Inverters

Emergency lighting inverters provide reliable backup power to designated lighting fixtures during a power outage or emergency event. Installed as part of a building’s life safety system, these units automatically switch from normal utility power to stored battery power, keeping essential egress, corridor, stairwell, and other critical lights illuminated so occupants can safely exit. Emergency lighting inverters are commonly used in commercial and industrial facilities where uninterrupted illumination is required, and they can support a wide range of lamp types and lighting loads. By delivering consistent output power and meeting key code and safety requirements, inverters help ensure emergency lighting systems perform when they’re needed most.

See the Emergency Lighting Inverter Systems FAQ section below for commmon questions.

Emergency Lighting Inverter Systems FAQ


Q: What is an emergency lighting inverter?
A: An emergency lighting inverter is a backup power system that keeps select light fixtures operating during a power outage. It automatically switches from normal utility power to battery power to maintain illumination in critical areas.

Q: What is the purpose of an emergency lighting inverter?
A: The main purpose is to provide safe, uninterrupted lighting during an emergency so occupants can see exit paths and evacuate safely.

Q: What types of lighting can an inverter support?
A: Emergency lighting inverters can support many common lighting types, including LED, fluorescent, and other designated emergency fixtures, depending on the system design and load requirements.

Q: What happens when power is lost?
A: When normal power fails, the inverter senses the outage and immediately transfers the connected emergency lighting load to battery backup power—typically with little to no visible disruption.

Q: Where are emergency lighting inverters commonly used?
A: They’re often used in commercial and industrial buildings such as schools, hospitals, warehouses, office buildings, and public facilities—especially where code requires emergency illumination.

Q: How long will an inverter run emergency lights during an outage?
A: Runtime depends on battery capacity and connected load, but many systems are designed to provide emergency lighting for a required duration (commonly 90 minutes).

Q: What’s the difference between an emergency lighting inverter and a generator?
A: Inverters provide immediate, quiet backup power using batteries and are dedicated to emergency lighting loads. Generators typically power larger building systems but may take time to start and may not be dedicated exclusively to lighting.

Q: Can an inverter power an entire building’s lighting?
A: Most emergency lighting inverters are designed to power specific emergency circuits or selected fixtures—not necessarily every light in the building—unless the system is sized for a larger load.

Q: Are emergency lighting inverters required by code?
A: Many buildings must meet emergency lighting requirements under local building and fire codes. Whether an inverter is required depends on the project design and the specific emergency lighting method being used.

Q: Do emergency lighting inverters require maintenance?
A: Yes. Regular inspections and testing help ensure the inverter and batteries function properly and will provide the required runtime when an emergency occurs.