TCP Lighting Batteries & Ballasts

Ballasts traditionally work with a fluorescent lamp by regulating current to the lamp and providing the correct voltage. Emergency ballasts allow the fixture to provide emergency lighting during power outages. They typically contain rechargeable battery packs and offer a minimum 90 minute operation.

TCP Lighting offers fluorescent emergency ballasts to convert a new or existing fluorescent light fixture into emergency lighting. Once AC power fails, the emergency ballasts switch to emergency mode. These ballasts illuminate a specified number of lamps at a reduced lumen (brightness) output. When AC power returns, the ballast returns to charging mode.

A nickel-cadmium battery, often styled as a NiCD, Ni-Cd, or NiCad battery, uses nickel oxide hydroxide and a form of cadmium to generate electrical energy. They operate as a type of rechargeable battery.

NiCD differs from nickel-metal hydride, or NiMH, rechargeable batteries, sometimes referred to as NiMH cells. A NiMH battery typically offers different charge and discharge rates than NiCD batteries. Additionally, NiMH batteries may offer a higher energy density than NiCD but NiCD batteries usually last longer.

Both types of batteries suffer from the memory effect, though NiMH batteries to a lesser extent. However, NiMH batteries do not typically work with emergency lights and offer a higher self-discharge rate. NiCD batteries often see use with emergency lighting, power tools, and uninterruptible power sources.

Fun fact: The memory effect happens when batteries repeatedly get charged before using all of their stored energy, a pattern which the battery ‘memorizes.’ The battery becomes used to operating with a shorter life cycle and then loses energy at a high rate.

Lead-acid batteries use lead plates immerse in an electrolyte solution. Unlike nickel-based batteries, lead-acid batteries do not suffer from the memory effect. But you cannot fully drain the battery either. Fully draining, or discharging, a lead-acid battery reduces the capacity of the battery each time. This can cause the battery to die faster than usual.

These types of batteries, along with SLI, lithium ion, and other rechargeable battery options, often see use in vehicles. However, certain lead-acid batteries also see use in emergency lights.