F-Link Mk4 Supervised Transceiver System
Ref: FLNK4red
Page 10 of 23
Issue 1
NEVER install antennas near or adjacent to telephone equipment or cabling, public address or data
communication lines, overhead power cables, or computer equipment.
ALWAYS follow the installation instructions provided with the antenna.
AVOID running antenna feeder cables alongside other cables.
3.1.2
Range considerations
Each F-Link can easily operate across distances of up to 1km, and potentially further. Although all F-Links can
communicate directly with each other when necessary, network status and Node health are monitored by the
Master. This means that every F-Link Node must be installed within direct range of the Master.
Installing the F-Link or remote antenna on a higher floor within a building will generally boost overall range.
Moving the F-Link or remote antenna nearer to one side of the building will often provide a bias in that
direction.
Mounting a remote antenna outside the building, at
height, will generally give the longest range from
that side of the building, but may decrease range in
the opposite direction.
A Scope range test kit (part code RTESTF) is
available from your usual supplier to establish the
achievable range, the optimum mounting location
and the required antennas.
3.1.3
Environment
The F-Link needs a dry indoor environment which is free from excessive humidity or moisture, mechanical
shock, temperature extremes and corrosive atmospheres. All F-Link units should be located where they are
readily and safely accessible by the end user and for maintenance purposes.
The ambient light level in the vicinity should allow the indicators and legends to be easily read, and the controls
easily operated. The ambient noise level should allow the fault warning sounder to be heard.
Each F-Link should be located in an area of low fire hazard, particularly when used with a fire alarm system.
3.1.4
Mounting height
The display screen should be mounted in a location and at a height where it can be easily read by the end user.
Easy access to the control keyswitch on the underside of the unit will be required for reset purposes, and to
place the system in test mode for routine maintenance.
3.1.5
Interconnect cabling
A further consideration is the distance between the transmitter and the connected equipment. Interconnection
cables should preferably be of the shielded type and kept as short as possible, no more than 3 metres. They
should be kept away from any other cabling, especially mains and data cables, to avoid potential interference.
All relevant Standards and Codes of Practice should also be followed (e.g. as regards fire resistance). When used
with a commercial fire alarm system, BS5839-1:2017 sections 24.2 & 26.2 may apply.
3.2
Connections
3.2.1
Power connection
Each F-Link unit requires a permanent power supply voltage of between 10 and 30 volts DC from a suitable
source capable of delivering at least 500mA (½ Amp).
Normally a separate power supply unit should be used (not
provided), and this may be battery-backed if required.
In some circumstances it may be possible to power an F-
Link unit directly from connected equipment (e.g. a control
panel), but this must be capable of delivering at least
500mA; and note that the standby time of the connected
system in mains fail condition may be dramatically reduced.
For operational reasons it is always preferable to
locate the Master F-Link in the ‘Main’ building on
site. However for systems with unusual layouts (for
example where the buildings are mainly in one
straight line over a large distance), it may be
necessary to locate the master closer to the centre
of the network so that the network monitoring can be
maintained.
Note that for commercial fire alarm systems
installed within the UK, the Code of Practice
BS5839-1:2017 precludes the powering of
other systems directly from the fire alarm
(see section 9.2d of that Standard) – it
recommends that a separate power supply
unit is used instead.