QualifiedHigh risk

Emergency light charge indicator off (not charging)

An emergency fitting's charge indicator (usually a small LED) is off, meaning the battery isn't charging — it will then fail when tested or in a real outage.

Start fault-finding

Safety first

A non-charging emergency fitting won't work in an outage. Isolate before working; life-safety, licensed work with test/record requirements.

Isolate, lock out / tag out, and prove dead before working unless a live test is specifically required, authorised, and carried out under proper supervision. Always follow local regulations, your site procedures, and the equipment manufacturer's documentation.

Full detail — causes, the why, and common mistakes.

Likely causes

Ranked from most to least likely.

  1. 1

    No permanent supply to the fitting

    Most likely

    The fitting's unswitched supply (needed to charge) is missing.

  2. 2

    Failed battery (won't accept charge)

    #2

    An end-of-life battery won't charge / hold charge.

  3. 3

    Charging circuit / control gear fault

    #3

    The internal charger has failed.

  4. 4

    Indicator LED itself failed

    Least likely

    The charge indicator has failed while charging is fine (confirm by test).

Reports are saved on this device to reflect what you actually find.

Testing sequence

Work through one test at a time. Expected reading and what each result means.

Test 1 of 2
1

Confirm the fitting's permanent supply is present.

Expected reading

Permanent supply present.

If it passes

Supply present but not charging — check the battery and charger.

If it fails

Missing permanent supply — restore it.

Often leads toEmergency light fails its discharge testExit sign not illuminated
View all expected readings at once
1. Confirm the fitting's permanent supply is present.
Permanent supply present.
2. Check/replace the battery and verify the charging circuit; then run a discharge test.
Battery charges and the fitting passes the discharge test.

Fault-finding flowchart

The same logic as a decision tree.

  1. 1
    start

    Emergency light not charging

    → step 2
  2. 2
    decision

    Is the permanent supply present?

    Yes→ step 3No→ step 4
  3. 3
    decision

    Does the battery charge and pass a discharge test?

    Yes→ step 5No→ step 6
  4. 4
    result

    Restore the permanent supply.

  5. 5
    result

    Restored — record the test.

  6. 6
    result

    Charging/control-gear fault — replace fitting and re-test.

Common mistakes apprentices make

  • Not realising the charging supply is the permanent (unswitched) one.
  • Assuming the indicator is right without a discharge test.
  • Leaving a non-charging fitting in service.
  • Not recording the test.

When to stop & escalate

Charging/battery and control-gear faults are licensed work with test/record obligations. A non-charging life-safety fitting must be rectified promptly.

If you're past your competence, authorisation, or the safe limits of the job — stop and hand it on. There's no fault worth getting hurt over.

Related faults

Emergency & exit lighting

Emergency light fails its discharge test

An emergency fitting works on mains but won't stay lit for the required duration when tested (mains removed) — usually a failed/aged battery, but can be charging or lamp issues.

4 causes3 test steps
QualifiedHigh risk
Emergency & exit lighting

Exit sign not illuminated

An illuminated exit sign is dark — it may have lost supply, failed its lamp/LED, or have a faulty driver. A life-safety fitting that must be kept working.

4 causes3 test steps
QualifiedHigh risk
Emergency & exit lighting

Emergency light stays on / won't go back to normal

An emergency fitting stays in emergency (battery) mode or its charge/fault LED stays wrong even with normal supply present — pointing at the supply sensing, charging, or the fitting.

4 causes2 test steps
QualifiedMedium risk