How is the emergency lighting on an aircraft activated?

Question

Hi,

Does anyone know how the emergency lighting system on a aircraft is activated? Is it automatically or manually done?

Answer 1

It depends on the aircraft and the way that the system is designed.

There are 3 ways to activate the emergency lights that I can think of (some aircraft don't have all of the methods):

Through a switch, the lights can be turned off, turned on, or "armed". If the switch is in "on" they are illuminated. If the switch is in "armed" they will come on automatically if there is a loss of electrical power. The third way is through a "G-switch" which is automatically activated after an impact severe enough to do damage to the aircraft.

As previously stated there are also "glow in the dark" lights that simply are illuminated through either a chemical process or by using materials that glow naturally.

Answer 2

They will come on when the emergency lights are "armed" which means they will illuminate if there is a loss of power. They have their own separate source of power that will last for a little while, more than enough time to evacuate. They can also be turned on manually by simply turning them to "on." Coincidentally, they will come on if you power down the aircraft and you forget to disarm them. Don't ask me how I know that one!

Answer 3

Automatically happens as a result of a number of conditions.

Answer 4

It can be either.

There is a switch (typically on the overhead panel in the cockpit) that has three positions: arm, off, and on.  When you flip the switch to on, obviously the lights go on.  When the switch is in arm, the lights will turn on if there is a loss of power.

There are also the exit signs filled with Tritium and the glow strips on the floors of some aircraft.  These are not electric and simply glow in the dark.

Answer 5

They come on in an emergency or power loss. Some aircraft have lights in the cabin that just glow when it gets dark or some other older planes have actual electrical operated systems. If the plane were to lose power they would come in but if there was an evacuation on the ground and there wasnt a power loss the Cabin Crew would turn them on so passengers could get out quicker.