All currently manufactured FACP's with an integrated DACT require an analog phone line (ie copper or what was called POTS). let's use verizon FIOS as an example. Their back up battery system for the VOIP is less than 24 hours, so it's not compliant with 72. Also VOIP is not part of the PSTN (public switched telephone network). All DACTs must be connected to the PTSN, not VOIP.
The Telcos are publically regulated utilities and can and do lie all the time about anything alarm related. It's not slam on them, just a plain truth.
I've been told since their fiber demarcs say POTS, it's OK to use with a fire panel. Well, even if I believe that, I can think of three places where it's not working, but the customer doesn't care. The telco said it was fine, is their excuse. Its the FACP, it's bad. I even had one customer agree to have the panel replaced. If the dialer trouble came back, he would have to pay for it, and did he ever.
Couldn't a T1 line or fiber be used with an Analog Telephone Adapter?
Is T1 considered part of the PSTN?? The fiber converter would not be acceptable, based on the 24 hours plus 5 min in alarm back up battery requirement. Also, the panel isn't listed for use with such an adaptor.
Could it work? Sure, would I do it, not unless their was a cell or radio back up.
Does 72 even apply on the utility side of the demarc?
No, phone lines are defined as analog by the panel manufacturers. Anything not POTS is not acceptable, at least that is what Silent Knight and Firelite tell me. I have nothing to back that up NEC wise.
Nhfire77, I assume this also holds true for the secondary line that it must be POTS? And does the secondary line need to be dedicated or could it be a shared line? Thanks.
IWIRE,
I see an exeception for an ISDN telephone line. Maybe similar to T1? 2007 72 8.6.3.2.1.4
ISDN being a digital transmission over teleco's phone lines, correct? In essence dosen't any analog line become a digital transmission at some point in the teleco's lines? I always thought ISDN was the equivalent of dial-up internet service. Trying to wrap my mind around this, thanks nhfire77.
Fax mchines work as they are explicitly supported by the VoIP standards, but modems are not.I have found energy management modems do not like voip, but fax machines do.
I wonder how much backup power the telco generally has on their fiber lines. Around here, with the advent of at&t UVerse, the telco has been chopping off the copper near entrances to neighborhoods or users and converting it to fiber. So in essence, even the old copper pots is converted to fiber really early on in the chain. This could have a bearing on determining if fiber, at least on the provider end, has proper backup to endure a a long power outage.
Interesting discussion though...
No, phone lines are defined as analog by the panel manufacturers.
I do not understand.