Introduction; Introduction To The Ips; Using This Manual - Whelen Engineering Company IPS 400 Product Manual

Section 1

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction to the IPS

Information on the operation, installation, and maintenance of the Whelen Engineering Company's In-Plant Personnel
Warning System (IPS) is provided in this technical manual. The IPS-400 and the IPS-800 are essentially the same. The
IPS- 400 has a single 400 watt amplifier, while the IPS-800 has two. This means that the IPS-800 can drive 800 watts of
audio power versus 400 watts for the IPS-400. The IPS-800 also has more battery capacity than the IPS-400. In the
majority of cases throughout this manual, all IPS models will be referred to as an IPS.
The IPS is a complex system, capable of generating six standard warning signals and Public Address (PA). The IPS can
operate with various combinations of speakers. The IPS may be linked to a central control point or points via radio
frequency (RF) or landline (telephone circuit, dry contact or dual tone multifrequency via twisted pair), permitting
multiplexed control and status feedback.
A typical In-Plant System consists of a Control Cabinet, with an ESC-864 Controller, 1 or 2 Power Amplifiers, a System
Driver Board, a Battery Charger and Batteries. In addition, a system may include some number of various types of
speakers.

1.1 Using This Manual

This manual is divided into a number of sections. Much of the discussion relates to generic Whelen Engineering
Company, Inc. siren operation, which is consistent with other Whelen products, like the WPS-2800 Series. Since every
IPS system has a control cabinet, it is covered in the most detail. Optional system components, such as; speakers or
strobes are discussed in individual sections or in separate Product Description sheets.
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