ZP3 Fire Control Panel Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance Manual
REV 11 (ISS 08/03/2010)
Page 109
Cable size
Refer to Table 27 below.
Table 27: Loop length cable size (various diameters) – assuming no high power devices
Conductor area - mm²
Conductor diameter - mm
Maximum loop length (2-core)- m
0.50 0.80 900
0.75 1.00 1350
1.00 1.13 1800
1.50 1.38 2800
2.50 1.79 3000
Serial communication lines
General
These are data lines used to convey digital communication between control panels and other
devices, as well as between control panels in multi-panel network systems. Other devices include
devices such as graphics computers, remote display units, mimic panels, printers, accessory
panels, and so on.
Two types of serial communication ports are used on ZP panels, i.e. RS232 and RS485.
RS232 ports
RS232 ports are used for connection to graphics computers, building management systems and
Ziton accessories, and for interfacing to building management systems. Each port usually
connects to only one piece of equipment
Rules for RS232 cabling
1. Cable requires 9 conductors plus a shield. The cable is terminated at each end to a "D"
connector, either 9-pin or 25-pin depending upon the equipment.
2. The shield must be insulated, and earthed only at the point shown on the system installation
drawing.
3. No cables or conductors for other services must be run inside the same shielding.
4. RS232 cabling is normally specified for a maximum length of 10 metres.
5. RS232 cabling can be used at up to 100 metres cable length, at a slower communication
baud rate. This does not affect the performance of the system.
RS485 ports
RS485 ports are used for connections between ZP panels and ZP equipment. For example,
between networking panels in a multi-panel system, from a panel to a remote display unit, to an
intelligent mimic panel, etc. RS485 is sometimes used to connect to computers.
A single circuit may interconnect several pieces of equipment.
