Short-circuit isolator
A short-circuit isolator for electrically isolating a short circuit in a fire protection system includes a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module may transmit a status of short-circuit isolator and/or additional data that can be detected by a tool carried by an operator. The wireless communication module may additionally allow the operator to locate the short-circuit isolator, based on an intensity of a wireless signal from the wireless communication module.
1. A fire protection system comprising:
a fire control panel; and
a plurality of components electrically connected to the fire control panel in a circuit having a loop configuration, wherein the components comprise one or more of a heat detector, a smoke detector, a fire alarm, and a manual call point;
wherein the circuit is divided into electrically-isolatable segments using at least one short-circuit isolator for electrically isolating a short circuit in the fire protection system, the short-circuit isolator comprising a wireless communications module.
2. The fire protection system according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications module is configured to transmit a status indicative of whether the short-circuit isolator has been activated.
3. The fire protection system according to claim 1 , wherein the short-circuit isolator is configured to operate in accordance with a command received via the wireless communications module.
4. The fire protection system according to claim 1 , wherein the short-circuit isolator comprises a memory configured to store data relating to operation of the short-circuit isolator and/or health of the fire protection system at the short-circuit isolator.
5. The fire protection system according to claim 4 , wherein the short-circuit isolator is configured to transmit at least part of the data from the memory via the wireless communications module.
6. The fire protection system to claim 1 , wherein the short-circuit isolator is configured to interrupt an electrical circuit responsive to detection of a short circuit.
7. The fire protection system according to claim 6 , wherein the short-circuit isolator is configured to detect a short circuit by detected of a reduction in line resistance within the circuit to below a threshold value.
8. A building comprising the fire protection system according to claim 1 .
9. A method of interacting with a short-circuit isolator in the fire protection system according to claim 1 , the method comprising wireless receiving data from the short-circuit isolator and/or wireless transmitting a command to the short- circuit isolator.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the data comprises a status indicative of whether the short-circuit isolator has been activated.
11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the data comprises one or more of:
data relating to the operation of the short-circuit isolator during a period prior to activation of the short-circuit isolator; and/or
data relating to the operation of the short-circuit isolator after activation of the short-circuit isolator; and/or
data relating to the health of the fire protection system at the short-circuit isolator.
12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the command comprises one of:
a command to test a line resistance at the short-circuit isolator;
a command to wirelessly transmit log data from the short-circuit isolator;
a command to electrically isolate two wiring segments adjacent the short-circuit isolator; and
a command to electrically connect two wiring segments adjacent the short-circuit isolator.
13. A method of locating a short-circuit isolator in the fire protection system according to claim 1 , the method comprising:
detecting a wireless signal emitted by the short-circuit isolator; and
determining a source of the wireless signal based on a strength of the wireless signal.
14. A method of interacting with a short-circuit isolator, the method comprising wirelessly receiving data from the short-circuit isolator and/or wireless transmitting a command to the short-circuit isolator, wherein the data comprises one or more of:
data relating to the operation of the short-circuit isolator during a period prior to activation of the short-circuit isolator; and/or
data relating to the operation of the short-circuit isolator after activation of the short- circuit isolator; and/or
data relating to the health of the fire protection system at the short-circuit isolator.
15. A method of interacting with a short-circuit isolator, the method comprising wirelessly receiving data from the short-circuit isolator and/or wireless transmitting a command to the short-circuit isolator, wherein the command comprises one of:
a command to test a line resistance at the short-circuit isolator;
a command to wirelessly transmit log data from the short-circuit isolator;
a command to electrically isolate two wiring segments adjacent the short-circuit isolator; and
a command to electrically connect two wiring segments adjacent the short-circuit isolator.