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FCC compliance for digital devices and radio frequency energy.
System reacceptance testing requirements after software or component changes.
Procedure to inspect the product for shipping damage upon unpacking.
Details electrical and environmental specifications for the city circuit card.
Guide to setting jumper positions for reverse polarity and local energy operations.
Instructions for setting jumper P6 to select supervisory or trouble operation for circuit 2.
Using SW1 and SW2 to enable/disable city circuits for normal operation or testing.
Enabling the city circuit card on the A004-9101 FACU using DIP switch SW4.
Procedure for configuring the city circuit card for the A008-9101 FACU via system configuration.
General guidelines for successful wiring of the city circuit card, including conductor specifications.
Detailed instructions for wiring the city circuit card for reverse polarity or local energy connections.
The Autocall 2004 and 2008 Foundation Series Fire Alarm Control Unit City Circuit Card (model A004-9909) is a crucial component designed to annunciate alarms and other urgent indications to remote facilities. This card ensures that when an A004-9101 or A008-9101 control unit enters an alarm state, the city card circuits are immediately activated, transmitting annunciation to the remote site. It supports both Reverse Polarity modules and Local Energy modules, which are used to communicate with Public Service Fire Communications Centers.
The city circuit card serves as an interface for transmitting alarm, trouble, or supervisory signals from the fire alarm control unit to a remote monitoring station, typically a Public Service Fire Communications Center. It features two independent circuits, both of which are configurable for different types of reporting: alarm, trouble, or supervisory. This dual-circuit design provides flexibility in how signals are transmitted. In the event of a CPU failure within the fire alarm control unit, a city card configured for a trouble output will automatically send a trouble signal to the city circuit, ensuring that critical system malfunctions are reported. It's important to note that only one city circuit card can be installed per system, and both outputs on the card must be programmed for the same service type (either Reverse Polarity or Local Energy).
The installation process for the city circuit card involves several steps to ensure proper integration with the fire alarm control unit. Before mounting the card, it is essential to disconnect AC power from the control unit and unlock the cabinet door using a B-key. The black insulating cover must be removed and kept in a secure location. Batteries should also be disconnected and removed before mounting the card. The city circuit card is then mounted on the bottom right corner of the system board using three supplied screws.
Connecting the city circuit card to the fire alarm control unit involves a power and communication harness. One end of this harness connects to P1 on the city circuit card, while the other end connects to the P3 connector on the A004-9101 or A008-9101 control unit. After connecting the harness, the batteries are reinstalled, battery power is applied, and the black insulating cover is replaced. Finally, AC power is restored at the breaker.
Configuration of the city circuit card is critical for its operation. Jumpers on ports P2, P3, P4, and P5 are used to set the card for either reverse polarity or local energy operations, depending on the requirements of the remote facility. Additionally, jumper port P6 is used to configure the second circuit for either supervisory or trouble operation. For supervisory activation of city circuit 2, jumpers are installed on P6 in positions 1 and 2, and another set in positions 3 and 4. In this configuration, city circuit 1 sends a trouble signal by dropping circuit power when reverse polarity is selected. For trouble activation of city circuit 2, a jumper is installed on P6 in positions 2 and 3, and city circuit 1 will only send alarm signals to the city.
The city circuit card also includes two disconnect switches, SW1 for city circuit 1 and SW2 for city circuit 2. These switches are normally set to the ON position for regular operation. They can be turned to the OFF position to test the system without transmitting alarms to the city, which is a valuable feature for maintenance and troubleshooting.
For the A004-9101 FACU, the city circuit card is enabled using the SW4-4 DIP switch. By default, this switch is in the Off state, disabling the card. Changing it to the On state enables the city circuit module. For the A008-9101 FACU, the city circuit card is added to the system configuration through programming, with detailed instructions found in the relevant operation and PC programmer guides.
Field wiring for the city card circuits must adhere to specific guidelines. All wiring is supervised but not power-limited. Conductors must be tested free of all grounds before connecting to the city card. Wiring for reverse polarity circuits requires 20 AWG minimum to 12 AWG maximum conductors, while local energy circuits require 18 AWG minimum to 12 AWG maximum conductors. All wiring terminates at TB1 on the city card. It is important to leave the 2.2 KOhm, 1/2 W resistor (part number 378-038) installed from the + to the - terminals of unused circuits on TB1.
The disconnect switches (SW1 and SW2) are a key maintenance feature, allowing technicians to test the fire alarm system without sending false alarms to the remote monitoring station. This functionality is crucial during routine maintenance, system upgrades, or troubleshooting, as it prevents unnecessary dispatches from the Public Service Fire Communications Center.
System reacceptance testing is a critical maintenance procedure after any software changes, programming operations, or modifications to site-specific software. This ensures proper system operation in accordance with NFPA-72. Reacceptance testing is required after any change, addition, or deletion of system components, or after any modification, repair, or adjustment to system hardware or wiring. All components, circuits, system operations, or software functions known to be affected by a change must be 100% tested. Additionally, to ensure that other operations are not inadvertently affected, at least 10% of initiating devices not directly affected by the change (up to a maximum of 50 devices) must also be tested, and proper system operation verified.
Regular inspection of the contents of the shipment upon unpacking is also a maintenance-related step, as it helps identify any shipping damage early on, which can prevent issues during installation and operation. Any apparent damage should prompt an immediate claim with the carrier and notification to an authorized Autocall product supplier.
Electrical safety is paramount during maintenance. Disconnecting electrical field power when making any internal adjustments or repairs is a mandatory safety measure. All repairs should be performed by a representative or an authorized agent of the local Autocall product supplier to ensure safety and proper functionality.
Eye safety is also highlighted, particularly concerning fibreoptic applications. The optical output of the device may exceed eye safety limits under certain conditions. Therefore, magnification tools like microscopes or other focusing equipment should not be used when viewing the device's optical output.
| Alarm Current | 150mA |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperature Range | 32°F to 120°F (0°C to 49°C) |
| Category | Fire Alarms |
| Number of Notification Appliance Circuits | 2 |
| Relay Contacts | 2 Form C |