--- title: Commercial & Industrial Electrician | Backup Power description: Backup Power | CDI Electric Inc. delivers expert commercial and industrial electrical services across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. image: https://www.cdielectric.com/hubfs/commercial%20and%20industrial%20electrician-commercial-CDI%20Electric.jpg --- Call Us:[859-291-9189](tel:8592919189) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 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It also explains why a generator that rarely carries much load may need an extra annual test, and when a problem during a test calls for an electrician or the generator dealer. A monthly test log is at the end. The short answer For generators covered by NFPA 110: Weekly: Inspect the system. Under the 2025 edition, Level 2 systems may be inspected monthly instead. Monthly: Run the generator under load for at least 30 minutes, and operate each transfer switch. Annually: Run a load bank test if the generator did not carry enough load during its monthly runs. Every 36 months: Run a longer test on Level 1 systems. Always: Record every inspection, test, and repair. First, find out what kind of system you have NFPA 110, the Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, applies when a code requires an emergency power supply system and points to the standard. The standard sorts systems into two levels: Level 1: Failure could cause loss of life or serious injury. Examples include generators serving emergency egress lighting or life safety systems. Level 2: Failure is less critical to life and safety, such as legally required standby loads. Many commercial generators are optional standby systems, installed to keep a business running rather than because a code requires them. For those systems, the manufacturer's maintenance schedule usually governs, though many owners follow the NFPA 110 routine anyway because it is a proven program. Not sure which you have? Your generator's installation records, your fire code official, or your electrical contractor can tell you. The current edition of NFPA 110 is 2025, but your jurisdiction may enforce an older edition referenced by its adopted fire or building code. The schedule below follows the 2025 edition. Where an earlier edition differs in a way that matters, it is noted. Weekly inspection NFPA 110 calls for Level 1 systems to be inspected weekly. The 2025 edition allows monthly inspections for Level 2 systems. Because older editions required weekly checks for both levels, plan on weekly inspections unless your fire code official tells you otherwise. A typical weekly walk-around checks: Fuel level, and for diesel units, signs of leaks Oil and coolant levels, following the manufacturer's procedure Battery condition, charger operation, and alarm indicators That the generator control is set to automatic That the transfer switch is in its normal position, with no alarms That the enclosure, air intake, and exhaust are clear of debris Monthly exercise under load Each generator set should run at least monthly, for at least 30 minutes, under load. The 30 minutes is counted from when the generator takes the load, not from when it starts. For diesel units, the load must do one of two things. It must keep the exhaust at the manufacturer's recommended minimum temperature, or it must reach at least 30 percent of the generator's standby nameplate kW rating. Natural gas and other spark-ignited units run with whatever emergency system load is available. Also operate transfer switches monthly by electrically moving them from normal power to the generator and back. If you have several transfer switches, rotate which one starts the monthly test. Why light loading matters: wet stacking Generators are often sized for future growth, so a building's real emergency load may be well under 30 percent of the generator's rating. A diesel engine that repeatedly runs lightly loaded doesn't burn its fuel completely. Unburned fuel and carbon build up in the exhaust, a condition called wet stacking. Over time, it reduces performance and can lead to failures. That is why NFPA 110 adds an annual supplemental load test when monthly runs don't reach the required load. Annual load bank test, if your monthly runs fall short A diesel unit that cannot meet the monthly loading rule must still be exercised every month on the available load. It then needs one supplemental load test each year. Under the 2025 edition, the generator runs at least 50 percent of nameplate kW for 30 continuous minutes, then at least 75 percent for 60 continuous minutes, for a total of 1.5 hours. Earlier editions started with an extra step at 25 percent, for a two-hour total. A portable load bank provides the extra load. If your generator carries at least 30 percent of its nameplate rating, or reaches the manufacturer's exhaust temperature, during every monthly run, this annual test is not required. Your monthly log is the evidence, which is one more reason to record kW during every run. The 36-month test for Level 1 systems At least once every 36 months, a Level 1 system must run continuously for the duration of its class rating. The test may stop after four continuous hours. Plan this one ahead, because it is the longest run in the schedule. Records NFPA 110 requires a record of every inspection, test, exercise, repair, and modification, available to the authority having jurisdiction. For the monthly run, record at least: The hour meter reading How the test was started Start and transfer times Voltage, frequency, amps, and kW under load Oil pressure, battery charging rate, and coolant temperature The retransfer time The log below follows that sequence. When to call an electrician or the generator dealer Stop and call for service when: The generator fails to start, or starts slowly or only after several tries. The transfer switch does not transfer, takes noticeably longer than usual, or does not return to normal power. Voltage or frequency is unstable under load. An alarm or shutdown occurs during the test. Monthly runs never reach 30 percent of nameplate kW, and no annual load bank test is scheduled. You see fuel or oil leaks, black smoke, or signs of wet stacking. You plan to add load to the generator, or the building's emergency loads have changed. Who to call depends on the problem. Generator work is usually split three ways: Generator dealer: The engine (oil, coolant, and engine controls), transfer switch service, and load bank testing. Plumbing contractor: Fuel piping to the generator. Licensed electrician: Generator installation, wiring, breakers, load connections, and changes to which loads the generator serves. If you aren't sure where a problem starts, call the company that installed the system. They can tell you which trade it belongs to. Download the Monthly Generator Test Log Spreadsheet What you can do, and what needs a professional Trained facility staff can do the weekly inspection, start and watch the monthly run following the manufacturer's procedure, record readings, and keep the log. Load bank testing and transfer switch maintenance need the generator dealer. Fuel piping needs a plumbing contractor. Breaker work, wiring repairs, and changes to the system's loads need a licensed electrician. How CDI Electric can help CDI Electric installs and services Kohler, Generac, CAT, and Cummins Onan generators for commercial and industrial facilities across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. We handle the electrical side of the system: wiring, breakers, load connections, and changes to which loads the generator serves. The generator dealer handles engine service, transfer switch service, and load bank testing, and a plumbing subcontractor installs fuel piping. CDI coordinates with both so the system is installed and tested as one job. If your generator is failing tests, isn't carrying enough load, or needs to support new equipment, see our commercial electrical services or industrial electrical services. You can also call 859-291-9189. [![Commercial Generator Testing: Weekly, Monthly, and Annual Checks](https://www.cdielectric.com/hubfs/Commercial%20Generator%20Testing%20Weekly%2c%20Monthly%2c%20and%20Annual%20Checks-Commercial%20Electrician%20in%20Cincinnati%20%26%20NKY-%20CDI%20Electric.jpg)](https://www.cdielectric.com/cdi-electric-blog/https/www.cdielcommercial-generator-transfer-switch-testing-schedule) ### [Commercial Generator Testing: Weekly, Monthly, and Annual Checks](https://www.cdielectric.com/cdi-electric-blog/https/www.cdielcommercial-generator-transfer-switch-testing-schedule) If your building or plant has a standby generator, this guide explains what has... [Read More](https://www.cdielectric.com/cdi-electric-blog/https/www.cdielcommercial-generator-transfer-switch-testing-schedule) How to Test Emergency Lighting in a Commercial Building Lighting Maintenance and Testing Emergency Backup Power If you manage a commercial building with battery-powered emergency lights or lighted exit signs, this guide explains the monthly and annual tests, how self-testing units change the routine, the records to keep, and when a failed test means you need an electrician. A printable test log is at the end. The short answer Every month: Test each battery-powered unit for at least 30 seconds. Once a year: Run each battery-powered unit for 90 minutes on battery power. Always: Keep written records of every test and inspection. Fire inspectors ask for them. Self-testing units replace the manual monthly test with a monthly visual check. They still need the annual 90-minute test, unless they are computer-based and run it automatically. Where these requirements come from The familiar schedule comes from NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, section 7.9.3. It gives building owners three ways to test emergency lighting: manual testing, self-testing units, and computer-based self-testing systems (NFPA Journal) State fire codes follow the same pattern. Ohio's fire code requires a monthly activation test of at least 30 seconds and an annual 90-minute test for battery units. It also requires records that show where each unit is, whether it passed, the test date, and who did the test (Ohio Fire Code, 2017 edition, section 604.8; Portage County Safety Council summary). Section numbers change between editions. In Kentucky, the state fire code is the Kentucky Standards of Safety. Your local fire code official decides which code and edition apply to your building. The schedule below is what most buildings in the region will be asked to show. The three ways to test Your equipment Monthly Annual Records Standard battery units (test button on each unit) Functional test of at least 30 seconds. Tests 3 to 5 weeks apart. Functional test of at least 90 minutes Written records of every test Self-testing / self-diagnostic units (status light on each unit) The unit tests itself. You inspect each status indicator at least every 30 days. Functional test of at least 90 minutes Written records of the visual checks and the annual test Computer-based self-testing system (units report to a panel or software) The system tests automatically. The system runs the 90-minute test automatically. The system must be able to produce a history of tests and failures Source: NFPA 101, section 7.9.3.1, as summarized by NFPA and the University of Colorado. The units must work at full output for the entire test. A light that comes on but fades before 90 minutes has failed. Exit signs with battery backup follow the same schedule. Emergency lighting powered by a generator is tested under NFPA 110, the generator standard, instead of the 90-minute battery test. Why the annual test matters The monthly 30-second test shows that a unit switches to battery power and that the lamps light. It does not show whether the battery can last. Batteries lose capacity as they age, so a unit can pass every monthly test and still go dark partway through an outage. The annual 90-minute test finds weak batteries. How to do the monthly test Walk the building with a list of every unit and its location. Include stairwells, corridors, restrooms, mechanical rooms, and exterior egress lights. Press and hold each unit's test button for at least 30 seconds. On self-testing units, check the status indicator instead. Confirm that the lamps come on at full brightness right away, stay on for the full 30 seconds, and are aimed at the path of travel. Check for damage, missing covers, blocked lamps, and units with no charging or power indicator lit. Record the result for each unit: location, pass or fail, date, and your name. Report failures right away, and treat each one as open until it is fixed and retested. Test about the same time each month. The code allows 3 to 5 weeks between tests to work around weekends and holidays, not to skip months. How to do the annual test Schedule it for a low-occupancy time, and tell occupants that you will be testing the lights. Remove normal power from the emergency units for 90 minutes. In many buildings, this means switching off the circuits that feed them. If that requires opening or switching breakers in an electrical panel, use a qualified person, or follow your facility's established procedure. Check every unit at the start, partway through, and at 90 minutes. Record the time any unit dims or fails. Restore power and confirm that each unit's charging indicator comes back on. Let the batteries recharge. Check the manufacturer's recharge time, and don't schedule the test right before the building is busy. Record the results and list every unit that failed and what was done to fix it. When a unit fails Some fixes are simple. Others point to a wiring problem. Usually a parts or replacement issue: The lamp is out, but the unit transfers to battery. The unit works on the 30-second test but fails before 90 minutes. This usually means the battery needs replacing. The unit is physically damaged. Call an electrician when: A unit shows no charging or power light. It may have lost its normal power supply. Several units on the same circuit fail together. A unit does not switch to battery when normal power is removed. You smell burning, see scorching, or find water in or around a unit. A renovation changed the layout, and you are not sure the exit paths are still covered. You need units added, moved, or wired to a different circuit. Emergency lighting test log Print one sheet per month. Keep twelve months of records, plus the most recent annual test, where an inspector can see them. Building: Month/Year: Tested by: Unit # Location Type (standard / self-test / exit sign) Monthly 30-sec test or indicator check: Pass / Fail Annual 90-min test: Pass / Fail / Time failed Problem found Corrective action and date Retest: Pass 1 2 3 4 5 Annual test date: Normal power removed at: Restored at: Total duration: minutes What you can do, and what needs a licensed electrician Facility staff can do the monthly test, check self-test indicators, keep the records, and replace lamps where the manufacturer allows it. Switching breakers in electrical panels should follow your facility's safety procedures or be done by a qualified person. Repairing circuits, replacing hard-wired units, adding units, and correcting lost normal power need a licensed electrician. How CDI Electric can help CDI Electric installs, repairs, and tests emergency and exit lighting for commercial buildings across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. We can run your annual 90-minute test, document the results, and fix what fails. View our commercial electrical services or talk with a commercial electrician at 859-291-9189. Requirements are based on NFPA 101 and the Ohio Fire Code. Your fire code official determines which code and edition apply to your building. [![How to Test Emergency Lighting in a Commercial Building](https://www.cdielectric.com/hubfs/How%20to%20Test%20Emergency%20Lighting%20in%20a%20Commercial%20Building-Commercial%20Electrician%20in%20Cincinnati%20%26%20NKY-%20CDI%20Electric%20(1).jpg)](https://www.cdielectric.com/cdi-electric-blog/how-to-test-emergency-lighting-commercial-building) ### [How to Test Emergency Lighting in a Commercial Building](https://www.cdielectric.com/cdi-electric-blog/how-to-test-emergency-lighting-commercial-building) If you manage a commercial building with battery-powered emergency lights or... [Read More](https://www.cdielectric.com/cdi-electric-blog/how-to-test-emergency-lighting-commercial-building) Sorry, but there are no results that match your current filters and search. Please try a different filter combination. Load More ## Get Started with CDI Electric ### Contact CDI Electric Inc. today for a consultation, quote, or immediate service. Experience the difference of working with a commercial electrical contractor dedicated to quality, reliability, and professionalism.     ### *CDI Electric Inc. — Powering Commercial Success in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.* [![CDI Electric](https://www.cdielectric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CDI%20Logo.jpg?width=1624&height=716&name=CDI%20Logo.jpg "CDI Electric")](https://cdielectric.com/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/CDIElectric/) - [Service Area](https://www.cdielectric.com/commercial-electrician-in-nky-and-cincinnati) - [Industrial](https://www.cdielectric.com/services/industrial-electrician-cincinnati-nky) - [Commercial](https://www.cdielectric.com/services/commercial-electrician-cincinnati-nky) - [Contact Us](https://www.cdielectric.com/contact-us) - [Projects](https://www.cdielectric.com/projects) - [Residential](https://www.cdielectric.com/services/residential-electrician-cincinnati-nky) - [About Us](https://www.cdielectric.com/about-us) **Office Location:** 2018 Uhl Road|Crestview, KY 41076  [859-291-9189](tel:8592919189) [info@cdielectric.com](mailto:mzilliox@cdielectric.com) **Mail Location:** PO Box 76531 | Highland Heights, KY 41076 [859-291-9189](tel:8592919189) © 2025 CDI Electric  |  [Privacy Policy](https://www.cdielectric.com/privacy-policy) Powered by [Analytics That Profit](https://www.analyticsthatprofit.com/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "LocalBusiness", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Cold Springs", "addressRegion" : "KY", "postalCode" : "41076", "streetAddress" : "2018 Uhl Road" }, "description" : "CDI Electric Inc. is a full-service electrical contractor proudly serving the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State area and Northern Kentucky since 1997.", "logo" : "https://243338117.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hubfs/243338117/CDI%20Logo.jpg", "name" : "CDI Electric", "openingHours" : [ "Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 4:30 PM" ], "telephone" : "(859) 291-9189", "url" : "https://www.cdielectric.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.cdielectric.com/cdi-electric-blog#blog", "@type" : "Blog", "description" : "Educational articles, service insights, and commercial electrical resources from CDI Electric.", "inLanguage" : "en-US", "name" : "CDI Electric Blog", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.cdielectric.com/path-to-logo.png" }, "name" : "CDI Electric", "url" : "https://www.cdielectric.com" }, "url" : "https://www.cdielectric.com/cdi-electric-blog" } ```