Thermal Rise Testing for Reliable Emergency Lighting

Thermal rise testing is a crucial process that examines how temperatures increase in key components of lighting fixtures during operation, ensuring they remain within safe limits. High temperatures can:

• Accelerate LED aging and light degradation.
• Cause failures in drivers and control electronics.
• Create safety risks from overheating batteries.

This test validates the efficiency of a product’s thermal design and material resilience, guaranteeing reliable performance under various conditions.

At Epower, every emergency light and emergency exit sign undergoes thermal rise testing to monitor component temperatures, estimate product lifetime, and predict luminous performance. For outdoor products, additional tests like waterproofing and salt spray are conducted to simulate demanding environments.

Electronic testing involves attaching thermal sensors to vital areas, such as the power board and LED modules, during assembly. These sensors connect to a temperature monitoring device. By simulating operation at maximum ambient conditions (45°C for Epower products), we record each component’s temperature and calculate its lifespan using predefined formulas. This process directly informs our warranty policies.

Structural materials are also tested. For example, low-heat-resistance plastics like PMMA may deform under high temperatures. Surface temperature requirements vary by product type: ceiling fixtures can have more lenient thresholds, while portable lights, designed for frequent handling, must meet stricter standards to prevent burns.

Emergency lights and exit signs, with their low power, typically undergo testing at lower temperature thresholds. High-power outdoor fixtures, however, are tested under extreme conditions, pushing LED temperatures to 110°C–120°C to evaluate durability and performance.

Thermal rise testing provides critical insights into the real-world lifespan and light performance of LEDs, enabling Epower to enhance product design and ensure suitability for diverse operating environments.