Do high-mast lights require an emergency power supply?
Whether an emergency power supply is required depends on the application scenario and the importance of the high-mast lights.
Emergency power supplies are mandatory for locations such as airport aprons (to ensure flight safety), critical port operation areas (to prevent loading/unloading accidents), roads near hospitals, military facilities, and large sports venues (during events). In these locations, if the mains power fails, the high-mast lights must immediately switch to the emergency power supply to maintain basic illumination (typically requiring 30%–50% of standard illuminance), with a switchover time not exceeding 15 seconds. Options for emergency power supplies include:
1. Diesel generators: Automatic startup (via ATS); suitable for high-power requirements.
2. EPS (Emergency Power Supply): Comprising batteries and an inverter; offers millisecond-level switchover times but comes at a higher cost; suitable for low-to-medium power requirements.
3. LED fixtures with built-in batteries: Each light has an internal battery that activates automatically upon power failure, though the duration is limited (typically 30–90 minutes). For general locations (such as standard public squares or non-critical roads), an emergency power supply may not be required, though a connection point for a backup generator should be provided for extreme situations. Design specifications (such as JGJ 16-2008, "Code for Electrical Design of Civil Buildings") should be consulted to determine whether an emergency power supply is needed and to calculate the required capacity. Emergency power systems require regular testing (monthly) to ensure reliable activation when needed.
