October 2021

ARE TWO CIRCUITS BETTER THAN ONE?

DUAL CIRCUIT EXIT SIGNS & THEIR USES

TOPIC

Background

Dual Circuit Products

- City of Los Angeles Code

Support Materials

Chalk Talk

Overview

- What's Changed in Modern Versions?

- The Product Line Up

- C1, C2, CX

- Dual Circuit Cheat Sheet

- What Does Dual Circuit Mean?

- Uses Outside of LA

- Double-Live Dual Circuit vs. Low-Cost Dual Circuit

- How To Get More Info

- Spec Sheet Updates

What Does "Dual Circuit" Mean?

- This only is an option on "AC Only" Exit Signs

- One source of power is intended to be the utility/normal source

- One source of power is intended to be the emergency source

Exit Signs Have 2 Power Inputs

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ARE TWO CIRCUITS BETTER THAN ONE?

Chalk Talk

I. BACKGROUND

The Exit Sign is the Transfer Device

- This allows the exit sign to have 2 sources of power without internal batteries

- Was originally designed for generator based systems

- Predates modern NEC 70 transfer switch requirements

City of Los Angeles Code

...[Continuous operation] is accomplished by a redundant wiring method, utilizing two independent power sources and wiring for [exit signs and exit illumination]. One circuit is to be supplied from a premises wiring supplied by a normal power source and the other circuit from an alternate power source classified for emergency power by the LAEC, Article 700.

P/BC 2002-019 (LADBS), Part 7. Wiring Method

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I. BACKGROUND

City of Los Angeles Code, Now...

An emergency lighting power supply, independent of normal lighting supply, with provisions for automatic transfer of the emergency lighting, in the event of the normal lighting branch circuit failure.

P/BC 2014-019, Part G.3.a & G.3.b

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Chalk Talk

I. BACKGROUND

It's more complicated now...

Two or more branch circuits supplied from separate and complete systems with independent power sources. One of the two power sources and systems shall be part of the emergency system, and the other shall be permitted to be part of the normal power source and system.  Each system shall provide sufficient power for emergency lighting purpose.

Uses Outside of LA

- Retrofit Installations

- Opportunities for Battery Reduction Without an Inverter

- Inverters Replacing Generators in Historical Buildings

There Are Other Use Cases

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I. BACKGROUND

New Installations

- Inverters allow for standard AC exit signs to be used and backed up in a code compliant manner

- Standard EM signs are approved everywhere

- Self-luminous signs are the best of both worlds

The Product Lineup

II. DUAL CIRCUIT PRODUCTS

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TL2 Thin Line Die-Cast LED Exit

DUAL CIRCUIT EXIT SIGNS Universal Voltage

TLMR2 Thin Line Die-Cast Master LED Exit

TLCG2 Thin Line Die-Cast Custom Graphics LED Exit

EDC Economical Die-Cast LED Exit

The Product Lineup (Continued)

II. DUAL CIRCUIT PRODUCTS

ELT Edge-Lit LED Exit

DUAL CIRCUIT EXIT SIGNS Voltage Specific

ELTCG

ELTMR Edge-Lit Master LED Exit

HLX NEMA 4X LED Exit

HZE Class I Div 2 LED Exit

LP Steel LED Exit

LPDC Die-Cast Aluminum LED Exit

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Edge-Lit LED Exit, Custom Graphic

LPDCCG

LPDCMR

LPDC-HD

LPX Extruded Aluminum LED Exit

LPX-CT

MAX Wet Location Die-Cast LED Exit

MAX 2.0

Die-Cast Aluminum Custom Graphic

Die-Cast Aluminum Master LED Exit

Heavy Duty Die-Cast Aluminum Master LED Exit

Low Profile Wet Location Die-Cast LED Exit

Connecticut Compliant Aluminum LED Handicap Exit

RL

RWL

Reliance Series Thermoplastic LED Exit

Wet Location Thermoplastic LED Exit

C1, C2, CX

- In most cases we need to know the input voltage at order time (120 vs. 277VAC)

- For signs that have input voltage specifications, the normal and emergency voltages must be the same

- Some signs, such as the TL2 have universal inputs for the dual circuit option

Voltage Specific

II. DUAL CIRCUIT PRODUCTS

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Double-Live Dual Circuit vs. Low-Cost Dual Circuit

- "Specification Grade Products" are made to allow for both sources of power to be active at the same time: ELT, LPDC, TL2

- Other products are designed to only allow for a single source of power to applied at any given time

- These can only be used with standby generators or normally off inverter circuits

We Make 2 Different Types of Dual Circuit Products

II. DUAL CIRCUIT PRODUCTS

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Exemptions

- Self-luminous signs are exempt from the requirements as they have no electrical connection required for illumination

Self-Luminous Exit Signs

III. SUPPORT MATERIALS

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Dual Tech Hybrid Exit Signs

- Similarly, hybrid photo-luminescent signs are exempt due to not requiring any electrical energy to maintain their output in an emergency

The Dual Circuit Cheat Sheet & Spec Sheet Updates

- A one stop shop for all information relevant to selecting an appropriate dual circuit sign or equivalent.

Cheat Sheets

III. SUPPORT MATERIALS

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ARE TWO CIRCUITS BETTER THAN ONE?

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Spec Sheets

- Addresses the common confusion related to dual circuit vs. dual live situation.

Sales Materials

- Training Video Link (Public - For Agent Only)

- Sales Presentation PDF (Public - For Agent Sales Presentations)

- Cheat Sheet

- Spec Sheets & Drawings

- Wiring Diagrams

- Cheat Sheet

Available on the Website

Available within Follow-up Sales Packet

III. SUPPORT MATERIALS

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Need Further Assistance?

Team of Experts

Schedule a Webinar for Advanced Sales & Engineering Training

III. SUPPORT MATERIALS

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ARE TWO CIRCUITS BETTER THAN ONE?

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THANK YOU