EM-NM
Non-maintained emergency luminaire plan mark
Plan mark for an emergency luminaire that lights only when the normal lighting supply fails.
IEC
IEC · EM-M
Maintained emergency luminaire plan mark
Plan mark for an emergency luminaire whose lamp is lit at all times and stays lit on supply failure.
In plain English
What does Maintained emergency luminaire plan mark mean?
A maintained emergency luminaire operates as a normal light and continues on battery when the normal supply fails. Plans usually draw the luminaire mark with an emergency indicator, such as a filled segment or a letter E, plus an M or maintained tag.
A simple example
Maintained operation is common in places of assembly, cinemas and some exit signs. The fitting needs both a switched supply for normal operation (where switched maintained) and an unswitched permanent supply to charge the battery and sense failure.
What the drawings help you do
The tag does not give the duration. Emergency duration (for example 1 h or 3 h) should appear in the schedule or legend.
This particular reference
Plan mark for an emergency luminaire whose lamp is lit at all times and stays lit on supply failure. A non-maintained emergency luminaire lights only on supply failure; the maintained form is lit continuously.
- Schematic
- A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.
Read the source: IEC graphical symbols for diagrams · Electrical installation design methodology and references
IEC · Emergency luminaire, maintained
IEC 60617 installation-plan style (architectural and topographical installation symbols); independently drawn, not certified IEC geometry or a database identifier.
Shown as an independently authored educational illustration. Use the cited publication and drawing legend to verify the required drafting form.
GA · EM-M
What it represents
A maintained emergency luminaire operates as a normal light and continues on battery when the normal supply fails. Plans usually draw the luminaire mark with an emergency indicator, such as a filled segment or a letter E, plus an M or maintained tag.
Maintained operation is common in places of assembly, cinemas and some exit signs. The fitting needs both a switched supply for normal operation (where switched maintained) and an unswitched permanent supply to charge the battery and sense failure.
The tag does not give the duration. Emergency duration (for example 1 h or 3 h) should appear in the schedule or legend.
How to read it
- Look for the M tag or legend key.
- Check the unswitched supply is shown.
Information to show or reference
- State duration.
- Provide permanent unswitched supply.
- Mark test facility or self-test type.
A distinction that matters
A non-maintained emergency luminaire lights only on supply failure; the maintained form is lit continuously.
Sources you can follow
These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.
IEC graphical symbols for diagrams
IEC graphical symbol context for installation plans; independently drawn here.
Electrical installation design methodology and references
Installation design methodology covering lighting circuits and final distribution.
About this graphic
This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.
SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.
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