The new PATROL Model PA 1 sounder offers numerous additional advantages. By electronically generating acoustic tones (no moving parts), reliability is one of the greatest benefits. Mechanically, the housing is manufactured from a blend of polycarbonate and ABS for durability and is offered in red, grey, or white to meet application requirements and building decor. Also, the unit splits into two pieces for ease of installation. The base portion facilitates all wiring connections so installation is straightforward requiring only one person. Redundant contacts are provided for daisy-chaining of multiple units.
The cover, with integrated sound capsule, is neatly fitted to the base through fail-safe guides to ensure proper mechanical and electrical engagement. The cover secures quickly with 3/8 turn captive fasteners that cannot get dropped or lost and incorporates a molded, captive gasket to ensure a positive IP 66 rated seal against dust and liquids. The result is a robust device which always assembles correctly and in much less time than competitive offerings.
Options include a panel mounting kit and tamper-proof fasteners. “The design team at Pfannenberg truly took a step back in order to evaluate the sounder’s entire solution requirements from performance, handling, and installation perspectives. The result is an elegantly engineered product that delivers multiple advantages, which alarm system integrators, machinery safety engineers, and installation electricians will benefit from,” says Product Manager Ray Limburg. Performance features are also numerous and include the ability to select from 80 unique tones (by dip switch setting) and choose from continuous, sweeping, alternating, pulsing, and interrupted tones; simulated bells, sirens, and whoops that meet international standards.
Four tone stages are available at each setting, permitting one device to sound, for example, an evacuation tone, an all-clear tone, a time for lunch tone, and an end of shift tone. Frequency content of delivered tones has been engineered to deliver more “punch-through” of obstacles such as walls and doors for a wider area of coverage – resulting in significant cost savings due to fewer units being required for multi-unit installations.