Fire Alarm Wiring Guide

April 2017

Wiring guidelines for Honeywell fire alarm system brands

Notifier | Gamewell-FCI | Fire-Lite Alarms | Silent Knight
CONTENTS
Annunciator Bus Circuits ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Circuit Limitations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Wire Requirements ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Distance Limitations .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Recommended Cables .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Signaling Line Circuits (SLC) ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Circuit Limitations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Wire Requirements ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Distance Limitations .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Recommended Cables .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Initiating Device Circuits (IDC) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Wire Requirements ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Distance Limitations .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Recommended Cables .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
2-Wire Devices ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
4-Wire Devices ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Notification Appliance Circuits (NAC)..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Wire Requirements ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Distance Limitations .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Recommended Cables .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Emergency Communication Circuits ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Wire Requirements ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Distance Limitations .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
25 Volt Circuits .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
70 Volt Circuits .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Recommended Cables .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Page 1 of 7
ANNUNCIATOR BUS CIRCUITS
CIRCUIT LIMITATIONS
Annunciator circuits are limited by power draw and bandwidth requirements. For circuits with 8 or more devices, consult the device
manufacturer’s website for information regarding bandwidth limitations. The total power draw of an annunciator circuit limits the
wiring distance. The voltage drop from the Fire Alarm Control Panel to the furthest device cannot exceed 6.0 V. No circuit shall
exceed 6,000 feet.

WIRE REQUIREMENTS
22 – 14 AWG, 4 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket.

DISTANCE LIMITATIONS

Maximum Wiring Distance in Feet: Modules to Panel

Total Worst Case Maximum Circuit
22 AWG 18 AWG 16 AWG 14 AWG
Current (Amps) Resistance (Ohms)
0.100 60.0 1371 3861 * 6000 * 6000
0.200 30.0 685 1931 3067 4886
0.300 20.0 457 1287 2045 3257
0.400 15.0 343 965 1534 2443
0.500 12.0 274 772 1227 1954
0.600 10.0 228 644 1022 1629
0.700 8.6 196 552 876 1396
0.800 7.5 171 483 767 1221
0.900 6.7 152 429 682 1086
1.000 6.0 137 386 613 977

Calculations are based on Direct-Current Resistance data for solid uncoated copper wire, per National Electric Code (2017
Edition) Table 8, Conductor Properties.

RECOMMENDED CABLES

Product Code
Description Riser Rated Plenum Rated
(UL Listed FPLR) (UL Listed FPLP)
22 AWG, 4 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4301 -
18 AWG, 4 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4307 4507
16 AWG, 4 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4312 4512
14 AWG, 4 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4314 4514

Page 2 of 7
SIGNALING LINE CIRCUITS (SLC)
CIRCUIT LIMITATIONS

Electrical Circuit Characteristic Maximum Limit

Loop Resistance SK/IDP Devices 40 Ω
SD Devices 50 Ω
Circuit Capacitance 0.5 μF

WIRE REQUIREMENTS
18 – 12 AWG, 2 twisted conductors, shielded with an overall jacket.

When reusing existing wire that is unshielded or untwisted, the maximum recommended wiring distance is limited to 5,000 feet for
16 AWG – 12 AWG conductors and 3,700 feet for 18 AWG conductors.

DISTANCE LIMITATIONS

Maximum Wiring Distance in Feet: Devices to Panel

Maximum Loop Resistance (Ohms) 18 AWG 16 AWG 14 AWG 12 AWG
40 2,574 4,090 6,515 10,363
50 3,218 5,112 8,143 12,953

Calculations are based on Direct-Current Resistance data for uncoated copper wire, per National Electric Code (2017 Edition)
Table 8, Conductor Properties.

RECOMMENDED CABLES

Product Code
Description Riser Rated Plenum Rated
(UL Listed FPLR) (UL Listed FPLP)
18 AWG, 2 twisted conductors, shielded with an overall jacket 4402 4602
16 AWG, 2 twisted conductors, shielded with an overall jacket 4406 4606
14 AWG, 2 twisted conductors, shielded with an overall jacket 4408 4608

Page 3 of 7
INITIATING DEVICE CIRCUITS (IDC)
WIRE REQUIREMENTS
2-wire devices: 18 - 14 AWG, 2 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket.
4-wire devices: 18 - 14 AWG, 4 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket.

DISTANCE LIMITATIONS

Maximum Wiring Distance in Feet: Device to Panel

Maximum Current Maximum Loop
22 AWG 18 AWG 16 AWG 14 AWG
(Amps) Resistance (Ohms)
0.100 100 2,284 6,435 10,225 16,287
0.100 50 1,142 3,218 5,112 8,143

Calculations are based on Direct-Current Resistance data for solid uncoated copper wire, per National Electric Code (2017
Edition) Table 8, Conductor Properties.

RECOMMENDED CABLES

2-WIRE DEVICES
Product Code
Description Riser Rated Plenum Rated
(UL Listed FPLR) (UL Listed FPLP)
18 AWG, 2 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4306 4506
16 AWG, 2 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4311 4511
14 AWG, 2 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4313 4513

4-WIRE DEVICES
Product Code
Description Riser Rated Plenum Rated
(UL Listed FPLR) (UL Listed FPLP)
18 AWG, 4 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4307 4507
16 AWG, 4 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4312 4512
14 AWG, 4 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4314 4514

Page 4 of 7
NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE CIRCUITS (NAC)
WIRE REQUIREMENTS
18 – 12 AWG, 2 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket.

DISTANCE LIMITATIONS

Maximum Wiring Distance: Device to Panel (CLASS-B WIRING)

NAC Maximum Allowable
Load Total Loop Resistance 18 AWG 16 AWG 14 AWG 12 AWG
(Amps) (Ohms)
0.25 14.40 927 1,472 2,345 3,731
0.50 7.20 463 736 1,173 1,865
0.75 4.80 309 491 782 1,244
1.00 3.60 232 368 586 933
1.25 2.88 185 294 469 746
1.50 2.40 154 245 391 622
1.75 2.06 132 210 335 533
2.00 1.80 116 184 293 466
2.25 1.60 103 164 261 415
2.50 1.44 93 147 235 373

Maximum Wiring Distance: Device to Panel (CLASS-A WIRING)

NAC Maximum Allowable
Load Total Loop Resistance 18 AWG 16 AWG 14 AWG 12 AWG
(Amps) (Ohms)
0.25 14.40 463 736 1,173 1,865
0.50 7.20 232 368 586 933
0.75 4.80 154 245 391 622
1.00 3.60 116 184 293 466
1.25 2.88 93 147 235 373
1.50 2.40 77 123 195 311
1.75 2.06 66 105 168 266
2.00 1.80 58 92 147 233
2.25 1.60 51 82 130 207
2.50 1.44 46 74 117 187

Calculations based on Direct-Current Resistance data for solid uncoated copper wire, per National Electric Code (2017 Edition)
Table 8, Conductor Properties. Assumes maximum voltage drop of 3.6V (15%) based on 24V nominal circuit operating voltage.

RECOMMENDED CABLES

Product Code
Description Riser Rated Plenum Rated
(UL Listed FPLR) (UL Listed FPLP)
18 AWG, 2 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4306 4506
16 AWG, 2 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4311 4511
14 AWG, 2 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4313 4513
12 AWG, 2 conductors, unshielded with an overall jacket 4315 4515

Page 5 of 7
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CIRCUITS
WIRE REQUIREMENTS
18 – 12 AWG, 2 conductors, shielded with an overall jacket.

DISTANCE LIMITATIONS

25 VOLT CIRCUITS
Number of Speakers Total Load Wire Distance in Feet
@ 1/2 W @1W Vrms Watts 18 AWG 16 AWG 14 AWG 12 AWG
10 5 25 5 3,218 5,112 8,143 12,953
20 10 25 10 1,609 2,556 4,072 6,477
30 15 25 15 1,073 1,704 2,714 4,318
40 20 25 20 804 1,278 2,036 3,238
50 25 25 25 644 1,022 1,629 2,591
60 30 25 30 536 852 1,357 2,159
70 35 25 35 460 730 1,163 1,850
80 40 25 40 402 639 1,018 1,619
90 45 25 45 358 568 905 1,439
100 50 25 50 322 511 814 1,295
110 55 25 55 293 465 740 1,178
120 60 25 60 268 426 679 1,079
130 65 25 65 248 393 626 996
140 70 25 70 230 365 582 925
150 75 25 75 215 341 543 864
160 80 25 80 201 320 509 810
170 85 25 85 189 301 479 762
180 90 25 90 179 284 452 720
190 95 25 95 169 269 429 682
200 100 25 100 161 256 407 648
210 105 25 105 153 243 388 617
220 110 25 110 146 232 370 589
230 115 25 115 140 222 354 563
240 120 25 120 134 213 339 540
250 125 25 125 129 204 326 518
260 130 25 130 124 197 313 498
270 135 25 135 119 189 302 480
280 140 25 140 115 183 291 463
290 145 25 145 111 176 281 447
300 150 25 150 107 170 271 432
310 155 25 155 104 165 263 418
320 160 25 160 101 160 254 405
330 165 25 165 98 155 247 393
340 170 25 170 95 150 240 381
350 175 25 175 92 146 233 370
360 180 25 180 89 142 226 360
370 185 25 185 87 138 220 350
380 190 25 190 85 135 214 341
390 195 25 195 83 131 209 332
400 200 25 200 80 128 204 324

NOTE: The above table assumes a uniform distribution of the speakers, and that a max of 20% voltage drop on the last speaker is
allowed.

Page 6 of 7
70 VOLT CIRCUITS
Number of Speakers Total Load Wire Distance in Feet
@1/2W @1W Vrms Watts 18AWG 16AWG 14AWG 12AWG
10 5 70 5 12,613 40,082 63,844 101,554
20 10 70 10 12,613 20,041 31,922 50,777
30 15 70 15 8,408 13,361 21,281 33,851
40 20 70 20 6,306 10,020 15,961 25,389
50 25 70 25 5,045 8,016 12,769 20,311
60 30 70 30 4,204 6,680 10,641 16,926
70 35 70 35 3,604 5,726 9,121 14,508
80 40 70 40 3,153 5,010 7,980 12,694
90 45 70 45 2,803 4,454 7,094 11,284
100 50 70 50 2,523 4,008 6,384 10,155
110 55 70 55 2,293 3,644 5,804 9,232
120 60 70 60 2,102 3,340 5,320 8,463
130 65 70 65 1,940 3,083 4,911 7,812
140 70 70 70 1,802 2,863 4,560 7,254
150 75 70 75 1,682 2,672 4,256 6,770
160 80 70 80 1,577 2,505 3,990 6,347
170 85 70 85 1,484 2,358 3,756 5,974
180 90 70 90 1,401 2,227 3,547 5,642
190 95 70 95 1,328 2,110 3,360 5,345
200 100 70 100 1,261 2,004 3,192 5,078
210 105 70 105 1,201 1,909 3,040 4,836
220 110 70 110 1,147 1,822 2,902 4,616
230 115 70 115 1,097 1,743 2,776 4,415
240 120 70 120 1,051 1,670 2,660 4,231
250 125 70 125 1,009 1,603 2,554 4,062
260 130 70 130 970 1,542 2,456 3,906
270 135 70 135 934 1,485 2,365 3,761
280 140 70 140 901 1,431 2,280 3,627
290 145 70 145 870 1,382 2,202 3,502
300 150 70 150 841 1,336 2,128 3,385
310 155 70 155 814 1,293 2,059 3,276
320 160 70 160 788 1,253 1,995 3,174
330 165 70 165 764 1,215 1,935 3,077
340 170 70 170 742 1,179 1,878 2,987
350 175 70 175 721 1,145 1,824 2,902
360 180 70 180 701 1,113 1,773 2,821
370 185 70 185 682 1,083 1,726 2,745
380 190 70 190 664 1,055 1,680 2,672
390 195 70 195 647 1,028 1,637 2,604
400 200 70 200 631 1,002 1,596 2,539

NOTE: The above table assumes a uniform distribution of the speakers, and that a max of 20% voltage drop on the last speaker is
allowed.

RECOMMENDED CABLES

Product Code
Description Riser Rated Plenum Rated
(UL Listed FPLR) (UL Listed FPLP)
18 AWG, 2 twisted conductors, shielded with an overall jacket 4402 4602
16 AWG, 2 twisted conductors, shielded with an overall jacket 4406 4606
14 AWG, 2 twisted conductors, shielded with an overall jacket 4408 4608
12 AWG, 2 twisted conductors, shielded with an overall jacket 4410 4610

Page 7 of 7