System 57 Quick Start Guide    05701-M-5026 MAN0839 Issue 1 
 
8.8 5704 Fire Card 
The 5704F fire input circuit operates from the system dc input supply (21 to 32V) but has a 
built-in voltage limiter that limits the maximum loop voltage to +24V to protect the detectors 
from damage. When the system supply is less than +24V the limiter has no effect and the 
loop will see the true input supply voltage. The loop current is determined by measuring the 
voltage across a 220 ohm current sense resistance. A link selectable 330 ohm barrier 
equivalent resistance is incorporated for use when an external IS barrier is NOT fitted. For 
fault monitoring purposes, an end of line (EOL) resistor must be fitted in or after the last 
detector on the loop. The typical value for the end of line resistance is 5.1k ohms although 
this may need to be reduced when many detectors are fitted onto the loop. 
 
An equivalent circuit of one fire input together with an example detector connection is shown 
below:- 
 
 
 
8.8.1 Line Resistance 
Detectors should be located such that the line resistance of the cable required does not 
prevent correct operation. As a general guide and for a typical installation of twenty low 
quiescent current detectors, the loop cable resistance should be kept below 100 ohms total 
(50 ohms per core). The table below gives a quick guide to the maximum cable lengths 
permitted in this case: 
 
Maximum Cable Length (m) 
Detectors  Conductor Cross Sectional Area 
AWG 21 19 18 16 14 
mm
2
0.50 0.75 1.00 1.50 2.50 
20 low quiescent 
(100µA) detectors 
1300 2000 2700 4100 6500 
 
For further details of line resistance calculation refer to the 5704F Fire Card manual 05704-
M-5002. 
 
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