EM lighting test facility

[Swift2020]

Hi,
RCBO appropriate test facility for emergency lighting?
I have a car storage facility ( one corridor with 10 rooms off the corridor to store vehicles ).
Planning to install the row of lighting all controlled from occupancy sensors, hoping to wire in one run of 3 core to tie in all sensors lights and emergency bulkheads but then testing the emergency lighting would lose power to the row of lights.

I believe the best practice guide states a suitable test facility for emergency lighting, I believe an rcbo is a suitable means of testing?
In terms of maintaining the normal lighting as the unit is unmanned is this an issue?

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[westward10]

8.3.3 of BS5266-1 states 'Each emergency lighting system should have suitable means for simulating failure of the normal supply for test purposes (ie without interruption of the normal supply)' so no the rcbo is not suitable.

 

[Dustydazzler]

A key switch mounted above the consumer unit ? seen this done a lot

 

[Flanders]

You need to be able to turn off the permanent supply to the emergency lights without turning off the local lighting this should be done by a key switch also known as fish key .be aware there are a lot of requirements for emergency lights including lux levels, glare and what location they are required.

 

[Swift2020]

8.3.3 of BS5266-1 states 'Each emergency lighting system should have suitable means for simulating failure of the normal supply for test purposes (ie without interruption of the normal supply)' so no the rcbo is not suitable.

Hi, thanks. Does this section not say “without interrupting the supply to equipment that would cause a hazard? Or has this wording been updated?

 

[westward10]

It says exactly as I have quoted it.

 

[Swift2020]

It says exactly as I have quoted it.

Which book is that quoted from?
An extract from IET website reads “clause 8.3.3 bs5266-1 (test facility) states the test device should not interrupt the power to any other electrical equipment that could cause a hazard”.

 

[westward10]

BS5266-1.
However you want to word it you need a suitable test facility which does not affect the general lighting.

 

[Swift2020]

BS5266-1.
However you want to word it you need a suitable test facility which does not affect the general lighting.

It’s not how I want to word it, it’s how the iet word it. They elaborate to say it’s acceptable to switch off the general lighting as the emergency lighting should be adequate and also ensures emergency luminaires are not accidentally left off.
To be clear I agree key switches should be used and in MOST circumstances the general lighting shouldn’t be effected.
Mainly seeking clarification as the statement “test facility that does not affect the general lighting” and “test facility that doesn’t affect electrical equipment that could cause a hazard” are two completely different statements, they aren’t the same meaning worded differently.

 

[westward10]

BS5266-1 states ' without interruption of the normal supply'.
How are you misinterpreting that.

 

[James]

https://www.iheem.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Emergency_Lighting_Pocket_Guide_June_2021.pdf

scroll down to page 32

 

[James]

You seem to be trying to justify a design that nobody else on the forum would be willing to put their name to.
seriously for the cost saving of using 3 core cable instead of 4 core, why would you do that and have the risk that someone inspecting later points out that it is unsuitable and you have to do it all again?

 

[davesparks]

It’s not how I want to word it, it’s how the iet word it.

What the IET have to say doesn't really matter, they don't write the rules for emergency lighting, they just have an opinion on the rules.