Emergency lighting batteries - Power off?

[peterhyper]

I have to change a number of batteries in emergency maintained lights, but am slightly concerned if I keep the mains power on I might potentially mess up the electronic modules.

Turning the power off will slow me down so I prefer not to.

Not something I do too often so advice appreciated?

 

[The Ghost]

Safe isolation is required when working on low voltage. If you are talking flourescent types you can get a fair belt off of them. Hence the need to separate the battery from fitting for various reasons. Although I have seen some people just remove the spade terminals and get on with it. Turning off the mains is not going to mess up the electronics that charge the battery. I always take a situation such as you are in as an opportunity to sell LED versions!

 

[Pete999]

I have to change a number of batteries in emergency maintained lights, but am slightly concerned if I keep the mains power on I might potentially mess up the electronic modules.

Turning the power off will slow me down so I prefer not to.

Not something I do too often so advice appreciated?

So will a good 230Volt belt, could even slow you down permanently. Safe isolation is required.

 

[peterhyper]

Safe isolation is required when working on low voltage. If you are talking flourescent types you can get a fair belt off of them. Hence the need to separate the battery from fitting for various reasons. Although I have seen some people just remove the spade terminals and get on with it. Turning off the mains is not going to mess up the electronics that charge the battery. I always take a situation such as you are in as an opportunity to sell LED versions!

Thanks for the quick and useful reply. There are dozens of emergency lights in this building (2D 16watt) and they will only pay for what needs fixing, so unfortunately little hope they would pay to have the lights replaced with leds.

 

[The Ghost]

Well the cost of a battery and your labour, plus future costs for maintenance...against a retro fit replacement unit, do the maths. Kosnic do straight replacements for 2d. It can be a hard sell but usually people see that savings on electricity and maintenance justify the cost of LED. Just saying.

 

[telectrix]

LED all the way for me. seen hundreds of those pathetic 8w florries with the tubes all black at the ends and as much light output as a candle in a well.

 

[davesparks]

slightly concerned if I keep the mains power on I might potentially mess up the electronic modules.

Turning the power off will slow me down so I prefer not to.

You’ve got your priorities seriously wrong here, number one priority should be keeping yourself safe.
Prioritising the speed of the job over your own safety is utter madness.

 

[telectrix]

surely, if the battereis are simply on a lead with a 2 pin plug, just unplug and swap.

 

[peterhyper]

The battery leads connect to the controller using insulated push terminals so no major risk involved, I was more concerned that I could damage the electronic controllers than myself

 

[Jim90]

The module will be fine if you don’t short the positive and negative. It’s up to you if you want to isolate, no doubt you’re competent so not gonna bang on about it, excuse the pun!
Just remember you will be holding a live gear tray in your hand potentially. YUASA have insulated push in connectors, probably as safe as you’ll get without isolating.