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Collection: AC Only Exit Signs

Designed for facilities with central generators or inverters. AC Only Exit Signs connect directly to your building's power without internal batteries, offering a long-lasting, low-maintenance egress solution.

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Exitronix Thermoplastic Field Switchable Red/Green LED Exit Sign - Bees Lighting

Exitronix

LED Exit Sign, Single/Double Face, Red/Green Letters, White, AC Only

Regular price $26.24
Sale price $26.24 Regular price $0.00
LED Exit Sign, Single/Double Face, Red Letters, White, AC Only - Bees Lighting
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Lithonia Lighting

LED Exit Sign, Single/Double Face, Red Letters, White, AC Only

Regular price $38.49
Sale price $38.49 Regular price $59.00
RAB EXIT34 Exit Sign - Bees Lighting
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RAB Lighting

LED Exit Sign, Single/Double Face, Red/Green Letters, White, AC Only

Regular price $22.00
Sale price $22.00 Regular price $0.00

Unlike standard fixtures which carry their own emergency power source, an AC only exit sign relies on the building's infrastructure to stay lit during an outage. This design choice offers significant long-term savings for large commercial facilities. Because there is no internal battery to charge, degrade, or replace, an exit sign with no battery requires significantly less maintenance over its lifespan. These units are specifically engineered for buildings equipped with a central generator or a centralized emergency inverter system that kicks in automatically when the grid fails.

System Requirements for Non-Battery Signs

Before purchasing, it is crucial to verify your building's electrical capability.

  • Generator or Inverter Required: You cannot install an AC powered exit sign in a building without a backup power source. If the power goes out and you don't have a generator, the sign will go dark, which is a major code violation.
  • Dual Circuit Wiring: Most generator powered exit signs are wired to a dedicated emergency circuit that is live 24/7, regardless of the status of the main breaker panel.
  • Code Compliance: These signs are fully UL 924 listed, but their compliance depends entirely on the reliability of your external power source (the generator).

Types of AC Only Signage

We offer a variety of styles to match your facility’s needs, all without the hassle of batteries:

  • Thermoplastic: Lightweight and affordable, ideal for large retrofit projects in office buildings.
  • Metal & Aluminum: Durable AC exit signs featuring steel or aluminum housings for industrial or high-traffic corridors.
  • Red & Green: Available in both color standards to meet local fire codes.
  • Universal Mounting: Most units come with canopy kits for top, end, or back mounting.

Shop Low-Maintenance Egress Solutions

Simplify your facility management with our selection of reliable, direct-wire signage. At Bees Lighting, we stock UL-listed AC only exit signs that provide consistent safety without the battery maintenance. Whether you are outfitting a hospital with a backup generator or an office with a central inverter, we have the compatible fixtures. Browse our catalog today to find the right AC exit sign for your project. For technical questions regarding voltage or compatibility, contact our experts at 855-303-0665.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install an AC only exit sign in any building?

No. You can only use these signs if your building has a backup generator or a central inverter system that provides emergency power within 10 seconds of an outage. If your building does not have a central backup power source, you must use an exit sign with a battery backup.

How do I test an AC only exit sign?

Since there is no internal battery to test, you don't press a button on the sign itself. Instead, you test the system by testing the building's generator or central inverter. If the generator kicks on and the sign stays lit, the system is working.

Are AC only signs cheaper?

Generally, yes. An exit sign with no battery is often slightly less expensive to purchase than a battery-backup model because it has fewer internal components (no battery, no charger board). They are also cheaper to maintain since you never have to buy replacement batteries.

Do they use LED lights?

Yes. Modern AC powered exit signs use energy-efficient LED strips. They consume very little power (usually less than 5 watts), which keeps energy costs low even though they run 24/7.

Can I use these outdoors?

Only if the specific model is rated for "Wet Locations." Most standard AC only exit signs are rated for "Damp Locations" (indoor use). If you need to connect to a generator for an outdoor sign, make sure you buy a wet-location rated model.