CSE Pure Power - Fall 2008 - (Page 25)

emergency lighting 25 ❮❮ PURE POWER // FALL 2008 keeping. One jurisdiction in Nevada will not accept generators as the primary emergency lighting source as they had a critical failure during a ﬁre. By using a UPS system, the exterior emergency lighting is connected and controlled from a single location. This results in signiﬁcant savings in regular performance of testing and maintenance. The UPS system also can be sized to provide longer run times in critical applications as compared to individual 90-min battery packs. SPECIFYING UPS SYSTEMS Several products currently are available that can help meet emergency lighting requirements for most applications including emergency lighting units, ﬂuorescent battery packs, and on-site generation. UPS systems are one of the more economical solutions to emergency lighting requirements and have been growing in popularity. Lighting UPS systems are UL 924 listed and differ from other UPS systems that typically are used in data center environments in that they provide 90 min of full lighting output at their listed capacity and have a quicker recharge time for a larger battery. They support incandescent, ﬂuorescent, and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps—or any combination of lamp types. UPS systems typically have a dual rating such as 10 kVA/8 kW. Electronic ballasts typically have a power factor of 95% to 99%. HID fixtures tend to have a power factor of 90%, while incandescent lighting has a power factor of unity or 100%. It is important to consider the kiloWatt rating of the UPS during the design of the project because lighting can operate at close to unity power factor. (Note: Be sure to check with the manufacturer to determine if the UPS unit’s rating is for a continuous lighting load.) A UPS system is an economical solution to support emergency lighting in high-bay manufacturing, churches, restaurants, larger apartments, senior assisted living projects, ofﬁces, and parking garages. It has become one of the ﬁrst preferences for contractors as an economic way to meet costs and satisfy or even exceed code requirements. A quality UPS system for certain projects can reduce the cost of installation and eliminate the issues associated with solutions that rely on battery packs. Although more advantageous in some situations than others, a UPS system can be considered the best emergency lighting solution at a feasible cost. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Hines is a senior electrical engineer with Rex Moore Electrical Contractors and Engineers, Sacramento, Calif. He has designed emergency lighting systems for various projects such as the Hunter Douglas manufacturing facility and the Progressive Baptist Church. Both were recognized by Paciﬁc Gas & Electric Co., the local utility provider, for its Savings by Design program and received energy incentive awards. Facilities with high ceilings prefer single ﬂoor-mounted UPS solutions to various battery pack installations. Source: Rex Moore Electrical Contractors and Engineers www.purepowermagazine.com

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CSE Pure Power - Fall 2008 In the News Commissioning CHP Enhancing Emergency Lighting Data Centers for Uncle Sam Handling a Nuisance Trip Sustainable Projects and Partnerships New Products Ad Index

CSE Pure Power - Fall 2008

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