AU7620298A - Testing device and method for an emergency lighting system - Google Patents

Description

Our Ref: 692559 R0ulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT o.

o.

°.w I oi j Applicant(s): Karl Shaw 16-18 Bulwara Road Pvrmont New South Wales 2009

AUSTRALIA

Jordan Sacha 6 Tanglewood Way Hornsby Heights New South Wales 2077

AUSTRALIA

Address for Service: Invention Title: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Testing device and method for an emergency lighting system R i:: i: i;i r; The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 7656.5HA 1.417-3 -1- TESTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AN EMERGENCY LUGHTLNC SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a testing device for an emergency lighting system, and in particular, to such a testing device which may remotely test the correct functioning of an emergency lighting system with minimal interruption to normal operational activities.

S. Background of the Invention S 10 As will be known to persons skilled in the art, in many buildings, such as hotels and "i office buildings, emergency illumination must be provided. In Australia, for example, builders must comply with Australian Standard No. AS 2293.2.1.

In essence, buildings must be provided with clearly illuminated signs marking exits 15 and directions towards exits as pa.t of the emergency lighting system. Should the mains power supply to the lighting system fail, for example, due to fire, the emergency illumination Smust activate, operating from it's own emergency power supply. The emergency power supply is generally embodied as a battery supplied in each lighting unit.

20 To ensure that the emergency lighting units would operate when required, such emergency lights should be tested periodically. For example, to comply with Australian Standard AS 2293.2.1, tests must be conducted every six months to ensure that the emergency lighting units would function correctly in the event of an emergency.

In prior art systems, inspection are also typically carried out on a six monthly basis,: however, the test procedure is inconvenient, time consuming and costly. In order to conduct' the tests, the primary power source for the building is required to be totally switched off, such that the operation of the emergency light fittings can then be tested, powered from the -emergency backup battery or other backup power supply. As will be appreciated, this is- 7; 30 required to be done after hours to minimise inconvenience to normal office routines and r.

like. Various attempts have been previously made to at least partially overcome the inconvenience and cost problems. For example, various self-test units have been previously developed, wherein the individual emergency lights have an in-built timer and test equipment.

Each individual unit is required to be manually switched such that the emergency test routine can be performed. Various computerised systems have also been developed wherein the emergency lights are networked together. Such a system does not however overcome the problems of having to conduct the inspection after hours.

Sununary of the Invention "The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

The present invention seeks to provide a testing device for-an emergency lighting 15 system which permits the testing of the lighting units at any time, such as during normal working times, with minimal disruption to normal activities. Such is particularly advantageous in office or hotel buildings.

S.The present invention also seeks to provide an emergency lighting system which does 20 not require the operator to physically operate the emergencylighting system, but rather, this is effected remotely.

In one broad form, the present invention provides a testing device for an emergency lighting system of the type having a plurality of emergency lighting units, each lighting unit having lighting means connected to a backup power supply to provide emergency lighting in the event of a primary power supply failure, characterised in that said testing device has an individual test unit operatively linked with each said lighting unit, each test unit comprising: receiver means to receive an activation signal from a remote controller device; switching means to disconnect said primary power supply from said lighting unit upon 30 receipt of an activation signal: R.rwrpD ai.MD.'SPECT7656.& HA .M.

-3light monitoring means to monitor the operation of said lighting unit when operated by sdid backup power supply by measuring the light intensity, the voltage andior current drawn by said lighting unit, and/or other monitoring means; timing means to measure a predetermined testing period; and, display means to provide a visual indication as to whether said lighting unit, when operated by said backup power supply, provides a predetermined lighi intensity for a predetermined testing period.

j Preferably, said backup power supply is a latter, such as a NiCad battery, connected 1" 0 to each lighting means.

S" Also preferably, said activaticn signal is an infrared signal trainsmited from a remote transmitter.

Preferably, a single controller device may be used to operate, either separately or together, a plurality of said lighting units.

B 'Also preferably, said light monitoring means is a device, such as a light resistor or Stransistor, whereby the output of said device is variably dependent upon the lightintensity of said lighting unit.

Preferably, said light monitoring means is a current measuring means.

Preferably, said timing means alternatively measures 90 minute to 2 hour testingperiods, depending upon-the selection made on said remote controllerdevice.

Also preferably, said display device comprises at least one LED.

i P.\WDOCSAMIDSPECFr.656.SiHA lin93 -4- Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment thereof, described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates the op ration of the testing device in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 iliustrates a schematic block diagram of the emergency lighting system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagam of the test unit of the emergency lighting system in accordance with the present invention; and, a Figs. 4 to 7 illustrate typical examples of the display provided during and foll. ing a testing procedure.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Throughout the drawings, like numerals will be used to identify similar features, except where expressly otherwise indicated.

As shown in Fig. 1, an emergency lighting system, generally designated by the numeral 1, may comprise an exit or an emergency light provided within a building such as S 20 an office building or a hotel. The exit or emergency light 1 is connected in a conventional manner to the primary power supply, and is also provided with a backup power supply, such as a NiCad battery, such that in the event of the failure of the primary power supply, the backup power supply will provide illumination during the emergency situation.

As explained hereinbefore, previously, in order to test the correct operation of an exit or emergency light 1, it was necessary to disconnect the primary power supply, and then determine whether the exit or emergency light operates for a predetermined time with a predetermined amount of illumination running off the backup power supply. As will be appreciated, this was anessentially manual task which was inconvenient and quite expensive to perform, particularly when a large number of such exit or emergency lights 1 are provided S'PDOCSUH.A SPECR7-MSSHA !,7,9A in an office or hotel or other building.

The present invention, however, provides a test unit 2, which is operatively linked with each such exit or emergency light 1. The test unit 2 is provided with a receiver 6 to receive an activation signal from a remote controller device 3. Upon receipt of the activation signal, a switching means 4 is operated to disconnect the primary power supply from the lighting unit 1 and then monitor the operation of the exit or emergency light: To perform this monitoring function, the test unit is provided with means to measure light intensity, the voltage andlor current drawn by the lighting unit and/or other like means. For example, a 10 light depenideot resistor or transistor or other device, whereby the output of the device is variably dependent upon the light intensity of the lighting unit 1, may be used. Alternatively.

a current transformer or other current measuring device may be used to monitor the flow of the current through the lamp 1.

15 The test unit 2 is alsc provided with timing means 8 which will time a predetermined testing period. The predetermined testing period may:be dependent upon the selection of the testing period by the operator on the remote control device. For example, 90 minute or 2 hour tests would typically- be conducted, whereby the.:intensity.of the light of lamp I is measured during that period of time. A display means 7 is also provided to provide a-visual 20 indication as to whether the lighting unit, when operated by the backup power supply, provides the predetermined light intensity for the predetermined testing period, that is, whether the testing procedure is passed or failed.

The controller device 3 preferably transmits an infrared signal to the receiver 6 provided in the test unit 2. Other forms of electromagnetic communication may however be substituted in place of the infrared signal. Suitable types of electromagnetic system would be understood to persons skilled i. the art.

It will be appreciated that a single controller 3 may be used to test a plurality of: emergency lights This may be simply achieved by an operator 9 simply walking around daiouoesrPJIPsar~aYsnrpr;nasa~ RI1PDICI~ (D\SPE;~.M76'6.Silb -lm,96 -6the building activating each of the separate test u tl; It will be nted that the system of the iiention only requires one way communication between the controller 3 and the test unit 2. The remainder of the inspection is conducted by viewing the LED device or other display device Typical signals which may be viewed by the operator 9 are shown in Figs. 4 to 7. Any other appropriate signal which provides the required information to the operator 9 may however be provided. A preferred embodiment.

of the system, as shown-in Figs. 4 to 7, indicates the following functions.

10 LED OFF This indicates that no supply is available to either the test unit 2 or the lighting unit 1.

(ii) RedLED flashing, Green LED off (see Fig. 4) This indicates that the test unit 2 is Sworking correctly and no previous test is in memory.

(iii) Red LED flashing, Green LED flashing (see Fig. 5 for details on duration offlash for 1 5 each lamp) This indicates that the test unit 2 is in test mode..

S(iv) Red LED flashing, Green LED flashing (see Fig. 6 for details on duration of flash for Seach lamp) This indicates that the test unit 2 has failed the lightin unit 1 on the last test.

Red LED flashing, Green LEDflashing (see Fig.7 for details on duration of flash for each lamp) This indicates that the test unit 2 has completed a test on the lighting unit 1, and thatthe lighting unit 1 has passed the last test.

It will therefore beappteciated that the present invention povides for cost efficient testing of lighting units 1, and the retrieval of test results to meet the relevant safety requirments, such as the prescribed Standards or Regulations.

:It will be appreciated that by using the system of the present invention, battery life of backup-power supply is extended. This is achieved since, if the unit passes the test, the S sup-ply remains disconnected until the lamp ceases to work. The supply is then reconnected.

This enables proper conditioning of the battery system. If the unit fails the test on startup, -t- ^AWLCCSAMDl-SPEC 61756 S P.SA 1 W -7the supply is reconnected immediately. IL should be noted that during testing, the electrical supply to each unit is effected, but all other items are excluded. Presently, in most dual-rate battery charging systems, the battery is charged for a fixed pre-set time no matter how long the previous discharge. Therefore, if main supply failed for a mere 30 seconds, or if a momentary test was activated, the battery would receive a full charge period. This however may result in overcharging of the battery, consequently reducing its life. A person skilled in the art will understand the typical charging characteristics of NiCad batteries, that is, that battery voltage increases during charging, and when fully charged,it starts to drop. With the 'system of the present invention, the batteries are fully discharged before the supply is 10 reconnected, thus increasing the battery life and the capability of it to hold a charge.

A prime advantage, however, of the present invention, is that it allows testing of the emergency lighting systems without interruption to the main power supply, or the building or installation generally. Therefore, there is no disturbance of normal activities.

It wifl be appreciated that numerous variations and modifications to the invention will be made by persons skilled in the rt. All such variations and modifications should be considered to fall within the spirit and cope of the present invention ashereinbefore broad iv bescriNed.

Claims (8)

1. A testing device for an emergency lighting system of the type having a plurality of emergency lighting units, each lighting unit having lighting means connected to a backup power supply to provide emergency lighting in the event of a primary power supply failure, characterised in that said testing device has an individual test unit operatively linked with each said lighting unit, each test unit comprising: receiver means to receive an activation signal from a remote controller device; switching means to disconnect said primary power supply from said lighting unit upon receipt of an activation signal; 10 light monitoring means to monitor the operation of said lighting unit when operated •by said backup power supply by measuring the light intensity, the voltage and/or current drawn by said lighting unit, and/or other monitoring means; timing means to measure a predetermined testing period; and, display means to provide a visual indication as to whether said lighting unit, when operated by said backup power supply, provides a predetermined light intensity for a predetermined testing period.

2. A testing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said backup power supply is a battery, such as a NiCad battery, connected to each lighting means.

3. A testing device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said activation signal is an infrared signal transmitted from a remote transmitter.

4. A testing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a single controller device may be used to operate, either separately or together, a plurality of said lighting units. A testing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said light monitoring Smeans is a device, such as a light resistor or transistor, whereby the output of said device is variably dependent upon the light intensity of said lighting unit.

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6. A testing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said light monitoring means is a current measuring means.

7. A testing device as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, wherein said timing means alternatively measures 90 minute to 2 hour testing periods, depending upon the selection made on said remote controller device.

8. A testing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said display device comprises at least one LED. I0 1 DATED this 14th day of July, 1998 KARL SHAW and JORDAN SACHA By Their Patent Attorneys 15 DAVIES COLLISON CAVE