New Mains Powered smoke alarm beta testers needed.

[togglenation]

Hi all,

I'm working in a company that makes battery smoke alarms, we're now one of the biggest intrusion alarm manufacturers in the EU region. We're developing our own Mains Powered Smoke / Heat / Co detectors and I would like to talk to proffesionl electricians who installs AICO / FireAngel / Kidde detectors.

We have some cool ideas how to improve existing smoke detectors, so we would like to hear from a proffesional electricians.

 

[togglenation]

Ahh, I see now.

BTW, I have no idea how it can be possible to connect 2x 3c&e or even 3x 3c&e cables in a case like this. They simply wouldn't fit.

 

[Resu]

It's not fun but it is doable.

 

[littlespark]

its where 1mm cable has a huge advantage over 1.5mm.

Mid-line of a circuit is where you'de need 2 x 3cores.

Never needed to use it, but those bases also have a removable piece if you're wiring in MT2 mini trunking. (25x16) which, to me, would be damn near impossible to connect.
The holes in those bases for the screw heads are fine if you use the supplied screws, but if its just any old screw, ive seen existing where the head is sitting proud and not below (above?) the plastic.. so the detector itself doesn't slide on properly, or is forced on.

Is that someone using a straight screwdriver to turn a pozi screwhead??

 

[mark101]

I kind of like fitting aico however not if it's 1.5mm 3 core or lsf. if its 1mm 3core then they are great much better than what I have been fitting a lot of lately which is hi spec alarms they are fa pain in comparison also you cannot mix interlinked alarms and radio controlled alarms with hi spec unlike with aico.

I would like to see a slightly bigger area for terminating the cable along with interchangeable base unit across whole range (no neons on base) and circular unit so it doesnt take time putting it up square.

So basically an AICO alarm but larger area for terminating cable's as someone else mentioned sometimes you do have 3x3cores in there

 

[LastManOnline]

Ahh, I see now.

BTW, I have no idea how it can be possible to connect 2x 3c&e or even 3x 3c&e cables in a case like this. They simply wouldn't fit. View attachment 92357

As with previous posters I have the same issues with the inadequacy of the terminal box.By the way, I never connect them up as shown in the photo as I would end up tearing my hair out. I terminate before mounting the the base. Far easier.

 

[mark101]

As with previous posters I have the same issues with the inadequacy of the terminal box.By the way, I never connect them up as shown in the photo as I would end up tearing my hair out. I terminate before mounting the the base. Far easier.

I install hundreds of these alarms every year two lots of 3cores is the norm but not idea, it is possible to terminate three lots of 3 cores but it is tricky and I would not like to do it on a regular basis would much rather use a radio link if possible and take power from somewhere else

 

[Vortigern]

how do you connect 2 x 3c&e or 3 x 3c&e

With great difficulty! Hence the swearing, wondering if the people who design these things ever rig test them, I don't think so btw.

 

[Simon47]

They probably do test them - but at bench level, in a nice well lit lab, etc, etc. So not while perched on a ladder, with bits of plasterboard dropping in your face, and with room to tuck the spare cable into the void behind their test rig.

 

[LastManOnline]

I

I kind of like fitting aico however not if it's 1.5mm 3 core or lsf. if its 1mm 3core

I, m obliged to use a firetuff 3 core + earth. An extra core plus a less flexible cable which obviously does, nt help.

 

[pc1966]

Do they even make the FP200 or similar in 1mm?

 

[LastManOnline]

Do they even make the FP200 or similar in 1mm?

Must admit I have never seen it. In any case I am not allowed to use 1mm(more,s the pity!)

 

[pc1966]

Must admit I have never seen it. In any case I am not allowed to use 1mm(more,s the pity!)

It is one of the oddities in the UK regs that 1mm is only permitted for fixed wiring if it is for lightning. 1.5mm is the minimum for "power".

Now you can say the fire alarms are being mains powered, so need to have 1.5mm (for reasons nobody has quite explained) as a dedicated supply, even if from a 6A MCB. However, often they are permitted to be powered from a lighting circuit since people will notice and presumably fix any trip of that supply, which of course is probably done all in 1mm!

 

[mark101]

It is one of the oddities in the UK regs that 1mm is only permitted for fixed wiring if it is for lightning. 1.5mm is the minimum for "power".

Now you can say the fire alarms are being mains powered, so need to have 1.5mm (for reasons nobody has quite explained) as a dedicated supply, even if from a 6A MCB. However, often they are permitted to be powered from a lighting circuit since people will notice and presumably fix any trip of that supply, which of course is probably done all in 1mm!

That has never crossed my mind to be fair good shout

 

[togglenation]

It is one of the oddities in the UK regs that 1mm is only permitted for fixed wiring if it is for lightning. 1.5mm is the minimum for "power".

Now you can say the fire alarms are being mains powered, so need to have 1.5mm (for reasons nobody has quite explained) as a dedicated supply, even if from a 6A MCB. However, often they are permitted to be powered from a lighting circuit since people will notice and presumably fix any trip of that supply, which of course is probably done all in 1mm!

Wow, that's really odd. Can you point out which regulation forces to do so?

 

[pc1966]

Wow, that's really odd. Can you point out which regulation forces to do so?

Don't have my BBB with me but can look it up later. It is in the same section that only allows aluminium cables of 16mm and above (just for info!)