Wire-to-fiber converter extends fire alarm systems' reach, boosts multi-building surge protection
Silent Knight by Honeywell (NYSE: HON) has released its SK-F485C wire to fiber converter, designed to allow new and existing Silent Knight fire alarm systems to significantly increase wire runs between control panels and power supplies, while providing a major boost in surge protection.
The company contends that "a fire alarm system run on copper wire underground, between buildings is incredibly susceptible to lightning damage due to earth ground differentials." The new fiber converter allows one Intelliknight addressable fire alarm control panel from Silent Knight to be extended over fiber-optic cable to protect multiple buildings while severely limiting the risk of damages from electrical surges.
According to Honeywell, the new module is also notable for being the first wire to fiber converter to be UL listed for a non-proprietary line of fire alarm systems, and sold over-the-counter at security equipment wholesalers nationwide, allowing the Silent Knight system to be used in large facilities and multi-building campuses seeking non-proprietary fire alarm systems.
Covering longer distances over fiber allows Silent Knight systems to offer more economical and reliable fire protection to larger facilities such as warehouses and factories, as well as for multi-building projects, including K-12 schools, universities, corporate campuses, apartment buildings and assisted living complexes. The fiber converter is also an efficient way to add smaller, standalone buildings, such as maintenance sheds and guard shacks, to a fire alarm system over fiber too, notes the company.
The adaptable design elements of the Silent Knight systems enable them to provide a closer-fit to the fire protection needs of each facility, which can equal big savings in parts and labor, notes Honeywell. This has a positive effect on recurring fees too. Case-in-point, the costs associated with monitoring one control panel versus many are much less. Flexibility in the design of its systems and minimization of wire has been a continued focus for Silent Knight’s product development teams, says Loren Schreiber, product marketing manager for Silent Knight.
“We’ve always been unique with ‘distributed intelligence’ built into power supplies and other s-bus devices to allow you to place them where needed, as opposed to home-running wire all the way back to the main control,” Schreiber explains. Visit www.silentknight.com for more information.
Search for Firestopping Devices and Materials in our Online Buyer's Guide
