In a typical addressable system, around 100 to 150 devices are linked in a single circuit called a “loop”.
On the other hand, 100–150 devices might cover a wide region. As a result, these 150 devices are further separated into smaller groups termed “zones” for easier identification of the specific site of the fire.
The detector is given the name of the zone via software settings. As a result, the 150 detectors in a SINGLE loop can be set as MULTIPLE software zones.
Now, imagine that this circuit, which has 150 odd devices, develops a problem, such as a short circuit or an open circuit, for any reason, such as remodeling or rats, and that, for example, 20 devices lose electrical contact with the panel.
The panel now displays a “WIRING FAULT” and provides us with a list of the 20 devices that are missing from the circuit, along with their names and allocated address numbers.
However, THE TYPICAL ADDRESSABLE PANEL DOES NOT SHOW THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE WIRING FAULT.
We’ll need to get out our fire alarm system layout schematic to figure out where these 20 devices were located, then investigate where the circuit has broken or shorted in the vicinity of those 20 devices that are no longer reporting to the panel. These 20 devices might be dispersed throughout a broad area of roughly 200 meters, spanning numerous levels, and pinpointing them could take hours or days. This is a common issue with all addressable systems.
Victofire’s two-tier addressable design, in which each zone has its own unique cabling, completely solves this problem. The software zone that is configured in the panel and the actual circuit in the field are identical.
As a result, Victofire’s LED and LCD displays may instantly display the name of the zone that has a wiring issue. This allows the system engineers to go straight to that spot and fix the wiring problem.
Thus, precious man-days and system downtime are saved in the process of identifying the location of the fault by referring to the drawings and probing the wires in the LOOP Circuit.
With Victofire, you can thus achieve minimum downtime and maximum safety.