The Fire Technicians Network

Mircom Technologies
Bulletins, Recalls, & Technical Service Notes:

FX-2000 FAULTY NAC CIRCUIT OPERATION WITH MIRCOM CSIS-102A SUITE ISOLATORS:
November, 2016 - Following the dissemination of this letter from Laurie Eisner, Mircom’s Vice-President for Product Development, to customers and distributors across Canada, we’ve been given to understand that Mircom will be issuing a technical bulletin.  It will require all notification appliance circuits that employ in-suite sounder isolators to be connected to a SGM-1004A notification circuit expansion module (or powered from a separate signal circuit booster supply) and not to any of the FX-2000 common control’s on-board NACs.  Additionally, the modules must be labelled with a manufacturing date AFTER November 2016 in order to ensure the signal circuit operation complies fully with the requirements of NBC and CAN/ULC-S524-06.

MIRCOM ANNOUNCES END OF SUMMIT BRANDED PANELS:
November, 2013 - Mircom Group of Companies has announced they will be transitioning all of the Summit Branded products to the Secutron Group, apparently to facilitate a rejuvenation of that line as well as to crank up their distribution network.  Here’s wishing them every success!

FA-300 Series Fire Alarm Controls & RAM-2xx Series Annunciators Technical Note:
The jumper settings for the remote annunciator listed in BOTH the installation manuals for the referenced equipment is incorrect.  You must move the jumper “JP1” settings from pins 1-2 (factory default) to pins 2-3 (16 bit checksum) for the annunciator to function correctly.

FX-350 Series MIX-101P Modules:
We’ve recently come across several factory sealed MIX-101P’s with the incorrect end-of-line resistors supplied.  Instead of the expected 10K resistors, Mircom has provided 47K units.  With the module set for “B” Class circuits (end-of-line supervised), you’ll find that you have an “open trouble” reporting at the common control if you’ve attached the incorrectly valued resistors.  Changing the resistors to the correct 10K rated units or setting dip switch eight (8) to “on” (and wiring the attached devices as a Class “A” circuit) will clear the trouble.

FA-1000 Series Technical Note 3:
Mircom has released a new installation manual for this panel.  Any remotely mounted annunciator now REQUIRES twisted shielded pair be used to terminate the RS-485 Data Communications Loop.  Please be advised that a SEPARATE two conductor cable must be run for the required twenty-four volt (24 VDC) power.  You CANNOT use the same cable assembly for power and data to any remote annunciator on this system.

CSIS-202A Signal Circuit Isolator Module Compatibility Issue (November 2011):
During the course of a recent Verification, an issue arose which has resulted in this technical bulletin. The CSIS-202A isolator module does not function correctly when used in signaling circuits that employ either the MIX-100S or the MIX-M500S Addressable Supervised Output Modules. A short applied to the "room side" of the CSIS-202 while in supervisory mode will not be isolated when an alarm occurs. 50% of the units we tested in which a short was applied during an alarm event also failed to protect the output module from failure. The module itself does not isolate the power supply (or NAC) from total failure if a short is applied to the signal output side. Mircom's engineering department is working to address this issue.

WORKAROUND! (Applies to FX-350 Series Intelligent Controls only) - Following extensive testing in various configurations, we have confirmed that the use of a Potter/Amseco IS-S Isolator when connected to an MIX-100S Supervised Output Module will provide the required short protection only when a NAC circuit from the FX-350 control is employed as the power input source. You must remember that the power input terminal designations on the MIX-100S apply to NAC polarity IN ALARM (not in supervisory mode). It is recommended that you move the jumper on the MIX-100S from sounder output to PA output. You must also check the box for the "Signal Isolator Used" option in the "Job Details" screen of the FX-350 Configuration Utility.

FA-1000 Series Technical Note:
Mircom has been experiencing some quality control issues with this panel. One (or several) of the microprocessor chips may not always be properly inserted. It is important to check that all the pins are properly aligned on each of the chips located on the common control board before you power up the unit. In addition, there have been instances where front panel lamps not associated with any zone or relay card randomly flash "on" (usually following a system reset). Should either of these conditions occur we would suggest that the control board be returned to your Mircom distributor for replacement.

FA-1000 Series Technical Note 2:
It is extremely important that installers, contractors, service personnel and testing agencies are aware that a number of these panels have been installed and commissioned using standard 18 gauge wire on the RS-485 communications loop (utilized by the remote annunciators). Mircom stipulates that twisted shielded pair be used and that power to the remote annunciators must be run via a separate cable (and not in the same wire jacket - i.e. five conductor 18 AWG for power and communications is not allowed). Please reference page 20 of the FA-1000 installation manual.

TAS-2000 Announcement:
January 2009 - Production of Mircom's TAS-2000 Series Enterphone has been curtailed. Those customers requiring support on the product will still be able to get it, but the new TSX Series is now the only product available for new installations. More information is available on their website.

TSX-3 Technical Note:
Premier release versions of this panel incorporated the original factory firmware. We note that one function (use of keyless entry codes) is not in accordance with the operating instructions. The instructions state that pressing the zero key ("0") will cause the unit to display the "enter keyless entry code" prompt. On units with original factory default firmware, this prompt will not appear. Instead, you must enter "9,9,9,8" and it will. The new firmware update (available from Mircom) will solve this issue.
 

Technical Support Contacts:

Technical Support: +1 (888) 647-2665

Head Office:
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Vaughan (Toronto), Ontario L4K 5W3
Telephone: 1-888-660-4655
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