vex pro manual

Approved Document no:Issue: 1.0 Issue Date: 07/11/2014

VEX ProVehicle Fire Suppression Controller


Table of ContentsIntroduction.............................................................................................................................................................3

Installation...............................................................................................................................................................4Power..........................................................................................................................................4Zones...........................................................................................................................................4Fire relay output..........................................................................................................................4Display connection.....................................................................................................................5Zone (1..3) connection................................................................................................................5

Connecting the zones...............................................................................................................................................6Overview of operation.............................................................................................................................................7

Alarm detection ..........................................................................................................................7Automatic (Ignition off)....................................................................................................7Manual mode (ignition on) ...............................................................................................7

Fault monitoring.........................................................................................................................7SelectingAutomatic or manual mode.........................................................................................7Aborting a release.......................................................................................................................7

Control Unit overview.............................................................................................................................................8Technical Specifications..........................................................................................................................................9


Introduction

The VEX Pro is a 3-zone fire suppression controller designed with vehicle fire suppression in mind, but willoperate where any power supply capable of delivering between 10-40V DC is available, no adjustments to thecontroller need to be carried out.

For full automatic operation the unit requires both a constant and a switched (ignition) power supply. The unit

will then automatically change from automatic to manual when the ignition is switched on.

If you require the controller to operate in eitherAUTO or MANUALmode then just the constant power is

required, the unit will operate in auto mode with the ability to switch to manual mode for service ormaintenance.

Pin Connection

1 Detectioncircuit Connect via firerated cable to temperature controlled linear

heat Detection cable.This should be terminated with an end-of-

line resistor.2

3 Extinguishingcircuit(-) Connecttoextinguishingunitdetonatorviafire-ratedcable.

4 Extinguishingcircuit(+)

Pin Connection Description

1 Switched Switchedpowersourcefromignition.Thisshouldbeconnectedthrougha

spare5Afuse.

2 Permanent Permanent(un-switched)powersource

3 GND Groundconnection


Installation

The VEX Pro has two parts. The base unit provides connections for the various wiring into the unit. Thecontroller unit is connected to the base unit via a coiled cable, such that the base unit can be hidden out of sight.

Connections

The VEX Pro base unit comes with all inputs and outputs clearly labelled.

Power

Power is provided via 3 screw terminals:

Zones

The VEX Pro is able to control up to 3 separate detection and extinguishing zones independentlyEach zone is connected with a 4-pin Molex connector

Zones must be terminated with an end-of-line resistor, even if they are not used.


Fire relay output

The Vex Pro provides a volt-free relay output for connection to external equipment and is activated when a zonegoes into alarm.

Display connection

This connects to the controller unit via an RJ11 terminated cord.

Zone (1..3) connection

Each zone is connected with a 4-pin polarised Molex connector. The detection zone is triggered when itsterminals are shorted – such as with linear heat cable.

The extinguishing outputs should be connected to the detonator of the aerosol unit in the monitored zone.


Connecting the zones

Important!!! It is recommended that the detection zones are connected and verified to operate correctlybefore connecting the extinguishing zones to avoid accidental release of the extinguishing aerosols.

Plug in all connectors and connect to the power source

Press the test button on the controller keypad – the LED display should now be showing faults on all connected

zones on both detection and extinguishing sides.

Insert the open ends of the detection cable into the end of line resistor block provided, on all connected zones.

Press the test button once again – faults on the detection side of the keypad will now have cleared. The faults on

the extinguishing zones will remain.

If the unit goes into alarm this may indicate a short-circuit in the detection zone which will need to be rectified

before installing the extinguishing zones.

A fault on a detection zone indicates an open circuit, check that the end-of-line resistors are properly installed

and that all detection-zone connections are properly mated.

It is now time to connect the aerosol for each zone

Important!! Ensure that the system is in manual mode before aerosol units are connected

Connect each aerosol unit to each active zone

Press the test button once more.All faults should now clear

If any faults remain,check all connections from the aerosol unit back to the controller and rectify connections as

necessary.

Press the reset button

The system is now active and ready


Overview of operation

Alarm detection

An alarm is indicated by a steadyALARM LED and a corresponding ZONE LED, and an alternating alarm

tone.

The system generally operates in 2 modes:

Automatic (Ignition off)

This is for when the vehicle is parked. In automatic mode, the system will automatically trigger the-

extinguishing circuits when an alarm is detected.

When an alarm is detected the unit will announce which circuits the alarm is on then sound an alarm tone for

15 seconds. It will then switch to a countdown tone which lasts for around 10 seconds, when the countdownfinishes the extinguishing circuit triggers and the unit announces that the extinguisher has been released.

Manual mode (ignition on)

This is for when the vehicle is in use in manual mode the alarm is announced as usual but the extinguisher

release requires the driver to operate the release button. This allows the driver to stop the vehicle before theextinguisher is released.

Fault monitoring

Afault is indicated by a flashing zone LED and a constant fault tone. Faults behave the same way in automatic

and manual mode. The extinguishing outputs are monitored every 5 minutes to avoid causing damage to thedetonators.

Selecting Automatic or manual mode

The unit defaults to being automatic when the ignition is off, and manual when the ignition is on.

This behaviour can be overridden by pressing the Auto/manual button. When the unit is inAuto mode the LED

next to the AUTO/MANUALbutton is illuminated.

The system reverts back to the default operation next time the ignition is changed.

Aborting a release

Arelease can be aborted by pressing the abort button during the alarm tone. If the system is in auto mode, the

abort should be pressed before the tone changes to the countdown release tone.

Release Releases the aerosol to any zone in alarm whilst in manual mode

Silence Used to silence fault alarms

Reset Resets the unit and clears any faults or alarm conditions. Any faults or alarms

still present will re-arm on reset.

Abort Used to abort a pending extinguisher release

Test Initiates a test on the detection and extinguishing zones

Automode Toggles the unit between automatic and manual mode

System active Indicates that the unit is powered up and operating correctly

Alarm Indicates that a zone has signaled a fire condition

Extinguishing Displays faults or activity on the extinguishing zones

Zones Displays faults or activity on the detection zones


Control Unit overview


Technical Specifications

Supply voltageQuiescent current

Heat cable end of line resistor

10-40v50mA@ 24v120mA@ 12V22k

Delay before countdown (automatic mode) ~15 seconds

Release countdownDetonator outputDetonator equivalent resistanceDetonator monitoring frequency

Fire relay contact rating

~10 seconds3A@ 15V5 ohmOn power up, then every 5 minutes or immediatelywhen test button pressed.2Aat 30VDC1Aat 125VAC

The Granary, Filston FarmFilston Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent

TN14 5JU

01732 652025

[email protected]

vex pro manual

Business