Emergency Light Test Switch.

Zoomup:

Is it o.k. to use a non switched fused connection unit as an emergency light test switch? If not why not?


Z.

Why would you want to do that, to answer your question I can't a reason against it has it will still simulate power loss when testing. 


Regards Ts

From a regs perspective, I would think this is regarded as 'functional switching' (switching for the function of testing emergency lighting) and as such is not permitted by means of an unswitched FCU by table 537.4.


Jason.

I disagree as "functional switching" is defined on page 20 as;" An operation intended to switch "on" or "off" or vary the supply of electrical energy to all or part of an installation for NORMAL OPERATING PURPOSES." (Caps mine.)


Normal operating purposes like the use of a light switch is NOT involved here. The fused connection unit would only be used occasionally for testing purposes of the emergency light.


Z.

AJJewsbury:

With those FCUs with a fuse draw that slowly comes out as the holding screw is turned, I wouldn't like to use it as a functional switch with any significant load - certainly not regularly - at some point in the process there'll be just a slight gap between the fuse and contacts and it'll arc - doing the FCU no good at all.

  - Andy.

No fuse drawer worm screw involved here Andy, just a flat bladed screwdriver.


Z.

Zoomup:

 

I disagree as "functional switching" is defined on page 20 as;" An operation intended to switch "on" or "off" or vary the supply of electrical energy to all or part of an installation for NORMAL OPERATING PURPOSES." (Caps mine.)


Normal operating purposes like the use of a light switch is NOT involved here. The fused connection unit would only be used occasionally for testing purposes of the emergency light.


Z.

Is testing of emergency lighting not a 'normal' operation?  It's certainly not emergency switching.  Just because that switching operation may not be of daily frequency doesn't mean it's not 'normal', and some venues, especially places of entertainment could be conducting weekly emergency lighting testing.  That seems a pretty 'normal' operation to me.

jbrameld:

Zoomup:

 

I disagree as "functional switching" is defined on page 20 as;" An operation intended to switch "on" or "off" or vary the supply of electrical energy to all or part of an installation for NORMAL OPERATING PURPOSES." (Caps mine.)


Normal operating purposes like the use of a light switch is NOT involved here. The fused connection unit would only be used occasionally for testing purposes of the emergency light.


Z.

Is testing of emergency lighting not a 'normal' operation?  It's certainly not emergency switching.  Just because that switching operation may not be of daily frequency doesn't mean it's not 'normal', and some venues, especially places of entertainment could be conducting weekly emergency lighting testing.  That seems a pretty 'normal' operation to me.

The fused connection unit fuse will only be removed once a year for emergency light battery testing. Short duration monthly tests can be carried out by turning off the local lighting circuit R.C.B.O. My installation is not a place of entertainment or similar.


Z.

Timeserved:

Zoomup:

Is it o.k. to use a non switched fused connection unit as an emergency light test switch? If not why not?


Z.

Why would you want to do that, to answer your question I can't a reason against it has it will still simulate power loss when testing. 


Regards Ts

With fish key switches the house owner can lose them, I have often found this situation.  Also the switches  can be left in the wrong position.

Testing Emergency Lighting - Bing video


Z.