D900-22-00
2
I56-1453-012R
Wire Sizes
The designer must be sure that the last device on the circuit
has sufficient voltage to operate the device within its rated
voltage. When calculating the voltage available to the last
device, it is necessary to consider the voltage drop due to
the resistance of the wire. The thicker the wire, the less the
voltage drop. Generally, for purposes of determining the
wire size necessary for the system, it is best to consider all
of the devices as “lumped” on the end of the supply circuit
(simulates “worst case”).
Typical wire size resistance:
18 AWG solid: Approximately 8 ohms/1,000 ft.
16 AWG solid: Approximately 5 ohms/1,000 ft.
14 AWG solid: Approximately 3 ohms/1,000 ft.
12 AWG solid: Approximately 2 ohms/1,000 ft.
Example:
Assume you have 10 devices on a zone and
each requires 50 mA average and 2000 Ft. of 14 AWG wir-
ing (total length=oureturn). The voltage at the
end of the loop is 0.050 amps per device x 10 devices x 3
ohms/1,000 ft. x 2000 ft =3 volts drop.
The same number of devices using 12 AWG wire will pro-
duce only 2 volts drop. The same devices using 18 AWG
wire will produce 8 volts drop. Consult your panel manu-
facturer’s specifications, as well as SpectrAlert’s operating
voltage range to determine acceptable voltage drop.
NOTE:
If class “A” wiring is installed, the wire length may
be up to 4 times the single wire length in this calculation.
Figure 1A: Current Draw Measurements (RMS)
NOTE:
All SC and PC strobes were only tested at the 16-33
Volt-FWR/DC limits. This does not include the 80% low
end or 110% high end voltage limits.
Candela
FWR Max. Operating
Current – Strobe
(mA RMS)
DC Max. Operating
Current – Strobe
(mA RMS)
15
68
64
15/75
77
78
30
107
113
75
197
205
95
239
274
115
298
325
177
399
489
Figure 1B: Horn Sound Measurements (dBA)
Selectable Horn Tones
16-33V
Temporal
Low
Volume
Electromechanical
75
3000 Hz Interrupted
75
High
Volume
Electromechanical
80
3000 Hz Interrupted
81
Non-
Temporal
Low
Volume
Electromechanical
79
3000 Hz Interrupted
79
High
Volume
Electromechanical
84
3000 Hz Interrupted
86
Figure 1C: Horn Current Draw Measurements (RMS)
Selectable Horn Tones
16-33 (VDC)
16-33 (VFWR)
Temporal
Low
Volume
Electromechanical
23
23
3000 Hz Interrupted
33
23
High
Volume
Electromechanical
53
44
3000 Hz Interrupted
57
40
Non-
Temporal
Low
Volume
Electromechanical
37
29
3000 Hz Interrupted
32
33
High
Volume
Electromechanical
49
49
3000 Hz Interrupted
56
58
NOTE:
Regulated 24 VDC, max operating current 57.0 mA
24 V FWR, max operating current 57.5 mA
NOTE:
24VDC 2-wire horn/strobe current is shown in Figure
1D. Current draw for other horn/strobe power supplies can
be calculated by adding the strobe current draw (Figure 1A)
for chosen candela setting to the horn current draw (Figure
1C) for chosen setting.
Temporal
Non-Temporal
Low Volume
High Volume
Low Volume
High Volume
Candela Setting
Electromechanical
3000 Hz
Electromechanical
3000 Hz
Electromechanical
3000 Hz
Electromechanical
3000 Hz
15
73
73
76
78
75
75
81
86
15/75
89
89
91
92
89
90
96
98
30
126
125
128
128
125
125
131
134
75
225
222
222
222
219
219
221
222
95
272
270
271
271
266
265
269
270
115
297
297
296
296
291
290
292
293
177
512
504
501
496
491
493
491
496
Figure 1D: 24V DC Horn/Strobe Current Draw
Measurements (mA RMS)
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