3 Options for Emergency Lighting Systems by Cleo Gib


3 Options for Emergency Lighting Systems by CLEO GIB
Article Posted: 11/30/2016
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3 Options for Emergency Lighting Systems

Home Improvement

Most homeowners have faced a power loss at some point. There are usually plenty of flashlights hiding somewhere, but finding them can be a problem. There are several better ways to deal with a power outage.

Simple Choices

Emergency lighting systems don't need to be complicated. There are many different manufacturers that make rechargeable flashlights. They are plugged into an outlet and will turn on when the power fails. This not only makes them easy to find but can provide emergency lighting immediately. There are also companies that make nightlights that work in a similar fashion. When the power is flowing, they are an ordinary light with a sensor that turns them on in the dark. But, when the power fails, they automatically flip on to provide emergency light. All of these simple options will only provide a minimal amount of light so homeowners can navigate around the house looking for other options. They run on rechargeable batteries that are not powerful enough to fully illuminate a house.

Commercial-Grade Options

Anyone that has ever been in a grocery store notices the emergency lights by the fire exit signs. Smaller versions are available for residential use. These lights will have a larger battery that can power a bright light for several hours or even days. They are wired into the home’s electrical system and automatically click on when the power goes down. There are some manufacturers that have taken this one step further and created outlets to power small appliances and lamps. The battery pack is charged through a cord plugged into the wall. It will have outlets that things like the refrigerator or a living room lamp can be plugged into to keep them on. In essence, they are mini generators that can be placed anywhere in the house.

Generator Options

Generators are one of the best solutions for emergency power but can be the most expensive and most complicated. Depending on the size of the generator, the whole house can be powered indefinitely. There are two types, portable or permanent, that use a combustion engine to create electricity. The portable units run off of gasoline or diesel fuel and have outlets to plug extension cords into. These are not automatic, though, needing to be connected and started when the power fails. And, depending on how long the power is out, they will need to be refueled periodically. A permanent generator will be connected to either a natural gas or propane source that never needs to be refilled. The permanent generators are hard wired into the home’s electrical system. Both types have a reverse switch that clicks the generator on once the power fails and off once the power returns. Because of the size and the engine, there are some safety concerns with a generator. All safety warnings supplied with the generator should be heeded to prevent injuries or even death.

Finding a backup source of light can be difficult in the dark. Candles and flashlights buried in a drawer do not magically appear, but emergency lighting system options can take the fear out of a power fail situation and provide comfort in the dark.

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