12 Clintonville Road
Northford, CT 06472-1653 USA
www.notifier.com
NCM Installation Document
Network Communications Module NCM-W, NCM-F
PN 51533:A103/27/03ECN 03-171
1 Product Overview
The Network Communications Module (NCM) provides a means for connecting specific Notifier fire
alarm control products to NOTI•FIRE•NET™. There are two types of NCMs available: NCM-W for
connecting nodes with twisted-pair wire, and NCM-F for connecting nodes with fiber-optic cable.
1.1 The Network Communications Module for Wire (NCM-W)
Ground Fault
Detection
Switches
and
Network
End-of-Line
Termination
Resistor
Switches
Diagnostic
LEDs
Not used
EF B TERM B
EF A TERM A
SW101
SW103
SW102
SW100
ON OFF
LED101 LED100
B HI
A HI
LED6 LED7
RCDA RCDB
LED4 LED2
STATA STATB
LED3 LED5
RECONPULSE1
LED1 LED8
RESET POWER
LCMATERM
A
OFF
ON
SW1
SW2
Figure 1 NCM-W
Channel
A & B
ON OFF
J3 J2
NUP1
NUP2
LCM ALCM B
Connections
Network
Connection
Ports
(NUP)
NCM-w.cdr
• Supports twisted-pair wire medium.
• NFPA Style 4 (Class B) operation or NFPA Style 7 (Class
A) operation.
• Two programmable data thresholds.
• Transformer coupling provides electrical isolation
between nodes.
• Pluggable terminal wiring with strain relief.
• Pluggable service connector (feeds signal directly
through) in the event that power must be removed from a
node.
• 312.5 Kbaud transmission rate.
• Data is regenerated at each node.
• Two network ports to allow simultaneous connection to
fire alarm control panel and to programming computer
• Enables software and database upload/download over
NOTI•FIRE•NET™.
• Refer to the
NOTI•FIRE•NET™
Version 4.0 and Higher) for wiring length and threshold
information.
1.2 The Network Communications Module for Fiber (NCM-F)
Diagnostic
LEDs
Not used
Channel
A & B
Connections
Network
Connection
Ports
(NUP)
NCM-f.cdr
Figure 2 NCM-F
• Supports fiber-optic medium.
• NFPA Style 4 (Class B) or Style 7 (Class A) operation.
• Data is immune to all environmental noise.
• Optical isolation prevents ground loops.
• NOTI•FIRE•NET™ fiber optic medium.
• Fiber type:
• 62.5/125 micrometers (multimode, 8 dB limit)
• 50/125 micrometers (multimode, 4.2 dB limit)
• Wavelength (1): 820 nanometers. (Use standard 850 nm
fiber.)
• Connectors: ST® Style (ST® is a registered trademark of
AT & T) .
• 312.5 Kbaud transmission rate.
• Data is regenerated at each node.
• Two network ports to allow simultaneous connection to
fire alarm control panel and to programming computer.
• Enables software and database upload/download over
NOTI•FIRE•NET™.
Manual (Network
NCM Installation PN 51533:A1 03/27/03
2 Installing the NCM
2.1 Interconnecting the NCM-W
When wiring consecutive NCM-W boards, note that wiring may enter or exit at Port A or Port B as
shown in Figure 4. NCM-W port-to-port wiring is not polarity sensitive. The use of Port A or Port B is
arbitrary. An NCM-W may be connected to any of the following devices:
• MIB-W
• MIB-WF
• NAM-232W
• NCM-W (in another panel)
• NCS-W network connection
•RPT-W
•RPT-WF
For information regarding these devices, refer to the documentation listed in Table 4 “Supplemental
Documentation”.
From last node,
Port A
B
A
To next node,
Port B
B
A
EF B TERM B
SW101
EF A TERM A
SW103
SW102
ON OFF
SW100
ON OFF
EF B TERM B
SW101
SW102
EF A TERM A
SW103
SW100
ON OFF
ON OFF
ote: Wiring from the NCM-W that is installed outside the building:
Cannot exceed 1000m (3280 ft.).
Must be in conduit and is to be buried in a trench separate from any power lines.
Cannot cross any power lines.
Figure 3 The NCM-W
TB100-1CH-A (+)Channel-A Driver/Receiver
TB100-2CH-A (-)Channel-A Driver/Receiver
TB100-3CH-B (+)Channel-B Driver/Receiver
TB100-4CH-B (-)Channel-B Driver/Receiver
TB100-5Earth Ground
Tab le 1 NOTI•FIRE•NET™ Connections: NCM-W
Switch Functions: Ground Fault Detection and Line Termination
The NCM-W provides two sets of switches to simplify
network setup; in Figure 4 all are in the “off” position.
• Enable ground fault detection by setting
switches “on”: SW103 for Channel A, and
SW101 for Channel B.
EF B T ERM B
SW101
SW102
EF A TERM A
ON OFF
SW103
NCM-w-connex.cdr
SW100
ON OFF
• Activate on-board end-of-line resistors by
setting switches “on”: SW100 for Channel A;
SW102 for Channel B.
Figure 4 NCM-W Switches
Note: Correct configuration depends on your network
design; refer to the
NOTI•FIRE•NET™
Manual (Network Version 4.0 and Higher).
2NCM Installation PN 51533:A1 03/27/03
ncm-w-switches.cdr
2.2 Interconnecting the NCM-F
When connecting consecutive nodes/repeaters, note that fiber cable must exit one board on transmit
(TX) and enter the next node/repeater on receive (RX). Also, note that the fiber-optic pair (RX, TX)
from port A of one Node/Repeater may be connected to either Port A or Port B of another node/repeater
(refer to Figure 5). An NCM-F may be connected to any of the following devices:
• MIB-F
• MIB-WF
• NAM-232F
• Another NCM-F
• Network connection for NCS-F
•RPT-F
•RPT-WF
For information regarding these devices, refer to the NAM-232 and Repeater manuals listed in
Table 4 “Supplemental Documentation”.
Note: See the
NOTI•FIRE•NET™
optic cable attenuation.
Manual (Network Version 4.0 and Higher) for maximum fiber-
RXRX
J202
J201
J203
RxBTxATxB RxA
Channel BChannel
J200
A
TXTX
J203
RxBTxATxB RxA
Channel
RXRX
J202
J201
Channel
B
A
Figure 5 NCM-F Connection
J200CH A Transmit
J201CH A Receive
J202CH BTransmit
J203CH BReceive
Table 2 NOTI•FIRE•NET™ Connections: NCM-F
TXTX
J200
NCM-f-connex.cdr
2.3 Mixing Wire & Fiber on One Network
In some networks, it may be necessary to mix twisted-pair wire and fiber-optic cable. There are two
solutions for this situation.
1.In any network, an RPT-WF may be used as an interface between wire and fiber.
2.In a network that uses an AFP1010 or AM2020, a MIB-WF may also be used as the interface
between wire and fiber.
See 1.2 “The Network Communications Module for Fiber (NCM-F)” for requirements and restrictions
on the use of fiber optic cable. See the
Higher) for a discussion of all compatible configurations.
NCM Installation PN 51533:A1 03/27/033
NOTI•FIRE•NET™
Manual (Network Version 4.0 and
3 Diagnostic Indicators
The NCM has LEDs that serve as diagnostic indicators to help in troubleshooting and system
connection. Refer to Table 3 for a list of diagnostic indicators and their descriptions. Refer to Figure 6
for location of the diagnostic indicators.
A HI (NCM-W only)
RCD A
STATA
RECON
RESET
B HI
A HI
RCDA RCDB
STATB
STATA
RECON PULSE1
RESET POWER
NCM-LEDS.cdr
B HI (NCM-W only)
RCD B
STATB
PULSE1
POWER
Figure 6 Diagnostic Indicator Locations
LED IndicatorLED ColorLED Description
A HI
(NCM-W only)
B HI
(NCM-W only)
RCD AGreenIlluminates when the NCM is receiving data from
RCD BGreenIlluminates when the NCM is receiving data from
STATAYellowIlluminates when the NCM has not received valid data from
GreenIlluminates to indicate the NCM-W Port A is set for high threshold.
GreenIlluminates to indicate the NCM-W Port B is set for high threshold.
NOTI•FIRE•NET™ on Port A.
NOTI•FIRE•NET™ on Port B.
NOTI•FIRE•NET™ on Port A for at least 16 seconds.
STATBYellowIlluminates when the NCM has not received valid data from
NOTI•FIRE•NET™ on Port B for at least 16 seconds.
RECONYellowIlluminates when a reconfiguration on NOTI•FIRE•NET™ is in
progress.
PULSE1GreenIlluminates when the NCM is transmitting data to
NOTI•FIRE•NET™.
RESETYellowIlluminates when the microcontroller fails.
POWERGreenIlluminates when +5 VDC is available
Table 3 Diagnostic Indicator Functions and Colors
4NCM Installation PN 51533:A1 03/27/03
4 Door-Mounting
Both NCM-W and NCM-F can be installed in any panel circuit module position; see your control panel
installation manual. Additionally, the NCM-W can be door-mounted on the ADP-4B Dress Panel on a
single-space blank plate (BMP-1) for mounting in a CAB-4 Series cabinet.
Note: The module cannot be mounted in the ADP-4B Dress Panel when a front slot of the CHS-4 or
CHS-4N is occupied, or when either of the two front right positions of the CHS-M2 is occupied.
Always be certain there is enough clearance to close the cabinet door when this installation is used.
Single-space
blank plate
Mount a single-space blank
plate onto the ADP-4B Dress
Panel.
ADP4-door-module.cdr
Fasten module to the plate
with four screws (included).
5 Supplemental Documentation
The table below provides a list of document sources (manuals) containing additional information
regarding the NCM and products that it can connect to. The NOTIFIER document (DOC-NOT) chart
provides the current document revision.
For information on…Refer to…Part No.
NetworkingNOTI•FIRE•NET™ Manual (for Network Version 4.0 and Higher)
Onyx NCS Network Control Station (for Network Version 4.0 and Higher)
NCS Network Control Station (for Network Version 4.0)
NFS-640 Installation
Operations
Programming
NCA Network Control Annunciator
Media Interface Board (MIB) Manual
NAM-232 Network Adaptor Module
RPT - W/WF/F Repeaters for NOTI•FIRE•NET™
Off-line Programming UtilityVeriFire™ Tools CD on-line help fileVeriFire-TCD