A couple of Qs re T5 8W lamps.

Bendy_House

One is, do these fail over time even tho' they are rarely, if ever, used?! And are there LED equivalents - ie direct replacements - and does anything need to be modified in the fitting?

Context - these are emergency light fittings, so have barely ever come on, perhaps not at all (except for testing). Even so, some are noticeably dimmer than others, and one barely glows at all.

Argh - just looked up the actual fittings - CHANNEL Safety System 'luminaires', which - D'oh - have built-in NiCd batteries. I guess it's more likely that these have failed?!

FreeBear

Bendy_House said: Argh - just looked up the actual fittings - CHANNEL Safety System 'luminaires', which - D'oh - have built-in NiCd batteries. I guess it's more likely that these have failed?!

Quite possible the NiCd battery packs are on their way out. They have a finite life span, and should be replaced on a regular basis. Depending on the age of the fitting, it may be better (and cheaper) to replace the whole unit rather than trying to track down replacement batteries. Although, if you are lucky, they may be standard "off the shelf" batteries.

Bendy_House

Cheers, FB.

I recall that, under the bulb, the plate had a clip which was clearly to allow easy access underneath. Didn't occur to me to open it - I'll check that out.

It would be nice to replace them with new LED units, but I suspect that would require a sparky to stick to the rules, whereas I can swap bulbs and - hopefully - batteries myself.

(Anyone know if I'd be allowed to swap the whole unit? It's a village hall type setup.)

I'll check out the 'ballast', too, and see if that's removable/swappable for LED use.

fenwick458

fluorescent emergency lights are complicated, way to complicated to be churned out at the low price point they are, so no wonder they are all useless.
the 3W LED once are so much better, much easier to produce, the batteries don't need to be as big, and they all last better
https://www.discount-electrical.co.uk/product.php/396351159/ansell-lighting-agled-3m-guardian-polycarbonate-3-hour-maintained-emergency-led-bulkhead-luminaire-with-legend-kit-ip65-3w-240v
and swapping it would be classed as a like for like change, you won't be altering the circuit characteristics or adding any new points so yes any DIYer could do it 

Bendy_House

Wow - these contain batteries? If so, a snip, and almost certainly the way to go.

Thanks Fen

Bendy_House

Fen, what's the difference between 'maintained' and 'non-maintained', please? And, are there BS standards (or others) that these need to conform to? Eg, min light output? Min light duration?

Thanks.

fenwick458

maintained can be switched on or off, it'll have 2 live terminals and the battery pack won't kick in when you switch it off, until the power fails.
non maintained you can't switch on or off, when power is on the light won't be illuminated (green LED lit) and when power is off the light will illuminate
most of them are all maintained now as standard and you can wire it how you like, I could be wrong but I think they have just simplified it. before my time there was a 3rd type sold called sustained which was always lit up, but the same can be achieved with a maintained light and a link so I guess it just seemed easier for wholesalers to stock one type that can be customised to all 3 situations

Section62

fenwick458 said:

...and swapping it would be classed as a like for like change, you won't be altering the circuit characteristics or adding any new points so yes any DIYer could do it 

Not something I've specifically checked before, but can a DIYer really carry out work on a safety-related electrical system in a commercial setting that the public have access to?

If so I can't imagine the village hall's insurers would be Ok with DIY electrical work on something so critical as emergency exit signs.  If they aren't installed properly and there is a fire....

Bendy, even if you can legally do it, you and the building owner need to think carefully about the liability you'll have if anything goes wrong.  There are additional layers of rules that apply to licensed premises if that is what this village hall type setup is. ('licensed' also covers various forms of entertainment, not just the sale of alcohol)

Bendy_House

Thanks S62. No worries - they'll never know.

(leaves forum for 3 weeks while dust settles...)

At the very least, I'll be replacing some bulbs or batteries. And replacing the T5 bulbs is a darned sight more difficult than swapping the whole unit - jeez, some of them turny things are stiff.

Seriously, you are 'right', but I am capable of doing this, and they will be tested.

Section62

Bendy_House said:

Seriously, you are 'right', but I am capable of doing this, and they will be tested.

Not doubting your capability - just the legality.