Installation manual

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SIMPLEX Fault Assistance Guide RevA
29 April 2009
1.1.7 Positive/Negative Earth Ground Faults
Simplex 4100 Series Fire Panels have the ability to detect positive or negative Earth Ground
Faults. An Earth Ground Fault occurs when an electrical circuit is shorted to ground. It is
imperative that Earth Ground Faults are located and repaired as multiple earth faults can
disable communications meaning small or large components of the Fire Detection System may
not function correctly (i.e. multiple earth faults on a Mapnet loop can disable the entire loops
communications channel rendering it inoperative).
Possible Causes (Examples)
 Water Damage – creates electrical pathways
 Terminations touching metal contacts or metal structures
 Insulation breaking down
 Mounting screws piercing cabling
 Damaged Card in a Fire Panel
 Incorrect wiring to modules
1.1.7.1 Earth Ground Fault Detecting and Locating
There are various ways to test and locate an earth ground fault. The methods utilised can vary
between the different 4100 Series Fire Panels.
Simplex 4100U – The Simplex 4100U series fire panel has the most advanced earth fault
monitoring available to the Simplex Fire Panel Range. The 4100U has the ability to self
diagnose and locate the general locale of an earth fault, enabling the saving of much time and
effort during diagnosis. There are two main Earth Fault Detection options available for
selection in the menu options (accessed via the 4100U fascia), a ‘Location Search’ and an
‘IDNet channel Search.’
To run an Earth Fault Diagnostic, you will firstly need to login to the panel with a sufficient
access level as shown below;
Access Level: 3
Passcode: 333 (Or contact your local Simplex Branch)
This will then enable the ‘Diagnostics’ menu option available for selection. Choose a ‘Location
Search’ or an ‘IDNet channel Search’ and the panel will begin automatically searching different
circuits trying to locate the fault. Once the diagnostic has completed its search, you should
then have a finite area to focus your repairs. The IDNet channel search can even tell you which
section of the loop (i.e. between which isolators) the fault is located.
NOTE – It is possible for Earth Ground Faults to switch from Positive to Negative Earth Ground
Faults (or Vice-Versa), so when disconnecting circuits it is highly recommended that you
remove BOTH the positive and negative connections for efficient diagnosis.