System for testing NAC operability using backup power
AssigneeSimplexGrinnell LP
InventorsKenneth E. Savage, Jr., Anthony J. Capowski, Mark P. Barrieau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A monitoring system for a NAC (Notification Appliance Circuit) is provided. The monitoring system includes a system controller, and a NAC comprised of notification appliances that may be in a series. The NAC and its appliances may be operatively coupled to the system controller. The system controller is operable to determine whether a notification appliance has sufficient voltage at a low voltage operation.
Claims27
A method for determining whether a notification appliance circuit has sufficient voltage to operate when powered by backup power, the method comprising:
- determining impedance of the notification appliance circuit;
- determining, based on the impedance, a voltage drop across at least a part of the notification appliance circuit when powered by the backup power;
- and
- determining, using a controller, whether, when powered by the backup power, there will be sufficient voltage to operate the notification appliance circuit based on the voltage drop,
- wherein the notification appliance circuit comprises at least one constant power notification appliance.
A method for determining whether a notification appliance circuit has sufficient voltage to operate when powered by backup power, the method comprising:
- determining impedance of the notification appliance circuit, wherein the notification appliance circuit comprises at least one constant power notification appliance;
- determining, based on the impedance, a voltage drop across at least a part of the notification appliance circuit when powered by the backup power;
- and
- determining, using a controller, whether, when powered by the backup power, there will be sufficient voltage to operate the notification appliance circuit based on the voltage drop,
- wherein the notification appliance circuit comprises a plurality of NAC appliances in a series;
- and
- wherein determining whether there is sufficient voltage to operate the notification appliance circuit comprises:
- determining, based on the approximated voltage drop, a resulting voltage at an end of the series of NAC appliances;
- and
- comparing the resulting voltage with a minimum operating voltage at which the NAC appliance is operable.
A notification appliance circuit monitoring system for monitoring a notification appliance circuit in an alarm notification system the system comprising:
- a controller, the controller being operatively coupled to the notification appliance circuit, wherein the notification appliance circuit comprises at least one constant power notification appliance;
- and
- at least one sensor configured to sense at least one electrical parameter of the notification appliance circuit, the at least one sensor in communication with the controller,
- wherein the controller is operable to:
- determine, based on the sensed electrical parameter, impedance of the notification appliance circuit;
- determine, based on the impedance, a voltage drop across at least a part of the notification appliance circuit;
- and
- determine whether, when powered by the backup power, the notification appliance circuit will have sufficient voltage to operate based on the voltage drop.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.