Automatic testing of emergency lighting equipment

Standards dictate that emergency escape lighting systems require routine inspections and tests to be done. The results of these tests must be maintained. If automatic testing is used, the results of a monthly short duration test and an annual full-rated duration test should be recorded.

EN 62034:2012 – Automatic Test Systems for Battery Powered Emergency Escape Lighting covers both self-contained stand-alone luminaires (SELF-TEST) and self-contained centrally monitored luminaires (DALI).

What is monitored/tested?
Automatic monitoring includes: status of battery charging and mains supply. Automatic testing includes: battery charge condition, functional test and duration test.

How to test
Automatic test systems require that an annual duration test shall only be started after the battery has had an uninterrupted 24 hour charge period.

Both the DALI and Self-Test protocols ensure you will always know the status of your emergency fitting. When purchasing, you don’t have to choose because both protocols are included in Fusidom LED products with the /DALI option.

DALI

Self-Test fittings with power on and connected to a DALI bus are immediately visible to your DALI command centre. Unless programmed by the DALI controller, the fitting will enter a self-commissioning phase. Once a DALI command is received the fitting enters DALI mode and will perform functional and duration tests according to your DALI settings.

Self-Test

Self-Test fittings perform a self-commissioning test at first power on. After charging for 24 hours a full duration test (3 hours) is performed. Initial function and duration tests are randomly generated. They are then performed in accordance with standard requirements (every 7 days for function tests and every 52 weeks for duration tests).

What is self-test?

DALI stands for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface. It is a testing and control system that offers both flexibility and reliability. The DALI protocol is set out in the technical standard IEC 62386. The DALI technology is administered by DALI-AG. This is a working group set up by leading manufacturers and institutions in the field of digital lighting control to promote DALI technology and applications.

Fusidom are proud to be members of DALI AG. Our DALI emergency lighting modules are designed to be compatible with IEC 62386-202. Our modules are DALI device type 1. They are suitable for use on a dedicated DALI emergency lighting system. They are also suitable for use in conjunction with other DALI compatible devices as part of a DALI general lighting system.

DALI testing options

Modules may be configured for two types of testing regimes when operating with a DALI bus:
Locally controlled testing
Function and duration tests are initiated by the module. ie modules perform automatic self-testing according to the locally stored settings.
Centrally controlled testing
Function and duration tests are initiated by the master controller if the automatic self-testing is disabled.
Local status indicators – DALI and Self-Test

A single bi-colour indicator LED is fitted in all DALI/Self-Test products. This LED is clearly visible for manual inspection. It indicates the module status. The LED shows permanent green or flashing green when conditions are normal and permanent red or flashing red if a fault condition is present.

Types of test

DALI and Self-Test modules perform two types of test, as defined in IEC 62034:

Function test

A function test is a 30 second test that simulates a mains failure and checks the operation of the emergency light source from the battery supply.

The local indicator LED fast flashes green whilst the function test is in progress.

If there is a failure during a function test the local indicator LED either changes to a permanent, or flashing red and the appropriate DALI status flag is set.

Duration test

A duration test simulates a mains failure. It also checks the operation of the emergency light source from the battery supply for the rated duration of the module.

The local indicator LED slowly flashes green whilst the duration test is in progress.

If there is a failure during a duration test the local indicator LED either changes to a permanent, or flashing red and the appropriate DALI status flag is set.

The battery is required to be fully charged before a duration test can be started.