Ireland Emergency lighting diagram?

[timhoward]

I'm a little confused why you think you need a contactor to switch an 80W load (20 x 4 watts ) that draws 0.34 amps

 

[MJPD29]

@buzzlightyear in Ireland it's common to wire em lights through contactor(s) and panel mounted timer in commercial environments for ease of testing, depending on amount of them and load etc. Just an easy way of switching more than 1 circuit with 1 switch

 

[westward10]

There is a large retail chain in the UK doing this, one push button and a 3hr timer.

 

[Risteard]

As mentioned it's done through a CTU (central test unit) and contactors rather than key switches.

I.S. 3217 are the Emergency Lighting Rules which need to be complied with - it's not BS 5266. It's done a bit differently.

 

[jay sean]

There is a large retail chain in the UK doing this, one push button and a 3hr timer.

Is this boots? Ive been to some boots and they had panels with a few buttons for emergency lights

 

[westward10]

No not Boots.

 

[An Buachaillín Bán]

I'm a little confused why you think you need a contactor to switch an 80W load (20 x 4 watts ) that draws 0.34 amps

Forgive my ignorance Tim, but in what circumstance would you use a contactor for emergency lighting, as I've seen a few new installs recently where one is installed next to the control mcb and ctu for emergency lighting. I hadn't the opportunity to look behind the covers yet, but my understanding was it was switching the emergency lighting. One unit had only 4x NM em lights and when I tested through ctu the contactor pulled and em lights came "on."

I understand your point that having a 10 or 20 amp contactor switching a few 4w led fittings doesn't make sense. But just wondering what other scenarios would you use a contactor for emergency lights?

Thanks

 

[timhoward]

Forgive my ignorance Tim, but in what circumstance would you use a contactor for emergency lighting, as I've seen a few new installs recently where one is installed next to the control mcb and ctu for emergency lighting. I hadn't the opportunity to look behind the covers yet, but my understanding was it was switching the emergency lighting. One unit had only 4x NM em lights and when I tested through ctu the contactor pulled and em lights came "on."

My comments were based on installations I've seen in England and Wales and I've never encountered the system you describe which others have now explained is common in Ireland and sometimes in other places too. So best to disregard what I said!

If the system has non-maintained fittings, I'm imagining (with zero experience) that there's a contactor coil energised by each lighting circuit, and the supply runs through normally closed contacts in another contactor to all the others. And a button/timer closes the supply contactor for 3 hours cutting off the power to the others....
Maybe one of the Irish sparks could draw us a quick diagram!

 

[An Buachaillín Bán]

As mentioned it's done through a CTU (central test unit) and contactors rather than key switches.

I.S. 3217 are the Emergency Lighting Rules which need to be complied with - it's not BS 5266. It's done a bit differently.

Hi Risteard,

Would you be able to explain to me how the wiring for the above is done? I see contactors in place for emergency lighting in some of the sites I cover, even though there might only be 4 NM emergency fittings. Do I have to install a contactor? Or if there are only a few EML, could I not come from my control mcb, to my CTU and then out to my emergency lights?
Thanks

 

[davesparks]

I'm a little confused why you think you need a contactor to switch an 80W load (20 x 4 watts ) that draws 0.34 amps

You do when the emergency lights are connected to different circuits but a single test switch in a central location.