Wire Requirements Appendix A Electrical Specifications
NFS-3030 Installation PN 51330:C 10/28/2003 63
A.4 Wire Requirements
Each type of circuit within the Fire Alarm Control System requires use of a specific wire type to ensure
proper circuit operation. The wire gauge of a particular circuit depends on the length of that circuit and
the current traveling through it. Use the table below to determine the specific wiring requirements for
each circuit.
Compliance with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Department of
Communication regulations on electrical energy radiation requires the following: Use twisted-pair
shielded wire for any non-SLC-loop wiring entering or exiting the cabinet that is not enclosed in
conduit. Use twisted-pair unshielded wiring for SLC-loop wiring.
Note: If running an SLC in conduit with Notification Appliance Circuits, you can reduce problems by
exclusively using electronic sounders (such as the MA/SS-24 Series) instead of more electronically
noisy notification appliances (such as electromechanical bells or horns).
Table 9 Wire Requirements
Circuit Type Circuit Function Wire Requirements
Distance
(feet/meters) Typical Wire Type
SLC
(power
limited)
Connects to
intelligent and
addressable
modules.
Twisted-unshielded pair, 12 to
18 AWG (3.25 to 0.75mm
2
).
50 ohms, maximum per length
of Style 6 & 7 loops. 50 ohms
per branch maximum for
Style 4 loop.
12,500 ft (3,810 m)
8,000 ft (2,438 m)
4,875 ft (1,486 m)
3,225 ft (983 m)
12 AWG
14 AWG
16 AWG
18 AWG
or Twisted-shielded pair. 10,000 ft (3048 m) 12 AWG
or Untwisted, unshielded wire, in
conduit or outside of conduit.
1,000 ft (304.8 m) 12 to 18 AWG
EIA-485 ACS
Connection
(power
limited)
Connects to ACS
devices such as
annunciators and
UDACT
Twisted-shielded pair with a
characteristic impedance of
120 ohms. 18 AWG (0.75mm
2
)
minimum.
6,000 ft (1829 m)
(max)
16 AWG/1.30mm
2
EIA-485 RDP
Connection
(power
limited)
Connects to RDP
devices such as
LCD-160
Twisted-shielded pair with a
characteristic impedance of
120 ohms. 18 AWG (0.75mm
2
)
minimum.
4,000 ft (1219 m)
(max)
16 AWG/1.30mm
2
EIA-232
(power
limited)
Connects to
Printers or PC.
Twisted-shielded pair. 18 AWG
(0.75mm
2
) minimum.
50 ft (15.24 m)
without modem
16 AWG/1.30mm
2
IDC
Initiating
Device
Circuit
FMM-1, FMM-101
XP5-M (power
limited)
12-18 AWG
Maximum circuit resistance is
20 ohms.
12 to 18 AWG
(3.25 to 0.75mm
2
)
NAC
Notification
Appliance
Circuit
XP5-C, FCM-1
(power limited)
12-18 AWG. MPS-24A: At
alarm current level, no more
than a 1.2 V drop at the end of
the circuit, or sized to provide
the minimum rated operating
voltage of the appliances used.
To meet 1.2 V drop, or
sized to provide the
minimum rated
operating voltage of
the appliances used.
12 to 18 AWG
(3.25 to 0.75mm
2
)
24 VDC
Power Runs
(power-
limited)
To TM-4
Transmitter,
Annunciator and
FCM-1 modules
12-18 AWG. Size wire so that
no more than 1.2 V drop
across wire run from supply
source to end of any branch.
To meet 1.2 volt drop 12 to 18 AWG
(3.25 to 0.75mm
2
)
CHG-120 External battery
charger
12 AWG in conduit 20 ft (6.1 m)
maximum
12 AWG
(3.25mm
2
)
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