Emergency Lighting — Automatic Test Systems (NEN-EN 62034)

The emergency lighting guide describes the illuminance and activation-time requirements from §560. Those requirements must be tested periodically — and it is precisely that periodic test that in practice is often the weak link. NEN-EN 62034 sets the requirements for products and components for automatic test systems that carry out this check without manual intervention.

What the standard covers

NEN-EN 62034 describes the fundamental performance and safety requirements for individual products and components that form part of an automatic test system for emergency lighting installations at supply voltages up to 1000 V, and specifies the desired functionality of a complete automatic test system. It applies both to self-contained (autonomous) emergency luminaires and to luminaires connected to a central battery supply.

Self-test: battery test and function test

Modern emergency luminaires with an automatic test system generally carry out two types of periodic self-tests:

Function test — a short test that checks whether the luminaire actually switches over to emergency lighting when a mains failure is simulated.
Battery test — a longer test (often the full specified rated duration) that checks whether the battery still has sufficient capacity to reach the required emergency lighting duration.

Logbook

The test results are recorded in a logbook — with an automatic test system this is digital and per luminaire, instead of a manually kept paper logbook per manual test. For an inspection (see the inspection report & risk class guide) a watertight logbook is generally required evidence that the periodic test has actually taken place.

Note: the exact test intervals and the precise content of the logbook are generally further specified by the manufacturer of the test system and/or by local regulations — this article provides the standard's framework, not a universal test schedule.

Practical relevance

At an industrial hall or horticultural business with dozens to hundreds of emergency luminaires along escape routes, a manual monthly test of every luminaire (pressing the switch, observing, recording) is labour-intensive and error-prone — a missed luminaire often only comes to light at the next official inspection. An automatic test system compliant with NEN-EN 62034 shifts this burden from a recurring manual action to a periodic check of the digital logbook itself.

Common mistakes

Only running the function test, never the full battery test — a luminaire can pass the short function test while the battery has insufficient capacity for the full required rated duration.
Never checking the digital logbook — an automatic test system detects faults, but if nobody reads out the logbook or fault notification, a defective luminaire still goes unnoticed.
Assuming an automatic test system makes the periodic NEN 3140 inspection unnecessary — the test system checks the luminaires themselves, not the entire installation (wiring, control, emergency power supply) of which the emergency lighting forms part.