The Silent Knight 078120-PCA is the central amplifier main board for the Emergency Communication System (ECS) series, specifically used within the IFP-series fire alarm control panels. This Revision C board is responsible for high-fidelity audio amplification, distributing emergency voice evacuation messages and alert tones across multiple zones. It serves as the primary hardware interface between the system’s digital voice controller and the speaker circuits, ensuring that critical instructions are delivered clearly during life-safety events.
Product Specifications and Datasheet
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Model Number: 078120-PCA
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Revision: C
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Compatibility: Silent Knight ECS-50, ECS-125, and IFP-Series (IFP-1000ECS, IFP-2000ECS)
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Amplification Type: Class D high-efficiency audio amplification
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Output Voltage: Selectable 25 Vrms or 70.7 Vrms (System configuration dependent)
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Power Output: Typically supports up to 50W or 125W power levels depending on the specific ECS housing
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Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 90 dB
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Frequency Response: 400 Hz to 4 kHz (Optimized for voice intelligibility)
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Dimensions: 185 mm x 115 mm x 35 mm
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Weight: 0.48 kg
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Country of Origin: USA
Application Areas
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Voice Evacuation: Providing clear, live or recorded voice instructions in schools, hospitals, and high-rise buildings.
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Mass Notification: Distributing emergency alerts for weather events, security threats, or general announcements.
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Fire Protection: Integrating with standard fire alarm systems to meet NFPA 72 requirements for emergency communication.
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Public Assembly: Audio distribution in theaters, stadiums, and shopping malls where high-occupancy safety is required.
Product Instructions for Use
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Installation: Ensure the fire alarm control panel is completely powered down (including battery backup) before installation. Align the 078120-PCA Rev: C board with the standoffs in the ECS cabinet and secure it with the provided screws.
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Wiring: Connect the speaker circuit field wiring to the supervised output terminals. Ensure the correct gauge of wire is used to minimize voltage drop over long distances.
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Configuration: Use the jump-pins or software settings in the main FACP to set the output to either 25V or 70V based on the transformer requirements of the installed speakers.
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Supervision Check: After power-up, verify that the board does not show any “Trouble” LEDs. The system must monitor the speaker lines for open circuits, short circuits, and ground faults continuously.
Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the significance of the Revision C version? A1: Revision C typically includes updated surface-mount components for improved thermal management and enhanced protection against transient voltage spikes compared to earlier A or B revisions.
Q2: Can I mix this board with other amplifier brands? A2: No. This board is a proprietary component of the Silent Knight ECS ecosystem and must be used with compatible Silent Knight/Honeywell fire alarm hardware to maintain UL listing.
Q3: How many speakers can I connect to this board? A3: The number of speakers depends on the total wattage of the speakers. The sum of the wattage taps on the speakers must not exceed the rated output power of the amplifier (e.g., 50W or 125W).
Recommended Similar Models
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ECS-50W: A complete 50-watt amplifier module that utilizes this main board.
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ECS-125W: The high-power 125-watt version for larger speaker arrays.
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078120-PCA Rev: B: The previous hardware revision for legacy system maintenance.
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ECS-INT50: An internal 50-watt amplifier used for secondary zone expansion.
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5824: Serial/Parallel interface module often used in the same ECS cabinet for printer or display connectivity.
