| Practical Use and Maintenance |
| Use during a power interruption | Can continue operating while its battery is charged. | Stops operating if the outlet loses power. | Battery models can support study during short outages; confirm runtime against the lamp’s specifications. |
| Placement flexibility | Can be used away from a wall outlet until the battery needs charging. | Must be placed within reach of a suitable outlet. | Check that charging locations and storage arrangements are convenient and safe. |
| Routine checks | Inspect charging cables and watch for reduced runtime or battery damage. | Inspect the cord, plug, switch, and lamp for wear or damage. | A simple inspection log helps staff identify lamps that need repair or removal from service. |
| Typical maintenance planning | Budget for eventual battery replacement; timing depends on battery chemistry, charging habits, and use. | No rechargeable battery to replace; other components can still wear out. | Use the product’s warranty and battery-life information rather than assuming a fixed replacement interval. |
| Illustrative Five-Year Cost Model (Per Lamp) |
| Purchase price assumption | $24.00 | $18.00 | Example planning figures only—not market averages or supplier quotes. Replace with local purchasing prices. |
| Replacement battery assumption | $8.00 for one replacement pack during the five-year period | $0.00 | The model assumes one replacement; actual need depends on the battery and usage pattern. |
| Estimated electricity cost | About $2.54 | About $2.16 | Illustration: 4 W light, 4 hours per day, 180 school days per year, five years, and electricity at $0.15/kWh. Battery-lamp estimate allows for charging losses. |
| End-of-life handling allowance | $1.00 per lamp, assumed collection allowance | $1.00 per lamp, assumed lamp/electronics handling allowance | Actual collection costs vary. Use local waste-program guidance and obtain local service quotes. |
| Illustrative five-year total | $35.54 per lamp | $21.16 per lamp | Excludes staff labor, repairs, taxes, and any residual value. The battery lamp’s potential outage and placement benefits are not assigned a dollar value. |
| Responsible Battery Disposal |
| Collection and storage | Collect spent batteries separately; store them safely and protect terminals from short-circuiting. | No lamp battery to collect unless the model has a separate battery-powered component. | Keep damaged, swollen, hot, or leaking batteries out of routine storage and follow local safety instructions. |
| Disposal route | Use an approved battery collection or recycling route appropriate to the battery chemistry and local rules. | Use the school’s applicable electronic-waste or lamp collection route when the lamp is retired. | Do not assume batteries belong in ordinary rubbish or mixed recycling; check local authority guidance and the battery label. |
| Records and purchasing | Record battery type, collection date, and disposal route; prefer replaceable batteries where practical. | Record retired equipment and use an appropriate reuse, repair, or recycling route. | Before purchasing, check battery replaceability, warranty terms, and availability of a suitable take-back or recycling option. |