Audible Detector Base

Product description Wire size: 12 to 18 AWG (2.50 to 0.75 sq mm). Sizes 16 and
18 AWG are preferred.
Compatible detectors: All Signature Series detectors
Compatible electrical boxes
AB4G-SB Surface Box for Audible Base
North American 2-1/8 in (54 mm) deep 4-inch square box
North American 4 by 4 inch octagonal ring (mud box)
Standard European 100 mm square box
Agency listings: Meets or exceeds requirements specified in
UL 268, UL 464, and ULC-S525
Base diameter: 6.8 in (173 mm)
Base height from box: 0.8 in (21 mm)
Maximum distance from ceiling (wall mount): 12 in (305 mm)
Storage temperature: -4 to 140 °F (-20 to 60 °C)

Table 1: Operating current in mA (RMS)

Voltage Low dBA High dBA
16 Vdc 17 28
24 Vdc 24 41
33 Vdc 31 52
16 Vfwr 41 48
The Audible Detector Base is designed to add an audible
output function to any Signature Series detector. The base can 24 Vfwr 51 60
operate as an independent local alarm, or as part of a zone or 33 Vfwr 60 66
system alarm with synchronized audible output.
Vdc = Volts direct current, regulated and filtered
This installation sheet applies to Audible Detector Base units Vfwr = Volts full wave rectified
with model numbers GSA-AB4G and SIGA-AB4G.
The Audible Detector Base output is field-configurable for
Table 2: Sound level output (dBA)
output tone (steady or temporal) and output volume (low dBA
or high dBA). Signal Voltage Low dBA High dBA
Depending on the system supporting the Signature loop, the Reverberant room per UL 464 [1]
base can operate as follows:
Temporal 16 Vdc 71.5 78.1
• It can follow the state of the device it supports
• It can be configured (in the SDU) for other operating modes 24 Vdc 75.5 80.7
• It can be controlled by program rules you write
33 Vdc 78.5 83.1
The base uses the same address and programming label as
the detector it supports. Steady 16 Vdc 75.5 81.7
24 Vdc 79.5 84.5
Specifications 33 Vdc 81.8 86.5
Operating voltage: Regulated 16 to 33 Vdc, 16 to 33 Vfwr
Reverberant room per UL 268
This device was tested to the regulated 24 Vdc/fwr
operating voltage limits of 16 V and 33 V. Do not apply Temporal 16 Vdc 77.5 84.1
80% and 110% of these values for system operation.
Operating current: See Table 1 24 Vdc 81.5 86.7
Supervisory current: DC = 10 mA, FWR = 15 mA 33 Vdc 84.5 89.1
Default settings
Output volume: High dBA Steady 16 Vdc 81.5 87.7
Output tone: Temporal pattern
Sound level output: See Table 2 24 Vdc 85.5 90.5
Temporal pattern: 0.5 s on, 0.5 s off, 0.5 s on, 0.5 s off, 0.5 s 33 Vdc 87.8 92.5
on, 1.5 s off, repeat cycle
Operating temperature range: 32 to 120 °F (0 to 49 °C). Not all dBA = Decibels, A-weighted
detectors are rated for this range. Refer to the installation [1] For UL 464 applications, low dBA settings are for private
sheet for the specific detector used with the base. mode only
Operating humidity range: 0 to 93% RH

Installation Sheet 19NOV03 P/N: 3100672 REV: 2.0

Audible Detector Base 1/4
Installation instructions

Cautions
To avoid accidental damage to the panel, disconnect all power
before wiring the unit.
Electrical supervision requires the wire run to be broken at
each terminal. Do not loop the signaling circuit field wires
around the terminals.

The base must be connected to a continuous voltage whether

the output tone is set to steady or temporal.
Refer to Figure 1 when you install the base.
Sleeping rooms: In sleeping areas, the high dBA output and
steady tone settings must be used.
AB4G-SB: When using the AB4G-SB box, install a reinforcing
plate at every knockout you use. (Reinforcing plates are
included with the box.) Remove the knockout first, then slide
the reinforcing plate into the plastic housing. After the plate is
in place, install the conduit connector and nut. See Figure 2.

To install the sounder base:

1. The unit default is for high dBA output. To set the output to
low dBA, cut the circuit board trace as marked on the back
of the PC board. (See Figure 3.)
2. The unit default is for temporal pattern output. To set the
output to steady tone, cut the circuit board trace as marked
on the back of the PC board. (See Figure 3.)
3. Select and install a compatible electrical box, and bring the
field wiring into the box.
4. Connect the field wiring to the terminals on the back of the
base plate. You must observe polarity for the unit to
function properly. (See Figure 3.)
5. Attach the base plate to the electrical box.
6. Align the trim ring so that the four tabs on the ring mate
with the four slots in the base plate, then press the trim ring Figure 1: Installing the Audible Detector Base
onto the base plate until the tabs lock.
7. Attach the desired Signature detector to the base. Align the
arrows on the detector and trim ring, press the detector into
the base, and rotate the detector until it locks into place.
8. Apply power and activate the unit to verify that it is
operating properly.

Figure 2: Installing reinforcing plates on the AB4G-SB box

P/N: 3100672 REV: 2.0 19NOV03 Installation Sheet

2/4 Audible Detector Base
Wiring diagram
For additional wiring details, see the applicable control panel
installation manual.

Volume setting Tone setting

Default = High volume Default = Temporal pattern
Cut for low volume Cut for steady tone

To configure output
volume or tone, cut
DATA- DATA- DATA+
the circuit board as
SIG+ SIG- OUT IN IN/OUT shown.

24 Vdc in - - 24 Vdc out

From power supply or To next base or EOL relay
previous base
+ +

-
Data in - Data out
From Signature controller or To next Signature device
previous device + +

Figure 3: Output configuration and wiring diagram

Application diagrams
Detector operates the base The Signature CR module is optional, and is used to silence
the bases on the line.
In this application the detector operates the base. That is, the
base follows the state of the detector, going into and out of
alarm with the detector.

First device Last device

AB4G AB4G
IN/OUT

IN/OUT
DATA+

DATA+
S IG+

S IG+
S IG-

S IG-

24 Vdc
From listed - Listed EOL
power supply + relay and
supervising
8 7 6 module

CR
4 3 2 1

Data in
From Signature +
controller
-

Figure 4: Wiring for detector operation of bases

Installation Sheet 19NOV03 P/N: 3100672 REV: 2.0

Audible Detector Base 3/4
System turns on all bases The Signature CR module is optional, and is used to silence
the bases on the line.
In this application the detector operates the base. In addition,
all bases on the line can be activated by system programming
that triggers the Signature CRR to reverse supplied polarity.

First device Last device

AB4G AB4G

IN/OUT

IN/OUT
DATA+

DATA+
S IG+

S IG+
S IG-

S IG-
24 Vdc
From listed - Listed EOL
power supply + relay and
supervising
8 7 6 8 7 6 5 module

CR CRR
4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1

Data in
From Signature +
controller
-

Figure 5: Wiring for detector and system operation of bases

System turns on bases with synchronization
In this application, all bases on the line are activated by system
programming that triggers the Signature CRR module. The
bases are synchronized by the G1M-RM for temporal sound.
If the Signature CRR module is not activated, then each
detector can still operate its base, but the bases will not be
synchronized.
The Signature CR module is optional, and is used to silence
the bases on the line.

First device Last device

AB4G AB4G
IN/OUT

IN/OUT
DATA+

DATA+
S IG+

S IG+
S IG-

S IG-

Listed EOL
relay and
supervising
module

8 7 6 5 8 7 6 8 7 6 5

G1M-RM CR CRR
4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1

24 Vdc
From listed -
power supply +
Data in
From Signature +
controller
-

Figure 6: Wiring for synchronized operation

P/N: 3100672 REV: 2.0 19NOV03 Installation Sheet

4/4 Audible Detector Base