The sign lighting power requirements apply to all internally illuminated signs, externally illuminated signs, unfiltered LEDs, and unfiltered neon, indoors or outdoors. Examples include cabinet signs, channel letters, lightboxes, backlit signs, illuminated billboards, and electronic message centers.
§140.8|topic=SECTION 140.8 – PRESCRIPTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNS
The following sign lighting applications are not required to comply with the sign lighting power requirements:
A. Unfiltered Incandescent Lamps
Unfiltered incandescent lamps are lamps that are not part of an EMC, internally illuminated sign, or externally illuminated sign.
This exception applies only to portions of a sign that are unfiltered incandescent lamps. An “unfiltered sign” is defined in the Energy Code as a sign where the viewer perceives the light source directly as the message, without any colored filter between the viewer and the light source. Although internally illuminated signs are mentioned in this exception, it is only those portions of a hybrid sign consisting of unfiltered incandescent lamps that are excluded from the sign lighting power requirements.
B. Exit Signs
Exit signs are required to meet the requirements of the Appliance Efficiency Regulations.
C. Traffic Signs
Traffic signs are required to meet the requirements of the Appliance Efficiency Regulations.
There are two options for complying with the sign lighting power requirements:
•Maximum allowed lighting power (watts per square foot)
•List of compliant alternate lighting sources
The maximum allowed lighting power compliance approach limits allowed sign lighting power based on the illuminated sign area. When using this approach, there are rules in the Energy Code for classifying the lighting technology used and determining luminaire power. Additional information on determining luminaire power is including in Section 7.2.2 of this chapter.
This compliance approach may be used for any light source type except unfiltered LED and unfiltered neon lighting, which must comply with the alternate lighting source compliance method described in Section 7.4.5.
The maximum allowed lighting power for internally and externally illuminated signs is calculated as follows:
A. Internally Illuminated Signs
Internally illuminated signs (see Figures 7-1 and 7-2) are defined in the Energy Code as signs that are illuminated by a light source that is contained inside a sign where the message area is luminous, including cabinet signs and channel letter signs. The maximum allowed lighting power shall not exceed the product of the illuminated sign area and 12 watts per square foot of illuminated sign area. For double-faced signs (see Figure 7-3), only the area of a single face shall be used to determine the allowed lighting power.
Figure 7-1 Multifaced Sign
Source: California Statewide CASE Team
Figure 7-2:
Single-Faced Internally Illuminated Cabinet Sign With Fluorescent Lamps and
Translucent Face
Source: California Statewide CASE Team
Figure 7-3: Double-Faced Internally Illuminated Cabinet Sign With Fluorescent Lamps and Translucent Faces
Source: California Statewide CASE Team
B. Externally Illuminated Signs
Externally illuminated signs (see Figure 7-4) are defined in the Energy Code as any sign or billboard that is lit by a light source that is external to the sign directed toward and shining on the face of the sign.
The maximum allowed lighting power shall not exceed the product of the illuminated sign area and 2.3 watts per square foot of illuminated sign area. Only areas of an externally lighted sign that are illuminated without obstruction or interference, by one or more luminaires, shall be used.
Figure 7-4: Externally Illuminated Sign Using Flood Lighting
Source: California Statewide CASE Team
The alternate lighting sources compliance approach specifies lighting technologies that may be used to meet the sign lighting power requirements. A sign is in compliance if it is equipped only with one or more of the following light sources:
1. High-pressure sodium lamps.
2. Metal-halide lamps that are:
o Pulse start or ceramic served by a ballast that has a minimum efficiency of 88 percent or greater.
o Pulse start that are 320 watts or less, are not 250 watts or 175 watts, and are served by a ballast that has a minimum efficiency of 80 percent.
Ballast efficiency is the reference lamp power divided by the ballast input power when tested according to ANSI C82.6-2015.
3. Neon or cold cathode lamps with transformer or power supply efficiency greater than or equal to one of the following:
o A minimum efficiency of 75 percent when the transformer or power supply rated output current is less than 50 mA.
o A minimum efficiency of 68 percent when the transformer or power supply rated output current is 50 mA or greater.
The ratio of the output wattage to the input wattage is at 100 percent tubing load.
4. Fluorescent lighting systems meeting either of the following requirements:
•Use only lamps with a minimum color rendering index of 80.
•Use only electronic ballasts with a fundamental output frequency not less than 20 kHz.
5. LEDs with a power supply efficiency of 80 percent or greater.
•Single-voltage external power supplies that are designed to convert 120 volt AC input into lower voltage DC or AC output and which have a nameplate output power less than or equal to 250 watts and must comply with the applicable requirements for external power supplies in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations
6. Compact fluorescent lamps that do not contain a medium screw base socket (E24/E26).
A sign may consist of components that are regulated and components that are not regulated. For example, a single sign structure may have a regulated internally illuminated cabinet, regulated externally illuminated letters attached to a brick pedestal, and unregulated unfiltered incandescent “chaser” lamps forming an illuminated arrow. Figure 7-5 shows an arrow, which is not part of an EMC using unfiltered incandescent lamps.
If the lamps are not covered by a lens, then only the control regulations (§130.3) apply to the sign. This type of unfiltered incandescent sign is not regulated by §140.8|topic=SECTION 140.8 – PRESCRIPTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNS.
Figure 7-5: Unfiltered Incandescent Sign
Source: California Statewide CASE Team
Example 7-2: Neon and Cold Cathode Lighting
Question
Can I use neon or cold cathode lighting in my sign and comply with the Energy Code under Option 2 (compliant alternate lighting sources)?
Answer
Yes, neon and cold cathode lighting are allowed under the alternate light source compliance option, provided that the transformers or power supplies have an efficiency of 75 percent or greater for output currents less than 50 mA and 68 percent or greater for output currents 50 mA or greater.
Example 7-3: Indoor Sign Lighting in a Theater Lobby
Question
Do signs inside a theater lobby or other indoor environments need to comply with the sign requirements?
Answer
Yes, all illuminated signs must comply with either the maximum allowed lighting power or compliant alternate lighting sources compliance option.
Example 7-4: Alternate Lighting Sources – Incandescent Lamps
Question
My sign is equipped with both hardwired compact fluorescent lamps and incandescent lamps. Can my sign comply under the alternate lighting sources approach?
Answer
No. Because your sign is not exclusively equipped with -energy efficient technologies allowed under the alternate lighting sources approach (incandescent sources are not allowed), it must comply under the maximum-allowed lighting power compliance option. Your other option is to replace the incandescent sources with an option allowed under the alternate lighting sources, such as compliant LED, pulse start or ceramic metal halide, or fluorescent.
Example 7-5: Alternate Lighting Sources – Multiple Light Source Types
Question
My sign has an internally illuminated panel sign equipped with electronic ballasts and unfiltered 30 mA neon tubes above and below the panel sign having power supplies with 76 percent efficiency. Does this sign comply with the compliant alternate lighting sources option?
Answer
Yes, as long as the internally illuminated panel portion is illuminated with a compliant technology. This sign is essentially made up of three different signs (the panel sign and the two neon tubes); the entire sign complies as long as each part complies.
Example 7-6: Sign Lighting and Outdoor Lighting Zones
Question
Do outdoor lighting zone requirements apply to sign lighting?
Answer
No. Lighting for signs must meet the sign lighting requirements and does not need to meet the outdoor lighting requirements.