New York State Master Electrician Practice Exam

Where should unit equipment (battery packs) be connected?

1. To a separate branch circuit

2. On the same branch circuit as normal lighting

3. Only to emergency lighting circuits

4. To the main power source

The correct answer is: On the same branch circuit as normal lighting

Connecting unit equipment, such as battery packs, on the same branch circuit as normal lighting is appropriate in many scenarios for a couple of reasons. First, unit equipment needs the ability to be charged and to function seamlessly with the existing lighting system. By placing it on the same circuit, it allows for easier integration and ensures that when the regular lighting is operational, the battery packs can also remain charged. Moreover, this configuration can help streamline electrical layout and reduce labor and material costs by minimizing the number of circuits needed. It is critical, however, to ensure that the total load does not exceed the branch circuit's capacity, which includes both the normal lighting and the unit equipment. On the other hand, while connecting unit equipment solely to emergency lighting circuits or separate branch circuits might provide specific benefits in terms of redundancy or isolation, such configurations are often not required nor efficient for day-to-day operation and maintenance. Connecting directly to the main power source may not ensure the necessary emergency operation during power outages and is not advisable for typical unit equipment setups.