Article 100 Definitions. Unit Equipment.

Unit equipment is a type of battery-equipped emergency luminaire.
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Unit equipment is a type of battery-equipped emergency luminaire.

Code Change Summary: A new definition of “Unit Equipment” was added to Article 100.

For more than 10 code cycles, the term “Unit Equipment” has been used in NEC® Article 700 when referring to emergency luminaires equipped with a rechargeable battery. Unit Equipment is a type of Battery-Equipped Emergency Luminaire but not the only type.

UL 924 is the Standard for Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment, and defines “Unit Equipment” as a complete, enclosed unit assembly, consisting of a rechargeable battery, a battery charging means, provisions for one or more lamps either mounted on the equipment or remote or both, and an ELCD (or ELCF circuit) to energize the lamps automatically upon failure of the normal supply.

Regular luminaires that provide normal area lighting but have been equipped with a listed emergency ballast or emergency battery pack are not actually “Unit Equipment”.

Unit equipment is a type of Battery-Equipped Emergency Luminaire but only provides illumination when the normal power supply is not available. Unit Equipment does not provide normal area lighting.

In the 2023 NEC®, the previous code sections in Article 700 that provided the rules on Unit Equipment will still apply, but those code sections now refer to “Battery-Equipped Emergency Luminaires”.

Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.

2020 Code Language:

This definition did not exist.

2023 Code Language:

N Unit Equipment. A battery-equipped emergency luminaire that illuminates only as part of the emergency illumination system and is not illuminated when the normal supply is available.

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Article 100 Definitions. Unit Equipment.

Below is a Real Question from our Electrical Continuing Education Courses for Electrical License Renewal:

Based on the 2023 NEC, which of the following is true?

A: Unit Equipment is always illuminated whether normal power is available or not.
B: Unit Equipment is NOT illuminated when the normal supply is available.
C: Unit Equipment only illuminates when normal power is present.
D: Unit Equipment only illuminates when first responders arrive.
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