Signal and Alarm Wiring

Installation

Introduction
Every signal or alarm device has its specific role or functions and uses.
Deciding which of these devices that suits your purpose and need is easy if you
have the knowledge and components of each device as well as the skills in
installing them.

Objectives
In this lesson you will learn to:
1. Identify the parts and functions of different Signal and Alarm
devices;
2. Discuss the electric bell/buzzer operation and its uses; and
3. Make a wiring diagram for bell and buzzer.
Parts and function of different signal and alarm devices
Electric bell
The electric bell is an alarm device that produces an audible signal
tone when electric energy is applied.
The essential components of an electric bell are the following:
a. Electromagnet- a magnetic wire wound on an insulated soft
iron bolt. With the application of electric current, it produces
a strong magnetic attraction that attracts the armature
Magnetic wire
Soft iron
Electromagnet
b. Hammer or beater- a small ball attached to the armature
which strikes the gong that produces audible sounds when
electric current runs through the electromagnet.

c. Gong- a concave iron disk that produces a loud sound wen

struck by the hammer.
d. Adjustable contact point- screw that serves as a contact
switch to the contact spring.

Electric bell operation

Upon application of electrical energy, the core magnetizes and
attracts the soft iron armature. The gong is then struck by the attached
hammer. As the armature moves the, the contacts open and flow in the
circuit is interrupted. The magnet becomes de-energized and the spring
pulls the armature back against the contact, thereby closing the circuit
again. This operation s repeated at a rapid rate, making the hammer
strikes the gong many times every second.
Uses of electric bell
Schools use the electric bell to signal the beginning and end of
each class session. But in offices and factories, it serves as a fire alarm
connected to the smoke detector. Commercial establishment such as
banks, supermarkets, and malls use the electric bell as a fire or burglar
alarm
Buzzer
A buzzer is an electric call signal device which produces a buzzing
sound caused by the rapid vibration of armature. It is not as loud as the
bell but it has the same operating principle. As to structure, the bell has
a gong, while the buzzer has a thin metal that produces sound.
Operation of the buzzer
The illustration below shows he buzzer. It has an electromagnet
and metal sheet that produces a buzzing sound when these attract and repel of
soft iron, which moves back and forth rapidly.
Uses of the buzzer
For residential and office application, the buzzer serves as an
alarm device to call someones attention. It can also be a burglar alarm when it
is installed in strategic locations of the house such as at the doors and
windows.

Electric chime
It is call a signal device that produces a pleasant music sound
It has the following parts:
a. Chime bar- it is a metal bar which produces a pleasant
sound when struck by a movable plastic bolt. The pitch of
the sound depends on the size of the metal bar.
b. Plastic bolt- the magnet wire is wound on this bolt. It has
a rebound head on both ends that serves as a hammer.
c. Coil- it is made up of fine wire wound on a plastic bolt
that produces magnetic field.
d. Spring- this maintains or makes the movable plastic bolt
return to its original position.
Operation:
The magnet of the electric chime, which is wound on plastic bolt,
moves back and forth. With the spring, it strikes the bars and makes it
chime. When the bolt return to its original position, the switch is pushed
to repeat the sound.
Uses
Like the buzzer, the chime is used mainly as a call signal device. It
is not, however, used as alarm device because of its pleasant musical
sound.
The annunciator