Technical Support : FAQ

1. How does the panel control remote annunciator LEDs?
2. What's the easiest way to configure a newly-installed system?
3. When an alarm or trouble occurs, what does the number next to the "T" or "A" mean?
4. The panel reports a ground fault -- how do I find it?
5. Can I do a "star" network on the RS-485 network loop?
6. Can I use both RS-485 connection on the network terminal block?
7. How long can my network wiring run be?
8. How many isolators can I / should I use and why?
9. How many devices per loop / total points?
10. How can I program a duct sensor as a supervisory device?
11. How do I relate the LED locations of the RLD to the locations selected at the point programming or group programming level?
12. What are the 3000 cabinet dimensions?
13. Why is PC3K is saying evaluation version?
14. How can I tell if the panel is communicating with the laptop?
15. What do I need to do to get the panel to communicate with the PC?
16. Why am I getting a point validation trouble now that I mapped my outputs to group 50?
17. How do I wire up an RDA?
18. Will the 3000 automatically compensate for daylight savings time?
19. How do I figure what power supplies I need to power my horn strobes?
20. Why do I get a ground fault trouble when I plug in my PCI cable to program?
21. Can I connect my very old 3000 to the NDC?
22. Will removing the RTC battery while the panel is powered up hurt anything?
23. How do you change the banner message?
24. What are the dimensions for the serial device enclosure and what is it used for?
25. After alarm, can you press silence to silence the horns but allow strobes to continue to flash?
26. How do you set the last NAC to be a steady power supply?
27. Why is my panel in trouble after changing from 1.3 to 1.4bb firmware?
28. Why is the LED on and the relay activated after the troubles have cleared and the panel is saying ALL SYSTEMS NORMAL?
29. Does the Technical Reference CD-ROM have what I need to program the 3000?
30. How do I disable the batteries while I am working in the shop?
31. How do I know what versions of firmware are in my 3000?
32. Why does panel communications in PC3K flash between online and offline?
33. I have an FZA hooked up to my 3000 panel. When I have an open on one of the class A circuits, the trouble light comes on on the FZA but the panel never acknowledges the trouble. Why?

How does the panel control remote annunciator LEDs?

The Series 3000 FACP can drive remote LEDs for system status annunciation, or for building mapping applications. Remote LEDs can be driven by up to sixteen RLDs (each of which can handle up to 60 LEDs), and up to 32 PNI-DRVs (each of which can handle up to 256 LEDs or 64 relays).

Remote LEDs can be configured to annunicate the following:

Global System Info

• AC Power OK - This remote LED will be turned on when AC power is present. It is hard-mapped to LED #1.
• AC Power Fail - This remote LED will be turned on when AC power is absent. It is hard-mapped to LED #2.
• Offline - This remote LED will be turned on when the panel is offline. It is hard-mapped to LED #3.

Each input point may be mapped to two remote LEDs, each of which may annunciate either an alarm or trouble condition. The LED assignments are made in the Point Configuration dialog.

Output Group Annunciation

Each output group may be mapped to two remote LEDs. The first LED annunciates the state of the inputs assigned to the group, while the second LED annunciates the state of the outputs assigned to the group. Normally, these two LEDs cone on at the same time; the only situation in which they will not is when the panel uses the floor-above/floor-below capability of the panel, in which case a group's outputs may be activated regardless of whether or not the group's inputs are activated. The LED assignments are made in the Configure Groups dialog.

Each driver has a "base number", which is set during system configuration. This number sets the first LED (or relay) number that will be annunciated from that device. For example, if an RLD has a base LED number of "1", it will be able to annuciate LEDs 1-30 (or 1-60 if an RLD expander is installed). If more than one driver has the same base LED number, they will display identical information.

Note: The "special" output groups may be used to annunciate system-wide conditions:

• Output Group 99 = General Alarm
• Output Group 98 = General Trouble
• Output Group 97 = General Supervisory
• Output Group 96 = General Waterflow

What's the easiest way to configure a newly-installed system?

1. With power off, connect all network devices and SLC devices, disconnect relay outputs, connect EOL resistors across each of the NAC outputs, and connect a PCI cable to the program port
2. Apply power, and after the panel initializes, go to the "Program" menu
3. Go to the "Network" menu, select "Scan", and wait for the panel to finish searching for network devices
4. Select "Browse" and use the Prev/Next keys to verify that all installed network devices were found
5. Go to the "Points" menu, select "Auto-Program", and wait for the panel to finish searching for points
6. Select "Browse" and use the Prev/Next/6/7 keys to verify that all installed points were found
7. Press "Reset"
8. At this point, the panel should be functional, and operate without troubles
9. Go to the "Program" menu, then select "PC Programming"
10. Connect the PCI cable to a PC
11. On the PC, run PC3K and go to the "Panel Communications" dialog
12. Read point, group, and system data from the panel
13. Edit for proper point labels, group labels, mapping, and any special options
14. Save the data file
15. Send the point, group, and system data back to the panel
16. Reset the panel
17. At this point you should have a functional panel with proper point labels
18. Connect the NAC and relay outputs and test the system ...

When an alarm or trouble occurs, what does the number next to the "T" or "A" mean?

That's simply an event number -- it's not an alarm or trouble code. When browsing events, watch the event number to see whether you're moving backwards or forwards thru the event history.

The panel reports a ground fault -- how do I find it?

1. Go to the "Test" menu, select "CP3", and monitor the "Ground Fault" indication -- it will report either "Pos", "Neg", or "None"
2. Remove external connections from the panel one at a time; this includes SLC loops, NACs, relays, and the network
3. When the ground fault indication changes to "None", then the last thing you removed was the cause of the ground fault
4. Reconnect the ground fault-causing connection, then start removing devices from it, one at a time, until the ground fault indication changes to "None"; the last thing you removed was the cause of the ground fault

Can I do a "star" network on the RS-485 network loop?

No - you must wire from the panel to the input terminals of the RS-485 connection on the serial device, then wire from that serial device to the next serial device. In a style 6 network, you would then return from the last serial device to the return terminals at the S3000 panel.

Can I use both RS-485 connection on the network terminal block?

No - designed for either style 4 or style 6- you cannot 2 networks. There are two sets of terminals to allow you to install a more secure style 6 network. When wiring in the Style 4 configuration, you utilize terminals

How long can my network wiring run be?

Network wiring distance is affected by wire type and size and communication speed. Typical reliable distance for 14 gauge twisted pair is 6,000 feet. Belden wire numbers may be found in section 1.4.8.3 of the manual.

How many isolators can i/should i use and why?

Isolator modules allow you to segregate portions of the SLC loop and prevent shorts, opens or grounds from incapacitating all devices on the SLC loop. The use of isolators will also assist you to more rapidly troubleshoot the location of grounds, opens or shorts. Isolators do not take up a loop address and there is no limit to the number of isolators you can use on a loop. Another important point with Isolators is that the base is polarized - it is critical that you maintain the proper polarity of the isolator base wiring.

How many devices per loop / total points?

The S3000 allows 126 devices of any type on each SLC loop. The basic standalone panel will monitor up to 252 SLC devices.

The S3000 will accommodate up to 126 network devices and up to 1512 programmable points (does not include system points). This can be any combination of SLC devices, TZB/FZA conventional input zones, DIO input/outputs, or networked S1000 conventional input zones.

How can i program a duct sensor as a supervisory device?

Because the S3000 does not differentiate between a duct sensor or a regular sensor, it is not possible to program an addressable duct sensor as a supervisory device. To accomplish this for some AHJs and municipalities, utilize a conventional duct detector in conjunction with a 55000-830 or 55000-806 or 55000-820 (configured as an input) input modules.

How do I relate the LED locations of the RLD to the locations selected at the point programming or group programming level?

There are two steps. The first step is at the Network level. This is where you establish the address of the RLD, whether it has an expander (to allow 60 LEDs) and establish the starting point of the RLD addresses. By allowing this flexibility, it provides a mechanism to drive up to 3000 LEDs, or to have multiple RLD graphic drivers annunciating identical information.

Also, note the "hard-coded" LED addresses:

• 0001 = AC Power On
• 0002 = AC Fail
• 0003 = Offline

FAQ-S3K-012

What are the 3000 cabinet dimensions?

14.38" x 26.625" Depth: 3.7" without lid, 4 ½" with lid

FAQ-S3K-013

Why is PC3K is saying evaluation version?

Go to the Help menu and select Register. To receive a registration code call Safetech, ask for Nathan.

FAQ-S3K-014

How can I tell if the panel is communicating with the laptop?

On PC3K, click the tab labeled PC Communications. There will be a box stating either online (yellow) if it is communicating or offline (orange) if it is not.

FAQ-S3K-015

What do I need to do to get the panel to communicate with the PC?

On the panel, push 1 for Program. The Program menu will have six options. Press Next or Previous to see options seven through nine. Choose option 8 for PC Communications.

FAQ-S3K-016

Why am I getting a point validation trouble now that I mapped my outputs to group 50?

A group must contain both inputs and outputs to be valid.

FAQ-S3K-017

How do I wire up an RDA?

There will be four wires needed, two for RS-485 and two for power. Looking at the backside of the RDA, RS-485 will use the first two terminals from the left labeled + and -, 24 volts and ground can come from either terminal on the right side marked 24v and ground.

FAQ-S3K-018

Will the 3000 automatically compensate for daylight savings time?

No, the time must be manually changed by pressing 1 for Prog, 1 for clock, and 1 for time to compensate for daylight savings time. The date will also have to be changed manually to compensate for leap year.

FAQ-S3K-019

How do I figure what power supplies I need to power my horn strobes?

In the instruction sheet that comes with your horn strobes will be the ratings for the horn current and the strobe current. Follow this simple equation to figure amperage: ((Strobe Average Rating) + (horn rating)) * (horn strobe quantity) = current draw.

FAQ-S3K-020

Why do I get a ground fault trouble when I plug in my PCI cable to program?

The ground on the panel and the ground on the PC are separate. The panel will see this difference and give a ground fault condition. The ground fault will clear when the programming is complete and the cable is removed. To avoid getting the trouble set the panel to PC Communications before applying the PCI Cable or run the laptop on battery power. There will not be a potential difference when using a laptop running on battery power only.

FAQ-S3K-021

Can I connect my very old 3000 to the NDC?

If the CP3 has two relays at the bottom it will connect to the NDC. The CP3 with 3 relays for alarm and trouble will not support the new firmware needed for the NDC (version 1.4b8 or newer); therefore, it will not connect to the NDC.

FAQ-S3K-022

Will removing the RTC battery while the panel is powered up hurt anything?

You can remove the RTC battery at any time. You will get an RTC battery failure trouble upon removal. Don't be alarmed if the panel reinitializes while removing or reinstalling the battery, this is common.

FAQ-S3K-023

How do you change the banner message?

Press 1 for program, 2 for system, and 4 for edit banner message.

FAQ-S3K-024

What are the dimensions for the serial device enclosure and what is it used for?

The dimensions are as follows: 14.195" x 14.56" and depth is 3.25" with lid. It is used for housing expansion modules, like the RPC with the ACM, TZB, etc.

FAQ-S3K-025

After alarm, can you press silence to silence the horns but allow strobes to continue to flash?

All the horns will have to be connected to separate NACs than the strobes. The NACs with the horns will have to be changed to be silencable and the NACs with the strobes will have to be made non-silencable.

FAQ-S3K-026

How do you set the last NAC to be a steady power supply?

Press 1 for Prog, 5 for Outputs, 1 for Configure NAC, then press 4 until it reads PS-CON for continuous power supply.

FAQ-S3K-027

Why is my panel in trouble after changing from 1.3 to 1.4bb firmware?

When changing the firmware, all programming is lost. Be sure to save all programming in PC3K before removing the firmware chip. Programming must be downloaded again from PC3K or redone from panel front.

FAQ-S3K-028

Why is the LED on and the relay activated after the troubles have cleared and the panel is saying ALL SYSTEMS NORMAL?

The LED and relay will stay on if the trouble has been silenced before restoring with the version 1.3 firmware. The panel must be reset to deactivate as a precautionary measure. Version 1.4 bb and newer do not do this.

FAQ-S3K-029

Does the Technical Reference CD-ROM have what I need to program the 3000?

The Technical Reference CD-ROM has the unregistered PC3K program, but PC3K will have to register before using. A PCI Cable, part number 3000-6015, and a PC3K manual, part number 3000-0002, will also be needed to download the programming to the panel.

FAQ-S3K-030

How do I disable the batteries while I am working in the shop?

Press 1 for Prog, press silence 3 times and enter the access code 162738 then ENTER for v1.3, 156038 then ENTER for v.1.4bb to disable battery supervision.

FAQ-S3K-031

How do I know what versions of firmware are in my 3000?

Press 2 for Status and 4 for Versions. This will tell what versions are in the CP3, LPD, and PSC. To know what versions are in any network devices, press 1 for Prog, 3 for Network, 2 for Browse Devices. Each network device will be listed stating its firmware version at the bottom. Press the NEXT arrow to scroll through the devices.

FAQ-S3K-032

Why does panel communications in PC3K flash between online and offline?

Close the PC3K and reopen it to make the panel communications stay steadily online.

FAQ-S3K-033

I have an FZA hooked up to my 3000 panel. When I have an open on one of the class A circuits, the trouble light comes on on the FZA but the panel never acknowledges the trouble. Why?

The panel software must be upgraded to 1.4bf or later.