Emergency lighting units

FAQ: Frequently asked questions


  1. How long does it take for devices in the PC COMBO family of combined electronic ballasts and emergency lighting modules until the lamp starts in emergency mode following a power failure?
    • Less than 200 milliseconds.
  2. What is the cadmium content of NiCd batteries?
    • The cadmium content of NiCd batteries is around 20 % of the total weight.
  3. Are the batteries and connecting wires silicon free?
    • Yes, the batteries and the connecting wires, including the flat connectors for the batteries, are silicon-free.
  4. Do the emergency lighting batteries have to be replaced after four years?
    • The emergency lighting batteries have to be replaced when the prescribed emergency lighting operating time can no longer be achieved. The emergency lighting batteries are specified for a life of four years of operation at maximum casing temperature. As in most cases the ambient temperature is not constantly at the maximum level a longer life can be assumed.
  5. Is the em-LINK software compatible with Windows 7?
    • Yes, em-LINK has been tested on Windows 7 and is compatible.
  6. Do Tridonic batteries comply with the European battery directive?
  7. Why are there four different types for EM BASIC?
    • The EM BASIC range of emergency lighting units consists of four different product types (A, B, C, D). These are needed to cover the different starting and operating requirements of the various types of fluorescent lamp. Each EM BASIC unit is designed for optimum operation of the lamp and a long life with a minimum number of battery cells.
  8. Is it possible to use one EM BASIC type for all lamps?
    • We offer the option of using a single device type from the EM BASIC range for the majority of lamp types with a given operating time – EM 34B BASIC for three hours and EM 13E BASIC for one hour.

      It should be noted however that if only one EM BASIC type from the EM BASIC range is used to operate the entire spectrum of lamps, then some lamps will be operated outside their specifications. This will lead to reduced lamp performance, which may however be acceptable in certain markets.

      A description of the effects on the operating time and the BLF for all lamps that can be operated can be found under Technical data.

  9. What is a multi-level charge system?
    • As its name suggests, a multi-level charge system operates with multiple charge cycles, namely the following three: initial charge, rapid charge and trickle charge.

      Initial charge
      When a new battery is connected to the emergency lighting unit it is charged at high charge current for 20 hours to ensure that the new cell is fully charged, irrespective of its initial state. After 20 hours the emergency lighting unit switches to trickle charge mode. 

      Rapid charge
      If the battery is discharged by emergency operation or a test it is rapidly recharged at high charge current. The charge times are considerably shorter than the relevant standards prescribe. The emergency lighting unit then switches to trickle charge mode.

      Trickle charge
      The batteries are permanently charged. This ensures that they are always fully charged - even at low temperatures. Trickle charge mode reduces the charge current. This saves energy and reduces the temperature of the batteries, which results in longer life.

  10. Which devices operate with the intelligent multi-level charge system?
      • EM BASIC lp
      • EM SELFTEST
      • EM PRO EZ-3
      • EM powerLED
  11. What are the benefits of the multi-level charge system?
      • Lower battery temperature and therefore longer battery life
      • Shorter charge times
      • Lower power consumption
      • Emergency lighting units with the multi-level charge system are compatible with NiCd + NiMH batteries without temperature restriction
  12. What is the EBLF?
    • EBLF stands for Emergency Ballast Lumen Factor and is the ratio of the luminous flux of a lamp in emergency mode and the luminous flux of the same lamp when operated with an appropriate reference ballast. The smallest value between 60 seconds after failure of the power supply and the end of the assessment time is specified as the EBLF. The value after five seconds must be at least 50 % of the specified EBLF. For the precise wording of this requirement see EN 61347-2-7.
  13. Which emergency lighting units can be used with NiMH batteries?
    • All emergency lighting units (with the exception of EM BASIC and PC CFL E COMBO types) can be used with NiMH batteries. However, check the maximum permitted casing temperature of the NiMH batteries, which may vary depending on the emergency lighting unit used (see information in the relevant operating device data sheet).
  14. In which charge state are the emergency lighting batteries supplied?
    • The emergency lighting batteries are supplied with approx. 30 % charge. The charge state reduces during storage through self-discharge and may be much lower when installed in the emergency luminaire, depending on the storage temperature.
  15. Can a dielectric strength test at 1500 V AC be used for emergency luminaires?
    • To avoid damaging the electronic operating devices a dielectric strength test at 1500 VAC must not be carried out.

      According to IEC 60598-1 Annex Q and ENEC 303-Annex A, each luminaire should be subjected to an insulation test (measurement of the insulation resistance) for 1 second at 500 VDC. The test voltage is applied between the linked phase/neutral conductor terminal and the protective earth terminal. The insulation resistance must be at least 2 MΩ.