Emergency Inverters

Filter products
Clear all

10 Products

What are Emergency Lighting Inverters?

Emergency Lighting Inverters ensure uninterrupted power to devices in times of power outages for a lighting systems.  They do this using a battery system that converts DC to AC voltage via electronic circuitry.  The UL924 standard requires a minimum of 90 minutes of emergency back up power.  Emergency lighting inverters work with a variety of lighting systems LED or fluorescent and various lamp types 

Who needs an Emergency Lighting inverter ?

Emergency Inverters are suitable for almost any setting, including  hospitals, commercial, retails, hotels, schools and healthcare practices.  Emergency lighting inverters are an excellent choice for use with multiple fixtures and in cases where emergency LED drivers cannot be used, such as with integral-base lamps.  Major benefit of emergency inverts is that offer the advantage of long-distance remote installation.

Here's how an emergency lighting inverter typically works:

  • Normal Operation: During normal conditions when the mains power supply is available, the emergency lighting inverter remains in a standby mode. It monitors the incoming AC power and keeps the battery charged.
  • Power Failure Detection: When a power outage occurs or the regular AC power supply is disrupted, the emergency lighting inverter detects this loss of power.
  • Activation: Upon detecting the power failure, the inverter switches its power source from the mains AC supply to a battery backup system.
  • Battery Power: The emergency lighting inverter draws power from its internal batteries to convert it to AC power. It then supplies this converted power to the connected emergency lighting fixtures.
  • Illumination: The connected emergency lighting fixtures, such as exit signs, escape route lights, or other essential luminaires, receive power from the inverter and remain illuminated throughout the duration of the battery backup.
  • Duration: The duration for which the emergency lighting inverter can provide backup power depends on the capacity of the batteries and the load connected to it. Common backup durations range from 1 to 3 hours.
  • Monitoring: Some advanced emergency lighting inverters might have monitoring systems that continuously check the status of the batteries and the connected lights. They may also conduct periodic self-tests to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
  • Power Restoration: Once the regular AC power supply is restored, the emergency lighting inverter switches back to standby mode and begins recharging its batteries in preparation for the next power failure.

     

    Emergency Lighting Inverters – Frequently Asked Questions



    Do emergency lighting inverters require testing?

    Yes. Applicable codes commonly require monthly functional testing and annual runtime testing, with exceptions for qualifying automatic testing systems.

     


    Are lighting inverters available in 120V and 277V?

    Yes. Many commercial emergency lighting inverters support 120V or 277V electrical systems, depending on the model.

    Can an inverter power multiple emergency lights?

    Yes. A properly sized inverter can provide backup power to multiple compatible emergency lighting fixtures.

    What is the difference between an inverter and an emergency LED driver?

    An emergency LED driver typically powers one fixture, while an inverter can provide backup AC power to multiple fixtures.

    Can emergency lighting inverters work with dimmable LEDs?

    Yes, with options, Emergency lighting controls may require an override to maintain code-required illumination.

    What batteries do emergency lighting inverters use?

    Most systems use rechargeable sealed lead-acid or other approved battery types, depending on the model.

    Are ESW emergency lighting inverters UL 924 listed?

    Yes our commercial emergency lighting inverters are UL 924 listed. 

    What size lighting inverter do I need?

    Add the wattage of all connected emergency fixtures. Select an inverter that supports the total load, startup requirements, and required runtime. 

    As a general guideline, size the connected lighting load to no more than 80% of the inverter's rated capacity. This provides additional capacity for reliable operation.