Electric FICA test?

[walkman]

Hi, was just wondering if anybody has sat this recently? It's just I was wondering what was required for the em light, as far as i am aware you have to simulate mains failure using a key switch, the light is already wired with a fp 2core and earth, which i would imagine you would just put your feed and neutral to dp switch and switch on to simulate mains failure? but now somebody has told me they think theres a neon to be wired as well, can anybody confirm?

 

[333rocky333]

Whats a fica test.

Regarding the neon
To iluminate when power on, wire to the DP key switch output, L and N
To iluminate when power off (test), use a 2 way keyswitch and wire neon L to the other spare output, neutrals both in the neon.

 

[Spark123]

You'd switch it off to simulate mains failure
It depends what the neon is indicating, if it is indicating the switching of the test keyswitch then it is a case of using a 2 way switch, Com to permanent live, L1 to supply the light and L2 to the neon.
Or if you want it to indicate the supply to the light then just wire it in parallel to the light.

 

[walkman]

A FICA is an electrical test to become qualified which we use here in scotland. Thanks very much for your help guys. Nobody i speak to seems to really no what they want! From what i can gather from others is you have to switch the keyswitch on which would then turn your em light on (this supposedly simulates the failure) whilst also turning on the neon.

 

[RF Lighting]

IIRC that's the same on the AM2.

You would take the feed into the common terminal, the emergency light switched live into L1 and the neon live into L2

 

[Lectrician]

Yep, the NEON is to indicate TEST - to make it obvious the circuit is in test. When the EM is recieving 240v to charge (and stay off), the neon should be off.

A two way switch is used as said.

Many 'proper' jobs are specced like this.

 

[walkman]

Right just spoke to someone who has done it (although his memory is a bit hazy as it was a few years ago!) but he sems to think i take my feed and neutral in to top of dp switch and then my switched live and neutral out the bottom of it, i then take neutral a switch wire to the neon, he says they are on the same switch the light and the neon. This should then light up the neon when the key is switched on.

 

[Lectrician]

That is not the way the AM2 is done, and not the way it is ever done in the field.

The neon defo is designed to be on to indicate test - It is to draw your attention to the fact the EM light is not charging. The neon would be on 24/7 otherwise.

 

[walkman]

Sorry i missed a bit out, the live and neutral are taken from the outgoing side of your dp switch ie the ones that go to your light.

 

[Lectrician]

I still disagree

 

[333rocky333]

Sorry i missed a bit out, the live and neutral are taken from the outgoing side of your dp switch ie the ones that go to your light.

No point really with one fitting, the neon ON the fitting will show the power is on.
That should be checked after initial test anyway to confirm power is back on.

 

[walkman]

Thats fine, its good to get everybodies opinions, i just wish they had been a bit clearer about it before I go to do it! Anybody who wishes to do a small sketch would be doing a huge favour?! Just out of curiosity what is an AM2?

 

[walkman]

Just spoke to that same person again and he seems to think it's not actually an emergency fitting with L1,L2,n,e, ie no premanent live going to it just L, N & E, so it doesn't have neon in it thats why a neon needs to be wired besides the switch.

 

[Lectrician]

Did this guy you keep speaking to pass?

That makes no sence either.

I would take our advice if I where you, I know I am 100% correct for the AM2 - Been there my self, as have all our apprentices. I can assure you for te AM2 that it is done the way I have said.

Don't ask for advice if you are going to constantly disagree

 

[Spark123]

Can't see you needing to work on distributed emergency lighting systems wired from a central battery bank for an exam practical

Self contained non-maintained emergency light requires a L,N,E supply. A maintained unit may have a switched live too.
When the permanent supply is present an LED in the unit indicates that it is charging.

Here is a pic of what you'll be expected to install,
http://www.net-works.org.uk/fica_figurea.asp

http://www.net-works.org.uk/fica_about.asp