UPS for exit signs

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rlundsrud

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Location
chicago, il, USA
We picked up a contract that another EC lost because they were pretty much incompetent. One of the issues that must be remedied are the exit signs. The EC installed 9 new signs but didn't use battery backup units and there is no legally required generator. My boss wanted to know if we could just install a UPS located in the electrical closet and power them that wa I personally think after we re-pull the wiring to get them on a single circuit and install a UPS we would be better off just replacing them.

I guess my question is, is this even legal to do and would the UPS need to be hard wired or could it be a corded unit as these are LED signs so a small UPS (350-500 VA) would be sufficient.

Bob
 
rlundsrud said:
We picked up a contract that another EC lost because they were pretty much incompetent. One of the issues that must be remedied are the exit signs. The EC installed 9 new signs but didn't use battery backup units and there is no legally required generator. My boss wanted to know if we could just install a UPS located in the electrical closet and power them that wa I personally think after we re-pull the wiring to get them on a single circuit and install a UPS we would be better off just replacing them.

I guess my question is, is this even legal to do and would the UPS need to be hard wired or could it be a corded unit as these are LED signs so a small UPS (350-500 VA) would be sufficient.

Bob
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I would take down what is there and replace them with battery backup units.
I know emergency egress is required to be on the circuit serving the room.
Not sure about exit signs...
 
This is a common application - one nearby military base has 300 invertors for emergency lighting.
The UPS you propose would be an Article 700 installation - the wiring from the signs to the UPS will have to be separate with no other conductors for non emergency loads.
Individual battery units are the best way to go.
 
qcroanoke said:
I would take down what is there and replace them with battery backup units.
I know emergency egress is required to be on the circuit serving the room.
Not sure about exit signs...
Click to expand...
I believe the same circuit rule for the lights is so that the egress lighting can turn on automatically if power is lost to that room only.
If the exit signs are always on, then that reason does not apply (although the code may require it anyway.)
 
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