Many types of TPS cable specifically designed for fire alarms are available in the market. However, not all of them are equal. In this article, we’ll explore how and what makes them unique.
The Flat Red TPS Cable offers a basic design with no unique visual identifier. It’s suitable for general fire alarm wiring and can be used to connect the speaker and detector circuits, but it lacks any identifier to help differentiate the line. The need for identifiers may arise in the future. To mitigate this risk, it is recommended to use cables with identifiers. The Flat Red TPS Cable is an ideal choice if space and budget are limited.
The issue with the above-mentioned cable design can be mitigated with the use of a white stripe identifier. Using a multi-colour stripes helps installers differentiate the speaker and detector circuits. This type of cable is used predominantly in speaker applications. Being flat in design, it is compact and easy to install in compact places. The Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) resistance offered by the cable is similar to that of the Flat Red TPS Cable. The Flat Red with White Stripe TPS cable is an ideal choice for compact installation.
The conventional fire alarm system uses different wires for each device, and each wire connects to the fire alarm control panel. However, addressable fire panels use one wire that connects all the devices to the fire alarm panel, and this is where the Red Twisted TPS Cable comes into play.
Addressable fire alarm systems generally use digital communication protocol. These signals are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, and the Red Twisted TPS Cable is preferred for this case as it has more EMI resistance. The twisting further helps reduce crosstalk and ensures reliable communication between the panel and the addressable devices.
Ideally, the use of Red Twisted TPS Cable can future proof the fire alarm installation as innovations might bring in higher data rates or more complex protocols, saving costs in the future upgrades thereof.
All in all, the cables mentioned above serve their own unique purpose. If it’s a conventional system with space and budget constraints, then the use of Flat Red TPS Cable is preferable. If it’s ease of installation and future identification of speaker and detector circuits is what’s necessary, then the Flat Red with White Stripe TPS would serve the purpose. However, if it’s about wiring an addressable system, the Red Twisted TPS Cable would do an impeccable job fulfilling it. The twisted nature of wire makes it more flexible and easier to route, making it easier to install in complex installations.
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