Vimpex Banshee Excel Lite Sounder Beacon, Xenon, White Body, Red Lens, Deep Base 958CHX1501

Overview

A sounder beacon gives a warning people can hear and see from one unit. The range suits fire and security dual notification applications.

This code fixes the choices the range offers: the Xenon beacon, a white body, a red lens and the deep base. Confirm that a red lens is acceptable if the unit is to signal a fire alarm, because many designs specify a particular colour.

How it works

• Sounder: a professional capsule driven horn produces the tones. DIL switches, a small bank of on and off switches, select the tone.
• Xenon beacon: a Xenon tube gives a bright flash at a rate of 1 per second. It draws more current than the sounder on many tones, so count both.
• Base: the head fits to its base with a push and twist action, then a locking screw holds it. That lets you wire the base first.

Where to use it

The deep base carries the IP66 rating and Type B category, while EN 54-3 sets the lower minimum of IP33C for deep base units. Keep the unit within the Xenon model's -15 to +40 Deg C range.

Positions and sound levels come from the system design. The fire alarm system guide explains how a design starts.

What the figures mean in practice

• Tone and level: high frequency tones are louder but use far more current. Alternate HF is typically 110 dBA at 36 mA, against Slow Whoop at 101 dBA and 12 mA, both at 24V.
• Voltage: flash current rises as the voltage falls, 40 @24 Vdc but 90 @12 Vdc. Use the 24 (20 -28) Vdc range for EN 54-3 work.
• Volume steps: dBA is a logarithmic measure, so Low at -20 dBA is a much quieter setting than the figures may suggest.

Installing it

• Keep the IP rating: the External Fixing Clip 8503100 avoids drilling the base, which is why Vimpex offers it for this base.
• Spare base: the BA87331/P is the white deep base with its 'O' Ring.
• Other parts: 8502800 is a cable spacing ring for surface wiring, and 8503000 is a combination bracket.

Planning your system

Vimpex also offers an 8502700 mains pack with 24 Vdc output. On a fire system, take the supply from a suitable sounder circuit and check its total load, adding tone current and flash current for every unit.

Check the approvals you need against the unit's documentation before specifying it. If a design calls for a visual alarm device certified to EN 54-23, look at other fire alarm sounders and beacons that state that certification.