System Sensor P1224 and S1224 User Manual
System Sensor Equipment

D900-28-00
1
I56-1796-011R
For use with the following models:
Strobes - 12/24 volt: S1224MC, S1224MCW, S1224MCSP, S1224MCSPW, S1224MCP, S1224MCPW
Combo - 12/24 volt: P1224MC, P1224MCW, P1224MCSP, P1224MCSPW, P1224MCP, P1224MCPW
Horns - H12/24, H12/24W
Suffix	“W”	indicates	white	housing	models.	Suffix	“SP”	indicates	“FUEGO”	(Spanish	word	for	“FIRE”)	lettering	on	housing.
Suffix	“P”	indicates	plain	housing	(no	lettering).
The	Products	to	which	this	manual	applies	may	be	covered	by	one	or	more	of	the	
following	U.S.	Patent	numbers:	5,914,665;	5,850,178;	5,598,139;	6,049,446;	6,133,843;	6,522,261;	6,661,337;	5,931,569;	6,793,375;	6,822,400;	6,833,783;	6,838,997
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
3825 Ohio Avenue, St. Charles, Illinois 60174
1-800-SENSOR2, FAX: 630-377-6495
www.systemsensor.com
General Description
The	 SpectrAlert	 series	 notification	 appliances	 are	 designed	 to	
meet	the	requirements	of	most	agencies	governing	these	devices,	
including:	NFPA,	ADA,	The	National	Fire	Alarm	Code,	UL,	ULC,	
FM,	CSFM,	MEA.	Also,	check	with	your	local	Authority	Having	
Jurisdiction	for	other	codes	or	standards	that	may	apply.
The	SpectrAlert	series	can	be	installed	in	systems	using	12-	or	24-
volt	panels	having	DC	or	full-wave	rectified	(FWR)	power	supplies.	
The	series	can	also	be	installed	in	systems	requiring	synchroniza-
tion	(module	MDL	or	compatible	equivalent	required)	or	systems	
that	do	not	require	synchronization	(no	module	required).
NOTICE:	This	manual	shall	be	left	with	the	owner/user	of	this	equipment.
Fire Alarm System Considerations
Temporal and Non-Temporal Coded Signals:
The	American	National	Standards	Institute	and	the	National	Fire	
Alarm	Code	require	that	all	horns	used	for	building	evacuation	in-
Specifications
Automatic selection for 12 or 24 volt rated operation (DC or Full-Wave Rectified)
Electrical
Horns,	Strobes,	and	
	
Horn/Strobes Voltages:
Regulated 12 DC/FWR and Regulated 24 DC/FWR
Operational Voltage Ranges:
12V=8-17.5 Volts; 24V=16-33 Volts
Synchronous	Applications
	
with MDL Module:
12V=9-17.5 Volts; 24V=17-33 Volts
Operational Humidity Range:
10-93% RH (non-condensing)
NOTE: Horn units will operate on walk tests with on-time durations of .25 sec. or greater.
Flash Rate:
1 flash per second
Operating Temperature:
32° F to 120° F (0° C to 49° C)
Selectable Light Outputs:
All candelas are selectable via a manual slide switch.
12/24 Volt Applications:
15 or 15/75 candela
24 Volt Application:
30, 75, 110 candela
	15/75	 is	 listed	 at	 15	 candela	 per	 UL	 1971	 but	 will	 provide	 75	 candela	 on	 axis	
(straight	ahead).	15,	30,	75,	or	110	are	rated	for	that	candela.
Sound Output:
	Sound	output	levels	are	established	at	Underwriters	Laboratories	in	their	reverber-
ant	room.	Always	use	the	sound	output	specified	as	UL	Reverberant	Room	when	
comparing	products.
Listings:
UL S5512 (Strobe); UL S4011 (Combo)
Note for Strobes:
	Do	not	exceed:	1)	8-17.5	or	16-33	voltage	range	limit;	2)	maximum	number	of	70	
strobe	lights	when	connecting	the	MDL	Sync	module	with	a	maximum	line	im-
pedance	of	4	ohms	per	loop	and;	3)	maximum	line	impedance	as	required	by	the	
fire	alarm	control	manufacturer.
The models S1224MC, S1224MCW, S1224MCSP, S1224MCSPW, S1224MCP, S1224MCPW, P1224MC, P1224MCW, P1224MCSP, P1224MCSPW, P1224MCP, and
P1224MCPW incorporate a patented voltage booster design that has a more consistent flash bulb voltage over the range of candela selections. The benefit to
the customer is a high quality strobe device.
stalled	after	July	1,	1996,	must	produce	Temporal	Coded	Signals.
Signals	other	than	those	used	for	evacuation	purposes	do	not	have	
to	produce	the	Temporal	Coded	Signal.	Temporal	coding	is	accom-
plished	by	interrupting	a	steady	sound	in	the	following	manner:
1
/
2
Sec.
On
1
/
2
Sec.
Off
1
/
2
Sec.
On
1
/
2
Sec.
Off
1
/
2
Sec.
On
1
1
/
2
Sec.
Off
Repeats
Power Supply Considerations
Panels	 typically	 supply	 DC	 filtered	 voltage	 or	 FWR	 (full-wave	
rectified)	voltage.	The	system	design	engineer	must	calculate	the	
number	of	units	used	in	a	zone	based	on	the	type	of	panel	supply.	
Be	certain	the	sum	of	all	the	device	currents	do	not	exceed	the	
current	capability	of	the	panel.	Calculations	are	based	on	using	
the	 device	 current	 found	 in	 the	 subsequent	 charts	 and	 must	 be	
the	current	specified	for	the	type	of	panel	power	supply	used.
SpectrAlert Selectable Output Strobes, 
Horns, and Horn/Strobes
