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Sounders & Bell Boxes

Sounders and bell boxes are the parts of an intruder alarm that make the noise: an external bell box on the front of a building warns and deters, and an internal sounder alerts the people inside. This page covers wired and wireless external sounders, internal sirens and extension speakers, dummy bell boxes, and the covers and backplates that make up modular ranges such as Texecom Odyssey, CQR Multibox and Pyronix Deltabell.

Choosing Sounders & Bell Boxes

Match the sounder to the alarm panel first, then choose a live or dummy box, the grade and the look.

Wired or wireless

A wired sounder takes its trigger from the panel over cable. The Eaton SDR-WEXT-00 uses fixed wiring to the control unit, has a built-in NiMH battery (9V/ 180mAh) and gives a selectable 85 dB or 105 dB output. A wireless sounder must speak the panel's radio: the Texecom GBS-0001 Odyssey 4-W uses Ricochet at 868MHz and runs on 8 x AA lithium batteries, the Hikvision DS-PS1-E-WE is an AX Pro sounder at 110 dB, and the Ajax StreetSiren links to Ajax hubs over Jeweller.

Grade and output

Check the grade the installation needs. The Pyronix FPDELTAX3MOD DeltaBell X is a Grade 3 module with a 104 dB(A) twin piezo siren, the FPDELTAE2MOD DeltaBell E is a Grade 2 module, and the Texecom GBV-0001 Odyssey X-W is Grade 2, Class IV. In the Texecom Odyssey range, the economy FCC-1112 Odyssey 3E backplate gives 109dB with IP44 electronics, while the FCC-1111 Odyssey 3 backplate gives 115dB with IP65 protection.

Covers, backplates and dummies

Modular ranges separate the working backplate from the cover. CQR Multibox covers such as the BCMB/CORONA/WH oval and BCMB/TAURUS/WH octagon fit a Multibox sounder base, and Texecom Odyssey X1 covers such as the WDA-0001 go with a choice of 6 electronic backplate modules. Dummy boxes such as the Texecom WDL-0001 and the Ajax 38183.65.BL1 have no working sounder and act as a visual deterrent.

TypeExampleOutputNotes
Wired external, Grade 3Pyronix FPDELTAX3MOD104 dB(A)Twin piezo, strobe
Wired externalEaton SDR-WEXT-0085 or 105 dBBlue flash, NiMH battery
Wireless externalTexecom GBS-0001105dB(A)Ricochet, IP65
Wireless externalHikvision DS-PS1-E-WE110 dBAX Pro, IP65
Internal sounderTexecom DAB-0001125 dB(A)1.8 Ah backup battery
Extension speakerTexecom CHB-000112 Watt16 Ohm impedance
Dummy bell boxTexecom WDL-0001NoneMimics Odyssey X sounders

Related categories

See the burglar alarm bell boxes page for external boxes, Texecom sounders and Ajax sirens for those systems, and alarm panels and wireless alarm systems to drive them. Fire sounders are in fire alarm sounders and beacons, and our Help & Support guides cover installation.

Brands we stock in Sounders & Bell Boxes

Acre, Ajax, Aritech, Axis Communications, Bell System, C-TEC, Comelit PAC, CQR, Cranford Controls, Dahua Technology, DMP, Eaton, Elmdene, Haydon, Hikvision, Hochiki, Hoyles, JCI Visonic, Klaxon, Protect, Pyronix, Safety Technology International, Texecom, Videofied and Vimpex.

Frequently asked questions

Can a wireless bell box work with any alarm panel?

No, it has to use the same radio system as the panel. The Texecom GBR-0001 Odyssey 3-W uses Ricochet at 868 MHz, the Pyronix DELTA/MOD-WE2 uses the Pyronix High Security Wireless Protocol, the Eaton SDR-2R-EXT-NC uses Scantronic Secure Radio, and the Hikvision DS-PS1-I-WE(B) is an indoor sounder for AX Pro systems. Check the panel make and radio before choosing.

Is a dummy bell box worth fitting?

It adds a visual deterrent but makes no sound. The Texecom WDL-0001 mimics Odyssey X wired and wireless sounders and looks like a live bell box once an Odyssey X cover is fitted, the Ajax 38183.65.BL1 is a non-functional model of the StreetSiren DoubleDeck, and the Texecom FCA-0060 Odyssey 1 dummy is a backplate only, so its cover is bought separately.

How long does an outside alarm sounder ring for?

Until its cut-off timer ends. The Pyronix FPDELTAE2MOD has an automatic 15-minute cut-off after which the strobe carries on until reset, the CQR BCINTRA/W/C has a 20 minute failsafe timer, and the Eaton SDR-2R-EXT-NC has a selectable cut-off timer. The Pyronix FPDELTAE3MOD siren also cuts off after 15 minutes.

What does SAB mean on a bell box?

SAB stands for self-activating bell, and SAB sounders carry a backup battery for that mode. The CQR BCSENZ/X/STD/W is a Grade 2 self-activating bell with 105dB(A) at 1mtr, the CQR BCINTRA/W/C contains a 6V rechargeable battery for SAB operation, and the Pyronix FPDELTAE3MOD holds an internal NiMH 7.2 V battery for SAB/SAC operation. Texecom backplates such as the FCA-0087 have a selectable SAB/SCB mode.

What does an internal alarm sounder do?

It sounds the alarm inside the building and can give entry and exit tones. The Elmdene INT500 is a Grade 3 internal sounder with a Hi/Lo output for entry/exit and alarm modes and a Xenon strobe, the CQR SOINT2/WH/HI-LO has separate inputs for exit time and alarm, and the Pyronix FP10800 Twin Alert pairs a keypad-tone speaker with a 100 dB(A) internal siren.

Can I change the look of a bell box?

Yes, on modular ranges you choose the cover separately from the backplate. CQR Multibox covers come in shapes such as oval (BCMB/CORONA/WH) and octagon (BCMB/TAURUS/WH), Texecom Odyssey X3 covers such as the WDB-0001 come with blue, red, white and green lens options, and Eaton SDR covers such as the SDR-CV-BL-PLUS come in several lens colours.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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