VSR-F

VANE TYPE WATERFLOW

ALARM SWITCH WITH RETARD
UL, ULC and CSFM Listed, FM and LPCB Approved, NYMEA
Accepted, CE Marked
Service Pressure: Up to 450 PSI (31 BAR)
Minimum Flow Rate for Alarm: 10 GPM (38 LPM)
Maximum Surge: 18 FPS (5,5 m/s)
Contact Ratings: Two sets of SPDT (Form C)
15.0 Amps at 125/250VAC
2.0 Amps at 30VDC Resistive
Conduit Entrances: Two knockouts provided for 1/2" conduit
Environmental Specifi cations:
  •  Suitable for indoor or outdoor use with factory installed gasket and 
die-cast housing.
  •  NEMA 4/IP54 Rated Enclosure ­ use with appropriate conduit 
fi tting.
  •  Temperature Range:  40°F/120°F,  4,5°C/49°C
  •  Non­corrosive sleeve factory installed in saddle.
Caution: This device is not intended for applications in explosive
environments.
Sizes Available: Steel Pipe schedules 10 thru 40, sizes 2" thru 8"
BS 1387 pipe 50mm thru 200mm
Note: For copper or plastic pipe use Model VSR-CF.
Service Use:
Automatic Sprinkler NFPA-13
U.S. Pat. No. 3921989 One or two family dwelling NFPA-13D
Canadian Pat. No. 1009680 Residential occupancy up to four stories NFPA-13R
Other Patents Pending National Fire Alarm Code NFPA-72
Potter Electric, Rd., 1990
Optional: Cover Tamper Switch Kit, Stock No. 0090018

GENERAL INFORMATION INSTALLATION: See Fig.2

The  Model  VSR­F  is  a  vane  type  waterfl ow  switch  for  use  on  wet  These devices may be mounted on horizontal or vertical pipe. On
sprinkler systems. It is UL Listed and FM Approved for use on steel horizontal pipe they should be installed on the top side of the pipe
pipe; schedules 10 through 40, sizes 2" thru 8" (50mm thru 200mm). where they will be accessible. The units should not be installed within
LPC approved sizes are 2" thru 8" (50mm thru 200mm). 6" (15cm) of a fi tting which changes the direction of the waterfl ow or 
within 24" (60 cm) of a valve or drain.
The unit may also be used as a sectional waterfl ow detector on large 
systems. Drain the system and drill a hole in the pipe using a circular saw in a
slow speed drill. The 2" (50mm) and 2 1/2" (65mm) devices require a
The unit contains two single pole, double throw, snap action switches hole with a diameter of 1 1/4" + 1/8" - 1/16" (33mm ±2mm). All other
and an adjustable, instantly recycling pneumatic retard. The switches sizes require a hole with a diameter of 2" ±1/8" (50mm ±2mm).
are actuated when a fl ow of 10 gallons per minute (38 LPM) or more
occurs downstream of the device. The fl ow condition must exist for a  Clean the inside pipe of all growth or other material for a distance equal
period of time necessary to overcome the selected retard period. to the pipe diameter on either side of the hole.
ENCLOSURE: The unit is enclosed in a general purpose, die-cast Roll the vane so that it may be inserted into the hole; do not bend or 
housing. The cover is held in place with two tamper resistant screws crease it. Insert the vane so that the arrow on the saddle points in the
which  require  a  special  key  for  removal. A  fi eld  installable  cover  direction  of  the  waterfl ow.  Install  the  saddle  strap  and  tighten  nuts 
tamper switch is available as an option which may be used to indicate alternately to an eventual 20 ft-lbs. (27 n-m) of torque (see Fig. 2). The
unauthorized removal of the cover. See bulletin no. 5400775 for vane must not rub the inside of the pipe or bind in any way.
installation instructions of this switch. Specifi cations subject to change without notice.

Potter Electric Signal Company  • 2081 Craig Road, St. Louis, MO, 63146-4161 • Phone: 800-325-3936/Canada 888-882-1833 • www.pottersignal.com

PRINTED IN USA MKT. #8800001 - REV X PAGE 1 OF 2

MFG. #5400761 - 3/07
 VSR-F
VANE TYPE WATERFLOW
ALARM SWITCH WITH RETARD
FIG. 1 FIG. 2
SWITCH TERMINAL
CONNECTIONS
CLAMPING PLATE
TERMINAL

CAUTION:
An uninsulated section of a
single conductor should not
Cover Tamper
be looped around the terminal (with cover in place)
and serve as two separate
connections. The wire must
be severed, thereby providing
supervision of the connection
in the event that the wire
becomes dislodged from under
the terminal.

FIG. 3 TYPICAL ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS NOTES: FIG. 4

1. The Model VSR-F has two To remove knockouts: Place
switches, one can be used screwdriver at edge of knockouts,
to operate a central station, not in the center.
proprietary or remote signaling
unit, while the other contact is
used to operate a local audible or
visual annunciator.
2. A condition of LPC Approval of
this product is that the electrical
entry must be sealed to exclude
moisture.
3. For supervised circuits see
“Switch  Terminal  Connections” 
drawing and caution note
(Fig. 1).

APPLICATION WARNING!
Due to the possibility of unintended discharges caused by pressure surges, trapped air, or short retard times, waterfl ow switches that are 
monitoring wet pipe sprinkler systems should not be used as the sole initiating device to discharge AFFF, deluge, or chemical suppression
systems.
TESTING
The frequency of inspection and testing for the model VSR-F and its associated protective monitoring system should be in accordance with
applicable NFPA Codes and Standards and/or the authority having jurisdiction (manufacturer recommends quarterly or more frequently).
If provided, the inspector’s test valve, that is usually located at the end of the most remote branch line, should always be used for test purposes.  
If there are no provisions for testing the operation of the fl ow detection device on the system, application of the VSR­F is not recommended or 
advisable.
A minimum fl ow of 10 gpm (38 Lpm) is required to activate this device.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Please advise the person responsible for testing of the fi re protection system that this system must be tested in 
accordance with the testing instructions.

PRINTED IN USA MKT. #8800001 - REV X PAGE 2 OF 2

MFG. #5400761 - 3/07