Flashguard Xtravert

The latest addition to Micotech's range of sounder/strobe units combines a versatile upright design with the sleek, low-profile styling of the company's horizontally-mounted Flashguard Xtra model. Called Flashguard Xtravert, the new unit has elegant curved edges and a distinctive oval strobe lens, making it ideal for installations where appearance is a priority, while its vertical design provides a large area for the optional screen printing of installers' names, logos and telephone numbers.

The Flashguard Xtravert was designed and manufactured using state-of-the-art 3D modelling CAD/CAM techniques, and contains high quality components and technology.

All Flashguard Xtravert units feature a high visibility xenon strobe and a powerful sounder with a maximum output of 118 dB(A). The sounder has a microprocessor-controlled five-second first fit test feature which ensures only one trip up the ladder for the installer, and can be set to cut off automatically after nine or 15 minutes. For increased versatility, installers can choose between SAB or SCB operation (allowing the installer to connect more than one sounder in series).

Standard features include twin oscillating high visibility red LEDs, while protection against tampering is provided by a combined front and rear rocking microswitch. Inside the unit's durable polycarbonate case, the PCB is protected by a sealed enclosure and all electronic components are conformally coated to prevent moisture penetration. The gloss finish polycarbonate moulding and all electronics meet BS4737 requirements.

The Flashguard Xtravert features one piezo head as standard. An additional piezo head is available which simply clips into its allotted place on the backplate and is wired in parallel. The PCB, battery and piezo head are easily replaceable, making for simple and cheap maintenance. The Xtravert carries a three-year warranty and is supplied with a drill template and a cable measuring template to aid installation and prevent waste.

Free screen printing is available on all single colour orders of 50 units or more, which can comprise any combination of live or dummy units.

WHAT OUR EXPERTS SAY ...

Volumatic's warning devices division, renamed Micotech Ltd on January 31, has been in the business of manufacturing external sounders for years, and it has to be said that the popular Flashguard XL series has served installers well. However, compared to the newest generation of sleek, curvy low profile sounders the XL shape has been, for quite a while now, looking distinctly long in the tooth. Micotech last year took the appropriate steps to re-invent its product by introducing the horizontal Xtra, and now the vertically aligned Xtravert.

The sounder is a self-actuating type driving a piezo head at 118Db, with an integral flashing strobe light and twin oscillating red LEDs. The rechargeable NiCad is rated at 280 mA and is supplied with the PCB as standard, and the electronics are enclosed in a weather-proof, screwdriver-proof, clear plastic case. The unit is manufactured in the UK in Oldham, under an ISO 9002 QA system, and CE marked for distribution throughout most countries in Europe. Trade price is around £33 plus VAT from all the major distributors, and the manufacturer includes an excellent three year guarantee.

A decoy version is also available comprising the cover and a back fixing plate only.

CONSTRUCTION

One small problem faced by engineers installing a curved bell box is the difficulty of mounting the backplate straight and square on the wall. Micotech has thoughtfully addressed the problem by providing a template on the rear of the cardboard packaging, and additionally by making the top edge of the unit flat to accommodate a small spirit level. Three fixing screws are also provided, with suitable brown plugs.

The cover and backplate are both constructed from 3mm thick polycarbonate plastic, giving adequate rigidity and strength. It is electrically compliant with BS4737 part 1, section 8.2. The cover is available in white, red, yellow and blue, together with a choice of either blue or clear strobe lenses.

The small amount of programming available to installers is very quick and easy, and is facilitated by the on-board link selectors. These allow two different sound types – a rapid or longer two-tone sweep, plus timer selections of either nine or 15 minutes. The PCB also has an in-built five-second test timer on first connection of the rechargeable NiCad battery – very useful for installation engineers needing only one ladder-climb to mount, connect and secure the cover even if the hold-off supply is not available.

Other link selectors include an SAB/SCB switch, and the option of a single leg negative tamper return or a voltage-free terminal pair connected to the on-board microswitch, which protects against removal of the backplate from the mounting surface as well as removal of the front cover.

An additional pair of terminals are provided to connect an optional second microswitch to detect removal of the cover retaining bolt, giving a slightly quicker catch during unauthorised removal. The retaining bolt is aligned from the underside of the cover (in the six o'clock position) and is supplied with a white plastic cover cap.

A free, single colour, screen printing service is available through Micotech. Installers will need to supply their own artwork and purchase at least 50 units, although any mixture of SAB and decoy units can be ordered.

PERFORMANCE

We measured the current consumption for a full alarm condition (including flashing strobe light) at 400 mA and the quiescent 'hold-off' current at 24 mA. These were slightly less than stated in Micotech's own technical specification, which is no bad thing.

The noise created by the piezo was thought to be equally loud and irritating in each of the two 'speed' modes – indeed it is possible that this sounder could be too loud for some applications, for instance in a confined space with hard reflective surfaces. We did though, find a crude way of reducing the subjective sound level – by re-locating the piezo unit into the upper backplate position without removing the rear knockout disc. The flying leads on the supplied unit were just long enough to allow this.

If a greater sound level is required than the SA mode 118 Db, for instance in a more remote rural location, a second piezo head can be wired in parallel and snapped into place in the dedicated position just above the supplied piezo.

The twin oscillating LEDs are mounted close to the internal surface of the interchangeable strobe lens, and were thus easily visible in daylight even through the supplied blue lens. The flashing strobe light is similarly well positioned to give good daytime visibility during an alarm condition, at a rate of 1Hz.

When running in SCB mode, all the power to drive the piezo and strobe light comes from the on-board NiCad battery. Installers often make use of this mode of operation when used as a second external sounder, negating the need for additional power supplies at the control equipment.

It should be noted that the subjective sound level decreases in this mode, as is only to be expected. We measured the current consumption from the 8.4v NiCad during SCB mode as 110 mA, giving a theoretical output of around two hours allowing for the NiCad battery to be 90 per cent efficient.

The technical support telephone and fax numbers are shown clearly on the back of the instruction booklet. The technician answering the call was friendly and knowledgeable.

The instructions supplied were simple but quite adequate. They include wiring and schematic diagrams together with simple technical definitions of each function.

In fact there is nothing in the functionality of this unit which is not self-explanatory, and it is unlikely that a professional installer would take more than a single glance at the technical literature.