1. What is the Firelite ES 200X Battery Calculator?

This calculator determines the required battery capacity (in Amp-hours) for Firelite ES 200X fire alarm control panels based on standby current, alarm current, and a safety margin.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( ES\ 200X\ Standby \) — Standby current in amps
• \( Alarm \) — Alarm current in amps
• \( Margin \) — Safety margin (typically 1.2 for 20% extra capacity)
• 24 — Hours in standby calculation
• 0.083 — 5 minutes converted to hours (5/60) for alarm duration

Explanation: The calculation ensures the battery can power the system for 24 hours in standby plus 5 minutes in alarm, with additional margin for aging and temperature effects.

3. Importance of Proper Battery Sizing

Details: Correct battery sizing is critical for fire alarm system reliability. Undersized batteries may fail during power outages, while oversized batteries increase cost and space requirements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter standby current (typically 0.1-0.5A), alarm current (typically 1-5A), and margin (typically 1.2 for 20% extra capacity). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where do I find the standby and alarm currents?
A: These values are typically found in the ES 200X technical specifications or can be measured with an ammeter.

Q2: Why is there a margin factor?
A: The margin accounts for battery aging, temperature effects, and provides additional safety capacity.

Q3: What's the typical alarm duration?
A: NFPA requires 5 minutes of alarm operation for non-voice systems, which is why we use 0.083 hours (5 minutes).

Q4: Does this account for temperature effects?
A: The margin helps, but for extreme temperatures you may need additional derating factors.

Q5: Can I use this for other Firelite panels?
A: The formula is similar but consult specific documentation for other models as coefficients may vary.