Gentex Gec3-12 series User manual

I. INTRODUCTION

The Gentex models GEC3-12, GES3-12, GEH12,are high quality audible and/or visible signaling appliances. The high intensity strobe utilizes a Xenon flash tube that

generates a high-intensity flash visible from all angles. This appliance is intended to provide a visible, audible or audible/visible, depending on the model, notification

signal for the purpose of life safety and property protection. The GEC3-12 and GES3-12 are provided with a slider switch which allows for candela intensity selection at the

installation site; the intensities which can be selected are 15Cd, 30Cd, 60Cd or 75Cd. This appliance is ideal for any occupancy that requires notification appliances per the

applicable building or fire code or wherever dependable alarms are required. The strobe is listed in compliance with ANSI/UL 1971.

II. LOCATION

This appliance is intended for use in fire alarm systems and is to be installed in accordance with this manual, the recommendation of the local authorities having

jurisdiction, and other NFPA documents that provide standards on notification appliances for protective signaling systems. The GEC3-12, GES3-12, GEH-12 is intended for

indoor installations only; this appliance is not listed for outdoor or drip proof applications.

Wall mounted strobe and horn/strobe appliances shall have their entire lens at heights above the finished floor of not less than 80 in. (2m) and not greater than 96 in.

(2.4m)**. Spacing shall be in accordance with Table A. If a room configuration is not square, the room size that will entirely encompass the room or subdivide the room

into multiple squares shall be used. Wall mounted horn only appliances shall have their tops above the finished floors at heights of not less than 90in. (2.30m) and below

the finished ceilings at heights of not less than 6 in. (152mm). Different mounting heights shall be permitted by the AHJ provided the sound pressure level requirements of

NFPA 72 are met.

III. MOUNTING, ROUGH-IN BOX AND RUN WIRING

This unit is designed for mounting to most single gang boxes, 4” square outlet boxes, 2-gang masonry boxes or non-metallic 2-gang switch boxes. Conduit entrance to

boxes should be selected to insure sufficient wiring clearance.

1. Run a minimum 18 gauge insulated 2 or more conductor cable.

2. Mount a box for each remote signaling appliance. Screw bracket onto box. Insert signal into bracket and slide to the right firmly into the terminal block

receptacle. Place housing over mounted assembly and screw together with single screw at the bottom of the signal. Cover screw with plastic tab.

NOTICE: WIRING SHOULD BE CONNECTED TO MOUNTING BRACKET PRIOR TO MOUNTING SIGNAL. INCOMING POSITIVE POWER LEAD MUST BE BROKEN AND EACH

LEAD IS TO BE INSERTED INTO EACH OF THE TOP TWO TERMINALS. IF TWO POWER RUNS ARE MADE TO THE SIGNAL, ONE FOR THE STROBE AND ONE FOR THE HORN,

ONLY ONE OF THE RUNS MUST HAVE ITS POSITIVE LEAD BROKEN AND PLACED UNDER THE TWO SEPARATE TOP TERMINALS. A BARRIER IS PROVIDED TO PREVENT

BOTH LEADS FROM BEING PLACED UNDER THE SAME TERMINAL.

GEC3-12, GES3-12

& GEH12 SERIES

ANSI/UL 1971 AND/OR ANSI/UL 464 COMPLIANT

VISIBLE AND/OR AUDIBLE

SIGNALING APPLIANCES

550-0636

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GEC3-12, GES3-12 PRODUCT INFORMATION

550-0636-000550-0636-000

Degrees

% of Rating

5-25

30-45

100

Degrees % of Rating

5-30

100

LIGHT OUTPUT IN PERCENTAGE WHEN MEASURED

FROM THE FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS - PER UL 1971

Wall and Ceiling Mount Horizontal Dispersion

Ceiling Mount Vertical Dispersion Wall Mount Horizontal Dispersion

Light

65 35

60 40

55 45

90 12

85 12

80 12

75 13

70 15

65 16

60 18

55 22

50 27

45 34

70 35

75 30

80 30

85 25

90 25

7575

1515

4545

NA = Not allowable

Table A

Room Spacing for Wall-Mounted Visible Appliances per NFPA 72, 2019 Edition

Maximum Room Size Minimum Required Light Output

( Effective Intensity, Cd)

Meters Feet One Light

per Room

Four Lights per Room

(One Light per Wall)

6.10 x 6.10 20 x 20 15 NA

8.53 x 8.53 28 x 28 30 NA

9.14 x 9.14 30 x 30 34 NA

12.2 x 12.2 40 x 40 60 15

13.7 x 13.7 45 x 45 75 19

15.2 x 15.2 50 x 50 94 30

16.5 x 16.5 54 x 54 110 30

16.8 x 16.8 55 x 55 115 30

18.3 x 18.3 60 x 60 135 30

19.2 x 19.2 63 x 63 150 37

20.7 x 20.7 68 x 68 177 43

21.3 x 21.3 70 x 70 184 60

24.4 x 24.4 80 x 80 240 60

27.4 x 27.4 90 x 90 304 95

30.5 x 30.5 100 x 100 375 95

33.5 x 33.5 110 x 110 455 135

36.6 x 36.6 120 x 120 540 135

39.6 x 39.6 130 x 130 635 185

**Effective Intensity Requirements for Sleeping Areas

Visible Notification Appliance

Distance from Ceiling to Top of Lens Intensity

greater than or equal to 24” 110cd

less than 24” 177cd

VISUAL APPLIANCE SLEEPING ROOM

STROBE LIGHT MUST BE WITHIN 16 FEET OF PILLOW

CAUTION:

Strobe light must

be installed within

16 feet of the pillow

when used in a

sleeping area.

Strobe light can not be seen when objects such as doors, furniture or walls block strobe light.

NOTICE:

w THE VISUAL SIGNAL MUST BE IN THE DIRECT VIEWING AREA OF THE OCCUPANT IN ORDER TO BE SEEN.

w VISUAL SIGNALS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED ARE ONLY ONE METHOD OF ALERTING THE HEARING IMPAIRED. VISUAL SIGNALS MAY NOT BE THE PREFERRED

METHOD FOR NOTIFYING ALL HEARING IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS.

wTHE STROBE LIGHT MUST BE SEEN BY THE SLEEPING PERSON. IF THE PERSON HAS HEAD TURNED OR OTHERWISE UNABLE TO BE ALERTED BY VISUAL, THE STROBE WILL NOT

BE EFFECTIVE.

IV. WIRING

Wiring for synchronized strobes and horns.

Using this method you may:

wUse only two wires to synchronize the temporal horn and strobe with the ability to mute the horn (place

switches 1and 2in the ON position on the GEC3-12).

wMute the horn only when the temporal horn option has been selected.

wUse the Gentex synchronization protocol to provide synchronization and mute the horn, if available.

Wiring for synchronized parallel (unison) horn/strobe operation.

Using this method you may:

wUse four wires where two wires are used to power and synchronize the strobe and two additional wires are

used to power and synchronize the horn (place switches 1and 2in the OFF position on the GEC3-12).

wChoose either continuous horn and allow the FACP to control the horn or choose temporal horn and

synchronize the horns with the Gentex synchronization protocol.

wUse the Gentex synchronization protocol to provide synchronization and mute the horn, if available.

NOTICE:

w FOR THIS OPTION, SWITCHES 1AND 2ON THE GEC312 MUST BE IN THE OFF POSITION TO ISOLATE POWER TO THE AUDIBLE AND VISIBLE PORTION OF THE

CIRCUIT.

w ALL STROBES ARE DESIGNED TO FLASH AS SPECIFIED WITH CONTINUOUS APPLIED VOLTAGE. THIS APPLIANCE IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE ON CODED OR

PULSING SIGNALING CIRCUITS. HOWEVER, USE OF THE AVSM CONTROL MODULE IS PERMITTED TO SYNCHRONIZE THE STROBE AND/OR MUTE THE HORN.

w SEE AVSM CONTROL MODULE MANUAL 5500284, MANUAL ISSUE DATE 2103 FOR SYNCHRONIZATION MODULE WIRING DIAGRAMS. AVSM MANUAL CAN

BE OBTAINED AT HTTP://WWW.GENTEX.COM/FIRE/PRODUCTS OR CALL GENTEX CORPORATION AT 18004368391.

Conventional Method:

You may connect both the strobe and the horn directly from a source of rated power without the use of a control module. However, the horns and strobe lights will NOT

be synchronized. Place switches 1and 2in the ON position on the GEC3-12 to power both the audible and visible from a single pair of power wires. If you wish to power

the horn and strobe from independent sources of power, place switches 1and 2in the OFF position on the GEC3-12 and connect power to the appropriate terminals.

12VDC CLEAR Lens Strobe Current Ratings

Use with GEC3-12 and GES3-12 Products

Candela

Regulated 12VDC

Max. Operating

Current (mA)

Regulated 12VFWR

Max. Operating

Current (mA)1

15 92 mA 145 mA

30 141 mA 224 mA

60 260 mA 459 mA

75 312 mA 460 mA

Horn Decibel Levels Horn Current Ratings Over

Input Voltage Range of 8-17.5V

Horn Mode

Minimum SPL

at 10Ft. Per

ANSI/UL 464 (HIGH)

Minimum SPL

at 10Ft. Per

ANSI/UL 464 (LOW)

Regulated 12VDC Max.

Operating Current (mA)

HIGH Setting

Regulated 12VFWR Max.

Operating Current (mA)

HIGH Setting

Temp 3 2400Hz 76 dBA 69* dBA 29 mA 48 mA

Temp 3 Mechanical 75 dBA 68* dBA 26 mA 45 mA

Temp 3 Chime 62* dBA 60* dBA 13 mA 24 mA

Continuous 2400Hz 79 dBA 74* dBA 29 mA 48 mA

Continuous Mechanical 78 dBA 72* dBA 26 mA 45 mA

Continuous Chime 63* dBA 61* dBA 13 mA 24 mA

Whoop 78 dBA 71* dBA 55 mA 61 mA

NOTICE:

wTHE THREE PULSE TEMPORAL PATTERN IS TO BE USED FOR EVACUATION USE ONLY.

wTHE SOUND OUTPUT FOR THE TEMPORAL 3 TONE IS RATED LOWER SINCE THE TIME THE HORN IS OFF IS AVERAGED INTO THE SOUND

OUT PUT RATING. WHILE THE HORN IS PRODUCING A TONE IN THE TEMPORAL 3 MODE ITS SOUND PRESSURE IS THE SAME AS THE

CONTINUOUS MODE. UNITS HAVE BEEN TESTED TO 0°C, 49°C AND 93% HUMIDITY.

* Operating the horn in this mode at this voltage will result in not meeting the minimum ANSI/UL 464 sound level required for public mode

fire protection service. These settings are acceptable only for private mode fire alarm signaling use. Use the high dBA setting for public

mode applications (the chime tone is always private mode).

MAX. WIRE

DISTANCE

(IN FEET)

(PANEL VOLTAGE/

APPLIANCE MIN. VOLT)

TOTAL CURRENT DRAW

[

WIRE CONDUCTIVITY

18 AWG

16 AWG

14 AWG

12 AWG

153

244

Includes wire to and from appliance. CAUTION: Applies only to regulated supplies.

Assumes all appliances are at the end of wire run (worse case).

XWIRE CONDUCTIVITY

550-0636

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NOTICE: DC VOLTAGE RANGE LIMITS: 817.5V. THIS PRODUCT WAS ONLY

TESTED TO THE STATED VOLTAGE RANGES; DO NOT APPLY 80% AND

110% OF THIS RANGE FOR SYSTEM OPERATION.

1When using products manufactured after 7-1-10, these values are to be

used when calculating current draws.

First Signal

S+ S+ H+ H-S-

Last Signal

S+ S+ H+ H-S-

UL Listed

Control Panel

Supervised

Signal Circuit

First Signal

S+ S+ H+ H-S-

Last Signal

S+ S+ H+ H-S-

UL Listed

Control Panel

Supervised

Signal Circuit

CAUTION: When using only a single power source to

energize the strobe and horn (switches 1 and 2 in the ON

position), the in/out wiring must be under the S+ and S-

terminals only. Failure to do so may result in damage to

your signal. For the horn only (GEH12) and strobe only

(GES3-12), only the top three terminals are to be used.

HORN DECIBEL AND CURRENT RATINGS PRODUCT INFORMATION

550-0636

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Gentex Super-Slide®Mounting Bracket:

Allows the installer to pre-wire the system, test for

system supervision, remove the signal head until

occupancy, switch out Gentex signals without

changing mounting brackets and has locking edge

connector for snap-in-place installation.

Gentex Checkmate®Instant Voltage Verification:

It is often necessary to confirm the voltage drop

along a line of devices. The access holes are

provided in the back of the terminal block to

allow the voltage to be measured directly without

removing the device. Typically this would be done

at the end of the line to confirm design criteria.

Most measurements will be taken using the S+ and

S- locations although access is provided to other

locations.

NOTICE: CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO NOT SHORT

THE TEST PROBES.

FOR MODELS: GEC3-12 AND GES3-12 ONLY

To remove bezel, grip

both sides of bezel

and pull in a

downward and

outward motion.

Candela selection

slider switch. Depress

center and slide switch to

desired brightness level.

Break off pin and insert

into hole at the bottom of

the selector to lock candela

setting. Signal must be

removed from bracket and

pin pushed forward from

backside out of hole to

change candela.

SWITCH POSITION

TONE 345

Mechanical Temporal 3 ON ON ON

Mechanical - Continuous OFF ON ON

2400Hz - Temporal 3 ON OFF ON

2400Hz - Continuous OFF OFF ON

Chime - Temporal 3 ON ON OFF

Chime - Continuous OFF ON OFF

Whoop ON OFF OFF

Whoop OFF OFF OFF

NOTICE:

w SWITCH POSITIONS 1 AND 2 IN THE OFF POSITION TO

SELECT ISOLATED HORN AND STROBE POWER INPUTS

wSWITCH POSITION 6 ON = HIGH DBA

wSWITCH POSITION 6 OFF = LOW DBA

THIS APPLIANCE WILL NOT OPERATE WITHOUT ELECTRICAL POWER. AS FIRES FREQUENTLY CAUSE POWER INTERRUPTIONS,

GENTEX SUGGESTS YOU DISCUSS FURTHER SAFEGUARDS WITH YOUR LOCAL FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALIST.

CAUTION: A jumper card is provided to test for

correct wiring in the supervisory mode only.

DO NOT pass alarm current through the jumper.

Important Notice:

These materials have been prepared by Gentex Corporation (“Gentex”) for informational purposes only, are necessarily summary, and are not purported to serve as legal advice and should not be used as such. Gentex makes no representations and warranties, express or implied, that these materials are

complete and accurate, up-to-date, or in compliance with all relevant local, state and federal laws, regulations and rules. The materials do not address all legal considerations as there is inevitable uncertainty regarding interpretation of laws, regulations and rules and the application of such laws, regulations and rules to particular fact patterns.

Each person’s activities can differently affect the obligations that exist under applicable laws, regulations or rules. Therefore, these materials should be used only for informational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for seeking professional legal advice. Gentex will not be responsible for any action or failure to act in reliance upon

the information contained in this material.

V. CHECKOUT AND TROUBLESHOOTING

1. Supply power to the system control panel. The auxiliary signaling appliances in the system should not be activated.

2. If the signal is activated:

wCheck all smoke and fire detectors in the system to make sure they have not been activated.

wCheck all wiring connections to make sure the signal detection circuits are not reversed or shorted together. Check wire color codes and traces.

wVerify that the jumpers and switches are properly set on both the control module and signal appliance. If the jumper on the AVSM is removed, the horns will

not produce any sound unless there is an input to the H+ and H- terminals on the control module.

3. To test the signal appliances, trip the auxiliary panel or activate the alarm circuit at the main control panel or activate one of the fire detection units in the system.

All auxiliary signals should be activated.

4. An operational test on this product should be conducted in accordance with National Standards or at a minimum annually and more often if dictated by local and

state codes or authorities having jurisdiction.

NOTICE: THESE TESTING PROCEDURES AND TROUBLESHOOTING INSTRUCTIONS ARE GENERALIZED. PLEASE REFER TO THE SYSTEM CONTROL PANEL OPERATING

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE PANEL AND FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM.

SIGNALING APPLIANCE LIMITATION:

Your horn and horn/strobe meet or exceed the current audibility requirements of ANSI/UL 464. However, if the appliance is located outside a bedroom it may not wake up

a sound sleeper, especially if the room door is closed or only partially open.

VI. TO RETURN AN APPLIANCE

Should you experience problems with your appliance, proceed as follows:

1. Turn off electrical power to the auxiliary alarm circuit.

2. Remove the bezel, nameplate, then mounting screw and slide signal off from bracket

3. Replace unit that was removed to restore wiring supervision and to eliminate system trouble alert.

4. Carefully pack the defective unit (the manufacturer cannot be responsible for consequential damage due to shipping or mis-handling). Include a return address

and complete details as to the nature of the difficulties being experienced and date of installation.

5. Return to: Gentex Corporation, 9001 Riley Street, Building 10, Zeeland, Michigan 49464. Prior to returning, call Gentex at 1-800-436-8391 or e-mail

[email protected] to obtain a RMA Number from our Customer Service Department.

Page 4

550-0636-AAB

Manual Issue Date:

11/01/14

GENTEX CORPORATION - CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

600 NORTH CENTENNIAL STREET, ZEELAND, MI 49464

PHONE: 1-800-436-8391/ 616-392-7195

www.gentex.com

LIMITED WARRANTY

For a period of 36 months from the date of purchase or a maximum of 42 months from the date of manufacture (or as long as required by applicable law), Gentex warrants to you the original purchaser that the appliance

described in this product information booklet will be free from defects in workmanship and materials under normal use and service.

This warranty does not apply and is void if damage or failure is caused by: accident, abuse, misuse, abnormal use, faulty installation, liquid contact, fire, earthquake or other external cause; operating the appliance

outside Gentex’s published guidelines; or service, alteration, maintenance or repairs performed by anyone other than Gentex. This warranty does not transfer to subsequent owners or purchasers of this appliance. This

warranty also does not apply to: consumable parts, such as batteries; cosmetic damage, including but not limited to scratches or dents; defects caused by normal wear and tear or otherwise due to the normal aging of the

appliance, or if any serial number has been removed or defaced from the appliance.

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THIS WARRANTY AND THE REMEDIES SET FORTH HEREIN ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, REMEDIES AND CONDITIONS, WHETHER ORAL, WRITTEN, STATUTORY,

EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. GENTEX DISCLAIMS ALL STATUTORY AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND WARRANTIES

AGAINST HIDDEN OR LATENT DEFECTS TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. TO THE EXTENT SUCH WARRANTIES CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED, AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW SUCH IMPLIED WARRANTIES SHALL

APPLY ONLY FOR THE WARRANTY PERIOD SPECIFIED ABOVE. PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME STATES (COUNTRIES AND PROVINCES/TERRITORIES) DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATION ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY (OR CONDITION)

LASTS. SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS WARRANTY AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, GENTEX WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR

CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONDITION, OR ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE, USE OR REPAIR OF THE APPLIANCE, OR UNDER ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, INCLUDING

BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF REVENUE, LOSS OF ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS, LOSS OF THE USE OF MONEY, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF OPPORTUNITY, LOSS OF GOODWILL, AND LOSS OF REPUTATION. THE

MAXIMUM LIABILITY OF GENTEX SHALL NOT IN ANY CASE EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID BY YOU FOR THE APPLIANCE. PLEASE NOTE THAT SOME STATES (COUNTRIES AND PROVINCES/TERRITORIES) DO NOT ALLOW THE

EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF DIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

If a defect in workmanship or materials causes your appliance to become inoperable within the warranty period, you must return the appliance to Gentex postage prepaid to: Gentex Corporation, 9001 Riley Street, Building 10,

Zeeland, MI 49464. You must prove to the satisfaction of Gentex the date of purchase of your appliance. You must also enclose a return address. Warranty service may only be performed by Gentex personnel at Gentex’s facilities

in Zeeland, Michigan. You must also pack the appliance to minimize the risk of it being damaged in transit. If we receive an appliance in a damaged condition as the result of shipping, we will notify you and you must seek a

claim with the shipper.

If you submit a valid claim to Gentex during the warranty period, Gentex will, at its option, repair your appliance or furnish you with a new or rebuilt appliance without charge to you except for postage required to

return the appliance to us. Gentex will not reimburse you for repairs or replacement parts provided by other parties. Your repaired or replacement appliance will be returned to you free of charge and it will be covered

under the warranty for the balance of the warranty period, if any. When a product or part is replaced, any replacement item becomes your property and the replaced item becomes property of Gentex. For additional

warranty and product information go to www.gentex.com.

THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE (OR BY COUNTRY OR PROVINCE). BY THIS WARRANTY, GENTEX DOES NOT LIMIT OR