FAQs
What are the maximum wire run lengths for C-Series (GEMC) control panels?
Conventional Keypad Bus Wiring:
The maximum wire run lengths for Gemini C-Series (GEMC) control panels (Fire) are as follows:
- Conventional Keypad Bus: 1000 feet, 22-gauge wire (1 device
- Conventional Keypad Bus: 500 feet, 22-gauge wire (2 devices)
- Conventional Keypad Bus: 333 feet, 22-gauge wire (3 devices)
The system supports any number of home-run conventional bus connections to keypads and other peripherals, however, the maximum permitted bus wire run length is 1,000 feet of 22 gauge cable, divided by the number of devices on that bus.
Examples (Fire systems):
- If 3 keypads are to be connected to one wire run, the furthest keypad can be no more than 333 feet from the control panel.
- If 5 EZM modules are to be connected to one wire run, the furthest EZM can be no more than 200 feet from the control panel.
- If one keypad is to be connected to one wire run, it may be installed 1,000 feet from the control panel.
For Fire SLC Devices:
- Fire SLC Loop Class A:........... 1,950 feet, 18-gauge wire
- Fire SLC Loop Class A:........... 3,100 feet, 16-gauge wire
- Fire SLC Loop Class A:........... 5,000 feet, 14-gauge wire
- Fire SLC Loop Class B:.......... 3,900 feet, 18-gauge wire
- Fire SLC Loop Class B:.......... 6,200 feet, 16-gauge wire
- Fire SLC Loop Class B:.......... 10,000 feet, 14-gauge wire
For Burglary SLC Devices:
The maximum wire run lengths for Burglary systems are the same for Burglary Class A and B, but Class A must also include the wire run length back to the Burglary SLC board ("home-run") within the maximum length.
Examples (Burglary systems):
- The GEMC-BSLC-1PT, GEMC-BSLC-4PT and GEMC-BSLC-RLY all have a maximum distance of 3000 feet using 16AWG wire for each loop home run.
- GEMC-BSLC-PIR and GEMC-BSLC-DT are equivalent to 9 devices (and have a maximum distance of 2000 feet per home run when using 16AWG wire).
- GEMC-BSLC-RLY is equivalent to 5 devices (and have a maximum distance of 3000 feet per home run when using 16AWG wire).
However, as the distance increases, fewer devices are allowed, as follows:
BURGLARY DEVICE DISTANCE SPECIFICATIONS
- 22-gauge:....................... 250 feet........................ 126 Burglary devices
- 22-gauge:....................... 500 feet........................ 84 Burglary devices
- 22-gauge:....................... 750 feet........................ 42 Burglary devices
- 18-gauge:....................... 625 feet........................ 126 Burglary devices
- 18-gauge:....................... 1250 feet..................... 84 Burglary devices
- 18-gauge:....................... 2000 feet..................... 42 Burglary devices
- 16-or 14-gauge:............. 1000 feet..................... 126 Burglary devices
- 16-or 14-gauge:............. 2000 feet..................... 84 Burglary devices
- 16-or 14-gauge:............. 2000-3000 feet........... 42 Burglary devices