System Sensor B401BH User manual

D400-50-00 1 I56-612-04R
B401BH and B401BHA
Sounder Bases
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
3825 Ohio Avenue, St. Charles, Illinois 60174
1-800-SENSOR2, FAX: [phone]
www.systemsensor.com
Before Installing
Please thoroughly read the System Sensor manual I56-407,
Guide for Proper Use of System Smoke Detectors, which pro-
vides detailed information on detector spacing, placement,
zoning, wiring, and special applications. Copies of this
manual are available at no charge from System Sensor.
NFPA 72 and NEMA should be observed. (For installation
in Canada, refer to CAN/ULC-S524, Standard for the
Installation of Fire Alarm Systems and CEC Part 1, Sec. 32.)
NOTICE: This manual should be left with the owner/user
of this equipment.
IMPORTANT: The detector used with these bases must be
tested and maintained regularly following NFPA 72 require-
ments. The detector used with these bases should be
cleaned at least once a year.
Specifications
Base Diameter: 6 inches (152 mm)
Base Height (less base and sensor): 0.75 inches (19mm)
Weight: 0.3 lb. (140 g)
Operating Temperature Range: 14° to 140°F (–10° to +60°C)
Operating Humidity Range: 10% to 95%, noncondensing
Electrical Ratings
Voltage: 17 to 32 VDC
Standby Current: 1.0 mA maximum
Alarm Current: 15 mA maximum
Maximum Ripple Voltage: 10% of supply voltage
Start-up Capacitance: 200 µF
Horn Input Current Requirement: 600 µA maximum
Sound Output: Greater than 90 dBa measured in anechoic room at 10 feet (3 meters), 24 volts.
85 dBa minimum measured in UL reverberant room.
General Description
Models B401BH and B401BHA sounder bases are intended
for use with System Sensor 400 Series plug-in sensor heads
in conventional 2-wire plug-in systems. Refer to systems
manuals for the maximum allowable number of units per
loop. The B401BH requires an external 24VDC (nominal)
supply with reverse polarity capability. The connections of
the external supply (terminals 1 and 2) and the initiating
loop (terminals 3, 4, and 5) are isolated in the B401BH to
prevent electrical interaction between them.
When the detector head’s visible LEDs are latched on for
approximately 10 seconds, the associated horn sounds. A
loop of horns can be made to sound by reversing the polar-
ity of the external supply.
NOTE: When the associated system is NOT used as a sup-
plementary evacuation system, the external 24VDC
supply must be treated as a component of the main
power supply system with the result that it falls
under the requirements of NFPA 72.

D400-50-00 2 I56-612-04R
B401BH and B401BHA Terminals
No. Function
1 External Supply Positive (+)
2 External Supply Negative (–)
3 Negative (–) V in
4 Positive (+) V In and V Out
5 Negative (–) V Out
Terminals 3, 4, and 5 are used for the communication/ini-
tiating circuit.
Installation Wiring Guidelines
All wiring must be installed in compliance with the
National Electrical Code and all applicable local codes and
any special requirements of the authority having jurisdic-
tion, using the proper wire size. The conductors used to
connect smoke detectors to control panels and accessory
devices should be color-coded to reduce the likelihood of
wiring errors. Improper connections can prevent a system
from responding properly in the event of a fire.
For signal wiring (the wiring between interconnected
detectors), it is recommended that the wire be no smaller
than AWG 18. However, the screws and clamping plate in
the base can accommodate wire sizes up to AWG 12. The
use of twisted pair wiring or shielded cable for the power
(+ and –) loop is recommended to minimize the effects of
electrical interference on the initiating loop.
Begin electrical connections by stripping about 3/8" insu-
lation from the end of the wire. Then, slide the bare end of
thewire under the clamping plate and tighten the clamping
plate screw. Break the wire at each terminal to ensure that
the connections are supervised, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2.
DO NOT loop the wire under the clamping plate.
Check the zone wiring of the detector base before the
detector heads are installed. Perform continuity, base polar-
ity, and dielectric tests on the wiring.
Smoke detectors and alarm system control panels have
specifications for allowable supervision current. Consult
the control panel manufacturer’s specifications for the total
loop current supervision allowed for the control panel
being used before wiring the detector loops.
Figure 1. Terminal Layout:

D400-50-00 3 I56-612-04R
Figure 3. Typical wiring layout:
SNAP ON
DECORATIVE
RING
SCREWS (NOT
SUPPLIED)
DETECTOR
BASE
BOX (NOT
SUPPLIED)
SHORTING
SPRING
Wiring Instructions
The shorting spring in the base will disengage automatical-
ly when the detector head is removed from the base.
DO NOT remove the shorting spring since it reengages as
the detector head is turned into the base, completing the
circuit.
A typical wiring for a two-wire conventional system is
shown in Figure 3. Refer to this diagram as needed while
wiring the base into the system.
NOTE: Figure 3 shows external 24V supply polarity when
the loop system is in standby (NOT alarming).
Mounting
NOTE: It is recommended that the base be completely
wired before mounting.
See Figure 4. Attach the base directly to an electrical box
using the screws supplied with the box. Then, use the plas-
tic screw covers, supplied with the base, to cover the
screws.
The sounder base is 1.1 inches (28 mm) deep. Electrical
boxes must be 4 inches (102 mm) square by at least 1-1/2
inches (38 mm) deep; 2-1/8 inches (54 mm) is recom-
mended.
Figure 4. Mounting to an electrical box:
A78-1175-01

D400-50-00 4 I56-612-04R
©2001 System Sensor
Three-Year Limited Warranty
System Sensor warrants its enclosed base to be free from defects in mate-
rials and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of three
years from date of manufacture. System Sensor makes no other express
warranty for this base. No agent, representative, dealer, or employee of the
Company has the authority to increase or alter the obligations or limita-
tions of this Warranty. The Company’s obligation of this Warranty shall be
limited to the repair or replacement of any part of the base which is found
to be defective in materials or workmanship under normal use and serv-
ice during the three year period commencing with the date of manufac-
ture. After phoning System Sensor’s toll free number 800-SENSOR2 (736-
7672) for a Return Authorization number, send defective units postage
prepaid to: System Sensor, Repair Department, RA #__________, 3825
Ohio Avenue, St. Charles, IL 60174. Please include a note describing the
malfunction and suspected cause of failure. The Company shall not be
obligated to repair or replace units which are found to be defective
because of damage, unreasonable use, modifications, or alterations occur-
ring after the date of manufacture. In no case shall the Company be liable
for any consequential or incidental damages for breach of this or any
other Warranty, expressed or implied whatsoever, even if the loss or dam-
age is caused by the Company’s negligence or fault. Some states do not
allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages,
so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This Warranty
gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.
Testing
Before testing, notify the proper authorities that the smoke
detector system is undergoing maintenance and that the
system will be temporarily out of service. Disable the zone
or system undergoing maintenance to prevent unwanted
alarms.
Detectors and bases must be tested after installation and
following periodic maintenance.
Test the B401BH/B401BHA as follows:
1. Test the conventional detector head following the proce-
dure in its manual. The B401BH/B401BHA should sound
approximately 10 seconds after the detector alarms.
2. Reverse the polarity of the external 24 VDC supply. This
should cause every base in the loop to sound after
approximately 10 seconds.
Please refer to insert for the Limitations of Fire Alarm Systems