Exit Sign Batteries

Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries are most commonly used in exit signs because they are powerful and compact. They are affordably priced and can ship today.

These batteries provide 90 minutes of exit sign illumination when AC power is lost. There is no such thing as an exit sign that operates solely on battery power. These exit signs connect to AC power to provide illumination during normal conditions then automatically switch to the battery pack when the facility's power is lost.

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  2.4 Volt 700mAH Nickel-Cadmium Exit Sign Battery
  $8.99
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• 
  Replacement Exit Sign Battery
  $12.99
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• 
  6 Volt 7 Amp Lead Acid Emergency Light Battery
  $13.99
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The exit sign battery is located within the fixture's housing and is constantly charged when connected to the building's power supply. It only takes 24 hours to fully charge the battery so it's ready for 90 minutes of emergency illumination. 

View Our Exit Sign Batteries

Exit signs have evolved over the years, keeping pace with advances in technology and safety codes. When exit signs were first required in commercial buildings, they were only operational if connected to an AC power supply. If the power went out, there would be no exit sign to guide the building's occupants to safety. This problem was soon brought to light and a single battery pack per floor was required to power all exit signs during a power outage. The facility's AC power would charge the battery pack, but because there was only one per floor, emergency illumination was kept to a minimum. 

As building and safety codes became more comprehensive over the years, individual backup battery systems in each exit sign became necessary to meet safety requirements. Now exit signs are installed with battery systems that provide at least 90 minutes of illumination when not connected to AC power. 

Recently, incandescent bulbs have fallen out of favor and more energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) have come to the forefront of exit sign illumination. LEDs consume less than 5 watts of electricity at all times and typically last between 8 and 10 years. Because they are so efficient, they require smaller battery packs, making the entre fixture more compact.

An alternative to a battery-powered exit sign is a tritium powered self-luminous sign or a glow in the dark photoluminescent sign. These exit signs do not use any electrical components and do not require a battery pack. Common applications for these exit signs include facilities where power connections are scarce or energy costs need to be cut. 

Exit Sign Battery Types

When choosing a replacement battery for an exit sign, there are several options:

- Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd): compact and powerful, these batteries have an average lifespan of 7 to 10 years. They are available in many sizes and wattages, making them a versatile battery. They feature small tabs on both the front and back of the battery pack.
- Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH): these batteries are very similar to their nickel-cadmium counterparts but contain a hydrogen absorbing alloy on the negative electrode instead of cadmium. These batteries are also smaller than Ni-Cd. 
- Sealed lead acid: commonly used in exit sign combo fixtures that also feature side or top-mounted emergency light. Older, non-LED exit signs often use sealed lead batteries. They are larger than the other two battery types.