Visonic MCT430 Users Manual

MCT-430

Supervised Wireless PowerCode Smoke Detector

1. INSTALLATION SUMMARY

1.1 General Description

The MCT-430 is a low profile, battery operated, photoelectric
smoke detector which shares its housing with a UHF PowerCode
type transmitter. It has a 57°C (135°F) fixed temperature heat
detector and a built-in sounder. The detector sends out the
following messages to the control panel:

• Smoke alarm

• Heat alarm

• Tamper alert

• Low battery alert

• Trouble message (when heat sensor malfunctions)

• Service alert (degraded smoke detection sensitivity - internal

screen requires cleaning).

During normal and low battery conditions, the LED flashes
approximately once every 40 seconds. The smoke/heat detector
will sound its built-in temporal horn when smoke activates the
detector (the LED flashes rapidly), or when the air temperature
reaches 57°C (135°F). A message is also sent to the wireless
control panel. After the horn stops, a RESTORE message is
transmitted to the control panel and the ID number can be
cleared from the panel. The built-in Drift Compensation algorithm
automatically maintains the sensitivity of the detector. Once the
detector reaches its limit of compensation, it transmits a
maintenance signal to the panel. When maintenance is required,
the LED stops flashing.

The maintenance signal fully complies with the sensitivity test
requirement specified in NFPA 72, 7 - 2.2.

1.3 Enrolling Transmitter’s Power- Code ID

The detector includes a tamper switch that causes a tamper alert
when the main body is separated from its mounting bracket. This
switch protects the unit against unauthorized handling.

The detector has two separate PowerCode IDs:

• The first ID is linked to messages containing alarm, low
battery and supervision data.

• The second ID is linked to messages containing tamper and
maintenance data such as “clean” and circuit trouble.

Enrolling process to the PowerMax is differennt from the enrolling
process to other versions of the PowerMax (PowerMax+,

PowerMax GSM....), as described in par. 1.3.1 and 1.3.2.

1.3.1 Enrolling to PowerMax Control Panel

It is necessary that the control panel will learn the two IDs before
the detector is actually mounted in place. This is best carried out
in close proximity to the control panel. Each ID must be enrolled
to a separate zone of the control panel.

A. Refer to the control panel’s installation instructions and follow

the procedure given there for enrolling transmitter IDs in the
control panel's memory.

2nd. When required to initiate a transmission for enrollment of

the first ID, activate the test switch (see fig. 1) until the built­in horn sounds (see Para. 1.2B).

C. When you are instructed to initiate a transmission for

enrollment of the second ID, separate the detector from the

bracket to activate a tamper message.

Installation Instructions

Figure 1. General View

1.2 Power Up and Initial Test

The smoke detector is supplied with two 3V batteries seated
within their holder but insulated from the battery terminals.

A. Turn the detector upside down and pull out the paper tab that

insulates the batteries from one of the terminals.

B. Insert a sharp object into the test switch hole and push the

switch in continuously, until the built-in horn sounds (about

2.5 seconds after depressing the button). The sounding

sequence is: 3 beeps - short break - 3 beeps ......and so on

until you release the switch. In addition, the LED will flash
rapidly a few times. This means that the smoke detection

section is working properly.

Important: If the second ID is not learnt by the control panel,
the maintenance and tamper messages will not be received.

Note: The PowerMax control panel can not distinguish
between “clean” and circuit trouble data. Upon receiving a
maintenance alert, clean the internal screen as described in
Para. 5.2. If the maintenance alert persists, the trouble is
probably due to a circuit failure.

1.3.2 Enrolling to Other Versions of PowerMax

(PowerMax+, PowerMax GSM...)

To enroll the transmitters IDs to the PowerMax+, PowerMax GSM
and above, it is necessary to enrol only one ID, the first ID or the
second ID (for IDs description refer to par. 1.3). When either ID
is enrolled to one zone, the second ID is automatically enrolled.
The enrolling process is as follows:

A. Refer to the control panel’s installation instructions and follow

the procedure given there for enrolling transmitter IDs in the
control panel's memory.

2nd. When you are instructed to initiate a transmission for

enrollment of the ID, activate the test switch until the built-in
horn sounds (see Para. 1.2B), or separate the detector from
the bracket to activate a tamper message.

1.4 Mounting the Bracket in Place

Read Section 4 in this manual first, then decide where to install
the detector. Refer to Figure 2 and proceed according to the
following instructions.

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Figure 2. Mounting Bracket

2. MISCELLANEOUS WARNINGS

WARNING: This smoke detector is designed for use in a single
residential unit only, which means that it should be used inside a
single family home or apartment. It is not meant to be used in
lobbies, hallways, basements or another apartment in multi-family
buildings, unless there are already working detectors in each
family unit. Smoke detectors, placed in common areas outside the
individual living unit, such as on porches or in hallways, may not
provide early warning to residents. In multi-family buildings, each
family living unit should set up its own detector.

WARNING: This detector is not meant to be used in non­residential buildings. Warehouses, industrial or commercial
buildings and special purpose non-residential buildings require

3. SPECIFICATIONS

1st.If the detector is attached to the bracket, separate it from the

bracket by holding the bracket in one hand and turning the
detector slightly counterclockwise with your other hand.

Note: Removal of the unit from the bracket will initiate a tamper

alert! The LED will flash but the horn will remain silent.

2nd.Press the bracket against the mounting surface and mark the

drilling spots through two mounting screw bays.

C. Drill two 5 mm (3/16”) holes at the marked spots.
D. Attach the bracket to the wall, using the two screws and

plastic wall anchors (supplied).

1.5 Assembly and Test

A. Align the marks on the detector’s body with the arrows on the

bracket. Push the detector against the bracket and turn it slightly
clockwise until it snaps into place. Pull outward to make sure
that the detector is securely attached to the bracket.

B. Press the test button until the built-in horn sounds. Verify that

the transmitted signal has been received at the control panel,
and that the control panel responds accordingly by activating
the fire alarm siren or any other warning device.

special fire detection and alarm systems. This detector alone is
not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection systems for
places where many people live or work, such as hotels or motels.
The same is true of dormitories, hospitals, nursing homes or
group homes of any kind, even if they were once single family
homes. Please refer to NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code,
NFPA71, 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D and 72E for smoke detector
requirements for fire protection in buildings not defined as
"households".

WARNING: This detector, if used as a stand-alone unit, will not
alert people who are hard of hearing.

SMOKE AND HEAT DETECTION
Activity Indicator: LED flashes once per 40 sec.
Nominal Smoke Detection Sensitivity: 2.25% per foot obscuration
Heat Detection: Alarm if ambient temperature exceeds 57°C

(135°F)
Alarm Sound Level: 85 dB min at 3 m (10 ft) at minimum battery

voltage

TRANSMITTER AND CODING
Operating Frequency (MHz): 315
Transmitter's ID Code: 24-bit digital word, over 16 million

combinations, pulse width modulation.

Overall Message Length: 36 bits
Supervision: Automatic signaling at 60-minute intervals.
Tamper Alerts: Tamper event (removal of the unit from its bracket)

is reported once. Tamper restore is also reported once.
Compliance with standards: Designed to meet FCC part 15,

MPT 1340 UL 268 recognized component.

ELECTRICAL DATA
Power Source: Two CR123A lithium batteries in series (6 VDC

nominal).
Operating Voltage Range: 4.8 - 6.5 VDC
Current Drain: 14.5 µA standby (typical), 20 mA typical in

operation

Battery Life (at room temperature): 3 years typical
Battery Supervision: Once every 60 minutes; automatic

transmission of battery status data as part of any transmitted
message.

PHYSICAL DATA
Operating Temperature: 0°C to 38°C (32°F to 100°F)
Relative Humidity: 10% to 93%, non-condensing

Dimensions: 140 mm (5.5") diameter with bracket x 52 mm (2.05")
Weight (with batteries): 218 g (7 oz)

4. SMOKE DETECTOR INSTALLATION OVERVIEW

4.1 Where to Install Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors should be installed in accordance with the
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park,
MA 02269-9101) Standard 72. For complete coverage in
residential units, smoke detectors should be installed in all
rooms, halls, storage areas, basements and attics in each family
living unit. Minimum coverage is one detector on each floor and
one in each sleeping area. Here are a few useful tips for you:

• Install a smoke detector in the hallway outside every separate
bedroom area, as in Figure 3. Two detectors are required in
homes with two bedroom areas, as in Figure 4.

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• Install a smoke detector on every floor of a multi-floor home or
apartment, as shown in Figure 5.

• Install a minimum of two detectors in any household.

• Install a smoke detector inside every bedroom.

• Install smoke detectors at both ends of a bedroom hallway if

the hallway is more than 12 meters (40 feet) long.

• Install a smoke detector inside every room where one sleeps
with the door partly or completely closed, since smoke could be
blocked by the closed door and a hallway alarm may not wake
up the sleeper if the door is closed.

Figure 3. Placement of a Smoke/Heat Detector in a Single-Floor

Residence with Only One Sleeping Area

Figure 4. Placement of Smoke/Heat Detectors in Single-Floor

Residence with More than One Sleeping Area

Figure 5. Placing Smoke/Heat Detectors in a Multi-Floor Residence

• Install basement detectors at the bottom of the basement

stairwell, as shown in Figure 5.

• Install second-floor detectors at the top of the first-to-second

floor stairwell.

• Be sure no door or other obstruction blocks the path of smoke

to the detector.

• Install additional detectors in your living room, dining room,

family room, attic, utility and storage rooms.

• Install smoke detectors as close to the center of the ceiling as

possible. If this is not practical, put the detector on the ceiling,
at least 10 cm (4 inches) away from any wall or corner, as
shown in Figure 6.

• If ceiling mounting is not possible and wall mounting is

permitted by your local and state codes, put wall-mounted
detectors between 10 - 15 cm (4 - 6 inches) from the ceiling,
also shown in Figure 6.

• If some of your rooms have sloped, peaked, or gabled ceilings,

try to mount detectors 0.9 meter (3 feet) measured horizontally
from the highest point of the ceiling, as shown in Figure 7.

(1) A smoke detector installed in each separate sleeping area (in
the vicinity, but outside the bedrooms), and (2) Heat or smoke
detectors in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens,
hallways, attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage
rooms, basements and attached garages."

For your information, NFPA Standard 72, Section 2-2.1.1.1 reads
as follows:

"Smoke detectors shall be installed outside each separate
sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on
each additional story of the family living unit including basements
and excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics. In new
construction, a smoke detector also shall be installed in each
sleeping room."
The above NFPA standard is a minimum requirement for smoke
detector installation. For better protection, we also require the
installation of a smoke detector inside every bedroom in existing
construction.

4.2 Where Not to Install Smoke Detectors

False alarms occur when smoke detectors are installed where
they will not work properly. To avoid false alarms, do not install
smoke detectors in the following situations:

• In or near areas where combustion particles are normally

present such as kitchens; in garages where there are
particles of combustion in vehicle exhausts; near furnaces,

hot water heaters, or gas space heaters. Install detectors
at least 20 feet (6 meters) away from kitchens and other
areas where combustion particles are normally present.

• On the ceiling in rooms next to kitchens where there is no

transom between the kitchen and these rooms. Instead, install
the smoke detector on an inside wall, furthest from the kitchen.
Be sure not to install smoke detectors within 4" of the ceiling or
any corner or more than 6" from the ceiling.

• In damp or very humid areas, or next to bathrooms with

showers.

• The moisture in humid air can enter the sensing chamber as

water vapor, then cool and condense into droplets that cause a
nuisance alarm. Install detectors at least 5 feet (1.5 meters)
away from bathrooms.

• In very cold or very hot rooms or areas. Operating temperature

of the smoke detector is 40°F to 100°F (4°C to 38°C).

• In dusty, dirty, or insect-infested areas. Dust and dirt can

build up on the detector’s sensing chamber and make it overly
sensitive, or can block openings to the sensing chamber and
keep the detector from sensing smoke.

• Near fresh air inlets or returns or excessively drafty areas.

Air conditioners, heaters, fans, and fresh air intakes and
returns can drive smoke away from smoke detectors, making
the detectors less effective.

• In dead air spaces at the top of a peaked ceiling or wall/ceiling

intersect. Dead air may prevent smoke from reaching a detector.

• Near fluorescent light fixtures. Install detectors at least 10

feet (3 meters) away from such light fixtures.

Figure 8. Recommended Smoke Detector Locations to Avoid Air

Streams with Combustion Particles

Figure 6. Recommended Best

and Acceptable Locations to

Mount Smoke Detectors

CAUTION (As required by California State Fire Marshall)
"Early warning fire detection is best achieved by the

installation of fire detection equipment in all rooms and
areas of the household as follows:

Figure 7. Recommended
Location to Mount Smoke

Detectors in Rooms with

Sloped, Gabled or Peaked

Ceilings

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