Discussion

Audible alarms (also used to be called buzzers) have been a part of our daily life from smoke
detectors to cars. Many of these warning uses are harmless, as in a microwave oven. In certain
applications, however, such as in a smoke detector or medical device, a person's life can depend
on the audible warning signal. In all cases, in order to achieve acceptable efficiency and avoid
costly overhaul the equipment manufacturer should find the required characteristics of the
audible alarm during the initial design planning phase. A designer's first feature to consider is the
form of sound, such as a constant, sporadic or specialty tone. Other critical requirements are
sound level, duration, current pull, efficiency, design of the mounting, cost and availability. The
electromagnetic type and piezoelectric type are two main types of audible alarms.

We used electromagnetic buzzer for this experiment, which consists of a plastic housing with a
metal diaphragm which is flexed by an electromagnet. The key benefit of this design is the
ability to get low frequencies inside a small package. Drawbacks include mechanical wear, poor
sound performance, electrical noise, and high power consumption. The designer will choose the
desired sound level after deciding on the type of sound required such as a continuous tone,
intermittent tone or specialty sound. The level of sound is the size or amplitude of variations in
the air pressure created by the audible alarm. For an audible warning the essential characteristic
to remember is the measured frequency (also musically known as pitch). The frequency of the
sound is the number of pressure variations per second, and is expressed in Hertz (Hz). The power
consumption of all electronic devices has become an significant concern as device design
specifications shift towards lower voltage levels and battery operated systems. Since audible
warning devices may play a critical role in an application, one significant consideration should
be the quality of the buzzer.

Circuit designers sometimes misunderstand that an audible alarm is a single component while an
audible alarm is a complicated assembly in fact. It is also necessary to remember the
environmental and electrical testing methods used by the audible alarm manufacturer to ensure
their devices are suitable for most applications. In the last couple of years many patterns have
emerged in the audible alarm industry. Although the market for large panel mount industrial
units continues to rise steadily, demand for smaller and quieter pc board mounting units has
maintained a strong upward pace. Also, the product range of surface mount audible alarms has
increased to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for this form set.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the audible warning (buzzer) plays an significant role in protection and security in
particular, and even alerts us of imminent dangers or hazards. Advantages for the manufacturer
of audible alarms indicators include ease of use and the assurance that the system has been
extensively checked across the entire operating temperature spectrum and environmental
conditions. Audible alarm signals are used in different applications and locations across the
globe, usually, though not limited to, operating facilities. Unnecessary events can be avoided
with a proper tool installed at the right spot. Warning signals will alert us by the power of simple
and concise messages, and protect us from unexpected disasters and accidents. Such audible
warning signals can also be used in small business establishments to ensure land, employees and
visitors as well as industrial applications are secure.

References

Dan O’Brien (2012). Audible Alarm Basics. Retrieved from http://schusterusa.com/wp-

content/uploads/2012/12/Audible-Alarm-Basics.pdf