Patent ID: 6392349
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: G01R,H02J

Abstract:
A system for testing the ready status of a fluorescent emergency lighting fixture including a fluorescent lamp, a standard ballast powered by normal AC power for providing power the fluorescent lamp, an emergency ballast powered by a normal AC power for charging a battery to supply power to the fluorescent lamp when normal AC power is interrupted, wherein the system for testing the ready status of the emergency lighting fixture is remotely activated by a signal wherein the improvement comprises:a) a remote transmitter for sending a pulse-time coded infrared signal for initiating a test routine; b) an infrared detector mounted within the fluorescent emergency lighting fixture for receiving said pulse-time coded infrared signal; and c) a remotely controlled test circuit including a microcontroller connected to said infrared detector and to the emrgency ballast for the fluorescent lamp, said microcontroller being programmed to initiate said test routine upon recognition of the pulse-time coded infrared signal by providing an output to the emergency ballast simulating a failure of normal AC power; whereby upon actuation of the remote transmitter, the remotely controlled test circuit causes the emergency ballast for the fluorescent lamp to operate the fluorescent lamp according to the test routine.