LifeSafety Power

A: The FPO power supply is able to be set for a 12VDC or 24VDC output (12.5V and 25V measured). There is no adjustment to bring this voltage up or down. If a non-standard voltage is needed, a B100 secondary power supply may be added to an FPO and set for an adjustable output of 5-18VDC.

A. NetLink allows local or remote monitoring of a FlexPower power system via any web browser on a PC, Mac, Tablet, or Smartphone. NetLink allows monitoring of parameters such as output voltage and current, battery voltage and current, AC and System Fault status, as well as email alerts for fault conditions or parameters outside of set values. Battery load testing may also be performed manually, or on a scheduled date. See Application Note AN-20 for more information.

A. LifeSafety power's MClass line of enclosures and power systems provide a single enclosure solution for mounting of Mercury or Lenel access control boards with or without included power sources, distribution, lock control, or network monitoring. For more information see the following Application Notes: AN-10, AN-11, AN-12, AN-13

A. The KClass line of power supplies combine a multiple output 16.5 or 18VAC power source with a DC power source for powering KeyScan or Kantech panels, as well as any locks, readers, or other auxiliary devices in a single enclosure. KClass does not provide mounting for the KeyScan or Kantech panels. See Application Notes AN-14 and AN-15 for more information.

A. The iSCAN line of power supplies are award winning fully managed systems, with remote monitoring and control of the M8 outputs. The included NetLink board also allows the same remote monitoring, email alerts, and remote battery testing provided by the NetLink in non-iSCAN applications.

A. The Helix power supply provides a redundant power solution for critical applications. It includes two identical FPO power supplies, the primary FPO normally providing power and the secondary FPO sitting idle. If a problem with the primary FPO power supply is detected, the Helix will switch all load to the secondary FPO automatically. Optional NetLink support will provide email notification of problems.

A. The C4/C8 manual contains a chart of jumper settings for every common configuration. Also, pages 2 and 3of the manual contain descriptions for each jumper to allow for less common configurations. Also, the Excel-based C4/C8 Configuration Tool allows quick and easy determination of jumper settings based on information entered.  See Application Note AN-29 for more information

A. The FPO manual shows how to configure the wiring for the Fire Alarm Input for various activation methods. Also see Application Note AN-27 for more information.

The B100 is a DC to DC converter used to generate a secondary or multiple voltages, such as 5V, 9V, 15V, etc., from the voltage output of an FPO power supply. The advantage is that the B100 is slaved to the output of the FPO and is thus backed up by the standby battery set associated with the FPO. These secondary voltages are typically used to power equipment not usually found in the security industry such as modems, network switches, routers, when battery standby is required.

The B100 is jumper selectable for either a fixed 12V output or an adjustable voltage from 5 to 18V. The input voltage must be a minimum of 3V above the intended output of the B100 for proper operation under all conditions. With a 24V system, and a battery end voltage of 20.4V at battery discharge, 18V is the maximum voltage to which the B100 should be set.

See Application Note AN07 for more information.

A modern power management system for a typical 8 or 16 door access control system may provide two power supply voltages, one for locks, the other for system power and multiple power distribution or lock control outputs. With a typical system, thrown together from power supplies, distribution boards, and controller boards, the controller and distribution boards must be wired in the cabinet for input and fault.

FlexConnect is factory prewired in such a way that provides for two voltage busses running through the system and each output may be programmed to either buss. The only wires left for the installer to connect are the field wiring, all internal wiring is completed, saving time and money on the jobsite. All of the circuit boards that make up the FlexPower system mount on standard footprints and use common mounting dimensions. All cabinets are pre-punched for snap-in standoffs making field upgrades or expansions a minimum of effort in the field or in the shop.

SureCharge is a major improvement over other battery charging approaches by using a microprocessor controlled dual rate design that will charge a battery linearly with time. In most charger designs, within the security and fire industries, charging current decreases as the battery charges, lengthening the charge time. In LSP designs, charge current is held constant until the microprocessor senses a charged condition, guaranteeing the fastest charge time.

Some designs use a PTC as the charge control element and these designs suffer from two problems; the first being an inability to start the charge process in a large battery set, the second being that the PTC changes the charge current with temperature. Both of these problems may prevent a large battery set from ever recharging properly. These common problems are solved with SureCharge.

Each power supply is switch-selectable for 12 or 24V, there is no need to stock units in both voltages.

Every power supply is based on OLS design, there is no need to stock step-down transformers.

Every power supply provides the exact same features of fire alarm disconnect, fault outputs, high capacity battery charging, and interchangeable mounting footprints. Only the power level changes, so only two units are needed in service inventory to replace any LSP power supply in the field, one FPO250 and one FPO75.

The FlexPower feature Reliability+ is a step forward for this type of equipment.

The electronic circuits have been designed to protect themselves from abnormal field conditions. Each unit has protection from incoming line surges, output short circuits, high temperature conditions, and output loading surge currents. Heat is the major contributor to early failure in any power supply component. FlexPower's high efficiency design increases reliability and service life by lowering the operating temperature well below that of any competitive product.

A LifeSafety Power product is designed to operate at full rated power, in high temperature conditions, 24/7 continuously.

A PTC is a semiconductor circuit breaker used to protect electronic circuits from overload conditions. A PTC does not need to be replaced after operation as a fuse would. To restore a PTC to operating condition, remove the load from that circuit for a few seconds and the PTC will restore. A PTC is also used in a circuit rated for Class 2 power limited operation, as a fuse is not acceptable for class 2 power limited operation by the listing agencies.

All LifeSafety Power distribution boards come either fuse rated at 3A per output (ie D8) or with Class II DTC rating of 2.5A per outputs (ie D8P).

Linear power supplies are an older technology and are inherently inefficient. A large step-down transformer is required and the regulator operates by "burning off" extra voltage as heat. Efficiency levels for linear power supplies are typically in the 65% range and are generally limited to a single preconfigured output voltage dependant on the input transformer. Linear power supplies are generally being phased out, driven by state and federal regulations.

"Switch Mode" power supplies also utilize a large step down transformer similar to a linear power supply, but make slight improvements in efficiency through a different regulation technique. Rather than converting the extra voltage to pure heat, a Switch Mode power supply switches on and off internally to keep an electrical "tank" at the desired voltage. However, due to the requirement for a step down transformer and high power dissipation within the power supply circuitry, Switch Mode power supplies still operate at higher temperatures and lower efficiency than an OLS power supply.

An OLS power supply operates on the same principles as a switch mode power supply, but eliminates the need for a step down transformer, improving efficiency, while reducing weight and heat output. The AC line voltage is connected directly to the input of an OLS power supply, which then switches internally to keep an electrical "tank" at the desired voltage - just as a Switch Mode power supply does - but with the lower internal power dissipation and the elimination of the large step down transformer, an OLS power supply is able to achieve nearly 90% efficiency and far lower operating temperatures than either a Linear or Switch Mode power supply.

A.  The DC1 output on an FPO power supply is a continuous, non-controllable output, while the DC2 output can be controlled with the FAI input.  If FAI is not used in an installation, the DC2 output can be used as a continuous output as well.

A.  FAI stands for Fire Alarm Interface.  A Fire Alarm Interface allows for the control of selected outputs when an input, usually from a Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP), is received.  The selected outputs can be enabled or disabled upon of the receipt of the FAI signal to control power to devices such as locks, door holders, and smoke dampers.

The most common application for FAI is for removing power from maglocks when a fire alarm occurs to allow for faster egress.  An FAI input is not limited to being connected to an FACP – devices such as a keypad can be connected to an FAI input for controlling a single door’s lock in small systems or it may be used for other simple control applications.

FAI input types vary by manufacturer.  All LifeSafety Power FAI inputs allow for the use of a failsafe or fail-secure dry contact, voltage input, polarity reversal, or open collector for activation.  All of LifeSafety Power’s FAI inputs also feature an optional latching feature often required for Canadian installations.