Apollo Discovery Addressable Base Sounder, Loop Powered, 95 dB(A), White 58002-300APO

What this base sounder does

A base sounder puts the alarm sound in the ceiling base, under the detector. This Apollo unit therefore gives a sounding point at a position that may already need a detector, with no separate wall device.

It takes its power from the loop, the single cable circuit that links an addressable system's devices. Where no detector is wanted, a base cap closes it off and it runs as a stand-alone sounder.

How it works

• Tone pairs: each pair has a primary tone for evacuation and a secondary tone that may be used for alerting or warning of a possible evacuation.
• Group control: the panel can act on one sounder, a group or all of them. That is how a building can sound different messages in different areas, where the panel allows it.
• Short-circuit isolator: an isolator cuts off a shorted section of loop so the rest can keep working. Here it depends on the base, so choose the XPERT 8 Base if you want it.
• Protocol: the protocol is the language a panel and its devices use, and a device on the wrong one will not work.

Where to use it

It suits ceilings on addressable systems where a wall sounder would be awkward or unwelcome. The housing is white flame-retardant polycarbonate, which suits white ceilings.

Treat it as an indoor device. The approved rating is IP21C and the higher declared rating has conditions attached.

What the figures mean in practice

• Sound and distance: sound falls off with distance and through doors. Whoever designs the system should work out sounder numbers from room sizes, then measure on site.
• Lower volume levels: the two lowest settings are not EN 54-3 approved, so avoid them where the job has to meet that standard.
• Current and loop loading: the alarm current drops with the volume setting, so a lower level puts less load on the loop. Add the figure for the chosen level to your loop calculation.
• EN54-3 tones: not every tone in the table carries the EN54-3 star, so pick from the starred ones where compliance matters.

Installing it

• Setting volume on site: put the control panel into set-up, walk the devices with a magnetic wand, then save the settings at the panel.
• Grub screw: engage it on every unit, because the IP ratings depend on it.
• Selecting a tone: this is done during commissioning, to suit local regulations or customs, so agree it before the visit.

Planning your system

Allow for an XPERT 8 Base at every position, plus an XPERT Universal Address Card. Add a white base cap, Part No. 45681-292, wherever no detector is fitted.

Check the control panel before ordering, because group control and other features depend on it. Where a detector will be fitted, XP95, Discovery and Soteria detectors are covered.