Before diving into the advantages of using emergency lighting inverters, this guide will touch on basics including what inverters are, how they work, where they’re used, what they replace, and what some of their features are. If you’re already well-versed in this information, please feel free to skip ahead to sections on the advantages inverters have over traditional emergency units and other systems, the various inverters e-conolight offers, and inverter options.IntroductionPower outages have increased dramatically in the U.S. – both in their number of occurrences and their duration – in recent years. Extreme weather is the main culprit, producing some 83% of blackouts. This includes hurricanes, tornadoes, other severe storms, high winds, flooding, ice, and excessively hot and cold temperatures.Other causes include animals making contact with electrical equipment and chewing on wires, falling trees and limbs, traffic accidents, construction, vandalism, and even planned outages.Keeping lights functioning at all times is a high priority for many businesses and homeowners. Backup power systems are essential for uninterrupted electricity flow, and many people have found that emergency inverters are the best solution for lighting needs during outages.First let’s take a look at what inverters are, where they’re used, and how they work.Inverters – What, Where & HowWhat: Inverters provide emergency power for both indoor and outdoor lighting during a power outage. They are smaller versions of AC power systems.Where: Anywhere emergency lighting is needed, inverters can be used. This includes offices, schools, stores, warehouses, storage facilities, construction sites, campgrounds, and many others.How: A simple explanation of how emergency inverters work is this: they convert battery DC power to AC power for use in AC loads.What Inverters ReplaceEmergency power inverters are excellent replacements for:Traditional emergency unitsBattery back-up ballastsEmergency generatorsAC power systemsHazardous environment emergency fixturesFeatures Offered by InvertersEmergency power inverters offer a wide variety of features that make them more efficient than other backup systems. Those features include:Pulse width modulationSoft start to eliminate high inrush currentsFull light output of connected loadWhen calculating load, it’s important to maintain the inverter’s full ratingI/O connectors will fit 12-gauge wireHigher efficiency with smaller footprint for the same output power over competitionMeets UL 924 (Section 28.1) requirement for derangement signalSurface, recessed or grid mounting available Emergency Power Inverter Solutions From e-conolighte-conolight offers a variety of emergency and general lighting inverters that keep lighting systems operational during power outages. They help large and small spaces remain illuminated and safe.Here are two examples of e-conolight products in the High Wattage category:C-Lite High Wattage Emergency Power Inverter System | C-INV SeriesSurface MountProvides 1150W for 90 Minutes120V or 277VPriced at $4,599.99C-Lite High Wattage Emergency Power Inverter System | C-INV SeriesSurface Mount Four Output Circuit SwitchingProvides 750W for 90 Minutes120V or 277VPriced at $3,199.99Here are two examples of e-conolight products in the Standard Wattage category:C-Lite Emergency Power Inverter System | C-INV SeriesSurface MountProvides 20W for 90 Minutes120V or 277VPriced at $449.99C-Lite Emergency Power Inverter System | C-INV SeriesSurface MountProvides 220W for 90 Minutes120V or 277VPriced at $999.99Advantages Over Traditional Emergency UnitsAmong the advantages emergency power inverters have over traditional emergency units are:Easy to install and maintainImproves aesthetics of the space by eliminating unsightly units and combosLower ownership costsAdvantages Over Battery Backup Ballasts/DriversAdvantages emergency power inverters have over battery backup ballasts/drivers include:Unlike ballast drivers, inverters can be mounted with a distance up to 1,000 feetInverters provide full lighting output of the fixture and multiple fixtures can be run from one inverter, as long as the connected fixtures don’t exceed the total wattage of the inverterOnly one point of installation and maintenance neededAdvantages Over AC Power SystemsEmergency power inverters have a number of advantages over AC power systems, such as:Smaller input and reduced costsSwitching capacityNo factory start-up costsNo paid maintenance plan needed to sustain your warrantyReplacement parts are less costly and easily availableCode ComplianceMaintaining compliance with local codes is essential for emergency power inverter users. Among them are: All models are UL924 listed and meet NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NEC, OSHA, local and state codes. Optional T-grid models are plenum rated to UL2043 and meet City of Chicago CCEA requirements.UL listed for damp locations (200C-300C)FCC Part 15 Class B compliantUnit: (excluding lamps) Full coverage against defects in materials and workmanship for 3 years from date of shipmentBattery: 3-year full warranty plus an additional 7 years of prorated coverageInverter OptionsThe following is a list of inverter options:AO – 0-10V bypass or adjustable load output (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 or 10 volt). Two dip switches allow two different settings on one load (55W-125, 110W-125, 110W-250, 220W-250, 375W, and 600W only4C – 4 individually switched loads can be operated as switched, normally-on, normally-off or any combination (55W-125, 110W-125, 110W-250, 220W-250, 375W, and 600W only4AO – Combines 4C and AO options to accommodate 4-line voltage devices or four 0-10V dimmers with adjustable output, or a combination of both (375W and 600W only)RTS – Remote test switch (20W, 32W, 35W, 55W, 55W-125, 110W-125, 110W-250, 220W-250 only)SDT – Self-testing/self-diagnosticsSP – Special housing colorConclusionEmergency power inverters are crucial to keep the flow of electricity going during power outages that are occurring with increasing frequency. We hope this guide will help in your decision regarding which inverter to acquire for your needs. You’ll find our pricing very competitive. But to tip the scales even more in your favor, take an additional 10% off* simply by becoming an e-cono+® loyalty program member! It's absolutely free to join!Here's to your bright future!*Excludes clearance products, poles and bullhorns, T8 tubes and Cree Lighting® Noctura® Series. All returned items must be new and include their original packaging. Light poles and bullhorns are custom made and cannot be canceled or returned. Discontinued and Clearance products cannot be returned. Source link
