Remote-capable exit sign & emergency light combos let one fixture power additional low-voltage remote heads—perfect when an egress route turns a corner, drops into a stair, or opens to a larger landing. This informational guide explains how to size a remote-capable combo, avoid voltage-drop pitfalls, choose optics for real-world layouts, and stay code-ready indoors and outdoors. For models, see Remote-Capable Exit Sign Combos; for fundamentals, read the pillar: Exit Sign & Emergency Light Combo – Ultimate Guide.
Last updated: October 2025
At-a-Glance
- One battery, multiple points: a single UL 924 combo powers the EXIT legend, on-board heads, and extra remote heads.
- Capacity is king: remote support is specified in watts @ 90 minutes—size to the actual installed load.
- Voltage matters: match the remote circuit (6/12/24 V DC), observe polarity, and control voltage drop.
- Cleaner installs: extend coverage into stairs, alcoves, cross-corridors, or exterior landings without adding another battery pack.
- Options: wet-location/IP/NEMA ratings, cold-weather kits, corridor/flood optics, high-lumen heads, and self-testing diagnostics.
What Does “Remote-Capable” Mean?
A remote-capable exit sign combo is built with an oversized battery/charger and low-voltage DC terminals that feed separate emergency heads located away from the host. The datasheet lists a remote wattage budget the unit can support for the full 90-minute discharge (e.g., “supports 8 W of remotes for 90 min”). Remote heads are compact LED luminaires available in matching voltages (6, 12, or 24 V DC).
Benefits of Remote-Head Emergency Lighting
- Fewer devices: one host combo replaces a separate exit sign + multiple emergency lights.
- Centralized maintenance: a single battery system to test, log, and service.
- Flexible coverage: place light exactly where needed—around corners, down stairs, across wider landings.
- Cleaner look: small remote heads keep walls and corridors uncluttered.
How to Size a Remote-Capable Exit Sign Combo (Step-by-Step)
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List your loads. Tally everything the host must power:
- EXIT legend (single vs. double face; red vs. green)
- On-board heads (per-head watts at the chosen setting)
- All remote heads (sum their nameplate watts)
- Check the remote budget. Compare total remote watts to the host’s remote-capable rating (e.g., 8/12/16 W @ 90 min). If you exceed it, either reduce remote load or choose a higher-capacity model.
- Confirm 90-minute runtime. The entire system—legend + on-board heads + remotes—must run ≥ 90 minutes. Verify against the manufacturer’s runtime notes for your exact configuration.
- Leave margin. Design to ~70–85% of capacity to allow for temperature effects, battery aging, and voltage drop.
Example: Double-face EXIT (~3 W) + two on-board heads at 3.5 W each (~7 W) + two 2 W remotes (~4 W). Remote total = 4 W (fits an 8 W rating). System total ≈ 14 W; confirm ≥ 90 min with 15–30% headroom.
Voltage, Polarity & Wire Sizing (Avoiding Voltage Drop)
Remote heads must match the host’s DC output (6/12/24 V) and polarity. Long runs introduce voltage drop that can dim heads—especially near the end of the 90-minute cycle. To control drop:
- Shorten runs or use star/home-runs for distant heads.
- Upsize wire gauge as runs lengthen; consult a voltage-drop chart for your current and voltage.
- Distribute loads across multiple hosts when distances are extreme.
Commissioning tip: meter DC voltage at the farthest head at the 90-minute mark to verify performance under worst-case conditions.
Choosing Remote Heads (Optics, Output & Environment)
- Optics: corridor optics throw a long, narrow beam down the path; flood optics cover landings and open zones.
- Output: common LED remote heads range ~1.5–5 W each. Higher wattage increases spacing but consumes capacity faster.
- Environment: for exterior or wash-down, specify wet-location / IP / NEMA-rated heads with gasketed enclosures; add cold-weather kits below battery temp ratings.
- Durability: in high-abuse spots, use metal-housed remotes or protective guards; in front-of-house, choose low-profile architectural remotes.
Common Layouts that Benefit from Remotes
- Door + Stair: host above the door; remote aimed down the stair run for tread visibility.
- Cross-Corridor: host at the intersection; remotes down each branch to eliminate “dark corners.”
- Vestibule + Exterior Landing: host inside the conditioned vestibule; wet-location remote on the exterior stoop.
- Long Corridor: host mid-span; remotes extend coverage to the next decision point without another battery unit.
Code & Compliance (What Inspectors Look For)
- UL 924 listing: fast transfer to battery, EXIT legibility, and ≥ 90-minute runtime at the installed load.
- Egress illuminance: design spacing and aiming for compliant average levels—verified at the end of the discharge.
- Testing & logs: monthly (~30 s) and annual (90 min) checks; self-testing models automate and flag faults via a status LED.
- NYC/Chicago notes: where metal housings and specific legend specs apply, choose city-approved hosts; match remote heads to the environment (e.g., wet-location outdoors).
Installation & Commissioning Tips
- Unswitched feed: supply from an unswitched branch so charging/transfer work regardless of lighting controls.
- Label runs: tag remote circuits at the host and at each head to speed inspections and service.
- Seal & torque: keep gaskets clean, torque evenly, and seal conduit entries on wet/damp enclosures.
- Head aiming: eliminate shadows at landings and first steps beyond the door swing; lock knuckles to hold position.
- Runtime proof: document voltages and visual checks at start and at ~90 minutes for your log.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
- Overloading the remote bus: exceeding the watt budget shortens runtime—re-balance or upsize.
- Mismatched voltages: a 12 V head on a 6 V circuit won’t perform; always match 6/12/24 V and polarity.
- Ignoring voltage drop: long #18 runs starve heads at minute 90; shorten runs or upsize to #16/#14/#12.
- No margin: designing at 100% leaves no room for aging/temperature; target ~70–85% of rated remote watts.
- Wrong environment: use wet-location heads outdoors and add heaters for cold vestibules/freezers.
FAQs About Remote-Capable Exit Light Combos
How many remote heads can I power?
As many as the host’s remote-watt rating supports for 90 minutes. Add all remote-head watts and stay below the rating with 15–30% safety margin.
How do I wire a remote head to a combo?
Connect the head to the host’s DC output terminals with matching voltage and correct polarity. Keep runs short where possible; upsize wire if distances are long.
When should I choose a remote-capable combo vs. separate lights?
Use a remote-capable combo when a single battery can conveniently light adjacent areas (stairs, bends, exterior landings). Use separate emergency lights where exit signage is elsewhere or coverage needs are extensive.
Do remotes reduce the EXIT sign brightness?
The EXIT legend remains compliant if the total load (legend + heads + remotes) is within the unit’s 90-minute rating. Oversubscribed systems risk dim output; size conservatively.