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System Sensor

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System Sensor
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1984 (1984)
Headquarters
St. Charles, Illinois
,
USA
Area served
World
Key people
John Hakanson, President
ProductsFire detection and notification devices
Number of employees
1,900
ParentHoneywell International
Websitebuildings.honeywell.com/us/en/brands/our-brands/system-sensor
A System Sensor SpectrAlert Advance Speaker Strobe

System Sensor is an American manufacturer of fire protection equipment. Headquartered in St. Charles, Illinois, System Sensor is a subsidiary of Honeywell International.[1] System Sensor develops and distributes fire alarm devices such as notification appliances, fire detectors, manual initiating devices (pull stations and call points), CO detectors, and more fire protection devices for multiple markets across the globe, and for other Honeywell companies.[2][3]

History

System Sensor was founded in 1984 as a division of BRK responsible for the 800 series system smoke detectors. In 1987, System Sensor began producing the Multi-Alert sounders, which were multi-tone devices that came in different variants such as a horn/strobe. The PA400 was a mini horn released around this time. System Sensor also released the 400 series detectors around this time.

Between 1990 and 1991, the System Sensor brand was moved to Pittway Corporation. System Sensor later updated their notification appliances with ADA-complaint strobes. Starting in 1997, the notification appliances was replaced with the SpectrAlert series. In the 2000’s, System Sensor was acquired from Pittway by Honeywell International. Around this time, System Sensor introduced the i3 line of smoke detectors. In 2006, the original SpectrAlert series were replaced with the SpectrAlert Advance. In 2017, the System Sensor L-Series was released. All SpectrAlert Advance products, expect for the outdoor models and mini horns, were discontinued by February 2020. In October of 2023, System Sensor announced the LED L series. The original L Series is planned to be discontinued In Late 2023. Some L-Series low frequency sounders have been recalled on March 14, 2024.

Products

Notification Appliances

MASS Series

An ADA compliant version of the MASS.

The MASS was multi-tone and came in remote horn and horn strobe models as well as remote strobe models, and speaker strobes and remote speakers. The MASS series was originally sold under BRK Electronics and later under System Sensor. It featured a xenon flash tube housed under a translucent white plastic (Dubbed "Frosted Strobes" by enthusiasts). The original MASS series used break off tabs to change the tone meaning that once the tone is changed, it is permanent. The MASS series was later on updated to use jumpers rather than break off tabs. In 1993, System Sensor filed a patent for a new strobe that was ADA compliant. It featured a clear lens and a reflector to distribute the light as well as higher candela options, the minimum being 15 candela. Soon after, System Sensor implemented the ADA-complaint strobe. In 1997, the MASS was replaced by the SpectrAlert series.

PA400 Series

The System Sensor PA400 was a mini horn, with an optional strobe attachment. In 2007, the PA400 series was discontinued and replaced with the MH series sold under the SpectrAlert Advance name.[citation needed]

SpectrAlert Series

A SpectrAlert horn strobe.

The SpectrAlert series was the successor to the MASS series. The SpectrAlert series included horn strobes, strobes, remote horns, chimes, chime strobes, speakers, and speaker strobes. A main feature of these alarms was the ability to sync them using a System Sensor MDL sync module or the System Sensor sync protocol on a supported fire alarm control panel. Three years after the initial release of the SpectrAlert series, System Sensor released the ceiling mount SpectrAlerts. This included horn strobes, remote strobes, speaker strobes, and remote speakers. There were multiple generations of the SpectrAlert. The first generation had a screw lock. The second generation, released in the early 2000s, replaced the screw lock with a clip lock. Approximately before 2006, the third generation was released with multi-candela strobes, and replaced the jumpers for the horn tone with DIP switches. In 2006, the original SpectrAlert series were replaced with the SpectrAlert Advance. A few years after the discontinuation of the SpectrAlert series, fire alarm enthusiasts dubbed the SpectrAlert series as "SpectrAlert Classic" indicating that it is the original SpectrAlert line of fire alarm products. The term became popular and is now being used by most fire alarm enthusiasts today.

A SpectrAlert Advance ceiling mount horn strobe.
An L-Series remote strobe.
L-Series speaker strobe.

SpectrAlert Advance Series

The SpectrAlert Advance was introduced in 2006 to replace the Legacy SpectrAlerts.[citation needed] Its main features were an updated mounting plate wiring design, allowing for easier installation, more candela options, and an updated design. The Advance came in the same models as the original SpectrAlert, with the addition of mini horns, and Low-frequency sounders, which were released in 2014.

All SpectrAlert Advance products, except for the outdoor models and mini horns, were discontinued by February 2020.

L-Series

In 2017, the System Sensor L-Series was released, replacing the SpectrAlert Advance series.[citation needed] New features included a new 3000 hertz tone, more candela options, lower power draw, and an updated design. The low frequency devices were released in 2018. The new low frequency devices had Temporal 4 for Carbon Monoxide (CO) operations. In October of 2023, System Sensor announced the release of a new LED L-Series that uses lower current draw, which would replace the Xenon L-Series devices; the latter was discontinued as of late 2023.[4] Some L-Series low frequency sounders have been recalled on March 14, 2024. [5]

L-Series LED

In October of 2023, System Sensor announced the release of a new LED L-Series that uses lower current draw to replace the Xenon L-Series devices.[4]

Detection Devices Conventional

400 Series (Discontinued)

In the 1990’s System Sensor introduced a line of smoke detectors including the System Sensor 1400 2-wire Ionization detector and the 2400 2-wire Photoelectric detector.

100 Series (Partially discontinued)

In the mid 1990's, System Sensor introduced the 100 series of detectors. Most common models of them are the 2100, 2151 and the 1151. The model numbers with 51 at the end means it is base wired and uses bases similar to addressable System Sensor detectors. They also have 2 designs, one from the mid 1990's to around 2003 and one from 2003 which look like firelite's 355 series.

i3 Series

In the 2000’s, System Sensor introduced the i3 line of smoke detectors, which came in 2 and 4 wire models. These devices have a feature which they will poll with the fire alarm panel when the sensor is dirty, causing a trouble condition on the panel. There are also version's with a heat element and a piezo sounder incorporated in the detector.

Detection Devices Addressable

500 Series (Discontinued)

Addressable version of the 400 series. The detectors come in optical (2551), heat (5551), ionization (1551) and optical/heat (2551T) variants. Most versions are base wired. That is indicated with the 51 in the end of the model number. This series came out in the late 80's and got discontinued in the mid 1990's.

200 Series (1st generation) (Partially Discontinued)

This series is still produced today after almost 30 years since it was introduced but came in multiple designs. The first version was just the 2251 and came out in the mid 90's but got discontinued in 2003. Variants of this generation include:

  • Optical (2251)
  • Ionization (1151)
  • Heat (5251)
  • Photo-heat (2251T)
  • Laser (7251)
  • Multi-sensor with heat, optical, IR and CO (2251-COPTIR/2251-CTL)
  • Spot type aspirating detector (filtrex/harsh) (FTX-P1)
  • And supposedly an optical-ion-heat multi sensor (notifier model IPX-751).

Most of these detectors run on clip only but all detectors have version's to run on advanced protocol (System Sensor's name for flashscan like protocol). Most common variant of these which run advance protocol are the 2251CTL and 2251COPTIR which are still produced today.

200 Series (2nd generation/generation b) (Discontinued)

After 2003, the first generation was discontinued and a new design was made (similar to Firelite SD355 series). This series was discontinued somewhere around 2020. This is also the first series to fully have advanced protocol even though clip versions exist. They came with these variants:

  • Optical (2251B)
  • Ionization (1251B)
  • Heat (5251B)
  • Optical/heat (2251TB)
  • Smart optical/heat Multi-sensor (ADAPT)

200/300 Series (3rd generation/generation c/b)

After 2020 System Sensor discontinued the generation b and introduced a new generation. This series is either referred to as 2351B or 2251C. In this part they will be referred as both. They come in

  • Optical (2351B/2251C)
  • Heat (5351B/5251C)
  • Laser (73512B/7251C)
  • Optical/Heat (2351TB/2251CT)

variants. They also supposedly should have

  • Photo/heat/Ir Multi-sensor (Notifier model FPTI-951)
  • Photo/Heat/IR/CO Multi-sensor (Notifier model FCO-951)
  • Photo/Co Multi-sensor (Notifier model FPC-951)
  • Co detector (Notifier model FSCO-951).

This is the first series which come standard in advanced protocol and needs a special model to work with clip systems. The clip possible models is identified with an IV in the model.

Addressable modules

System produces addressable modules like contact monitor modules, zone monitor modules, relay modules, control modules, mains switching relay module's and more for fire systems. These are for to integrate a conventional zone or switch like a sprinkler flow switch to work on an addressable system or turn off or on a fan incase of a fire. There were three generations of these modules all under the M500 series. 1st generation was from the late 1980's to mid 1990's, 2nd generation was from the mid 1990's to mid 2000's. This is the first series to have the advanced protocol. The next generation was from the mid 2000's and is still in production today.

European Products (addressable)

System Sensor does produce detectors for the European market along with KAC alarm company. European System Sensor products used to be really similar to the American counterparts until the Mid-2000's when Honeywell fully took over pittway. This section will also include KAC products as they are the same.

Sounders

System Sensor does make addressable loop powered sounder's which are easy to program on the panel. System Sensor had 3 series of sounders. The names of these series aren't listed on the internet so we'll classify them differently than it actually might be.

KAC addressable sounders (mid 1990s - early 2000's)

This series is the first series of addressable sounders that system sensor/KAC made (pittway). These run clip only and the strobes have xenon tubes instead of LEDs. Variants include: sounders, sounder strobes, strobes, sounder bases.

System Sensor addressable sounders (early 2000's - mid 2010's)

This is the second line of System Sensor addressable sounders. These were from the point when Honeywell took over System Sensor entirely. These can run advanced protocol even though the detectors and module at the time were clip only. Variants include: sounders, sounder strobes, strobes, sounder bases, strobe bases, sounder strobe bases. These were mounted with special base

NFXI (Notifier Term) range (Mid 2010's)

This is the 3rd range of addressable sounders. Came out in the time that advanced/opal (opal is European notifier flashscan equivalent) stuff were produced more. Variants include: sounders, sounder strobes, strobes, sounder bases, strobe bases, sounder strobe bases. These were mounted on a standard B501 detector base. These also use notifier rotary address dials like System Sensor/notifier detectors unlike the previous ranges just used small potentiometer.

Detectors

500E Series (Discontinued)

Same as the American counterparts but has an "E" or "EN" in the model number. Example: 5251E

200E Series (Partially Discontinued)

Europe only used the first style of detectors. Same as the American counterparts but has an "E" or "EN" in the model number. Example 2251E. There is no advanced protocol version. Only detectors not in that series here is the "Filtrex" detector. Notifier has a European counter part instead of System Sensor. Model for that is the HPX-751.

2000E Series

This series in not used in the US. Comes with the possibility to have advanced protocol running on it. Variants include:

  • Optical (22051E)
  • Heat (52051E)
  • Photo/Heat (22051TE)
  • Photo/Heat/IR Multi-Sensor (22051TLE)

Modules

System produces addressable modules like contact monitor modules, zone monitor modules, relay modules, control modules, mains switching relay module's and more for fire systems. These are for to integrate a conventional zone or switch like a sprinkler flow switch to work on an addressable system or turn off or on a fan incase of a fire. There were 2 generations with the second having 2 styles.

M500 Series (mid 90s-Mid 2000s)

  • European model defined with "E" suffix in model number
  • Same design as the Notifier MX series (Example CMX-1)
  • Almost completely discontinued except Mini Mods (M501ME/M501MEA) and call points (MCP5A/M5A).

M200 Series

  • Different design then the American counter parts.
  • Originally came clip only but now has advanced protocol.
  • Has multiple ways of mounting like a single module box, 6 module box and din rail mounting.
  • Has a new updated design which comes only in advanced protocol unlike the older design which came standard in clip.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Companies". Honeywell Life Safety. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2009.
  2. ^ "Products". buildings.honeywell.com. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  3. ^ "Holykell Technology". Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Product Announcement: L-Series with LED Notification Appliances" (PDF). System Sensor. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  5. ^ "Operational issues on the System Sensor Low Frequency Sounder models" (PDF). System Sensor. March 11, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
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