Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Emergency Florescents
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hondavan
01-05-07, 11:44 AM
In one our church buildings, we have some 2 x 2 U-tube drop-in troffers designed to be used for emergency lighting. These few fixtures have small pilot lights and push buttons for testing the emergency function and are also on unswitched AC.
From my understanding, both bulbs and the pilot should light normally when proper power is applied. If power is interrupted, one bulb should go dark and the other bulb (connected to the emergency ballast) should stay on, but at perhaps a lower light output.
On virtually all these emergency fixtures I examined, the pilot light was not lit. and when the test button was pressed, the non-emergency bulb went out but the emergency bulb did nothing - even with brand new bulbs.
My first assumption is that the rechargeable batteries have expired (since they do have a limited life). But that doesn't explain why the emergency bulb doesn't work even when full AC power is present.
Should I concentrate my efforts on replacing the emergency ballasts? Or might the normal ballast also be bad?
I haven't climbed up there to get brand & model numbers for either. It's a 10 foot ceiling with plenum space above.
Any suggestions?
I'm really concerned about a power outage when the room is full.
Thanks.
From my understanding, both bulbs and the pilot should light normally when proper power is applied. If power is interrupted, one bulb should go dark and the other bulb (connected to the emergency ballast) should stay on, but at perhaps a lower light output.
On virtually all these emergency fixtures I examined, the pilot light was not lit. and when the test button was pressed, the non-emergency bulb went out but the emergency bulb did nothing - even with brand new bulbs.
My first assumption is that the rechargeable batteries have expired (since they do have a limited life). But that doesn't explain why the emergency bulb doesn't work even when full AC power is present.
Should I concentrate my efforts on replacing the emergency ballasts? Or might the normal ballast also be bad?
I haven't climbed up there to get brand & model numbers for either. It's a 10 foot ceiling with plenum space above.
Any suggestions?
I'm really concerned about a power outage when the room is full.
Thanks.
chandler
01-05-07, 04:19 PM
Having full line voltage available won't make any difference testing the emergency part of the lights. Try turning off the breaker to these lights. That should energize the emergency circuit. It seems the batteries may be the culprit, as they don't live forever.
lectriclee
01-05-07, 05:40 PM
How old are these fixtures? I have seen the batteries last for quite some time.
They are on a "trickle" charge.
Saddly, another thing I have seen (quite often).
The plug in connection was never made!
Inside the fixture (attempt with power off), on the ballast is a pin connector.
If this is not made, it wont work.
The only reason I have found for this, is the lights go in before power, and the contractor does not want to run out the batteries. Nor go back and connect them.The pilot light will still act as if it works,the test only disconnects the power to the ballast and the light. Just a thought.
If so, Let the fixtures run for a few hours before testing, or you could get false indications and create work not needed. Good luck
They are on a "trickle" charge.
Saddly, another thing I have seen (quite often).
The plug in connection was never made!
Inside the fixture (attempt with power off), on the ballast is a pin connector.
If this is not made, it wont work.
The only reason I have found for this, is the lights go in before power, and the contractor does not want to run out the batteries. Nor go back and connect them.The pilot light will still act as if it works,the test only disconnects the power to the ballast and the light. Just a thought.
If so, Let the fixtures run for a few hours before testing, or you could get false indications and create work not needed. Good luck