Posts Tagged Fire and Life Safety

NEC and Conduit Fills for Communications and Security Cabling

A question that comes up frequently for us when working on security projects with high density device counts is conduit fill.   That National Electrical Code typically wants to limit conduit fill to less than 40% of the capacity for cables in the raceway.  This is based upon the dimensions of the conductors and the potential for “jamming” or stressing the cable and potential thermal issues that could lead to electrical fires.  This is referenced to apply to power cabling for AC power conductors.

We all know (or should know) that metallic low voltage communications cabling (e.g. CAT6 network, dry contact devices, card readers, etc) can’t be run in the same conduit as AC power cabling, so what is the limitation for conduit fill for low voltage security cabling?

Whenever you are in doubt, you should always consult with the AHJ, but in reality the NEC basically doesn’t care and it will likely never be inspected.  The manufacturers of these cables may have some recommendations on maximum fill ratings to reduce the pulling tension to minimize stretching or damaging the cable, however.  There are other factors in play of course: cable type, conduit type, distance, number of bends, and pulling lubricant used.

In short, be conservative with conduit fill for long runs of delicate small gauge multi-conductor cables like 22AWG TSP or CAT6A that could be damaged.   But for vertical cores between floors that are typically very short runs, you can probably fill to 80% without any significant risk, as long as the cable is properly supported and there is sufficient room remaining to properly apply intumescent firestop sealant.

Posted in: Access Control, Security Consulting

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Do You Know Where Your Power Supply Is?

Altronix Eflow16 Low Voltage Power SupplyWe’ve all had it happen: either a bad battery or a blown fuse in a security power supply.   It causes cameras to fail, a card access door to stop working, or a whole panel to fail.

Power supplies in their simplest sense do a very basic thing:  They turn 120 volts AC power to low voltage DC power for low voltage security devices such as cameras, card readers, alarm panels, or detection devices.   And while they have become more sophisticated, adding fused outputs, relay contacts for fire alarm disconnects (life safety egress for maglocks), and smart battery chargers, until recently it was up to the security integrator or maintenance staff to maintain the power supply by testing power and replacing batteries periodically.

In the IT world, just about everything is monitored – Computer servers, network switches, server room air conditioning and filtration units, UPS battery backup systems, even cameras in the data closet monitoring temperature, humidity, and noise levels.  Much of this information is sent via the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).  This protocol is monitored by software that notifies console operations of the exact conditions or problems that may arise with hardware or software in the footprint.

Enter the power supply network module.  The Altronix LINQ2 is a new product that offers the same kind of monitoring capability used in the computer industry.

The Altronix LINQ2 network module is designed to interface with eFlow and MaximalF power supply/chargers. It enables power supply status monitoring and control of two (2) eFlow power supply/chargers over a LAN/WAN or USB connection. LINQ2 provides values on demand for AC fault status, DC current and voltage, as well as Battery fault status and reports conditions via SNMP.

Now security operations can be notified of potential problems and critical failures as they happen, or maybe even before.

For more information visit http://www.altronix.com/products/product.php?name=LINQ2

Altronix linq2 SNMP module

The Altronix LINQ2 SNMP Network Module

Posted in: Fire and Life Safety, New Equipment and Gadgets, Security Technology

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PR Invited to Participate in State and Local Fire Marshal Policy Meeting

Meeting with North Carolina state and local fire marshals, Protective Resources has been invited to participate in a discussion of how the State and local code officials are going to be educated/trained in the new requirements for fire alarm system communications to comply with the 2010 and 2013 Fire Alarm Code. These new requirements are complex and will require the code officials to have a better understanding of data networks, Internet Service Providers, and Voice Over IP communication services.

Posted in: Company News

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