Manual Waterproof Call Points

In outdoor or harsh environments, the WCP is ideal where large volumes of dust, dirt or moisture are likely to be present. Sealed to IP67, its environmental protection rating far exceeds the requirement of IPx3 specified in EN54-11, as an IPx3-rated device is highly unlikely to provide long-term reliability if installed in an outdoor or harsh environment.

For hazardous areas, the intrinsically safe (IS) version of the WCP is designed for potentially-explosive closed or open environments, such as fixed offshore platforms, petrochemical plants, flour mills and grain silos. It is approved for use in Zones 0, 1 and 2 gas atmospheres and Zones 20, 21 and 22 combustible dust environments. Zones 0 and 20 define environments where potentially- explosive gas or dust will always be present in the atmosphere. In Zones 1 and 21, an occasional presence of combustible gas or dust may be expected during normal operations, and in Zones 2 and 22, the presence of combustible gas or dust is unlikely, but may occur for very short periods.

The WCP from KAC is EN54-11 approved, both as a traditional break-glass and as a resettable element unit. It can be changed from one type to the other by changing a single component – the operating element. This simple and low cost procedure, which can be easily carried out in the field if required, enables the call point to be configured in the optimal manner for the installation. No additional parts, springs or other changes are necessary.

With the addition of IP67 protection and hazardous area capability, the WCP range offers all the benefits of the modular manual call point indoor range upon which it is based. It has the same terminal block into which the field wiring is connected at first fix, with the WCP itself being connected into the terminal block at commissioning. As the field wiring is fixed, excess cabling to enable the WCP to be removed does not have to be crammed into the back box, minimising any chance of damage. After connection to the system wiring, the terminal block may be initially fitted with a simple continuity link, enabling the wiring to be tested for open, short circuit and earth fault without the WCP product itself being in place.

When commissioning, the terminal block is simply plugged into the WCP, which in turn is then snapped into the back box that has plenty of room for cabling. Three standard 20mm cable entries are fitted to the back box, allowing in-out or pass-through surface wiring to be installed easily from either above or below the unit. The WCP front snap-fits to its back box in seconds to create an IP67-rated assembly, reducing installation time.

Once installed, the WCP cannot be tampered with. If the lid of a device is removed without isolation from the panel, the alarm will sound. Test, reset and lid release functions are actuated by a single tool.

For further information, go to www.kac.co.uk