How many times at home has the power gone out, and consequently the lighting, due to a blackout, a fault, or perhaps a significant voltage drop?
It is precisely in these cases that a valuable ally comes into play: the emergency light.
Emergency lamps or lights are battery-powered lighting devices that automatically activate when a power outage occurs in the location where they are installed (i.e., the suspension of power to the main circuit of the electrical system), causing the consequent absence of ordinary lighting.
When the electricity (and thus the lighting) is restored, the emergency lights turn off automatically and their batteries recharge.
How emergency lights work
An emergency light generally consists of one or more light sources (usually fluorescent tubes or LED lamps), an internal rechargeable battery, and various electrical components.
From a technical standpoint, the operation of these lighting devices is very simple; when the main circuit of the reference electrical system opens (thus making the passage of electric current impossible), the emergency light activates, illuminating thanks to its own batteries. It is the power of the batteries that determines the overall autonomy of an emergency light.
To keep the battery charged and detect any blackout, the lamp must obviously be connected to the electrical system.
Types of emergency lights and where to place them
Emergency lights must be placed at one or more specific points to ensure a good level of illumination in the rooms; the lamps can remain lit for a certain period, generally ranging from one to three hours.
In recent years, lamps using LED technology have become mandatory, as they not only guarantee a longer lifespan but also lower energy consumption.
Regarding the "aesthetic" appearance, the emergency light (almost always rectangular, single or multiple lamp) can be installed in two different ways: with the recessed or wall-mounted system. In the first case, it is necessary to prepare a compartment capable of accommodating the lamp and its electrical connections during the construction of the electrical system and the appropriate masonry work; for wall-mounted installations, on the other hand, it is sufficient that there is a way to secure the lamp's support base on the surface. It is no coincidence that the latter is the most widespread solution, because it is more economical and easier to implement.
