emergency lighting

K

Kelec1

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• Jun 11, 2013

• #1

im wiring a room atm with emergency lighting. they are wired into a one way switch with no k/s. Am I right in thinking you take a live to switch (l1), with your n and e to first klik. bring a switch line to first klik (which is emergency) and onto next fitting. do I need to link all emergencys in circuit. all advice taken, thanks

 

O

Outspoken

• Jun 11, 2013

• #2

kelec....Yes, but to make it easier and to save typing... (The Key switch is mandatory unless you have a self testing system that is approved)


Thought this would make it easier for you to visualize.

 

K

KINKY

• Jun 11, 2013

• #3

key switches are not mandatory.

BS just says suitable means of testing shall be provided.

 

M

MDJ

• Jun 11, 2013

• #4

I always break feeds and neutrals via double pole switches when installing key switches for testing emergency lights myself, but maybe thats jut me

 

yellowvanman

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• Jun 11, 2013

• #5

MDJ said:

I always break feeds and neutrals via double pole switches when installing key switches for testing emergency lights myself, but maybe thats jut me

Click to expand...

But if you do that the other lights won't work as well. Thats if you wire it the same as the daigram above.

 

M

MDJ

• Jun 11, 2013

• #6

yellowvanman said:

But if you do that the other lights won't work as well. Thats if you wire it the same as the daigram above.

Click to expand...

which I wouldn't

 

O

Outspoken

• Jun 11, 2013

• #7

twin socket said:

key switches are not mandatory.

BS just says suitable means of testing shall be provided.

Click to expand...

Give me one other suitable means of testing for a standard lighting circuit and not one with a controller that does the testing for you?

 

O

Outspoken

• Jun 11, 2013

• #8

yellowvanman said:

But if you do that the other lights won't work as well. Thats if you wire it the same as the daigram above.

Click to expand...

Normally I would wire the output of the key switch to the input of the normal switch so operating the key switch kills all power to the lights, far easier to ensure they are working, although in some situations that is not practical so do it as above.

 

K

KINKY

• Jun 13, 2013

• #9

Turn the MCB off during the day or fit any kind of switch.

Doesn't have to be a key switch.

Switch should be located in an area only accessible by authorised personnel.

What I was trying to say in my first post was BS5266 does not say key switches are mandatory.

 

O

Outspoken

• Jun 19, 2013

• #10

twin socket said:

Turn the MCB off during the day or fit any kind of switch.

Doesn't have to be a key switch.

Switch should be located in an area only accessible by authorised personnel.

What I was trying to say in my first post was BS5266 does not say key switches are mandatory.

Click to expand...

And an MCB is not designed as a Test switch and thus should not be used as such. The ACOP for Emergency Lighting and the NICEIC Guidance notes all recommend the use of key switches or similar for the periodic testing of such circuits.

 

7029 dave

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• Jun 19, 2013

• #11

me use key or dp switch

 

D Skelton

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• Jun 20, 2013

• #12

Recommendations from private organisations do not constitute mandatory regulations IMHO.

Key switches are good practice in most cases but it depends entirely on the set up. This is how I wire them 9 times out of 10:

 

scotsparky

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• Jun 20, 2013

• #13

An MCB can be used for Functional switching,local isolation and emergency switching

Have a look at BGB section 5.3 there a big chart

 

scotsparky

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• Jun 20, 2013

• #14

Outspoken just seen your tag line. I suggest you read the Bible again as on the beginning there was dark and God said let there be ligh. Light was on the First day not the 6th

 

O

Outspoken

• Jun 21, 2013

• #15

scotsparky said:

Outspoken just seen your tag line. I suggest you read the Bible again as on the beginning there was dark and God said let there be ligh. Light was on the First day not the 6th

Click to expand...

I cannot agree because the Big bang, which clearly occurred even before the iron Age Sky demon, created Light in the Universe, so there was plenty of light going about, however here on earth we had no control until God gave us Light Switches. They should have arrived on the first day, but the wholesalers where bloody useless back then, even more so than today, so they arrived late!!