Emergency light fixture

[hhsting]

Attached sketch shows emergency light fixture shows switch line and unswitched line.

I understand what the unswitched line is for but is switched line for?

 

[zbang]

So you can use the fixture for non-emergency lighting.

 

[hhsting]

So you can use the fixture for non-emergency lighting.

Plans is showing the wiring diagram above and they are wiring all emergency light fixture like shown post#1.

So let me get this straight. When you turn off wall switch light turns off? And when the power goes off and the light switch is off then what?

 

[Kansas Mountain]

Plans is showing the wiring diagram above and they are wiring all emergency light fixture like shown post#1.

So let me get this straight. When you turn off wall switch light turns off? And when the power goes off and the light switch is off then what?

In the event of loss of power, the fixture will come on regardless of local switch position.

 

[steve66]

Had a project where all the emergency lights would come on when the general lights were turned off. Turns out that was the default mode for the off brand em. lights the contractor provided. They had to remove a jumper to get the em. lights to work the way most em. lights do (only turn on with the power fails).

My guess is you are looking at something similar. Try seeing if they work without the switched wire.

 

[hhsting]

Normally I thought emergency light fixtures stay on such as exit lights or 2x2 light or 2x4 lights. However if their is a wall switch to turn them off does not not violate any codes?

 

[Kansas Mountain]

Normally I thought emergency light fixtures stay on such as exit lights or 2x2 light or 2x4 lights. However if their is a wall switch to turn them off does not not violate any codes?

It typically doesn't matter if emergency lights are switched, so long as they automatically turn on in the event of loss of power. Usually achieved with a UL924 bypass relay in my experience. There are some codes that require stairwells never go below 50% output when the building is occupied, but other than that or some other super niche application, it's fine for EM fixture to be switched.

 

[DrSparks]

You typically run an unswitched and switched wire to the fixture.

Very common configuration for emergency ballasts in fluorescent lighting.

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

 

[GoldDigger]

Normally I thought emergency light fixtures stay on such as exit lights or 2x2 light or 2x4 lights. However if their is a wall switch to turn them off does not not violate any codes?

There are two categories of required lights. One is the EXIT sign or combination EXIT sign and area light. The EXIT sign portion is usually left on full time for better visibility even in daylight.
The other is specific path or area lighting. This is only required to turn on for a loss of normal power. However, particularly if the fixture is one of a full ceiling array of lights, the choice is made to have them also server as constant-on night lights when the area is expected to be unoccupied.

 

[Fred B]

I've seen this system before, it allows the entire or part of fixture, most likely a trougher, to act as an emergency area lighting if power goes out. Unswitched line acts for 2 functions, 1 it maintains the charge for the battery backup to the emergency side, and 2 it acts to indicate a power outage to trigger the operation of the emergency lighting. These are nice options where minimum area lighting for egress purposes is required within a space and the frog eyes won't provide the required coverage.

 

[hhsting]

There are two categories of required lights. One is the EXIT sign or combination EXIT sign and area light. The EXIT sign portion is usually left on full time for better visibility even in daylight.
The other is specific path or area lighting. This is only required to turn on for a loss of normal power. However, particularly if the fixture is one of a full ceiling array of lights, the choice is made to have them also server as constant-on night lights when the area is expected to be unoccupied.

which code states exit sign or combination exit sign lights have to be on all the time? Also when you say choice is made night lite to be on all the time can night light be switched off or has to be on all the time?

 

[zbang]

I'll guess that the "code" says they must be illuminated when the building is occupied but in most cases it's easier to leave them on. Check the building codes for actual requirements.

 

[hhsting]

I'll guess that the "code" says they must be illuminated when the building is occupied but in most cases it's easier to leave them on. Check the building codes for actual requirements.

Which code is this?

 

[zbang]

Check in https://forums.mikeholt.com/threads...and-wall-mounted-battery.2562316/post-2685512

(Really, these threads are essentially the same.)

 

[hhsting]

That thread was closed. Anyways the post #1 attachment is used on exit signs. However manufacturer instruction of the post #1 say it is NEC 2017 section 700 compliant. Enginmer says it has unswitched line and when utility power shuts off exit light is on regardless. However the exit sign can be turned off by wall switch under normal power

But IBC 2018 says exit sign need to be on all the time se below:

1013.5 Internally Illuminated Exit Signs
Electrically powered, self-luminous and photoluminescent exit signs shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 924 and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and Chapter 27. Exit signs shall be illuminated at all times

How can the post #1 attachment be NEC 2017 section 700 compliant and not be IBC 2018 code compliant? Can this led driver post#1 attachment be used on exit sogn?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[electrofelon]

That thread was closed. Anyways the post #1 attachment is used on exit signs. However manufacturer instruction of the post #1 say it is NEC 2017 section 700 compliant. Enginmer says it has unswitched line and when utility power shuts off exit light is on regardless. However the exit sign can be turned off by wall switch under normal power

But IBC 2018 says exit sign need to be on all the time se below:

1013.5 Internally Illuminated Exit Signs
Electrically powered, self-luminous and photoluminescent exit signs shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 924 and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and Chapter 27. Exit signs shall be illuminated at all times

How can the post #1 attachment be NEC 2017 section 700 compliant and not be IBC 2018 code compliant? Can this led driver post#1 attachment be used on exit sogn?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The thing can be wired so that it is not on a switch. The electrician wiring it will know what to do. MOVE ON.

 

[hhsting]

The thing can be wired so that it is not on a switch. The electrician wiring it will know what to do. MOVE ON.

Really? But post#1 shows switch and un switch going to driver both need to be on their. I am just curious how it can only be wired for not on switch?

 

[hillbilly1]

We have a customer In the past couple of years that has the EMS shut off the Exit light circuit, keep in mind it is from an emergency generator, so no battery to keep charged. Don’t really see much of an energy savings, as Exit lights are very low wattage LED.

 

[electrofelon]

Really? But post#1 shows switch and un switch going to driver both need to be on their. I am just curious how it can only be wired for not on switch?

you connect the unswitched power line to both the switched and unswitched input lead.

 

[hhsting]

We have a customer In the past couple of years that has the EMS shut off the Exit light circuit, keep in mind it is from an emergency generator, so no battery to keep charged. Don’t really see much of an energy savings, as Exit lights are very low wattage LED.

But in my case if wall switch shut off then so does the exit light. It has battery backup but it wont come on since it senses utility power is on thru unswitched line. Its a problem but IBC 2018 wont allow this to happen. How can NEC 2017 section 700 allow it? Instruction is saying its complaint with NEC 2017 section 700