Method and apparatus for testing emergency lighting units

A testing device for emergency lighting units has a telescopic handle, a bracket at a first end of the handle, a magnet at the end of the bracket and a temperature sensor adjacent to the magnet. The magnet has sufficient strength to engage a surface of the lighting unit adjacent a test switch so as to cause actuation of the test switch. The magnet holds the test switch down for the duration of the test. The temperature sensor provides an indication of the ambient conditions adjacent the lighting unit which has an effect on battery life and which is used to determine the frequency of the testing of the unit.

TECHNICAL FILED 
This invention relates to emergency lighting and more particularly to a 
method and apparatus for testing remotely located emergency lighting 
units. 
BACKGROUND 
Emergency lighting units are used in commercial and residential settings to 
provide battery powered lighting during power outages. Such units 
typically comprise a casing containing batteries, one or more lights, a 
connection to line power and a detector for sensing a loss of power, the 
unit also including a switch responsive to the detector for activating the 
lighting system. 
These units typically include a user interface to periodically test the 
lighting unit to assure that the lights have not burnt out, and that the 
batteries are operational. However, it is common to locate these systems 
along ceilings and high up on walls to maximize area lighting in the event 
of an emergency. Thus, to test these on a routine basis typically requires 
a worker to transport a ladder to each unit, and to climb to the level of 
the unit to initiate testing. Particularly in an industrial setting, where 
numerous units are located, this is a time consuming and difficult task. 
It is also important to test and replace batteries that are weak. While 
routine periodic testing may show that a battery is satisfactory at the 
time of testing, there is no assurance that the battery will perform 
properly in the interim time between tests. Consequently, there is a need 
for a method for obtaining information to determine battery strength and 
life, as well as a device which allows ease in testing of emergency 
lighting units. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for testing 
remotely located emergency lighting units without using a ladder. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for 
determining if batteries should be changed out during routine testing. 
It is a further object to provide a method and apparatus for testing 
remotely located emergency lighting units which minimizes the burden on 
the person conducting the tests. 
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a testing 
device comprising a telescopic handle, a test switch activation magnet 
disposed on a first end of the handle, a temperature sensor disposed 
adjacent to the magnet, and means for displaying the ambient temperature 
to the device operator. 
Using the testing device involves extending the handle to a length 
sufficient to reach an emergency lighting unit, placing the magnet on the 
unit housing against a test switch, the magnet holding the test switch in 
an engaged position, maintaining the switch in the engaged condition for a 
period sufficient to insure that the light will illuminate and that the 
lighting power does not quickly diminish indicating a weakened battery 
condition. The temperature adjacent to the unit is determined and if 
elevated or depressed from normal room temperatures, the location is 
designated for more frequent testing, or for battery changes at shorter 
intervals. 
Using the invention, testing of many units can be accomplished in a short 
period of time and environmental conditions determined which affect 
battery life to identify potential problems in the system between testing 
periods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, a testing device 1 has a telescopic handle 2 having a 
first part 3 and a second part 4 movable in relation to each other. 
Typically, the handle comprises a pair of tubular sections, one section 
slidingly disposed within the other section. Preferably a telescopic 
handle which extends from about 4 to about 18 feet is useful for testing 
lighting in commercial and industrial settings such as in stairwells, 
warehouses, or operating facilities. Of course, the telescopic handle can 
comprise more than two sections to increase the compactness of the device 
when not in use. 
The telescopic handle has a test end 5, with a mounting bracket 6 attached 
thereto. The mounting bracket has a forwardly extending angled portion 7, 
which supports a magnet 8. The angled portion of the mounting bracket 
makes it easier to engage the lighting unit without contacting obstructing 
obstacles. The mounting bracket may be formed integral with the end of the 
handle or be attached by suitable fasteners. 
The bracket supports the magnet 8 at a forward end 9 thereof. The magnet is 
fairly strong as it must have sufficient strength to overcome the spring 
force in a test switch used on most lighting units, and to hold the test 
switch in an on position without operator exertion. These switches may be 
button or toggle momentary switches, which are only active when held in 
the on position. This avoids accidental battery discharge by preventing 
the switch from being left in the on position. The magnet thus frees the 
operator from the awkward task of trying to hold in the switch, which can 
easily result in fatigue due to the distance and height of the unit above 
the worker. Thus, the operator need only position the handle end adjacent 
the unit, and then allow the magnet to apply the force necessary for 
depressing the test button. 
Preferably, the magnet best seen in FIG. 2a, has a surface 10 which 
contains a shallow recess 11 for receiving a test button therein to assure 
that the button is properly depressed. The magnet surface adjacent to the 
recess engages the flat surfaces of the lighting unit, with the recess 
receiving the test button which typically is raised above the adjacent 
unit surface by about 1/4 inch. Thus a corresponding depth recess in the 
magnet facilitates engagement and maintenance of the magnet against the 
unit surface. 
The testing device also includes a temperature sensor 12 disposed adjacent 
to the magnet, the sensor connected by a wire 13 to a display 14 provided 
in proximity to a second end 22 of the handle near to where the operator 
grips the handle. This is shown as separately attached to the end of the 
handle, the sensor and wire could be mounted integrally to simplify 
construction. The display also could be integrally mounted in the handle. 
The display provides a reading on the ambient temperature conditions 
around the lighting unit, which could substantially affect the battery 
life. For example, near a ceiling in a manufacturing plant, the 
temperature may exceed 120.degree. F., which can shorten battery life. In 
those locations where excessive heating or cooling are experienced, more 
frequent testing should be initiated to assure adequate battery power in 
an emergency. 
Referring to FIG. 3, the testing device 1 is shown with the handle extended 
to reach a lighting unit 15. The magnet 8 engages a surface 16 of the unit 
adjacent to a test button 17, depressing the button and illuminating the 
lights 18. The button is held in by the magnet so long as the magnet is in 
contact with the unit, thus easing the operator's burden in performing the 
testing. 
In those units which use a toggle type switch 19 as opposed to a button, 
the magnet has a groove 20 best seen in FIG. 2b, for receiving a lever 21 
of the toggle therein. The magnet then holds the toggle switch in the same 
way as the test button, for a period sufficient to assure that lighting 
intensity does not diminish quickly. 
The handle can be made of any typical material such as wood, metal or 
plastic. 
The magnet is made of a conventional magnetic material, and such magnets 
are commercially available. The temperature sensor is one commercially 
available in the art, such as is commonly used with a digital thermometer 
and preferably has a temperature range of about -20 to about 200.degree. 
F. The sensor is connected to a display which is preferably a digital LED 
for ease in taking readings by the operator. 
Using the invention, greater assurance of emergency lighting capability can 
be obtained avoiding potentially hazardous conditions during power 
outages. Frequent testing can be conducted quickly and with limited 
operator fatigue increasing the likelihood that complete and thorough 
testing would be conducted. 
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and 
described, will be understood by those skilled in the art that various 
changes or modifications could be made without varying from the scope of 
the present invention.