difficult to obtain. (Pub. 
Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 178-79)
    The DOE BC test procedure need not measure the energy consumption 
over a typical use cycle. It can, for example, measure the efficiency 
under abstract test conditions like the EPS test procedure. The usage 
profile can instead be incorporated into the energy conservation 
standard as part of the routine analysis that DOE applies during the 
standards rulemaking process. Adopting a test procedure that does not 
contain usage profiles will allow test results to be comparable across 
a wider range of products and jurisdictions, as regions with diverse 
consumer usage of BCs would be able to use the same test procedure. 
Because of these considerations, DOE is not proposing to incorporate 
usage profiles at this time.
3. Measuring Charger Output Energy
    During the framework document public meeting, DOE suggested 
measuring the charger output energy rather than the battery output 
energy in order to calculate the total energy consumed by the BC during 
charging. DOE felt that measuring at the charger output, thereby 
bypassing the battery, could remove some of the variability from the 
measurement. Interested parties were unified in opposition to this 
change.
    PG&E, Ecos, PTI, and AHAM all supported measuring the energy 
obtained from the battery during discharge (per the methods in the 
current ENERGY STAR test procedure and Part 1 of the CEC test 
procedure), rather than directly measuring the output energy of the 
charger. PG&E further stated that although measuring the output energy 
of the charger would be more accurate and easier, it will not be 
``realistic or representative of how things work in the real world'' 
and stressed that this portion of the CEC test procedure should not be 
altered (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at pp. 162-64; PG&E et al., No. 20 at p. 
14) An ITI member further stated that testing only be done with the 
battery supplied by the OEM, not replacement batteries supplied by 
third parties. (ITI member, No. 17 at p. 1)
    Ecos commented that battery variations are not significant enough 
to warrant amending the CEC test procedure and added that variation in 
batteries can be averaged out statistically. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at 
p. 171-72) PTI admitted that even though battery variability may have 
an effect on the repeatability and reproducibility, ``some of that may 
be addressed through some subsequent mathematics.'' (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 
14 at p.166) AHAM, on the other hand, commented that manufacturers 
should not be required to test multiple units, which would greatly 
increase testing burden. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 172)
    PTI provided further support for measuring battery output energy by 
stating that it may be difficult to access the battery terminals, 
making direct measurements of the charger output energy impractical. 
(Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 164-65)
    Ecos further justified measuring battery discharge energy by noting 
that manufacturers choose the battery that they include or recommend 
for testing--i.e., the battery is a design option for increasing 
efficiency. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 167) PTI disagreed, stating 
that the needs of the application to a large extent determine the 
batteries used. (Pub. Mtg. Tr. No. 14 at pp. 174-75) However, because 
there is little variation between batteries once the appropriate 
chemistry has been selected, PTI also concluded that measuring the 
output from the charger would not be worth the added difficulty. (Pub. 
Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 176)
    AHAM and Wahl both recommended that the battery energy be measured 
and subsequently subtracted from the 24-hour cycle energy (AHAM, No. 16 
at p. 4, Wahl, No. 23 at p. 1), whereas PTI suggested that normalizing 
(i.e., dividing) the battery discharge energy by the charger input 
energy provides a measurement independent of battery size (which varies 
with the end-use application) and battery density (which varies with 
the progress of technology over time). (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at pp. 
165-66, 174)
    FRIWO and Delta-Q offered contrasting comments, with FRIWO voicing 
general support for separate testing for batteries and BCs, using a 
dummy load to test the BC, unless the design of the product makes this 
impractical (as in the case of power tools) (FRIWO, No. 21 at pp. 1-2), 
while Delta-Q commented that the battery should be considered 
independent of the battery charging system during testing. (Delta-Q, 
No. 15 at p. 1)
    The goal of the test procedure is to measure energy consumed by the 
battery charger during typical use, and this energy can be measured 
directly at the output of the charger or indirectly by measuring the 
energy recoverable from the battery during discharge. Measuring the 
discharge energy from the battery combines charger losses with battery 
losses, resulting in a system-wide measurement that is more 
representative of typical use. Given that interested parties voiced 
overwhelming support for system-wide measurements and did not express 
concern about the impact of battery variability on measurement 
repeatability, the proposed test procedure does not incorporate 
measurement at the output of the BC.
4. Alternative Depth-of-Discharge Measurement
    At the framework document public meeting, DOE discussed the 
potential for testing BCs with batteries at 40 percent depth-of-
discharge, meaning 60 percent full. (The term ``depth-of-discharge'' 
refers to the extent to which a battery's usable capacity has been 
discharged.) This potential change would model the behavior of 
consumers who recharge batteries before they are fully discharged and 
was inspired by part 2 of the CEC test procedure, which requires that 
batteries be tested at 100, 80, and 40 percent depth-of-discharge. 
Interested parties provided comments opposing the alternative depth-of-
discharge; consequently, DOE is planning to continue using the 100 
percent depth-of-discharge as the only condition for testing.
    Ecos and PG&E opposed to the incorporation of a 40 percent depth-
of-discharge (DOD) measurement and commented that a measurement from 
additional depths-of-discharge will complicate testing and development 
of standards. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 195-96) PG&E added that a 40 
percent DOD would be a generalization that is difficult to 
substantiate. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 199-200; PG&E et al., No. 20 
at p. 16) Furthermore, Ecos noted that if a new method relying on 
testing at 40 percent DOD is developed, then many products will need to 
be re-tested in order to achieve sufficient data to set a standard. 
(Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 206) AHAM agreed that establishing a 
typical depth-of-discharge is difficult; however, it is not going to be 
100 percent but between 2 and 80 percent. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 
201)
    Stakeholders also commented on the difficulty of consistently 
discharging a battery to an arbitrary depth. Ecos further commented 
that cutoff voltages

[[Page 16976]]

may be used rather than a percentage depth-of-discharge (as in the 
current Part 1 CEC test procedure) to terminate the discharge. (Pub. 
Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 206) Wahl commented that the appropriate cutoff 
voltage should depend on the battery chemistry, using IEC standards as 
a precedent. (Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 201-02) PTI provided a 
general statement that normalizing energy consumption by battery energy 
capacity reduces the effect of depth-of-discharge on test results. 
(Pub. Mtg. Tr., No. 14 at p. 204)
    Due to the lack of support for measurement of BC energy consumption 
while charging batteries with different depths-of-discharge, DOE is not 
incorporating such measurement into today's proposal.

IV. Regulatory Review

A. Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget has determined that test 
procedure rulemakings do not constitute ``significant regulatory 
actions'' under Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review,'' 58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993). Accordingly, this action was 
not subject to review under that Executive Order by the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB).

B. National Environmental Policy Act

    In this proposed rule, DOE proposes test procedure amendments that 
it expects will be used to develop and implement future energy 
conservation standards for BCs and EPSs. DOE has determined that this 
rule falls into a class of actions that are categorically excluded from 
review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) (NEPA) and DOE's implementing regulations at 10 CFR part 
1021. Specifically, this proposed rule establishes or amends test 
procedures and does not result in any environmental impacts. Thus, this 
rulemaking is covered by Categorical Exclusion A6 under 10 CFR part 
1021, subpart D, which applies to any rulemaking that is strictly 
procedural. Accordingly, neither an environmental assessment nor an 
environmental impact statement is required.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires 
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis for any rule 
that, by law, must be proposed for public comment, unless the agency 
certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As required 
by Executive Order 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in 
Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 53461 (August 16, 2002), DOE published 
procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that the 
potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly 
considered during the DOE rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made 
its procedures and policies available on the Office of the General 
Counsel's Web site: http://www.gc.doe.gov.
    DOE reviewed today's proposed rule under the provisions of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and the policies and procedures published on 
February 19, 2003. As part of this rulemaking, DOE examined the 
existing compliance costs already borne by manufacturers and compared 
them to the revised compliance costs due to the proposed amendments in 
this NOPR, namely, the adoption of new test procedures for BC active 
mode and multiple-voltage EPSs and the modification of existing test 
procedures for BCs operating in standby and off mode and single-voltage 
EPSs with USB outputs.
    Manufacturers are only required to test products subject to 
standards, and there are currently no standards for BCs or multiple-
voltage EPSs. Until energy conservation standards are adopted, no 
entities, small or large, would be required to comply with the proposed 
BC and EPS test procedures. Therefore, DOE believes that today's 
proposed rule would not have a ``significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities,'' and the preparation of a 
regulatory flexibility analysis is neither required nor warranted at 
this point.
    Class A EPSs, however, are subject to a standard, and 
manufacturers, including small entities, are required to perform 
testing in accordance with the single-voltage EPS test procedure to 
ensure compliance with the standard. However, the amendments discussed 
in section III.D. of this notice would not significantly change the 
existing test procedure, amending only the testing conditions for EPSs 
with USB outputs. DOE does not expect these amendments to impose a 
significant new testing and compliance burden and therefore would have 
no large economic impact on a significant number of small entities.
    Tentatively concluding and certifying that this proposed rule would 
not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, DOE has not prepared a regulatory flexibility analysis for 
this rulemaking. DOE will provide its certification and supporting 
statement of factual basis to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the 
Small Business Administration for review under 5 U.S.C. 605(b).

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule contains an information collection requirement subject to 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and which has been approved by OMB 
under control number 1910-1400. Public reporting burden for the 
collection of test information and maintenance of records on regulated 
EPSs based on the certification and reporting requirements is estimated 
to average 2 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden 
estimate, or any other aspect of this data collection, including 
suggestions for reducing the burden, to DOE (see ADDRESSES) and by e-
mail to: [email protected].
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. 
L. 104-4) requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal 
regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the 
private sector. For proposed regulatory actions likely to result in a 
rule that may cause expenditures by State, local, and Tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million 
or more in any one year (adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 
of UMRA requires a Federal agency to publish estimates of the resulting 
costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy. (2 U.S.C. 
1532(a), (b)) UMRA also requires Federal agencies to develop an 
effective process to permit timely input by elected officers of State, 
local, and Tribal governments on a proposed ``significant 
intergovernmental mandate.'' In addition, UMRA requires an agency plan 
for giving notice and opportunity for timely input to small governments 
that may be affected before establishing a requirement that might 
significantly or uniquely affect them. On March 18, 1997, DOE published 
a statement of policy on its process for intergovernmental consultation 
under

[[Page 16977]]

UMRA. 62 FR 12820. (This policy is also available at http://www.gc.doe.gov). Today's proposed rule contains neither an 
intergovernmental mandate, nor a mandate that may result in the 
expenditure of $100 million or more in any year, so these requirements 
do not apply.

F. Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family 
Policymaking Assessment for any proposed rule that may affect family 
well-being. Today's proposed rule would not have any impact on the 
autonomy or integrity of the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE 
has concluded that it is unnecessary to prepare a Family Policymaking 
Assessment.

G. Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (August 4, 1999) 
imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and implementing 
policies or regulations that preempt State law or that have Federalism 
implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to examine the 
constitutional and statutory authority supporting any action that would 
limit the policymaking discretion of the States and to carefully assess 
the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order also requires 
agencies to have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely 
input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have Federalism implications. On March 14, 2000, DOE 
published a statement of policy describing the intergovernmental 
consultation process it will follow in the development of such 
regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE has examined this proposed rule and has 
determined that it would not have a substantial direct effect on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal 
preemption of State regulations as to energy conservation for the 
products that are the subject of today's proposed rule. States can 
petition DOE for exemption from such preemption to the extent, and 
based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297) No further 
action is required by Executive Order 13132.

H. Executive Order 12988

    With respect to the review of existing regulations and the 
promulgation of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, 
``Civil Justice Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (February 7, 1996), imposes on 
Federal agencies the general duty to adhere to the following 
requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity; (2) write 
regulations to minimize litigation; (3) provide a clear legal standard 
for affected conduct rather than a general standard; and (4) promote 
simplification and burden reduction. Section 3(b) of Executive Order 
12988 specifically requires that Executive agencies make every 
reasonable effort to ensure that the regulation: (1) Clearly specifies 
the preemptive effect, if any; (2) clearly specifies any effect on 
existing Federal law or regulation; (3) provides a clear legal standard 
for affected conduct while promoting simplification and burden 
reduction; (4) specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately 
defines key terms; and (6) addresses other important issues affecting 
clarity and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the 
Attorney General. Section 3(c) of Executive Order 12988 requires 
Executive agencies to review regulations in light of applicable 
standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to determine whether they are met 
or it is unreasonable to meet one or more of them. DOE has completed 
the required review and determined that, to the extent permitted by 
law, the proposed rule meets the relevant standards of Executive Order 
12988.

I. Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001

    Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554; 44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides for agencies 
to review most disseminations of information to the public under 
guidelines established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines 
issued by OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (February 
22, 2002), and DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (October 
7, 2002). DOE has reviewed today's proposed rule under the OMB and DOE 
guidelines and has concluded that it is consistent with applicable 
policies in those guidelines.

J. Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB a Statement of 
Energy Effects for any proposed significant energy action. A 
``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an agency 
that promulgated or is expected to lead to promulgation of a final 
rule, and that: (1) Is a significant regulatory action under Executive 
Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to have a 
significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of 
energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a 
significant energy action. For any proposed significant energy action, 
the agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on 
energy supply, distribution, or use should the proposal be implemented, 
and of reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected 
benefits on energy supply, distribution, and use.
    Today's regulatory action is not a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866. Moreover, it would not have a significant 
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. 
Therefore, it is not a significant energy action, and, accordingly, DOE 
has not prepared a Statement of Energy Effects.

K. Executive Order 12630

    Pursuant to Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental Actions and 
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights,'' 53 FR 
8859 (March 15, 1988), DOE has determined that this rule would not 
result in any takings that might require compensation under the Fifth 
Amendment to the United States Constitution.

L. Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974

    Under section 301 of the Department of Energy Organization Act 
(Pub. L. 95-91; 42 U.S.C. 7101), DOE must comply with section 32 of the 
Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, as amended by the Federal 
Energy Administration Authorization Act of 1977. (15 U.S.C. 788; FEAA.) 
Section 32 essentially provides in part that, where a proposed rule 
authorizes or requires use of commercial standards, the notice of 
proposed rulemaking must inform the public of the use and background of 
such standards. In addition, section 32(c) requires DOE to consult with 
the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission 
(FTC) concerning the impact of the commercial or industry standards on 
competition. Because the proposed rule does not incorporate any 
commercial standards, section 32 does not apply here. However, 
consistent with its ordinary practice, DOE intends to

[[Page 16978]]

provide both the Attorney General and the FTC a courtesy copy of this 
proposed rule.

V. Public Participation

A. Attendance at Public Meeting

    The time, date and location of the public meeting are listed in the 
DATES and ADDRESSES sections at the beginning of this NOPR. To attend 
the public meeting, please notify Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586-2945. 
As explained in the ADDRESSES section, foreign nationals visiting DOE 
headquarters are subject to advance security screening procedures.

B. Procedure for Submitting Requests To Speak

    Any person who has an interest in the topics addressed in this 
notice, or who is a representative of a group or class of persons that 
has an interest in these issues, may request an opportunity to make an 
oral presentation at the public meeting. Such persons may hand-deliver 
requests to speak to the address shown in the ADDRESSES section at the 
beginning of this notice between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. Requests may also be sent by mail or 
email to: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, Building 
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585-0121, or [email protected]. Persons who 
wish to speak should include in their request a computer diskette or CD 
in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format that 
briefly describes the nature of their interest in this rulemaking and 
the topics they wish to discuss. Such persons should also provide a 
daytime telephone number where they can be reached.
    DOE requests that those persons who are scheduled to speak submit a 
copy of their statements at least one week prior to the public meeting. 
DOE may permit any person who cannot supply an advance copy of this 
statement to participate, if that person has made alternative 
arrangements with the Building Technologies Program in advance. When 
necessary, the request to give an oral presentation should ask for such 
alternative arrangements.

C. Conduct of Public Meeting

    DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the public meeting 
and may also employ a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The 
public meeting will be conducted in an informal, conference style. The 
meeting will not be a judicial or evidentiary public hearing and there 
shall not be discussion of proprietary information, costs or prices, 
market share, or other commercial matters regulated by U.S. anti-trust 
laws.
    DOE reserves the right to schedule the order of presentations and 
to establish the procedures governing the conduct of the public 
meeting. A court reporter will record the proceedings and prepare a 
transcript.
    At the public meeting, DOE will present summaries of comments 
received before the public meeting, allow time for presentations by 
participants, and encourage all interested parties to share their views 
on issues affecting this rulemaking. Each participant may present a 
prepared general statement (within time limits determined by DOE) 
before the discussion of specific topics. Other participants may 
comment briefly on any general statements. At the end of the prepared 
statements on each specific topic, participants may clarify their 
statements briefly and comment on statements made by others. 
Participants should be prepared to answer questions from DOE and other 
participants. DOE representatives may also ask questions about other 
matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official conducting the public 
meeting will accept additional comments or questions from those 
attending, as time permits. The presiding official will announce any 
further procedural rules or modification of procedures needed for the 
proper conduct of the public meeting.
    DOE will make the entire record of this proposed rulemaking, 
including the transcript from the public meeting, available for 
inspection at 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. The official 
transcript will also be posted on the Webpage at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/battery_external.html. Anyone may purchase a copy of the transcript 
from the transcribing reporter.

D. Submission of Comments

    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the 
proposed rule no later than the date provided at the beginning of this 
notice. Comments, data, and information submitted to DOE's e-mail 
address for this rulemaking should be provided in WordPerfect, 
Microsoft Word, PDF, or text (ASCII) file format. Interested parties 
should avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption, 
and wherever possible, comments should include the electronic signature 
of the author. Comments, data, and information submitted to DOE via 
mail or hand delivery/courier should include one signed original paper 
copy. No telefacsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.
    According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that 
he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public 
disclosure should submit two copies: one copy of the document including 
all the information believed to be confidential, and one copy of the 
document with the information believed to be confidential deleted. DOE 
will make its own determination as to the confidential status of the 
information and treat it according to its determination.
    Factors of interest to DOE when evaluating requests to treat 
submitted information as confidential include: (1) A description of the 
items; (2) whether and why such items are customarily treated as 
confidential within the industry; (3) whether the information is 
generally known by or available from other sources; (4) whether the 
information has previously been made available to others without 
obligation concerning its confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the 
competitive injury to the submitting person which would result from 
public disclosure; (6) a date upon which such information might lose 
its confidential nature due to the passage of time; and (7) why 
disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest.

E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment

    Although DOE invites comments on all aspects of this rulemaking, 
DOE is particularly interested in receiving comments and views of 
interested parties concerning the following issues:
1. BC Active Mode
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the proposed approach 
for testing BCs in active mode, in particular the adoption and 
modification of the CEC test procedure. (See section III.B.)
2. Limiting the Scope of the Test Procedure
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the proposed 
limitation of scope of the test procedure to encompass BCs with DC or 
U.S. line-voltage AC input. (See section III.B.1.)
3. BCs for Golf Carts and Other Consumer Motive Equipment
    DOE seeks comment on including BCs for golf carts and other 
consumer motive equipment batteries in a single test procedure based on 
part 1 of the CEC BC test procedure. (See section III.B.2.)

[[Page 16979]]

4. Amendments to Definitions
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the adoption of new 
definitions, in particular any deviation from those currently in the 
CEC test procedure. (See section III.B.3.)
5. Selecting the Charge Rate for Testing
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the proposed 
modifications to section II of the CEC test procedure intended to ease 
testing burden, and in particular, recommendations on which charge 
rates are most representative of typical use. (See section 
III.B.4.(d).)
6. Selecting the Batteries for Testing
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the batteries that are 
typically used with BCs that are packaged with multiple batteries or 
packaged without batteries (e.g., AA and AAA and 12 volt lead-acid 
chargers) as well as the testing burdens associated with testing such 
chargers multiple times under the battery selection method currently in 
the CEC test procedure. (See part 1, section III.B.4.(e).)
7. Non-Battery Charging Functions
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the categorization of 
non-battery charging functions and its intention not to make allowances 
for energy consumption due to additional functionality. (See section 
III.B.4.(f).)
8. Procedure for Determining the Charge Capacity of Batteries With No 
Rating
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the proposed revision 
to section II.G of the CEC test procedure to explicitly lay out the 
iterative steps required to measure battery capacity when none is 
provided. (See section III.B.4.(g).)
9. Deletion of the Inactive Mode Energy Consumption Test Procedure
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the proposal to strike 
the inactive mode energy consumption measurement from section 4(a) of 
appendix Y. (See section III.B.5.(a).)
10. Shortening the BC Charge and Maintenance Mode Test
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the optional method of 
shortening the charge and maintenance mode test period in the proposed 
active mode amendment to the BC test procedure, in particular its 
impacts on testing burden and the accuracy and repeatability of the 
measurement. (See section III.B.5.(b).)
11. Reversing Testing Order
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the proposed reversal 
of the CEC test procedure order, resulting in: The battery being (1) 
conditioned (if necessary); (2) charged until full by the BC under 
test, in preparation for the measurement; (3) discharged; and (4) 
recharged by the BC under test. The discharge energy in step (3) and 
the input power to the BC in step (4), above, would be measured. (See 
section III.B.5.(e).)
12. End-of-Discharge Voltages for Novel Chemistries
    DOE seeks comment from interested parties on the end-of-discharge 
voltages for the nanophosphate lithium-ion and silver-zinc chemistries 
that are proposed for inclusion in Table 5.2 in appendix Y. (See 
section III.B.5.(f).)
13. Standby Mode and Off Mode Duration
    DOE also invites comment on the proposed test method for measuring 
standby mode and off mode energy consumption for EPSs, including 
whether the duration of the measurement is sufficiently long. (See 
section III.C.)
14. Single-Voltage EPS Test Procedure Amendments To Accommodate EPSs 
That Communicate With Their Loads
    DOE seeks comment on the possible modification of the single-
voltage EPS test procedure to accommodate EPSs that must communicate 
with their loads; in particular the prevalence of such EPSs, the need 
to amend the test procedure to accommodate them, and suggestions on 
amendments. (See section III.D.1.)
15. Further Single-Voltage EPS Test Procedure Amendments
    DOE seeks comment on the possible further modification of the 
single-voltage EPS test procedure to accommodate EPSs with output 
current limiting and high output power. (See sections III.D.2. and 
III.D.3.)
16. Loading Conditions for Multiple-Voltage EPSs
    DOE seeks comments on all issues pertaining to testing of multiple-
voltage EPSs. In particular, DOE invites comments on reporting 5 
separate loading conditions (no-load, 25, 50, 75, and 100 percent of 
nameplate output current) without averaging the results. Additionally, 
DOE seeks comment on how it should weigh these measurements in an 
energy conservation standards rulemaking for multiple-voltage EPSs. 
(See section III.E.)

VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this proposed 
rule.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430

    Administrative practice and procedure, Energy conservation, 
Household appliances.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 29, 2010.
 Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE is proposing to amend 
part 430 of Chapter II of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations as set 
forth below:

PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS

    1. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.

    2. In Sec.  430.23 revise paragraph (aa) to read as follows:


Sec.  430.23  Test procedures for the measurement of energy and water 
consumption.

* * * * *
    (aa) Battery Chargers. The 24-hour energy consumption of a battery 
charger in active and maintenance modes, expressed in watt-hours, and 
the power consumption of a battery charger in maintenance mode, 
expressed in watts, shall be measured in accordance with section 5.10 
of appendix Y of this subpart. The power consumption of a battery 
charger in standby mode and off mode, expressed in watts, shall be 
measured in accordance with sections 5.11 and 5.12, respectively, of 
appendix Y of this subpart.
* * * * *
    3. Appendix Y to subpart B of part 430 is revised to read as 
follows:

Appendix Y to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Battery Chargers

1. Scope

    This appendix covers the test requirements used to measure 
battery charger energy consumption for battery chargers operating at 
either DC or United States AC line voltage (120V at 60Hz).

2. Definitions

    The following definitions are for the purposes of understanding 
terminology

[[Page 16980]]

associated with the test method for measuring battery charger energy 
consumption.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For clarity on any other terminology used in the test 
method, please refer to IEEE Standard 1515-2000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2.1. Active mode or charge mode is the state in which the 
battery charger system is connected to the main electricity supply, 
and the battery charger is delivering current, equalizing the cells, 
and performing other one-time or limited-time functions in order to 
bring the battery to a fully charged state.
    2.2. Active power or real power (P) means the average power 
consumed by a unit. For a two terminal device with current and 
voltage waveforms i(t) and v(t) which are periodic with period T, 
the real or active power P is:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02AP10.001

    2.3. Ambient temperature is the temperature of the ambient air 
immediately surrounding the unit under test.
    2.4. Apparent power (S) is the product of root-mean-square (RMS) 
voltage and RMS current in volt-amperes (VA).
    2.5. Batch charger is a battery charger that charges two or more 
identical batteries simultaneously in a series, parallel, series-
parallel, or parallel-series configuration. A batch charger does not 
have separate voltage or current regulation, nor does it have any 
separate indicators for each battery in the batch. When testing a 
batch charger, the term ``battery'' is understood to mean, 
collectively, all the batteries in the batch that are charged 
together. A charger can be both a batch charger and a multi-port 
charger or multi-voltage charger.
    2.6. Battery or battery pack is an assembly of one or more 
rechargeable cells and any integral protective circuitry intended to 
provide electrical energy to a consumer product, and may be in one 
of the following forms: (a) Detachable battery: A battery that is 
contained in a separate enclosure from the consumer product and is 
intended to be removed or disconnected from the consumer product for 
recharging; or (b) integral battery: A battery that is contained 
within the consumer product and is not removed from the consumer 
product for charging purposes.
    2.7. Battery energy is the energy, in watt-hours, delivered by 
the battery under the specified discharge conditions in the test 
procedure.
    2.8. Battery maintenance mode or maintenance mode is the mode of 
operation when the battery charger is connected to the main 
electricity supply and the battery is fully charged, but is still 
connected to the charger.
    2.9. Battery rest period is a period of time between discharge 
and charge or between charge and discharge, during which the battery 
is resting in an open-circuit state in ambient air.
    2.10. C-rate is the rate of charge or discharge, calculated by 
dividing the charge or discharge current by the rated charge 
capacity of the battery.
    2.11. Cradle is an electrical interface between an integral 
battery product and the rest of the battery charger designed to hold 
the product between uses.
    2.12. Crest factor for an AC or DC voltage or current waveform, 
is the ratio of the peak instantaneous value to the root-mean-square 
(RMS) value.
    2.13. Equalization is a process whereby a battery is 
overcharged, beyond what would be considered ``normal'' charge 
return, so that cells can be balanced, electrolyte mixed, and plate 
sulfation removed.
    2.14. Instructions or manufacturer's instructions means the 
documentation packaged with a product in printed or electronic form 
and any information about the product listed on a Web site 
maintained by the manufacturer and accessible by the general public 
at the time of the test.
    2.15. Measured charge capacity of a battery is the product of 
the discharge current in amperes and the time in decimal hours 
required to reach the specified end-of-discharge voltage.
    2.16. Manual on-off switch is a switch activated by the user to 
control power reaching the battery charger. This term does not apply 
to any mechanical, optical, or electronic switches that 
automatically disconnect main power from the battery charger when a 
battery is removed from a cradle or charging base, or for products 
with non-detachable batteries that control power to the product 
itself.
    2.17. Multi-port charger means a battery charger which charges 
two or more batteries (which may be identical or different) 
simultaneously. The batteries are not connected in series or in 
parallel. Rather, each port has separate voltage and/or current 
regulation. If the charger has status indicators, each port has its 
own indicator(s). A charger can be both a batch charger and a multi-
port charger if it is capable of charging two or more batches of 
batteries simultaneously and each batch has separate regulation and/
or indicator(s).
    2.18. Multi-voltage charger is a battery charger that, by 
design, can charge a variety of batteries (or batches of batteries, 
if also a batch charger) that are of different rated battery 
voltages. A multi-voltage charger can also be a multi-port charger 
if it can charge two or more batteries simultaneously with 
independent voltage and/or current regulation.
    2.19. Off mode is the condition, applicable only to units with 
manual on-off switches, in which the battery charger:
    (1) Is connected to the main electricity supply;
    (2) Is not connected to the battery; and
    (3) All manual on-off switches are turned off.
    2.20. Power factor is the ratio of the active power (P) consumed 
in watts to the apparent power (S), drawn in volt-amperes (VA).
    2.21. Rated battery voltage is specified by the manufacturer and 
typically printed on the label of the battery itself. If there are 
multiple batteries that are connected in series, the rated battery 
voltage of the batteries is the total voltage of the series 
configuration, that is, the rated voltage of each battery multiplied 
by the number of batteries connected in series. Connecting multiple 
batteries in parallel does not affect the rated battery voltage.
    2.22. Rated charge capacity is the capacity the manufacturer 
declares the battery can store under specified test conditions, 
usually given in ampere-hours (Ah) or milliampere-hours (mAh) and 
typically printed on the label of the battery itself. If there are 
multiple batteries that are connected in parallel, the rated charge 
capacity of the batteries is the total charge capacity of the 
parallel configuration, that is, the rated charge capacity of each 
battery multiplied by the number of batteries connected in parallel. 
Connecting multiple batteries in series does not affect the rated 
charge capacity.
    2.23. Rated energy capacity means the product (in watt-hours) of 
the rated battery voltage and the rated charge capacity.
    2.24. Standby mode or no-battery mode means the condition in 
which:
    (1) The battery charger is connected to the main electricity 
supply;
    (2) The battery is not connected to the charger; and
    (3) For battery chargers with manual on-off switches, all such 
switches are turned on.
    2.25. Total harmonic distortion (THD), expressed as a percent, 
is the root mean square (RMS value of an AC signal after the 
fundamental component is removed and interharmonic components are 
ignored, divided by the RMS value of the fundamental component.
    2.26. Unit under test (UUT) in this appendix refers to the 
combination of the battery charger and battery being tested.

3. Standard Test Conditions

3.1. General

    The values that may be measured or calculated during the conduct 
of this test procedure have been summarized for easy reference in 
Table 3.1.

                                Table 3.1--List of Measured or Calculated Values
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Name of measured or
                                  calculated value               Reference                      Value
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................  Time required to reach   Section 4.6.                  ...........................
                               end-of discharge,
                               (tdischarge_0.5A ).
2...........................  Charge Capacity          Section 4.6.                  ...........................
                               Estimate.

[[Page 16981]]

 
3...........................  Trial 0.2 C discharge    Section 4.6.                  ...........................
                               current, (I0.2C_trial).
4...........................  Improved Charge          Section 4.6.                  ...........................
                               Capacity Estimate (if
                               second discharge lasts
                               for less than 4 or
                               more than 5 hours).
5...........................  Improved 0.2 C           Section 4.6.                  ...........................
                               discharge current
                               estimate (if second
                               discharge lasts for
                               less than 4 or more
                               than 5 hours),
                               (I'0.2C_trial).
6...........................  Duration of the charge   Section 5.2.                  ...........................
                               and maintenance mode
                               test.
7...........................  Battery Discharge        Section 4.6.                  ...........................
                               Energy.
8...........................  Initial time, power      Section 5.8.                  ...........................
                               (W), power factor, and
                               crest factor of the
                               input current of
                               connected battery.
9...........................  Power factor and crest   Section 5.8.                  ...........................
                               factor of the input
                               current during last 10
                               min of test.
10..........................  Active and Maintenance   Section 5.8.                  ...........................
                               Mode Energy
                               Consumption.
11..........................  Maintenance Mode Power.  Section 5.9.                  ...........................
12..........................  24 Hour Energy           Section 5.10.                 ...........................
                               Consumption.
12..........................  Standby Mode Power.....  Section 5.11.                 ...........................
13..........................  Off Mode Power.........  Section 5.12.                 ...........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.2. Verifying Accuracy and Precision of Measuring Equipment

    a. Measurements of active power of 0.5 W or greater shall be 
made with an uncertainty of <= 2% at the 95% confidence level. 
Measurements of active power of less than 0.5 W shall be made with 
an uncertainty of <= 0.01 W at the 95% confidence level. The power 
measurement instrument shall. As applicable, have a resolution of:
    (1) 0.01 W or better for measurements up to 10 W;
    (2) 0.1 W or better for measurements of 10 to 100 W; or
    (3) 1 W or better for measurements over 100 W.
    b. Measurements of energy (Wh) shall be made with an uncertainty 
of <= 2% at the 95% confidence level. Measurements of voltage and 
current shall be made with an uncertainty of <= 1% at the 95% 
confidence level. Measurements of temperature shall be made with an 
uncertainty of <= 2 [deg]C at the 95% confidence level.
    c. All equipment used to conduct the tests must be selected and 
calibrated to ensure that measurements will meet the above 
uncertainty requirements. For suggestions on measuring low power 
levels, see IEC 62301, (Reference for guidance only, see Sec.  
430.4) especially Section 5.3.2 and Annexes B and D.

3.3. Setting Up the Test Room

    All tests, battery conditioning, and battery rest periods shall 
be carried out in a room with an air speed immediately surrounding 
the UUT of <= 0.5 m/s. The ambient temperature shall be maintained 
at 25 [deg]C  5 [deg]C throughout the test. There shall 
be no intentional cooling of the UUT such as by use of separately 
powered fans, air conditioners, or heat sinks. The UUT shall be 
conditioned, rested, and tested on a thermally non-conductive 
surface. A readily available material such as Styrofoam will be 
sufficient. When not undergoing active testing, batteries shall be 
stored at 25 [deg]C  5 [deg]C.

3.4. Verifying the UUT's Input Voltage and Input Frequency

    a. If the UUT is intended for operation on AC line-voltage input 
in the United States, it shall be tested at 115 V at 60 Hz. If the 
UUT is intended for operation on AC line-voltage input but cannot be 
operated at 115 V at 60 Hz, it shall not be tested.
    b. If a charger is powered by a low-voltage DC or AC input, and 
the manufacturer packages the charger with a wall adapter, sells, or 
recommends an optional wall adapter capable of providing that low 
voltage input, then the charger shall be tested using that wall 
adapter and the input reference source shall be 115 V at 60 Hz. If 
the wall adapter cannot be operated with AC input voltage at 115 V 
at 60 Hz, the charger shall not be tested.
    c. If the UUT is intended for operation only on DC input voltage 
and does not include a wall adapter, it shall be tested with one of 
the following input voltages: 12.0 V DC for products intended for 
automotive, recreational vehicle, or marine use, 5.0 V DC for 
products drawing power from a computer USB port, or the midpoint of 
the rated input voltage range for all other products. The input 
voltage shall be within  1% of the above specified 
voltage.
    d. If the input voltage is AC, the input frequency shall be 
within  1% of the specified frequency. The THD of the 
input voltage shall be <= 2%, up to and including the 13th harmonic. 
The crest factor of the input voltage shall be between 1.34 and 
1.49.
    e. If the input voltage is DC, the AC ripple voltage (RMS) shall 
be:
    (1) <= 0.2 V for DC voltages up to 10 V; or
    (2) <= 2% of the DC voltage for DC voltages over 10 V.

4. Unit Under Test Setup Requirements

4.1. General Setup

    a. The battery charger system shall be prepared and set up in 
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, except where those 
instructions conflict with the requirements of this test procedure. 
If no instructions are given, then factory or ``default'' settings 
shall be used, or where there are no indications of such settings, 
the UUT shall be tested as supplied.
    b. If the battery charger has user controls to select from two 
or more charge rates (such as regular or fast charge) or different 
charge currents, the test shall be conducted at the fastest charge 
rate that is recommended by the manufacturer for everyday use, or 
failing any explicit recommendation, the factory-default charge 
rate. If the charger has user controls for selecting special charge 
cycles that are recommended only for occasional use to preserve 
battery health, such as equalization charge, removing memory, or 
battery conditioning, these modes are not required to be tested. The 
settings of the controls shall be listed in the report for each 
test.

4.2. Selection and Treatment of the Battery Charger

    The UUT, including the battery charger and its associated 
battery, shall be new products of the type and condition that would 
be sold to a customer. If the battery is lead-acid chemistry and the 
battery is to be stored for more than 24-hours between its initial 
acquisition and testing, the battery shall be charged before such 
storage.

4.3. Selection of Batteries To Use for Testing

    a. For chargers with integral batteries, the battery packaged 
with the charger shall be used for testing. For chargers with 
detachable batteries, the battery or batteries to be used for 
testing will vary depending on whether there are any batteries 
packaged with the battery charger.
    (1) If batteries are packaged with the charger, batteries for 
testing shall be selected from the batteries packaged with the 
battery charger, according to the procedure below.
    (2) If no batteries are packaged with the charger, but the 
instructions specify or recommend batteries for use with the 
charger, batteries for testing shall be selected from those 
recommended or specified in the instructions, according to the 
procedure below.
    (3) If no batteries are packaged with the charger and the 
instructions do not specify or recommend batteries for use with the 
charger, batteries for testing shall be selected from any that are 
suitable for use with the charger, according to the procedure below.
    b. From the detachable batteries specified above, the technician 
shall use Table 4.1 to select the batteries to be used for testing 
depending on the type of charger being tested. Each row in the table 
represents a mutually exclusive charger type. The technician shall 
find the single applicable row for the UUT, and test according to 
those requirements.

[[Page 16982]]

    c. A charger is considered as:
    (1) Single-capacity if all associated batteries have the same 
rated charge capacity (see definition) and, if it is a batch 
charger, all configurations of the batteries have the same rated 
charge capacity.
    (2) Multi-capacity if there are associated batteries or 
configurations of batteries that have different rated charge 
capacities.
    d. The selected battery or batteries will be referred to as the 
test battery and will be used through the remainder of this test 
procedure.

                                    Table 4.1--Battery Selection for Testing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Type of charger                                         Tests to perform
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Battery selection
                                                                                                  (from all
      Multi-voltage                Multi-port              Multi-capacity        Number  of   configurations of
                                                                                   tests        all associated
                                                                                                  batteries)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No.......................  No.......................  No......................            1  Any associated
                                                                                              battery.
No.......................  No.......................  Yes.....................            2  Lowest charge
                                                                                              capacity battery.
                                                                                             Highest charge
                                                                                              capacity battery.
No.......................  Yes......................  Yes or No...............            2  Use only one port
                                                                                              and use the
                                                                                              minimum number of
                                                                                              batteries with the
                                                                                              lowest rated
                                                                                              charge capacity
                                                                                              that the charger
                                                                                              can charge.
                                                                                             Use all ports and
                                                                                              use the maximum
                                                                                              number of
                                                                                              identical
                                                                                              batteries of the
                                                                                              highest rated
                                                                                              charge capacity
                                                                                              the charger can
                                                                                              accommodate.
Yes......................  No.......................  No......................            2  Lowest voltage
                                                                                              battery.
                                                                                             Highest voltage
                                                                                              battery.
Yes......................  Yes to either or both....  ........................            3  Of the batteries
                                                                                              with the lowest
                                                                                              voltage, use the
                                                                                              one with the
                                                                                              lowest charge
                                                                                              capacity. Use only
                                                                                              one port.
                                                                                             Of the batteries
                                                                                              with the highest
                                                                                              voltage, use the
                                                                                              one with the
                                                                                              lowest charge
                                                                                              capacity. Use only
                                                                                              one port.
                                                                                             Use all ports and
                                                                                              use the battery or
                                                                                              the configuration
                                                                                              of batteries with
                                                                                              the highest total
                                                                                              calculated energy
                                                                                              capacity.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.4. Limiting Other Non-Battery-Charger Functions

    a. If the battery charger or product containing the battery 
charger does not have any additional functions unrelated to battery 
charging, this subsection may be skipped.
    b. Any optional functions controlled by the user and not 
associated with the battery charging process (e.g., the answering 
machine in a cordless telephone charging base) shall be switched 
off. If it is not possible to switch such functions off, they shall 
be set to their lowest power-consuming mode during the test.
    c. If the battery charger takes any physically separate 
connectors or cables not required for battery charging but 
associated with its other functionality (such as phone lines, serial 
or USB connections, Ethernet, cable TV lines, etc.), these 
connectors or cables shall be left disconnected during the testing.
    d. Any manual on-off switches specifically associated with the 
battery charging process shall be switched on for the duration of 
the charge, maintenance, and no-battery mode tests, and switched off 
for the off mode test.

4.5. Accessing the Battery for the Test

    a. The technician may need to disassemble the end-use product or 
battery charger to gain access to the battery terminals for the 
Battery Discharge Energy Test in section 5.6. If the battery 
terminals are not clearly labeled, the technician shall use a 
voltmeter to identify the positive and negative terminals. These 
terminals will be the ones that give the largest voltage difference 
and are able to deliver significant current (0.2 C) into a load.
    b. All conductors used for contacting the battery must be 
cleaned and burnished prior to connecting in order to decrease 
voltage drops and achieve consistent results.
    c. Manufacturer's instructions for disassembly shall be 
followed, except those instructions that:
    (1) Lead to any permanent alteration of the battery charger 
circuitry or function;
    (2) Could alter the energy consumption of the battery charger 
compared to that experienced by a user during typical use, e.g., due 
to changes in the airflow through the enclosure of the UUT; or
    (3) Contradict requirements of this test procedure.
    d. Care shall be taken by the technician during disassembly to 
follow appropriate safety precautions. If the functionality of the 
device or its safety features is compromised, the product shall be 
discarded after testing.
    e. Some products may include protective circuitry between the 
battery cells and the remainder of the device. In some cases, it is 
possible that the test battery cannot be discharged without 
activating protective control circuitry. If the manufacturer 
provides a description for accessing connections at the output of 
the protective circuitry, the energy measurements shall be made at 
the terminals of the test battery, so as not to include energy used 
by the protective control circuitry.
    f. If the technician, despite diligent effort and use of the 
manufacturer's instructions:
    (1) Is unable to access the battery terminals;
    (2) Determines that access to the battery terminals destroys 
charger functionality; or
    (3) Is unable to draw current from the test battery, then the 
Battery Discharge Energy and the Charging and Maintenance Mode 
Energy shall be reported as ``Not Applicable.''

4.6. Determining Charge Capacity for Batteries With No Rating

    a. If the test battery has a rated charge capacity, this 
subsection may be skipped. Otherwise, if there is no rating for the 
battery charge capacity on the test battery or in the instructions, 
then the technician shall estimate the battery capacity in 
accordance with the following iterative procedure involving two or 
three charge and logged discharge cycles. These cycles can be used 
in lieu of the battery conditioning specified in section 5.3:
    (1) The test battery shall be fully charged according to the 
procedure in section 5.2.
    (2) The test battery shall then be discharged at a rate of 0.5 
amperes until its average cell voltage under load reaches the end-
of-discharge voltage specified in Table 5.2 for the relevant battery 
chemistry. The time required to reach end-of-discharge shall be 
measured, and the capacity estimated by multiplying the 0.5 ampere 
discharge current by the discharge time.
    (3) The test battery shall again be fully charged, as in step 
a.(1), of this section.
    (4) The test battery shall then be discharged at a trial 0.2 C 
rate based on the above capacity estimate. The trial 0.2 C discharge 
current can be calculated as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02AP10.002


[[Page 16983]]


Where:
I0.2C_TRIAL = is the trial discharge current; and
tDISCHARGE_0.5A is the time required to discharge the 
battery at 0.5 amperes.

    (5) The time required to reach end-of-discharge shall again be 
measured. If this second discharge time is greater than 4.5 hours 
and less than 5.5 hours, the capacity determined using the above 
method shall be used as the rated charge capacity throughout the 
remainder of this test procedure. Furthermore, the current 
calculated above shall be used as the 0.2 C rate.
    (6) Otherwise, if the second discharge time measured in step 
a.(4), of this section, is greater than 4.5 hours and less than 5.5 
hours, the capacity estimate shall be updated by multiplying by the 
second discharge time, and an updated trial discharge current shall 
be calculated as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02AP10.003

Where:
    I0.2C_TRIAL is the original trial discharge current;
    I'0.2C_TRIAL is the updated trial discharge current;
    t'DISCHARGE_0.5A is the updated discharge time 
measured at the I0.2C_TRIAL rate.

    b. This updated capacity estimate and updated trial discharge 
current shall then be used throughout this test procedure as the 
rated battery capacity and the 0.2 C rate, respectively.

5. Test Measurement

    The test sequence to measure the battery charger energy 
consumption is summarized in Table 5.1, and explained in detail 
below. Measurements shall be made under test conditions and with the 
equipment specified in Sections 3 and 4.

                                                                Table 5.1--Test Sequence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              Equipment needed
                                                                                   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                   Battery
           Step                     Description                 Data taken?                                      analyzer or                 Thermometer
                                                                                    Test battery     Charger      constant-     AC  power   (for flooded
                                                                                                                   current        meter       lead-acid
                                                                                                                    load                      BCs only)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.........................  Record general data on UUT;  Yes......................            X             X   ............  ............  ............
                             Section 5.1.
2.........................  Determine test duration;     No.......................  ............  ............  ............  ............  ............
                             Section 5.2.
3.........................  Battery conditioning;        No.......................            X             X             X   ............  ............
                             Section 5.3.
4.........................  Prepare battery for........  No.......................            X             X   ............  ............  ............
                            discharge test; Section 5.4
5.........................  Battery rest period;         No.......................            X   ............  ............  ............            X
                             Section 5.5.
6.........................  Battery Discharge Energy     Yes......................            X   ............            X   ............  ............
                             Test; Section 5.6.
7.........................  Battery Rest Period;         No.......................            X   ............  ............  ............            X
                             Section 5.7.
8.........................  Conduct Charge Mode and      Yes......................            X             X   ............            X   ............
                             Battery Maintenance Mode
                             Test; Section 5.8.
9.........................  Determining the Maintenance  Yes......................            X             X   ............            X   ............
                             Mode Power; Section 5.9.
10........................  Calculating the 24-Hour      No.......................  ............  ............  ............  ............  ............
                             Energy Consumption;
                             Section 5.10.
11........................  Standby Mode Test; Section   Yes......................  ............            X   ............            X   ............
                             5.11.
12........................  Off Mode Test; Section 5.12  Yes......................  ............            X   ............            X   ............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5.1. Recording General Data on the UUT

    The technician shall record:
    (1) The manufacturer and model of the battery charger;
    (2) The presence and status of any additional functions 
unrelated to battery charging;
    (3) The manufacturer, model, and number of batteries in the test 
battery;
    (4) The rated battery voltage of the test battery;
    (5) The rated charge capacity of the test battery; and
    (6) The rated charge energy of the test battery.
    (7) The settings of the controls, if battery charger has user 
controls to select from two or more charge rates.

5.2. Determining the Duration of the Charge and Maintenance Mode Test

    a. The charging and maintenance mode test, section 5.8, shall be 
24 hours or longer, as determined by the items below, in order of 
preference:
    (1) If the battery charger has an indicator to show that the 
battery is fully charged, that indicator shall be used as follows: 
If the indicator shows that the battery is charged after 19 hours of 
charging, the test shall be terminated at 24 hours. Conversely, if 
the full-charge indication is not yet present after 19 hours of 
charging, the test shall continue until 5 hours after the indication 
is present.
    (2) If there is no indicator, but the manufacturer's 
instructions indicate that charging this battery or this capacity of 
battery should be complete within 19 hours, the test shall be for 24 
hours. If the instructions indicate that charging may take longer 
than 19 hours, the test shall be run for the longest estimated 
charge time plus 5 hours.
    (3) If there is no indicator and no time estimate in the 
instructions, but the charging current is stated on the charger or 
in the instructions, calculate the test duration as the longer of 24 
hours or:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02AP10.004


[[Page 16984]]


    b. If none of the above applies, the duration of the test shall 
be 24 hours.

5.4. Preparing the Battery for Discharge Testing

    Following any conditioning prior to beginning the battery 
discharge test (section 5.6), the test battery shall be fully 
charged for the duration specified in section 5.2 or no longer using 
the UUT.

5.5. Resting the Battery

    The test battery shall be rested between preparation and the 
battery discharge test. The rest period shall be at least one hour 
and not exceed 24 hours. For batteries with flooded cells, the 
electrolyte temperature shall be less than 33 [deg]C before 
charging, even if the rest period must be extended longer than 24 
hours.

5.6. Battery Discharge Energy Test

    a. If multiple batteries were charged simultaneously during the 
preparation step, the discharge energy is the sum of the discharge 
energies of all the batteries.
    (1) For a multi-port charger: batteries that were charged in 
separate ports shall be discharged independently.
    (2) For a batch charger: batteries that were charged as a group 
may be discharged individually, as a group, or in sub-groups 
connected in series and/or parallel. The position of each battery 
with respect to the other batteries need not be maintained.
    b. During discharge, the battery voltage and discharge current 
shall be sampled and recorded at least once per minute. The values 
recorded may be average or instantaneous values.
    c. For this test, the technician shall follow these steps:
    (1) Ensure that the test battery has been charged by the UUT and 
rested according to the procedures above.
    (2) Set the battery analyzer for a constant discharge current of 
0.2 C and the end-of-discharge voltage in Table 5.2 for the relevant 
battery chemistry.
    (3) Connect the test battery to the analyzer and begin recording 
the voltage, current, and wattage, if available from the battery 
analyzer. When the end-of-discharge voltage is reached or the UUT 
circuitry terminates the discharge, the test battery shall be 
returned to an open-circuit condition. If for any reason, current 
continues to be drawn from the test battery after the end-of-
discharge condition is first reached, this additional energy is not 
to be counted in the battery discharge energy.
    d. If not available from the battery analyzer, the battery 
discharge energy (in watt-hours) is calculated by multiplying the 
voltage (in volts), current (in amperes), and sample period (in 
hours) for each sample, and then summing over all sample periods 
until the end-of-discharge voltage is reached.

5.7. Resting the Battery

    The test battery shall be rested between discharging and 
charging. The rest period shall be at least one hour and not more 
than 24-hours. For batteries with flooded cells, the electrolyte 
temperature shall be less than 33 [deg]C before charging, even if 
the rest period must be extended longer than 4 hours.

5.8. Testing Charge Mode and Battery Maintenance Mode

    a. The Charge and Battery Maintenance Mode test measures the 
energy consumed during charge mode and some time spent in the 
maintenance mode of the UUT. Functions required for battery 
conditioning that happen only with some user-selected switch or 
other control shall not be included in this measurement. (The 
technician shall manually turn off any battery conditioning cycle or 
setting.) Regularly occurring battery conditioning or maintenance 
functions that are not controlled by the user will, by default, be 
incorporated into this measurement.
    b. During the measurement period, input power values to the UUT 
shall be recorded at least once every minute.
    (1) If possible, the technician shall set the data logging 
system to record the average power during the sample interval. This 
allows the total energy to be computed as the sum of power samples 
(in watts) multiplied by the sample interval (in hours).
    (2) If this setting is not possible, then the power analyzer 
shall be set to integrate or accumulate the input power over the 
measurement period and this result shall be used as the total 
energy.
    c. The technician shall follow these steps:
    (1) Ensure that user-controllable device functionality not 
associated with battery charging and any battery conditioning cycle 
or setting are turned off, as instructed in section 4.4;
    (2) Ensure that the test battery used in this test has been 
conditioned, prepared, discharged, and rested as described in 
sections 5.3 through 5.7, above;
    (3) Connect the data logging equipment to the battery charger;
    (4) Record the start time of the measurement period, and begin 
logging the input power;
    (5) Connect the test battery to the battery charger within 3 
minutes of beginning logging. For integral battery products, connect 
the product to a cradle or wall adapter within 3 minutes of 
beginning logging;
    (6) After the test battery is connected, record the initial 
time, power (W), power factor, and crest factor of the input current 
to the UUT. These measurements shall be taken within the first 10 
minutes of active charging;
    (7) Record the input power for the duration of the ``Charging 
and Maintenance Mode Test'' period, as determined by 5.2. The actual 
time that power is connected to the UUT shall be within 5 minutes of the specified period;
    (8) During the last 10 minutes of the test, record the power 
factor and crest factor of the input current to the UUT; and
    (9) Disconnect power to the UUT, terminate data logging, and 
record the final time.

5.9. Determining the Maintenance Mode Power

    a. After the measurement period is complete, the technician 
shall determine the average maintenance mode power consumption as 
follows. Examine the power-versus-time data, and:
    (1) If the maintenance mode power is cyclic or shows periodic 
pulses, compute the average power over a time period that spans an 
integer number of cycles and includes at least the last 4 hours.
    (2) Otherwise, calculate the average power value over the last 4 
hours.

5.10. Determining the 24-Hour Energy Consumption

    a. If the charge and maintenance test period determined in 
section 5.2 was 24-hours, either the accumulated energy or the 
average input power, integrated over the test period, shall be used 
to calculate 24-hour energy consumption.
    b. If the charge and maintenance test period was greater than 
24-hours, only the first 24-hours of the accumulated energy or the 
average input power, integrated over 24-hours, shall be used to 
calculate the 24-hour energy consumption.

Table 5.2--Required Battery Discharge Rates and End-of-Discharge Battery
                                Voltages
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        End-of-discharge
         Battery chemistry           Discharge rate C  voltage Volts per
                                                              cell
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valve-Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA)...               0.2               1.75
Flooded Lead Acid..................               0.2               1.70
Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)..............               0.2               1.0
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)........               0.2               1.0
Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)...............               0.2               2.5
Lithium Polymer....................               0.2               2.5
Rechargeable Alkaline..............               0.2               0.9
Nanophosphate Lithium Ion..........               0.2               2.0
Silver Zinc........................               0.2               1.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 16985]]

5.11. Standby Mode Energy Consumption Measurement

    a. Conduct a measurement of standby power consumption while the 
battery charger is connected to the power source. Disconnect the 
battery from the charger, allow the charger to operate for at least 
30 minutes, and record the power (i.e., watts) consumed as the time 
series integral of the power consumed over a 10 minute test period, 
divided by the period of measurement. If the battery charger has 
manual on-off switches, all must be turned on for the duration of 
the standby mode test.
    b. Standby mode may also apply to products with integral 
batteries. If the product uses a cradle and/or adapter for power 
conversion and charging, then ``disconnecting the battery from the 
charger'' will require disconnection of the end-use product, which 
contains the batteries. The other enclosures of the battery charging 
system will remain connected to the main electricity supply, and 
standby mode power consumption will equal that of the cradle and/or 
adapter alone.
    c. If the product also contains integrated power conversion and 
charging circuitry and is powered through a detachable AC power 
cord, then only the cord will remain connected to mains, and standby 
mode power consumption will equal that of the AC power cord (i.e., 
zero watts).
    d. Finally, if the product contains integrated power conversion 
and charging circuitry but is powered through a non-detachable AC 
power cord or plug blades, then no part of the system will remain 
connected to mains, and standby mode measurement is not applicable.

5.12 Off Mode Energy Consumption Measurement

    a. If the battery charger has manual on-off switches, record a 
measurement of off mode energy consumption while the battery charger 
is connected to the power source. Remove the battery from the 
charger, allow the charger to operate for at least 30 minutes, and 
record the power (i.e., watts) consumed as the time series integral 
of the power consumed over a 10-minute test period, divided by the 
period of measurement, with all manual on-off switches turned off. 
If the battery charger does not have manual on-off switches, record 
that the off mode measurement is not applicable to this product.
    b. Off mode may also apply to products with integral batteries. 
If the product uses a cradle and/or adapter for power conversion and 
charging, then ``disconnecting the battery from the charger'' will 
require disconnection of the end-use product, which contains the 
batteries. The other enclosures of the battery charging system will 
remain connected to the main electricity supply, and off mode power 
consumption will equal that of the cradle and/or adapter alone.
    c. If the product also contains integrated power conversion and 
charging circuitry and is powered through a detachable AC power 
cord, then only the cord will remain connected to mains, and off 
mode power consumption will equal that of the AC power cord (i.e., 
zero watts).
    d. Finally, if the product contains integrated power conversion 
and charging circuitry but is powered through a non-detachable AC 
power cord or plug blades, then no part of the system will remain 
connected to mains, and off mode measurement is not applicable.

    4. Amend appendix Z to subpart B of part 430 by:
    a. Revising paragraph 2(c).
    b. Revising paragraphs 3(b) and 4(b).
    The revisions read as follows:

Appendix Z to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of External Power Supplies

* * * * *
    2. * * *
    c. Active power (P) (also real power) means the average power 
consumed by a unit. For a two terminal device with current and 
voltage waveforms i(t) and v(t) which are periodic with period T, 
the real or active power P is:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02AP10.005

* * * * *
    3. * * *
    (b) Multiple-Voltage External Power Supply. Unless otherwise 
specified, measurements shall be made under test conditions and with 
equipment specified below.

(i) Verifying Accuracy and Precision of Measuring Equipment

    (A) Measurements of power 0.5 W or greater shall be made with an 
uncertainty of <= 2% at the 95% confidence level. Measurements of 
power less than 0.5 W shall be made with an uncertainty of <= 0.01 W 
at the 95% confidence level. The power measurement instrument shall 
have a resolution of:
    (1) 0.01 W or better for measurements up to 10 W;
    (2) 0.1 W or better for measurements of 10 to 100 W; or
    (3) 1 W or better for measurements over 100 W.
    (B) Measurements of energy (Wh) shall be made with an 
uncertainty of <= 2% at the 95% confidence level. Measurements of 
voltage and current shall be made with an uncertainty of <= 1% at 
the 95% confidence level. Measurements of temperature shall be made 
with an uncertainty of <= 2 [deg]C at the 95% confidence level.
    (C) All equipment used to conduct the tests must be selected and 
calibrated to ensure that measurements will meet the above 
uncertainty requirements. For suggestions on measuring low power 
levels, see IEC 62301, (Reference for guidance only, see Sec.  
430.4) especially Section 5.3.2 and Annexes B and D.

(ii) Setting Up the Test Room

    All tests shall be carried out in a room with an air speed 
immediately surrounding the UUT of <= 0.5 m/s. The ambient 
temperature shall be maintained at 25 [deg]C  5 [deg]C 
throughout the test. There shall be no intentional cooling of the 
UUT such as by use of separately powered fans, air conditioners, or 
heat sinks. The UUT shall be conditioned, rested, and tested on a 
thermally non-conductive surface. A readily available material such 
as Styrofoam will be sufficient.

(iii) Verifying the UUT's Input Voltage and Input Frequency

    (A) If the UUT is intended for operation on AC line-voltage 
input in the United States, it shall be tested at 115 V at 60 Hz. If 
the UUT is intended for operation on AC line-voltage input but 
cannot be operated at 115 V at 60 Hz, it shall not be tested. The 
input voltage shall be within  1% of the above specified 
voltage.
    (B) If the UUT is intended for operation only on DC input 
voltage, it shall be tested with one of the following input 
voltages: 12.0 V DC for products intended for automotive, 
recreational vehicle, or marine use; 5.0 V DC for products drawing 
power from a computer USB port; or the midpoint of the rated input 
voltage range for all other products. The input voltage shall be 
within  1% of the above specified voltage.
    (C) If the input voltage is AC, the input frequency shall be 
within  1% of the specified frequency. The THD of the 
input voltage shall be <= 2%, up to and including the 13th harmonic. 
The crest factor of the input voltage shall be between 1.34 and 
1.49.
    (D) If the input voltage is DC, the AC ripple voltage (RMS) 
shall be:
    (1) <= 0.2 V for DC voltages up to 10 V
    (2) <= 2% of the DC voltage for DC voltages over 10 V.
    4. * * *
    (b) Multiple-Voltage External Power Supply--Power supplies must 
be tested with the output cord packaged with the unit for sale to 
the consumer, as it is considered part of the unit under test. There 
are two options for connecting metering equipment to the output of 
this type of power supply: Cut the cord immediately adjacent to the 
output connector or attach leads and measure the efficiency from the 
output connector itself. If the power supply is attached directly to 
the product that it is powering, cut the cord immediately adjacent 
to the powered product and connect output measurement probes at that 
point. The tests should be conducted on the sets of output wires 
that constitute the output busses. If the product has additional 
wires, these should be left electrically disconnected unless they 
are necessary for controlling the product. In this case, the 
manufacturer shall supply a connection diagram or test fixture that 
will allow the testing laboratory to put the unit under test into 
active mode.
    (i) Standby-Mode and Active-Mode Measurement--The measurement of 
the multiple-voltage external power supply standby mode (also no-
load-mode) energy consumption and active-mode efficiency shall be as 
follows:
    (A) Loading conditions and testing sequence. (1) If the unit 
under test has on-off switches, all switches shall be placed in the 
``on'' position. Loading criteria for multiple-voltage external 
power supplies shall be based on nameplate output current

[[Page 16986]]

and not on nameplate output power because output voltage might not 
remain constant.
    (2) The unit under test shall operate at 100 percent of 
nameplate current output for at least 30 minutes immediately before 
conducting efficiency measurements.
    (3) After this warm-up period, the technician shall monitor AC 
input power for a period of 5 minutes to assess the stability of the 
unit under test. If the power level does not drift by more than 1 
percent from the maximum value observed, the unit under test can be 
considered stable and measurements can be recorded at the end of the 
5-minute period. Measurements at subsequent loading conditions, 
listed in Table 1, can then be conducted under the same 5-minute 
stability guidelines. Only one warm-up period of 30 minutes is 
required for each unit under test at the beginning of the test 
procedure.
    (4) If AC input power is not stable over a 5-minute period, the 
technician shall follow the guidelines established by IEC Standard 
62301 for measuring average power or accumulated energy over time 
for both input and output.
    (5) The unit under test shall be tested at the loading 
conditions listed in Table 1, derated per the proportional 
allocation method presented in the following section.

             Table 1--Loading Conditions for Unit Under Test
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loading Condition 1....................  100% of Derated Nameplate
                                          Output Current 
                                          2%.
Loading Condition 2....................  75% of Derated Nameplate Output
                                          Current  2%.
Loading Condition 3....................  50% of Derated Nameplate Output
                                          Current  2%.
Loading Condition 4....................  25% of Derated Nameplate Output
                                          Current  2%.
Loading Condition 5....................  0%.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (6) Input and output power measurements shall be conducted in 
sequence from Loading Condition 1 to Loading Condition 4, as 
indicated in Table 1. For Loading Condition 5, the unit under test 
shall be placed in no-load mode, any additional signal connections 
to the unit under test shall be disconnected, and input power shall 
be measured.
    (B) Proportional allocation method for loading multiple-voltage 
external power supplies. For power supplies with multiple voltage 
busses, defining consistent loading criteria is difficult because 
each bus has its own nameplate output current. The sum of the power 
dissipated by each bus loaded to its nameplate output current may 
exceed the overall nameplate output power of the power supply. The 
following proportional allocation method must be used to provide 
consistent loading conditions for multiple-voltage external power 
supplies. For additional explanation, please refer to section 6.1.1 
of the California Energy Commission's ``Proposed Test Protocol for 
Calculating the Energy Efficiency of Internal Ac-Dc Power Supplies 
Revision 6.2,'' November 2007.
    (1) Assume a multiple-voltage power supply with N output busses, 
and nameplate output voltages V1, * * *, VN, corresponding output 
current ratings I1, * * *, IN, and a nameplate output power P. 
Calculate the derating factor D by dividing the power supply 
nameplate output power P by the sum of the nameplate output powers 
of the individual output busses, equal to the product of bus 
nameplate output voltage and current IiVi, as follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP02AP10.006

    (2) If D >= 1, then loading every bus to its nameplate output 
current does not exceed the overall nameplate output power for the 
power supply. In this case, each output bus will simply be loaded to 
the percentages of its nameplate output current listed in Table 1. 
However, if D < 1, it is an indication that loading each bus to its 
nameplate output current will exceed the overall nameplate output 
power for the power supply. In this case, and at each loading 
condition, each output bus will be loaded to the appropriate 
percentage of its nameplate output current listed in Table 1, 
multiplied by the derating factor D.
    (C) Minimum output current requirements. Depending on their 
application, some multiple-voltage power supplies may require a 
minimum output current for each output bus of the power supply for 
correct operation. In these cases, ensure that the load current for 
each output at Loading Condition 4 in Table 1 is greater than the 
minimum output current requirement. Thus, if the test method's 
calculated load current for a given voltage bus is smaller than the 
minimum output current requirement, the minimum output current must 
be used to load the bus. This load current shall be properly 
recorded in any test report.
    (D) Test loads. Active loads such as electronic loads or passive 
loads such as rheostats used for efficiency testing of the unit 
under test shall be able to maintain the required current loading 
set point for each output voltage within an accuracy of  
0.5 percent. If electronic load banks are used, their settings 
should be adjusted such that they provide a constant current load to 
the unit under test.
    (E) Efficiency calculation. Efficiency shall be calculated by 
dividing the measured active output power of the unit under test at 
a given loading condition by the active AC input power measured at 
that loading condition. Efficiency shall be calculated at each 
Loading Condition (1, 2, 3, and 4, in Table 1) and be recorded 
separately.
    (F) Power consumption calculation. Power consumption of the unit 
under test at Loading Conditions 1, 2, 3, and 4 is the difference 
between the active output power at that Loading Condition and the 
active AC input power at that Loading Condition. The power 
consumption of Loading Condition 5 (no-load) is equal to the AC 
active input power at that Loading Condition.
    (ii) Off Mode Measurement--If the multiple-voltage external 
power supply unit under test incorporates any on-off switches, the 
unit under test shall be placed in off mode and its power 
consumption in off mode measured and recorded. The measurement of 
the off mode energy consumption shall conform to the requirements 
specified in paragraph 4.(b)(i) of this appendix. Note that the only 
loading condition that will be measured for off mode is ``Loading 
Condition 5'' in paragraph 4.(b)(i)(A) of this appendix, except that 
all manual on-off switches shall be placed in the off position for 
the measurement.

[FR Doc. 2010-6318 Filed 4-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P