What are Self-Diagnostic Fluorescent Emergency Ballasts?
What type of testing is required by code for emergency lighting?
The S60FSD and the S44CSD are self-testing units. Do I still have to conduct manual (functional) tests to meet code requirements?
In general, how do the S60FSD and S44CSD work?
How does the S60FSD and S44CSD monitor and test themselves?
How do I know that the S60FSD and S44CSD are testing themselves without observing the tests
as they occur?
How do I know when the S60FSD and the S44CSD have failed a test?
How will maintenance personnel correct the problem?
How do I reset the fault indication?
How does the S60FSD and the S44CSD know when to self-test?
Will I need to select a 30-second or 90-minute test program for the unit each month?
What can I do if the unit begins testing while the room is occupied?
How does night light circuitry (constant illumination) affect S60FSD and S44CSD testing?
What happens when the S60FSD or the S44CSD detect a problem and that problem is not
addressed by the time of the next scheduled test?
Will the self-diagnostic units substitute a manual test for a scheduled self-test?
Is the S60FSD or the S44CSD installed like a standard Side-Lite emergency ballast?
Where can the S60FSD or the S44CSD be installed relative to the fixture?
If the S60FSD and the S44CSD are self-testing, why is it necessary to install a test switch?
Will maintenance personnel be able to test the unit shortly after it has been installed?
How long must the battery charge before the unit will self-test?
In addition to the S60FSD and the S44CSD, which other Side-Lite products offer self-diagnostic
or self-testing features?
What if I have additional questions that have not been answered here?
The S60FSD and the S44CSD automatically test themselves for 30 seconds every 30 days and for 90 minutes once ayear, similar to the schedule established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code® (LSC). This testing is important because it helps to ensure proper emergency ballast operation in the event of a power failure.
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What type of testing is required by code for emergency lighting?
The NFPA's (LSC) and National Electrical CodeŽ (NEC) require periodic testing, as well as visual inspections and
written records for emergency lighting. The LSC specifically requires 30-second monthly and 90-minute annual testing
for battery-powered emergency equipment. The 2000 Life Safety Code, Article 7.9.3, Periodic Testing of Emergency
Lighting Equipment, states:
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A functional test shall be conducted on every required emergency lighting system at 30-day intervals for not less than 30 seconds. An annual test shall be conducted on every required battery-powered emergency lighting system for not less than 1˝ hours. Equipment shall be fully operational for the duration of the test. Written records of visual inspections and tests shall be kept by the owner for inspection by the authority having jurisdiction.
The S60FSD and the S44CSD are self-testing units.Do I still have to conduct manual (functional) tests to meet code requirements?
Self-testing/self-diagnostic equipment, such as the S60FSD and the S44CSD, are exempt from manual monthly testing, though a visual inspection and written records are still required. The exception to LSC Article 7.9.3 reads:
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Exception: Self-testing/self-diagnostic, battery-operated emergency lighting equipment that automatically performs a test for not less than 30 seconds and diagnostic routine not less than once every 30 days and indicates failures by a status indicator shall be exempt from the 30-day functional test, provided that a visual inspection is performed at 30-day intervals.
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In general, how do the S60FSD and S44CSD work?
The S60FSD and S44CSD are self-diagnostic, self-testing fluorescent emergency ballasts. The unit s indicator light communicates ballast status. When the red LED status indicator light is illuminated, the unit is charging its internal battery and monitoring the battery voltage and charging current. When the status indicator light is not illuminated, the unit is either conducting a self-test or operating in emergency mode in response to a power failure. Finally, when the status indicator light is flashing and the audible alarm (optional) sounds, the unit is reporting that it has encountered a problem and needs attention.
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How does the S60FSD and S44CSD monitor and test themselves?
The S60FSD and S44CSD are designed with an integral microcontroller to continually monitor charging current and battery voltage during normal, day-to-day operation. Therefore, during normal operation, the unit monitors itself, comparing its measurements to preset limits. The unit is also designed to self-test. During testing, the S60FSD and S44CSD simulate an AC power failure and switch into emergency mode. While in emergency mode, the unit initiates either a 30-second or 90-minute discharge test. Continuous monitoring and periodic testing are vital to emergency preparedness.
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How do I know that the S60FSD and S44CSD are testing themselves without observing the tests as they occur?
Because the S60FSD and S44CSD are self-testing, maintenance personnel do not have to be present during testing operation. They can, however, easily determine the test results upon visual inspection of the unit. If the red LED status indicator light is illuminated, the S60FSD and S44CSD have passed the last test. If the status indicator light is flashing, the S60FSD and S44CSD have detected a problem. An audible alarm, if selected, will also activate under this latter circumstance, providing another way of indicating a problem. Maintenance personnel can then take appropriate service action.
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How do I know when the S60FSD and the S44CSD have failed a test?
A flashing red LED status indicator light and optional audible alarm indicate failure. The indicator light will flash in half-second intervals and the audible alarm, if selected, will beep 4 times every 30 seconds until maintenance personnel correct the problem or the fault indication is reset.
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How will maintenance personnel correct the problem?
Maintenance personnel will follow the appropriate action referenced in the Troubleshooting Guide of the Installation Instructions.
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How do I reset the fault indication?
To reset the indicator light and alarm, push and hold the manual test switch for at least 15 seconds. Fault indication also may be reset by the next automated test or by an actual power failure over 15 seconds.
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How does the S60FSD and the S44CSD know when to self-test?
The unit contains a microcontroller that schedules testing. These units are designed to self-test when the room is not in use (i.e., when the AC ballast is not in use). The S60FSD and the S44CSD will delay testing for two hours after the lights have been turned off. The delay maximum is 72 hours.
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Will I need to select a 30-second or 90-minute test program for the unit each month?
No. In addition to determining the optimal testing time, the S60FSD and the S44CSD know when to initiate a 30-second test (monthly) and when to initiate a 90-minute test (annually).
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What can I do if the unit begins testing while the room is occupied?
The S60FSD and S44CSD are not likely to begin testing while a room is in use, as it has been designed specifically to avoid interfering with daily occupant activity. If the lights are on at a scheduled test time, the test will be delayed until two hours after the lights have been turned off. The unit will postpone testing for up to 72 hours. Only after this 72-hour maximum delay will the S60FSD or S44CSD initiate a test when the lights are on.
Should the S60FSD or the S44CSD begin their self-test at an inconvenient time, maintenance personnel can easily stop the test. They simply reset these units by turning the wall switch off (or on) for five seconds and then turning it on (or off) again. This action delays testing for eight hours.
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How does night light circuitry (constant illumination) affect S60FSD and S44CSD testing?
The S60FSD and the S44CSD will postpone a scheduled test for up to 72 hours if it finds that the AC ballast is illuminated (the lights are on). In the case of emergency lighting on night light circuitry, the AC ballast is constantly illuminated. Therefore, the S60FSD and the S44CSD will execute testing after the delay maximum has expired.
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What happens when the S60FSD or the S44CSD detect a problem and that problem is not addressed by the time of the next scheduled test?
If a test failure condition is not addressed before the next testing cycle but the S60FSD or the S44CSD passes the subsequent test anyway, the failure indicator is automatically reset. If, however, the S60FSD and the S44CSD do not pass the subsequent test, it will continue to indicate failure.
Moreover, the unit will repeat the failed test until it is able to pass the test successfully. That is, if the unit fails a 90-minute test, the next scheduled test will also be a 90-minute test. This repeat scheduling ensures that failure due to low battery capacity in the 90-minute test will not be disguised by a short, functional 30-second test. The S60FSD or the S44CSD will continue to schedule 90-minute tests until the unit passes. If failure occurs during the
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Will the self-diagnostic units substitute a manual test for a scheduled self-test?
No. The S60FSD and the S44CSD will not substitute a manual test for a scheduled test nor will it substitute a power failure for a scheduled test. A manual test or power failure may, however, delay
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Is the S60FSD or the S44CSD installed like a standard Side-Lite emergency ballast?
No. Installation of the self-diagnostic units is different from installation of standard Side-Lite models. The S60FSD and the S44CSD must interrupt the hot lead (switched or unswitched) feeding the AC ballast in order to simulate a power failure. It also uses the hot lead to sense AC ballast operation.
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Where can the S60FSD or the S44CSD be installed relative to the fixture?
The S60FSD, which is the same size as the S60F, can be installed inside the ballast channel, on top of the fixture or remote from the fixture. The S44CSD can be installed adjacent to or remote from the fixture as all of our compact fluorescent emergency ballasts. The fixture design and size may, of course, influence placement. Remote location is 50 feet or one half the distance the AC ballast manufacturer recommends for the remote location of the AC ballast, whichever is less.
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If the S60FSD and the S44CSD are self-testing, why is it necessary to install a test switch?
UL requires that all emergency lighting be accompanied by a test switch. A single-pole test switch is provided with the S60FSD and S44CSD and allows maintenance personnel to reset the status indicator light and alarm as needed. Moreover, the test switch allows manual tests of emergency ballast operation to be conducted at any time. Remember, the 90-minute code-required annual test must be performed manually.
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Will maintenance personnel be able to test the unit shortly after it has been installed?
A brief manual test may be conducted after one hour. A longer test may be conducted after 24 hours.
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How long must the battery charge before the unit will self-test?
The S60FSD and the S44CSD will not initiate a self-test until the unit has charged its battery for 48 hours. That is, the S60FSD and the S44CSD must have 48 hours of charge before it will self-test and its calendar counter must indicate that a test is due. If a power failure were to completely discharge the battery, the S60FSD and the S44CSD would recharge for 48 hours before initiating a scheduled self-test. The unit would, however, be able to provide the code-required 90 minutes of emergency lighting after only 24 hours. The self-diagnostic unit s built-in software monitors the battery s charge state.
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In addition to the S60FSD and the S44CSD, which other Side-Lite products offer self-diagnostic or self-testing features?
Currently, the S60FSD and the S44CSD are the only Side-Lite products equipped with these features. However, other models may be added in the future.
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What if I have additional questions that have not been answered here?
If you have additional questions, please consult the product Installation Instructions and accompanying Troubleshooting Guide here on www.sidelite.com or contact Side-Lite at 888-900-7544.
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