EE8236 – ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS

[2.11] Emergency Power Supply System

Emergency power is supplied to systems which are intended for essential life protection in case of main power fails.
The emergency power is switched on immediately after the main power failure and switched off when the backup
power is ready to take the service.

The systems which need emergency power

 Emergency lighting
 Sign boards
 Emergency voice alarm system
 Essential medical systems in case of a hospital (life supporting systems)
 Desk top computers and computer servers

2.11.1 Emergency Lighting System and Directional Sign Boards

Locations where emergency lights are needed:

1. Lobbies & Corridors
2. Stair Cases
3. Exit and Entrance locations
4. Locations for firefighting devices

Method of power supply

 Emergency lights powered by self-rechargeable battery
 Emergency lights powered by central UPS and backup generators

In an emergency situation like in a fire the main power supply most probably will fail. Therefore normal lighting
system will not have the power. Therefore emergency lights should be supplied to give minimum light level required
for people to escape from the building. The directional sign boards (Arrows and Exit sign boards) also need the
power supply for directing the people to show the escape roots.

Power Source: Uninterrupted Power Supply System (UPS), Backup Generators

These power sources are fed from the main power system and the backup power system in normal operation. The
required capacity of UPS (Volt Ampere rating and lasting hours) should be calculated considering the number of
light points and the minimum time they are required to operate in case of an emergency (Even if the backup
generators do not come in to action).

Distribution Boards & Wiring: The emergency lighting system should be wired using fire rated cables. There should
be separate distribution boards and sub distribution boards (which has fire rated enclosures) for the emergency
power supply.

2.11.2 Emergency Voice Alarm System

In case of a multistoried building, the emergency voice alarm system plays an important role in a situation like a
fire. Un-necessary panicking of people inside the building will cause uncontrollable situations which leads to more
damage than the fire can do in case of a small incident. Therefore voice alarm system is used to inform people about
the situation and guide them for comfortable escaping. Sometimes the emergency voice alarm system is integrated
with the fire detection system and the BMS system. The emergency voice alarm system should have the power from
the emergency power supply and the wiring should be using fire rated cables.

Note that the emergency voice alarm system and the public address system are two different systems in large scale
building.

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2.11.3 Desk top Computers and Computer Servers

Computers are rarely powered using a central UPS system. Instead computers are powered using small individual
UPS. This is a good practice considering the factors like reliability, cost effectiveness, space requirement, separate
wiring requirements etc.

2.11.4 Un-interruptible Power Supply

The primary role of any UPS is to provide short-term power when the input power source fails. However, most UPS
units are also capable in varying degrees of correcting common utility power problems:

1. Voltage spike or sustained Overvoltage

2. Momentary or sustained reduction in input voltage.
3. Noise, defined as a high frequency transient or oscillation, usually injected into the line by nearby
equipment.
4. Instability of the mains frequency.
5. Harmonic distortion: defined as a departure from the ideal sinusoidal waveform expected on the line.

UPS units are divided into categories based on which of the above problems they address, and some manufacturers
categorize their products in accordance with the number of power-related problems they address.

According to the technology the UPSs are mainly categorized as,

 On-line: uses a "double conversion" method of accepting AC input, rectifying to DC for passing through
the rechargeable battery (or battery strings), then inverting back to 230 V/400V AC for powering the
protected equipment. (Better Transfer time is below 30ms)
 Line-interactive or standby: A line-interactive UPS maintains the inverter in line and redirects the battery's
DC current path from the normal charging mode to supplying current when power is lost. In a standby
("off-line") system the load is powered directly by the input power and the backup power circuitry is only
invoked when the utility power fails.

Note: Now the hybrid type UPS (Combination of both the above technologies) are available.

Fig: 2.11.1 - Offline / standby UPS. Typical protection time: 0–20 minutes.
Capacity expansion: Usually not available

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Fig: 2.11.2 - Line-interactive UPS. Typical protection time: 5–30 minutes. Capacity expansion: Several hours

Factors to be considered when selecting a UPS:

 Rated load (“VA” rating or “W” rating): Normally the connected load should not exceed the 80% of the
rated load.
 Run Time: The amount of time that the UPS can be available at rated load after a power failure.
 Anticipated usage.

2.11.5 Standby or Backup Generators

A standby generator is a back-up electrical system that operates automatically when the main power supply fails.

1. Standby generator which connects to the full load: Within seconds of a utility outage an automatic transfer
switch senses the power loss, commands the generator to start and then transfers the electrical load to the
generator. The standby generator begins supplying power to the circuits. After utility power returns, the
automatic transfer switch transfers the electrical load back to the utility and signals the standby generator to
shut off. (For Small shops, houses and small buildings)
2. Standby generator which connects to a partial load: The control panel senses the main power failure and
commands the backup generators to start and connect to some parts of full load (Partial loads). In case of
multistoried large scale buildings the total load cannot be supplied by backup generators. Therefore the
most essential loads of a building are supplied by backup generators. (Ex. Emergency lighting system,
several lifts, fire systems, communication equipment, ventilation system, in some cases heating systems
etc.)
Calculation of Required Capacity of a Generator
The kW rating of a generator should be calculated considering the following factors.
 Full load ratings of the connected equipment
 Additional starting wattage of connected equipment
 Overloading possibility of generator
 Applied diversity on connected equipment

The following table gives the required wattages for typical equipment in a building.

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GENERATOR SELECTION GUIDE

Typical Power Requirements
APPLIANCE ADDITIONAL
RUNNING STARTING
WATTAGE WATTAGE
LIGHTS
100W Light Bulbs 100 0
50W Light Bulbs 50 0
Fluorescent PL60 16 24
Fluorescent (per 48" tube) 40 50
Fluorescent efficient (per 48" tube) 32 48
Infrastructure
Air Conditioner 1 Ton 2000 4000
Air Conditioner 2 Ton 3000 6000
Air Conditioner 3 Ton 4500 9000
Alarm Clock 2-4 0
Battery Charger NiCad 4 0
Car Battery Charger (10A) 1200 0
Ceiling Fan 10-40 50
Clothes Dryer - motor only 500 1500
Electric Water - Electric Heater 4000 0
Garage Door Opener - 1/3HP 725 1400
Garage Door Opener - 1/4HP 550 1100
Hair Dryer 1000 1500
Sewing Machine 80 400
Sump Pump - 1/2 hp 1050 2150
Sump Pump - 1/3 hp 800 1300
Telephone with answering 10 0
Vacuum Cleaner 650 1950
Ventilator Fan 60 100
Washing machine 800 1600
Well Pump - 1/2 hp 1000 2100
Well Pump - 1/3 hp 750 1400
Window Air Conditioner (room size) 2000 4000
Iron 200-400 0
KITCHEN
Blender 350 1050
Coffee Grinder 150 200
Coffee Maker 850 0
Dish Washer - Cool Dry 700 1400
Dish Washer - Hot Dry 1400 1500
Food Processor 400 1200

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Microwave (750W) 750 800

Refrigerator (Large or inefficient) 1400 2000
Refrigerator (small or efficient) 600 750
Toaster 2-slice 1100 0
Garbage Disposal 450 550
Entertainment
Computer, modem and monitor 450 0
Computer 30-150 0
Computer Printer 30-120 360
Computer Modem 6 0
Computer - Network Hub 4 0
Electric Clock or Timer 3 0
FAX machine 25 50
Radio 25 0
Satellite Dish 30-75 0
System - Entertainment 30-150 0
Television - Color 350-450 0
VCR / DVD 50 0
VHF Radio 12 0
Other
Shaver 15 0

Factors to be considered when specifying a generator;

 Output kW rating, voltage and frequency

 Motor starting capability (Should specify the largest motor to be started from the generator) -set will have
to be at least three times the largest motor
 Overloading capability (Normally 10% for a limited duration)
 Canopy (Noise Reduction - dBA or noise level- Maximum 52 dBA at 7m distance)
 Standby rating, Prime Power rating and Continuous ratting

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