Addressable notification appliance communications
include operation of TrueAlert and TrueAlert ES Visible only
(V/O, strobe), Audible only (A/O, horn), Audible/Visible (A/V,
horn/strobe), and strobes of Speaker/Visible (S/V) notification
appliances. (S/V appliances require separate speaker wiring.)
IDNAC SLC addressable communications allow each horn and
strobe to be individually controlled using a single two-wire
circuit, confirms the wiring connections to the individual
notification appliance’s electronic circuit, and confirms
communications between each appliance and the fire alarm
control panel. Addressable communications increases
supervision integrity versus conventional notification systems
by providing supervision beyond the circuit wiring to each
individual appliance and by constantly verifying the ability of
each appliance to communicate with the control panel.
Individual Appliance Status and Settings. The fire alarm
control panel monitors and records each addressable notification
appliance status, type of appliance, and its configured appliance
settings. A fault in any individual appliance automatically
reports a trouble condition to the control panel.
TrueAlert ES Addressable Appliance Reference
A/O (horn) V/O (strobe) A/V (horn/strobe)
Virtual NACs Provide Control Convenience. For control
convenience, IDNAC notification appliances can be grouped
into Virtual NACS (VNACs) for group control, grouping that
can be made across SLCs, not defined by their wiring
connection.
Panel Control Convenience. Applicable operation settings
for each appliance can be programmed without having to
replace appliances or remove them from the wall or ceiling. An
appliance’s VNAC notification zone can be easily changed
through programming without having to add additional circuits,
conduit, and wiring. Audible and visible appliances for non-Fire
Emergency Communications notification can be programmed to
operate separately on the same pair of wires as the fire alarm
notification appliances. The result is lower installation, retrofit,
and overall life-cycle cost of ownership compared with
traditional conventional notification systems.
Installation, Retrofit, and Life-Cycle Cost Benefits.
With each addressable appliance capable of being controlled
separately on the same two-wire IDNAC SLC, installation time
and expense for both retrofit and new construction can be
significantly reduced. When Class B wiring is used, wiring can
be “T-tapped” allowing more savings in distance, wire, conduit
(size and utilization), and overall installation efficiency.
Location Information, Diagnostics and
Troubleshooting. Each addressable notification appliance
has its own 40 character custom label to identify the location of
the appliance and to aid in troubleshooting fault conditions. In
conventional notification systems, conventional appliances are
not capable of communicating with the control panel. Fault
reporting on a conventional system is limited to the circuit
wiring and the entire area (zone) covered by appliances on the
notification appliance circuit (NAC) making it much more
difficult and costly to locate and correct the source of a
problem. Using the TrueAlert magnet test allows each appliance
to individually identify its candela setting and address and to
briefly operate if desired, and using the TrueAlert ES
Appliance Self-Test feature provides detailed performance
verification per appliance.
TrueAlert ES Appliance Self-Test Operation
On-Board Test Sensors. TrueAlert ES appliances are
equipped with on-board sensors to detect strobe and/or horn
output allowing efficient and unobtrusive Self-Testing. When
Automatic Self-Test is initiated from the control panel, each
appliance within the selected VNAC group will briefly operate
and then report its Self-Test status to the control panel, all
within several seconds. Silent Self-Test can be selected to test
only visible appliance if desired. The control panel is in a
trouble condition during testing and in the event of an alarm,
Self-Test is automatically terminated. Additionally, Automatic
Self-Test can be scheduled to occur at a convenient time on a
regular basis.
Automatic Self-Test results are communicated to the
control panel with a time and date stamp and are stored in
memory. Results are viewable at the front panel display and
printed reports can be generated from the panel service port.
Individual Self-Test is selected from the control panel when
individual appliances need to be observed to operate. Each
appliance in the selected VNAC group will turn on its LED
until individually activated by applying a magnet. After
performing the individual test, the appliance LED turns off to
indicate completion. Results are recorded the same as during the
automatic test.
IDNAC SLC Hardware Reference
The Enhanced System Supply provides two, 3 A IDNAC
SLCs for control and power to TrueAlert ES and TrueAlert
addressable notification appliances. Both power supplies
incorporate an efficient switching design that provides a
regulated output of 29 VDC, even during battery operation.
With 29 VDC minimum output at the panel, addressable
notification SLCs can support wiring distances 2 to 3 times
farther than available with conventional notification, or support
more appliances per SLC, or work with smaller gauge wiring,
or combinations of these benefits. The result is installation and
maintenance savings with high assurance that appliances that
operate during normal system testing will operate during worst
case alarm conditions.
IDNAC SLC Appliance Wiring Reference
IDNAC SLC Capacity: Up to 127 addresses and up to 139 unit
loads (appliances are typically one unit load, devices such as
Isolators may require more than one load, refer to individual
device data sheet for specific information)
Recommended Wire Type UTP, unshielded twisted pair
Maximum wire length
allowed with “T-Taps” for
Class B wiring, per SLC
10,000 ft (3048 m)
Maximum wire length per
SLC to any appliance 4000 ft (1219 m)
Appliance Supervisory
Current 1 unit load = 0.8 mA per appliance
Wiring Connections Terminals for 20 to 12 AWG
(0.52 mm2to 3.31 mm2)
5 S4010-0011-5 11/2015
IDNAC SLC Control of TrueAlert and TrueAlert ES Addressable Notification
