Analysis of Energy Efficiency Characteristics of Domestic and Foreign EXIT Lights

Abstract

In this study, the energy efficiency of EXIT lights, a firefighting product, was analyzed from the perspective of general lighting equipment by examining domestic and foreign certification systems, such as KS, IEC, and the American ‘Energy Star Program’. Experiments were performed on EXIT lights from the United States, Japan, Austria, and domestic EXIT lights. The energy efficiency test factors derived from domestic and foreign standards include power, power factor, current total harmonic distortion, third harmonic current component, and fifth harmonic current component. The results of the test indicated that the US EXIT light consumed the least energy at 2.8 W, satisfying the US EXIT light Energy Star Program regulations, while other products consumed about 5-6 W. Additionally, the US product exhibited the lowest power factor of 0.1, while other products showed a value between 0.5 and 0.62; so there was no product that satisfied the KS (0.9 or more) and Energy Star Program (0.7 or more) standards. The total harmonic distortion (THD) of current in the US product was the lowest at 23.1%, while the Austrian product showed the highest THD at 132%. None of the products satisfied the KS standard of 20% or less. However, all products satisfied the KS standard of 86% or less and 61% or less for the 3rd and 5th harmonic components, respectively. Although the power consumption of the EXIT lights is as low as several watts, if the demand for high-power EXIT lights (several tens of watts) equals the level of lighting equipment in the future, it will be necessary to increase energy efficiency by employing power-factor-limiting regulations for EXIT lights.