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Emergency Lights: Which One for Your Home or Business

When the power goes out, the first thing you want is not to trip over anything. An emergency light takes care of that: it stays plugged in, keeps its battery charged, and turns on by itself as soon as the power fails. Choosing one seems easy until you compare product sheets and see lumens, LED counts, hours, and modes. Here we explain what each spec means and which light suits each space.

What the specs on the box mean

Lumens

Lumens (lm) measure how much light the lamp gives off. It's the most useful number for comparing. A plug-in light like the LP-334 gives 60 lm: enough to find your way down a hallway or around a bedroom. At the other end, the LP-346 reaches 1200 lm, designed to light up a living room, an office, or a store.

Number of LEDs

More LEDs doesn't always mean more light. It depends on the type of LED and the design. For example, the LP-339 has 40 LEDs and gives 1200 lm, while other lights with more LEDs give less. Use the LED count as a reference, but decide based on lumens.

Backup hours

This is how long the light stays on with a full battery. Note that many lights have two brightness levels, and the runtime changes with each one. The LP-345 gives 250 lm for up to 3 hours or 100 lm for up to 8 hours. The LP-346 gives up to 12 hours on high and up to 24 hours on low (450 lm). If outages in your area tend to be long, use the low setting to save battery.

Automatic switch-on: how it works

All the lights in this article turn on by themselves when they detect a power outage, as long as they're plugged in. On some models, the switch has to be in the right position. The LP-337, for example, needs to be in emergency mode, and the LP-344 in ON mode. Check the manual when you install it so you don't find out in the dark.

Portable or wall-mounted

Lights that plug straight into an outlet, with a folding or retractable plug, are the simplest: you don't need tools, and you can unplug them to take them with you. The LP-334 and the LP-344 and LP-345 two-packs work this way.

Wall or ceiling lights cover more area and stay in a fixed spot. The LP-346 mounts with the included screws and wall anchors, but it also has a handle so you can carry it. The LP-337 mounts on a wall or ceiling, sits on a flat surface, or can be carried by its handle.

With a flashlight

If you want to go check the breaker panel or walk down the stairs, a flashlight helps a lot. The LP-344 has 6 LEDs giving 250 lm for the room and a 45 lm flashlight that lasts up to 8 hours. The LP-63 is a 3-in-1 night light: plugged in, it works as an automatic night light, turns on if the power goes out, and when you unplug it, it becomes a flashlight. It's a good fit for kids' bedrooms or next to the bed.

Exit signs for businesses

In an office, store, or warehouse, besides lighting the space, it's a good idea to mark the way out. The LP-338 is a double-sided exit sign: it can be read from both sides and stays lit for up to 3 hours on a full battery. The LP-325 has an acrylic panel with an emergency exit legend and more than 2 hours of backup. Keep in mind that these signs are for marking the exit, not for lighting the area. Pair them with an emergency light.

Two-packs

The LP-344 and LP-345 packs come with two identical lights. They let you cover two spaces, such as the stairs and the kitchen, or keep one as a backup. Each light measures 14.5 × 4.8 × 4.6 cm, so they barely stand out in the outlet.

How many and where

Think about the path you'd take in the dark: from the bedroom to the exit or to the breaker panel. That's where the lights go.

  • Stairs: the most important spot. A light at the top or bottom prevents falls.
  • Hallways: a plug-in light is usually enough to find your way.
  • Kitchen: so you're not left in the dark with the stove on or knives within reach.
  • Near the breaker panel: so you can check the breakers without hunting for your phone.
  • Large areas: in living rooms, garages, or stores, use a wall light with more lumens. The LP-339 has two lamp heads that rotate 140° vertically and 360° horizontally, and its IP65 rating makes it suitable for covered outdoor areas like garages or covered patios.

As a rule of thumb, put at least one on each floor and one at every point where there are steps or changes in level.

Take care of your light

  • Keep it plugged in so the battery is always charged.
  • Allow the initial charging time listed in the manual before relying on it.
  • Test it now and then. Several models, like the LP-339 and the LP-338, have a test button and a charge indicator.
  • If you're storing it, recharge it periodically as the manual indicates.

Quick picks

Apartment

An LP-345 two-pack for the hallway and kitchen, and an LP-63 in the bedroom. If you want a flashlight in each light, choose the LP-344 two-pack.

Two-story house

An LP-337 or an LP-346 in the living room or on the ground floor, a plug-in light like the LP-334 in the upstairs hallway, and another next to the stairs. If you have a covered garage, the LP-339 works well there.

Business or office

The LP-421 covers up to 80 m², has two adjustable heads you can aim at exits or hallways, provides at least 3 hours of backup, and runs on 100 to 240 V. Add an LP-338 or LP-325 sign over each exit. For a small office, the LP-346 also lets you charge your phone through its USB port during an outage.

Not sure which one is right for you or how many you need? Message us on WhatsApp from our Contact page and the Lloyd's team will help you choose.

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