Emergency Light Test Switch.

Zoomup:

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.

Note 5 to table 537.4 cautions against the use of circuit breakers and RCDs for 'frequent' load switching unless supported by manufacturer's instructions. If monthly counts as 'frequent' or not would be a matter of judgement as it is not a defined term.


Jason.

jbrameld:

Zoomup:

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.

Note 5 to table 537.4 cautions against the use of circuit breakers and RCDs for 'frequent' load switching unless supported by manufacturer's instructions. If monthly counts as 'frequent' or not would be a matter of judgement as it is not a defined term.


Jason.

You missed out the bit about infrequent switching of circuit breakers Jason, being permissible for isolation, even on load. Table 537.4 is only for guidance. We can apply 120.3 and record a "deviation."


Edit. Add. Of course the lighting R.C.B.O.  will not be fully loaded if the emergency light test is carried out during the day.


 

Zoomup:

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.

If the customer loses the fish key you sell them another one, surprising how quickly they learn when charged. The latter point you raise is down to providing sufficient training and onsite documentation, honestly most customers can perform a quick visual if they know what they are looking for. 


I always run through test procedures with my clients on the annual check just to refresh their memories but they should be performing a weekly check anyway right? In other words they should get plenty of practice. 

Regards Ts

 Might it confuse someone else who comes along later? - probably.

The fused connection unit will be clearly labelled as to function.


I will redefine the unswitched fused connection unit as an "isolator"..


Z.

Timeserved:

Zoom, I get you want to do the best by your customers, can I suggest a signoff sheet where the customer signs to say that they are happy with the level of training received etc. 


I feel this may help you sleep a little easier this way you are covering yourself, have a PDF copy in a folder ready to pull out if the customer at a later point tries to bend things let's be honest we've all been there and it's not nice. 


Regards Ts

That is a good idea. Most of my customers are domestic customers. Would not their paying me at the end of a job infer customer satisfaction. I know for a fact that many, many people do not test their domestic smoke alarms and R.C.D.s or R.C.B.O.s as required. The consumer unit label tells them to. 514.12.2. I leave the manufacturer's instructions with the customer after installation and verbally tell them the testing requirements. You can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink.


Z.

Use of switching of a circuit breaker on-load (light or heavy) would hinge on if you think a monthly operation counts as 'infrequent', and if this is in accordance with the manufacturers instructions as to the duty cycle of the device - which is what I was getting at.


 

The emergency light testing can be combined with the 6 monthly R.C.D testing. I have never known a M.C.B. wear out due to regular switching off and on again. I know a church hall that uses only its Crabtree brown M.C.B.s as functional switches to switch its fluorescent lights on and off as there are no light switches. They have done this two or three times a week for over 50 years and the original M.C.B.s still function well.


Z.

Zoomup:

Jason, what do you think of emergency lights will a self testing function?


Z.

Hi Zoom - I haven't used them personally, but they seem like a good idea, provided the customer knows what to do with them - or at least knows they need to call you if they start beeping!