The newly redesigned System Sensor sounder base presents a cleaner, more attractive look backed by simplified installation, easier configuration and better performance. Versatile enough to be used in almost any application, its surface-mount pre-wire plate is flexible and adaptable to fit various junction box styles.

“This improves on the limitations of the old model, which could only be mounted to a 4-inch-square junction box,” said Todd Alford, System Sensor Commercial Business Unit Marketing Manager. The new model also simplifies installation over the previous model: First, the installer securely fastens the mounting plate. Then, the installer can bring the wires through, leaving both hands free to place the wires and secure them with a screwdriver.

Making the sounder bases even easier to install, the electronics module is now part of the housing, leaving the entire junction box free for wiring.

“Getting the electronics out of the junction box greatly eliminates the potential for nicked wires and ground faults, and leads to 30 percent faster installation time,” said Alford. The actual sounder units can be installed at a later time by simply snapping them onto the plate. An added bonus is that the new housing completely covers the wiring and mounting screws, eliminating the need for screw covers — often lost on the jobsite with the old model.

Creating a consistent appearance throughout a facility was also a factor in the redesign of the bases, which now resemble the System Sensor SpectrAlert^® Advance line.  Furthermore, the sounder bases use the same horn and driver circuit as SpectrAlert Advance A/V products, enabling consistent, facility-wide sound. The generated tone is not a fixed 3 kHz; rather, it sweeps through a range of frequencies, allowing the sound to better penetrate walls and doors.

“While the UL rating is 85 decibels, the reality is, when driven with clean 24-volt power, the output exceeds 90 decibels,” explained Alford. “This gives you more flexibility in placing the sounder to meet the 85 decibel ‘at the pillow’ requirement.”

System Sensor has designed this product to seamlessly enable reverse compatibility with existing sounder base installations. The new sounder bases work with all existing panels and can be mixed on the same loop with older units. This is ideal for situations where an old sounder must be replaced or when new units are added as a facility expands or changes usage.

If that isn’t enough, this new product helps keep stocking issues under control. Unlike the outgoing sounder base, only one model needs to be stocked. This was accomplished by shipping all units configured to Temporal 3 tone, with a simple jumper to remove in order to enable the continuous tone.

These improvements in installation ease, aesthetics and performance are focused on meeting requirements for the growing commercial sleeping space market. As more hotel operators, universities and other public sleeping space facility operators move away from single-station smoke detection in favor of system-connected, addressable systems, the need for an attractive, easy-to-install sounder base has never been more pressing for dealers, distributors and installers who want to take advantage of this expanding opportunity. This new product will meet that need.

Tags: A/V Notification, Speakers and Strobes

Posted in Audible/Visible Notification, Winter 2009

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