by Shane Henson — July 1, 2013—Personnel working in potentially hazardous locations will be able to find a route to safety faster in the event of an unexpected power failure with the release of Larson Electronics’ new explosion-proof emergency exit sign, the company recently announced.
The Explosion Proof Emergency Exit Sign from Larson Electronics is powered by a light-emitting diode (LED) bulb to provide operators with a failsafe lighting solution that is ideal for hazardous locations where maximum safety and compliance with exit marking standards is required, says Larson Electronics.
The exit sign is designed to act as a standard exit indicator in hazardous locations under normal operating conditions, but if power is interrupted, such as during blackouts or plant wide power failures, the unit automatically switches to an internal battery backup system that provides continued operation for up to 90 minutes.
The battery backup system on this explosion-proof exit sign includes an internal nickel-cadmium with an operational life of seven to ten years and a built-in charging system that maintains the battery at a ready state. The fixture is constructed of copper-free aluminum for light weight and high durability and has been powder coated to provide resistance to corrosion.
The exit sign features a three-sided design that is illuminated by a single 10-watt LED lamp. It has a 50,000-hour operational life and produces more light than a comparable 100-watt incandescent bulb while using only a tenth as much current, says Larson Electronics. This LED lamp also runs much cooler, and can withstand extremes of temperature and impacts and vibrations that would cause ordinary incandescent and fluorescent lamps to fail, claims the company.
The entire housing is IP67-rated waterproof for resistance to wet conditions and designed to be easily mounted to flat surfaces such as walls. The light can run from universal voltages ranging from 110 to 277 VAC, making it extremely versatile and easy to install in a variety of locations. It also meets NFPA101 (Life Safety Code), UL844 and UL924 compliance, adds Larson Electronics.
