Legacy Central Battery Systems: When to Upgrade Your Emergency Lighting Power

If you have an aging static inverter or central battery system for emergency lighting, you’re not alone. Many commercial and public buildings still rely on backup power units installed decades ago – systems that were well-built and often still running. However, as time goes on, you might be worrying about reliability, struggling to find spare parts or wondering if your old unit meets today’s safety standards.

In this article, we’ll guide you through what to consider if your emergency lighting power system is outdated. We’ll address common questions we hear, like: Should you repair or replace an aging static inverter? Are parts available for legacy central battery systems? What modern options will keep your emergency lighting safe and compliant?

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to ensure your emergency lighting remains dependable and how we at Powerguard can help you achieve that.

Legacy Central Battery Brands you might see on your system

If you look at the rating plate on your central battery system and see a name like Bardic, Menvier, JSB, Chloride, Emergi-Lite or Cooper, you might already have noticed the phone numbers are dead or the websites no longer exist. That’s because many of these once-common manufacturers have been merged, acquired or simply closed their doors.

For building owners and facilities managers, this can be frustrating. You’re searching for support that no longer exists. But it’s also a clear signal: your system is legacy, end-of-life and needs a replacement you can rely on.

Here’s a quick rundown of the most common legacy brands we still see, and what happened to them:

Bardic central battery system – what happened to them?

Often badged “Chloride Bardic”, these units were common in the 1980s and 1990s. The Bardic name has long since disappeared and Chloride’s lighting division was dissolved. There’s no OEM support today in the UK, so any Bardic CBS you see is well past its serviceable life.

Need help with a legacy system? Contact Powerguard today.

Menvier central battery replacement – is it still possible?

Menvier was a respected UK brand, but it was acquired by Cooper Industries in the 1990s and later by Eaton in 2012. The Menvier name no longer exists as an independent manufacturer and spares for these systems are virtually impossible to source. Replacement is the only practical option.

Need help with a legacy system? Contact Powerguard today.

JSB emergency lighting system – where to find support

JSB produced many CBS units for UK buildings, but the company was absorbed into Cooper/Eaton in the early 2000s. The JSB brand has been discontinued and any units still in service are long out of support.

Need help with a legacy system? Contact Powerguard today.

Cooper central battery systems – what’s their status?

You might see panels badged Cooper Lighting or Cooper Menvier. Cooper itself was acquired by Eaton in 2012 and the name has been phased out. Cooper-branded CBS units are legacy and unsupported, even though Eaton continues to manufacture modern systems under other brands.

Need help with a legacy system? Contact Powerguard today.

Emergi-Lite

Emergi-Lite remains a brand under ABB, but in the UK many older systems are legacy with some consumers citing no direct support. If your system is 10-20 years old, the branding may still exist, but the product is likely at end-of-life.

Need help with a legacy system? Contact Powerguard today.

Chloride CBS replacement – what to do now

Chloride was once a major player in batteries and emergency lighting, but its lighting division has long since ceased operations. A Chloride badge on your CBS could be a red flag for obsolete equipment.

Need help with a legacy system? Contact Powerguard today.

The common thread with all of these names: if you see them on your central battery system, it’s legacy. You’ll therefore struggle to get help from the original manufacturer… but you can get it from us.

Contact Powerguard, today.

Why old emergency lighting systems become a problem

Emergency lighting is life-critical. That’s why your backup system must work the moment it’s needed. The trouble is, older units show their age:

• Batteries fade. Even good sealed lead-acid banks only last 10–12 years. Weak batteries mean your lights might not hold for the required 1–3 hours.
• Parts dry up. Many legacy systems are out of support. When components fail, spares are almost impossible to source.
• Standards move on. Modern systems must meet BS EN 50171. Older units often lack automatic monitoring, fast recharge or fault protection.
• Reliability drops. Ageing electronics, tired capacitors and hot-running chargers turn once-solid systems into single points of failure.

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s time to review your system. Next, let’s look at the options.

Upgrade to a modern Central Battery System

You could keep patching things up, swapping batteries, resetting faults and chasing down rare spares. But the truth is, for an ageing unit, downtime risks grow and no patch will bring it up to today’s standards.

That’s why in most cases, the best long-term solution is to replace an ageing static inverter with a modern, compliant Central Battery System. That’s where Powerguard comes in…

Powerguard Central Battery Systems

Take control of your emergency power with a Powerguard Central Battery System (CBS) unit designed to today’s standards and tailored to your building’s needs. Here’s what you’ll get:

• Restored reliability – brand-new batteries and electronics reset the clock. Seamless switchover means no flicker, no failures.
• Compliance built in – modern systems meet BS EN 50171 and BS 5266, with fast recharge, fault monitoring and self-test options as standard.
• Support that lasts – Powerguard systems are designed, built and supported in the UK. If something needs servicing, we have the parts and expertise.
• Tailored to fit – bespoke design means you get the exact load and runtime you need and we can engineer systems to slot neatly into your existing space.
• Greener, leaner power – up to 98% efficient, using long-life AGM (and future-ready lithium) batteries. Cleaner, quieter and lower maintenance than legacy kit.

Put it this way: upgrading delivers the reliability and compliance you need, without the constant headaches of an old system. When the mains fails, you’ll know your power and emergency lights will stay on, protecting everyone on site.

Contact Powerguard, today.

Why choose Powerguard for your CBS upgrade

Not all backup power providers are equal. Here’s what Powerguard brings to the table for emergency lighting systems:

Decades of expertise

With over 25 years in the field, Powerguard has become one of the UK’s most trusted names in emergency power. From design and build through to installation and long-term support, we deliver systems that last.

Built in Britain

Systems are engineered in our Lincolnshire facility and backed by ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environmental) standards. British engineering, trusted worldwide.

Cost-effective & bespoke

We tailor every system to your site, so you only pay for what you need. No middle-man markups, just solutions that fit.

Full service & support

From design to commissioning and ongoing maintenance, you’ll always have direct access to the engineers who built your system.

Ready to modernise your emergency power & lighting backup?

Ensuring that your emergency power and lights perform in a crisis is a fundamental part of building safety. If your current static inverter or central battery unit is giving you cause for concern due to age or unreliability, now is the time to plan a proactive upgrade. We’re here to help you every step of the way, from honest advice about your options, to designing a solution, through to installation and ongoing support.

Don’t wait for a failure to make the decision for you. Replacing or refurbishing an obsolete system on your own terms is always better than scrambling after an unexpected blackout or safety audit failure. With a modern Powerguard system in place, you can rest easy knowing your emergency lighting will shine bright when it’s needed most.

Ready to power up?

Call 01507 600 688, email sales@powerguard.co.uk or simply fill in the form below and our team will be happy to discuss your situation.

When it comes to keeping the lights on in an emergency, we’ve got you covered.