Overview
Emergency lighting can get people out of your building in a timely manner in case of a problem. These emergency lights are designed to ensure there is still light when a building’s main power supply cuts out. Battery powered led lights that switch on automatically, are fitted as standard in commercial offices and new-build residential homes.
Types of Emergency Light Battery
Batteries can be sorted into 3 categories: lithium-ion (Li) (LIB), alkaline battery, and nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH). Now we usually use rechargeable Lithium-ion, Li-FePO4 and Ni-MH batteries for emergency backup led lighting.
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are common in consumer electronics. They are one of the most popular types of rechargeable batteries for portable electronics, with one of the best energy densities, no memory effect, and only a slow loss of charge when not in use.
Comment: Very high specific energy, limited specific power. Market share has stabilized.
LiFePO4
The lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4 battery) or LFP battery, is a type of rechargeable battery, specifically a lithium-ion battery, using LiFeP4 as the cathode material. There are significant differences. LFP chemistry offers a longer cycle life than other lithium-ion approaches.
Highlights: Flat discharge voltage, high power low capacity, very safe and elevated self-discharge.
Ni-MH
A nickel-metal hydride cell, abbreviated NiMH or Ni-MH, is a type of rechargeable battery. It is very similar to the nickel-cadmium cell (Ni-Cd). A NiMH battery can have two to three times the capacity of an equivalent size Ni-Cd, and its energy density approaches that of a lithium-ion cell.
Comment: Has higher capacity, less maintenance.
Emergency Light Battery Comparison
| Battery | Lithium-ion | Li-Fe P04 | Ni-MH |
| Specific Energy | 150–200Wh/kg | 90–120Wh/kg | 60–120Wh/kg |
| Volume Comparison | Small | Big | Big |
| Weight Comparison | Light | Heavy | Heavy |
| Cost | Cheap | Expensive | Expensive |
| Cycle Durability | 400-1200 cycles | 1000-2000 cycles | >500 cycles |
How to Choose Emergency Light Battery?
From the above descriptions, we know the difference between these batteries. So next we here recommend a simple method to choose a suitable battery for our emergency backup led lighting step by step.
UL 924 Listed
UL 924 is UL’s Standard for the Safety of Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment. UL tests and certifies exit signs, emergency lights, and combo emergency exit signs to meet functionality, reliability, and visibility standards.
And now, Lightide has used UL-approved battery powered led lights, such as led garage & canopy lighting, high bay, and LED wall packs lighting. Here let’s show how to choose emergency backup for led lighting.
Battery Type Choice
Existing battery-operated emergency lights shall be used only reliable types of rechargeable batteries provided with suitable facilities for maintaining them in properly charged condition. Batteries used in such emergency lighting or units shall be approved for their intended use and shall comply with NFPA 70. There are Lithium-ion, LiFePO4, and Ni-MH options.
Decide Duration Time
As per NFPA 101, emergency illumination shall be provided for a minimum of 1½ hours in the event of failure of normal lighting. Of course, it also can be up to the customer’ requirement. Lightide’ DLC QPL emergency led canopy lights, the emergency work time is 1.5 hrs (90 minutes) at least to 3 hrs (180 minutes).
Emergency Power
Based on NFPA101, emergency lighting facilities shall be arranged to provide initial illumination that is not less than an average of 1 ft-candle (10.8 lux) and, at any point, not less than 0.1 ft-candle (1.1 lux), measured along the path of egress at floor level. The maximum-to-minimum illumination shall not exceed a ratio of 40 to 1.
Periodic Testing and Maintenance of Emergency Light Battery
Testing of required emergency lighting systems shall be permitted to be conducted as follows. Lightide usually will install a push-button switch on the surface of an emergency fixture for testing.
Visual Inspection
- Self-testing/self-diagnostic emergency battery-operated emergency lighting equipment shall be provided.
- No less than once every 30 days, a self-testing/self-diagnostic emergency shall automatically perform a test with a duration of a minimum of 30 seconds and a diagnostic routine.
- The self-testing/self-diagnostic emergency lighting equipment shall indicate failures by a status indicator.
- A visual inspection shall be performed at intervals not exceeding 30 days.
Operation Inspection
- Functional testing shall be conducted annually for a minimum of 1½ hours.
- Self-testing/self-diagnostic emergency lighting equipment shall be fully operational for the duration of the 1½-hour test.
- Written records of visual inspections and tests shall be kept by the owner for inspection by the authority having jurisdiction.
Contact Us
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Our LED emergency lights are available in your choice of colors to accommodate your space with ease and affordability.
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