test bit(s), meanings on fire panels

[kwc]

Hi All,
Iam still learning about fire alarms as my back ground is mainly on intruder system.
I work on the Ctec panels and was checking the XFP panel today.
Couple of questions.
There is an option to test a device by sending it a bit value 0 to 7 (0 been normal and 7 all outputs on).

What is the meaning of each bit value from 1 to 7 and are they the same for all panels?
Also could i switch the led of a head to on to confirm the address of that head by using this test?

Any info would by grateful.
Thanks
Kev

[Wiz]

Hi Kev,
In addressable fire alarm systems in general, the stream of communication data (or protocol) is made up of a number of elements known as 'bits'.

Each bit can be in one of two states; on or off ( 1 or 0).

 A group of bits in the stream will have a specific purpose. One group, for example, will relate to the device number (or address). Maybe the first 7 bits will form this 'addressing' group and, for example, if they are transmitted as 1001100 this will relate to information concerning device No 25 (using binary coding)

Other groups of bits will contain other information and it is normal for one group to relate to the status and control of outputs on an addressable device.

The status of the bits in the 'control' group will determine, for example, if the 'operated' led indicator is turned on or off on a device. other bits might control relay outputs or turn on a specific sound on a loop-powered alarm sounder.

So, the answer to your question is yes it is possible to control certain items by changing the state of the 'control' bits. So the answer to your specific question about controlling the LED on a detector is yes, and many control panels provide this facility as a method of locating a device as a test.

If you search the literature on www.apollo-fire.co.uk you will find lots of techinical information and explanation of Apollo's XP95 protocol.

I can't answer your specific questions about the C-tec XFP but hopefully others can.

[Benzerari]

Hi All,
Iam still learning about fire alarms as my back ground is mainly on intruder system.
I work on the Ctec panels and was checking the XFP panel today.
Couple of questions.
There is an option to test a device by sending it a bit value 0 to 7 (0 been normal and 7 all outputs on).

What is the meaning of each bit value from 1 to 7 and are they the same for all panels?
Also could i switch the led of a head to on to confirm the address of that head by using this test?

Any info would by grateful.
Thanks
Kev

KWC;

In additon to Wiz's explanation, you can use ASCI code to find out what address you want to send to the device to light up its LED as follows...

Bits  0     1    2    3    4      5     6      7      <----------------- Bits
        1    2    4    8    16    32    64    128   <----------------- ASCI code
0      0    0    0    0    0      0      0      0
1      1    0    0    0    0      0      0      0      <----------------  Device Addresses
2      0    1    0    0    0      0      0      0                 |
3      1    1    0    0    0      0      0      0                
4      0    0    1    0    0      0      0      0                 |
5      1    0    1    0    0      0      0      0
6      0    1    1    0    0      0      0      0
7      1    1    1    0    0      0      0      0                 |
8      0    0    0    1    0      0      0      0
9      1    0    0    1    0      0      0      0
10    0    1    0    1    0      0      0      0                 |
11    1    1    0    1    0      0      0      0
-
-
-
- etc

However I haven't seen C-Tec Addressable system for so long time, and I cann't remember what's what... give a try to turn the bits ON and OFF according to the table above, and see...

[kwc]

Thanks to you both for the replies, very helpful.

Could you tell me how i can be notified of replies via email as i don't get them until i log in and check myself.

Thanks
Kev

[nearlythere]

Thanks to you both for the replies, very helpful.

Could you tell me how i can be notified of replies via email as i don't get them until i log in and check myself.

Thanks
Kev

Kev and kwc et al
If you can understand this stuff and actually find it helpful you are obviously on a different plant than the rest of us :lol:

And to think it all started with a hand bell not that long ago.

This techno-topic is something I look at sometimes only to see what sort of techno-tripe is on the menu today.

Good luck and may you aways put your wire in the right place.

[Graeme]

Hi All,
Iam still learning about fire alarms as my back ground is mainly on intruder system.
I work on the Ctec panels and was checking the XFP panel today.
Couple of questions.
There is an option to test a device by sending it a bit value 0 to 7 (0 been normal and 7 all outputs on).

What is the meaning of each bit value from 1 to 7 and are they the same for all panels?
Also could i switch the led of a head to on to confirm the address of that head by using this test?

Any info would by grateful.
Thanks
Kev

you need to go into point test option.

select loop and device then test..   it will operate the led


Good to see Advanced new software has the facility to individually test ouputs now.

[Wiz]

.....If you can understand this stuff and actually find it helpful you are obviously on a different plant than the rest of us :lol:

Nearlythere, what plant are you on then?

Try a bit of weed mate, it makes everything far more interesting

[nearlythere]

.....If you can understand this stuff and actually find it helpful you are obviously on a different plant than the rest of us :lol:

Nearlythere, what plant are you on then?

Try a bit of weed mate, it makes everything far more interesting

I am not responsible for my stupidity. My parents are.

[Wiz]

Could you tell me how i can be notified of replies via email as i don't get them until i log in and check myself.

Don't know how to do it. Not sure if it's possible on Firenet.

Anyone?

[nearlythere]

Could you tell me how i can be notified of replies via email as i don't get them until i log in and check myself.

Don't know how to do it. Not sure if it's possible on Firenet.

Anyone?

Click "Subscribe to this Topic"

[kwc]

Hi Nearlythere,
A simple click, I knew it would be there some where.
Thanks
Kev

[nearlythere]

Hi Nearlythere,
A simple click, I knew it would be there some where.
Thanks
Kev

Bet you thought that if you clicked this you had to pay every time you posted?

[kwc]

With over 700 posts you must have spend a bit!