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Hybrid wireless fire detection

Ekho is a wireless based family of products. At the core of the system is the wireless Translator module. It is hard-wired to the fire alarm control panel loop and communicates continuously with the wireless devices.

Ekho sensors are supplied in three variants: Optical, Thermal and Multi Criteria, which cover a wide range of applications. The Optical and Multi Criteria detectors feature double dust traps and adaptive signal processing to prevent false alarms. Thermal detectors can respond to a fixed temperature threshold or detect a rate of rise in temperature.

Ekho solves some of the traditional wireless fire detection system limitations in point-to-point radio linking by incorporating a mesh radio topology. The Ekho Expander modules create a self-configuring mesh network, which constantly relays field device signals back to the Translator module. Each wireless device determines which Expander has the strongest signal path and automatically connects to it. The Expander mesh network guarantees an ‘always on’ connection between the wireless devices and the Translator/fire control panel.

Some of the improvements are: an extended range up to 1,2 km between device and transponder in free air; the number of devices per expander is unlimited and only limited by loop capacity; and lower power consumption has extended battery life up to 10 years.

On the device side there is an addition of a hybrid wireless optical sensor with built-in voice alarm and VAD. This device is not only a smoke detector sounder with 51 tones and VAD, but also a voice evacuation device.

Ekho is ideal for environments where cabling is not desired or environments where rapid deployment with the option to move with the project and/or risk is required, like construction sites.

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