Notifier Detector Base Strobe with Isolator, Red Flash, C-3-8.5 BGL-PC-I02

Overview

This strobe sits between the ceiling base and a detector head, so one position does two jobs. A strobe is a visual alarm: it flashes to warn people who may not hear a tone.

It suits both legacy and new projects, so it interests installers extending a system as well as those starting afresh.

How it works

• Power and signals: The fire panel powers it through the loop wiring.
• Group polling: Advanced Protocol enables device function control and group polling, where the panel checks devices in sets instead of one at a time.
• Isolation: A short circuit isolator limits how much of the loop a cable fault can take out.

Where to use it

It suits office buildings, public buildings, hotels, bathrooms and noisy environments. A visual alarm helps most in those last two, where a tone can be missed.

Its IP21C rating depends on the provided seal and the low profile base. Leave out the seal and that rating does not apply.

What the figures mean in practice

• Coverage volume: The 170 m3 figure is the space in which the light meets the standard from a 3m ceiling. Higher ceilings or wider rooms need a design check.
• Loop budget: Each strobe adds a typical 15 mA @ 24V in alarm, so a run of them needs adding into the loop calculation.
• Flash setting: The 1 Hz setting exists for backwards compatibility with older installations. The main rate is 0.5 Hz, so treat 1 Hz as the legacy option.

Installing it

• First fix: The continuity spring holds the loop together while the wiring goes in, before devices are fitted.
• Address: Set the address on the rotary wheels, and fill in the address tags so it can be read later.
• Later swaps: Because the parts are modular, a single component can be changed without replacing the whole position.

Planning your system

The job also needs a detector, if one is going on top, and a panel using a matching protocol. The fire alarm system guide explains why protocol decides what can join a loop.

Compare other strobes and sounders in the fire alarm sounders and beacons range, or plain mounting parts among the fire detector bases.

Standards and ratings explained

• EN54-23: the standard for visual alarm devices. C means ceiling category, which is why the code lists a height and a cylinder of coverage.
• EN54-17: the standard covering short circuit isolators on a fire alarm loop.
• RoHS, WEEE and REACH: European rules on hazardous substances, electrical waste and chemicals.