NOTIFIER NCM-W Network Communications Module Installation Guide
- June 9, 2024
- NOTIFIER
Table of Contents
12 Clintonville Road
Northford, CT 06472-1653 USA
www.notifier.com
NCM Installation Document
Network Communications Module NCM-W, NCM-F
Product Overview
The Network Communications Module (NCM) provides a means for connecting
specific Notifier fire alarm control products to NOTI•FIRE•NET™. There are two
types of NCMs available: NCM-W for connecting nodes with twisted-pair wire,
and NCM-F for connecting nodes with fiber-optic cable.
1.1 The Network Communications Module for Wire (NCM-W)
- Supports twisted-pair wire medium.
- NFPA Style 4 (Class B) operation or NFPA Style 7 (Class A) operation.
- Two programmable data thresholds.
- Transformer coupling provides electrical isolation between nodes.
- Pluggable terminal wiring with strain relief.
- Pluggable service connector (feeds signal directly through) in the event that power must be removed from a node.
- 312.5 Kbaud transmission rate.
- Data is regenerated at each node.
- Two network ports to allow simultaneous connection to fire alarm control panel and to programming computer
- Enables software and database upload/download over NOTI•FIRE•NET™.
- Refer to the NOTI•FIRE•NET™ Manual (Network Version 4.0 and Higher) for wiring length and threshold information.
1.2 The Network Communications Module for Fiber (NCM-F)
- Supports fiber-optic medium.
- NFPA Style 4 (Class B) or Style 7 (Class A) operation.
- Data is immune to all environmental noise.
- Optical isolation prevents ground loops.
- NOTI•FIRE•NET™ fiber optic medium.
- Fiber type:
- 62.5/125 micrometers (multimode, 8 dB limit)
- 50/125 micrometers (multimode, 4.2 dB limit)
- Wavelength (1): 820 nanometers. (Use standard 850 nm fiber.)
- Connectors: ST® Style (ST® is a registered trademark of AT &T ).
- 312.5 Kbaud transmission rate.
- Data is regenerated at each node.
- Two network ports to allow simultaneous connection to fire alarm control panel and to programming computer.
- Enables software and database upload/download over NOTI•FIRE•NET™.
Installing the NCM
2.1 Interconnecting the NCM-W
When wiring consecutive NCM-W boards, note that wiring may enter or exit at
Port A or Port B as shown in Figure 4. NCM-W port-to-port wiring is not
polarity sensitive. The use of Port A or Port B is arbitrary. An NCM-W may be
connected to any of the following devices:
- MIB-W
- MIB-WF
- NAM-232W
- NCM-W (in another panel)
- NCS-W network connection
- RPT-W
- RPT-WF
For information regarding these devices, refer to the documentation listed in
Table 4 “Supplemental Documentation”. 
Note: Wiring from the NCM-W that is installed outside
the building:
- Cannot exceed 1000m (3280 ft.).
- Must be in conduit and is to be buried in a trench separate from any power lines.
- Cannot cross any power lines.
Figure 3 The NCM-W
| TB100-1 | CH-A (+) | Channel-A Driver/Receiver |
|---|---|---|
| TB100-2 | CH-A (-) | Channel-A Driver/Receiver |
| TB100-3 | CH-B (+) | Channel-B Driver/Receiver |
| TB100-4 | CH-B (-) | Channel-B Driver/Receiver |
| TB100-5 | Earth Ground |
Table 1 NOTI•FIRE•NET™ Connections: NCM-W
Switch Functions: Ground Fault Detection and Line Termination
The NCM-W provides two sets of switches to simplify network setup; in Figure 4
all are in the “off” position.
- Enable ground fault detection by setting switches “on”: SW103 for Channel A, and SW101 for Channel B.
- Activate on-board end-of-line resistors by setting switches “on”: SW100 for Channel A; SW102 for Channel B.
Note: Correct configuration depends on your network design; refer to the
NOTI•FIRE•NET™ Manual (Network Version 4.0 and Higher).
2.2 Interconnecting the NCM-F
When connecting consecutive nodes/repeaters, note that fiber cable must exit
one board on transmit (TX) and enter the next node/repeater on receive (RX).
Also, note that the fiber-optic pair (RX, TX) from port A of one Node/Repeater
may be connected to either Port A or Port B of another node/repeater (refer to
Figure 5). An NCM-F may be connected to any of the following devices:
- MIB-F
- MIB-WF
- NAM-232F
- Another NCM-F
- Network connection for NCS-F
- RPT-F
- RPT-WF
For information regarding these devices, refer to the NAM-232 and Repeater
manuals listed in Table 4 “Supplemental Documentation”.
Note: See the NOTI•FIRE•NET™ Manual (Network Version 4.0 and Higher) for
maximum fiberoptic cable attenuation.
| J200 | CH A | Transmit |
|---|---|---|
| J201 | CH A | Receive |
| J202 | CH B | Transmit |
| J203 | CH B | Receive |
Table 2 NOTI•FIRE•NET™ Connections: NCM-F
2.3 Mixing Wire & Fiber on One Network
In some networks, it may be necessary to mix twisted-pair wire and fiber-optic
cable. There are two solutions for this situation.
- In any network, an RPT-WF may be used as an interface between wire and fiber.
- In a network that uses an AFP1010 or AM2020, a MIB-WF may also be used as the interface between wire and fiber.
See 1.2 “The Network Communications Module for Fiber (NCM-F)” for requirements and restrictions on the use of fiber optic cable. See the NOTI•FIRE•NET™ Manual (Network Version 4.0 and Higher) for a discussion of all compatible configurations.
Diagnostic Indicators
The NCM has LEDs that serve as diagnostic indicators to help in
troubleshooting and system connection. Refer to Table 3 for a list of
diagnostic indicators and their descriptions. Refer to Figure 6 for location
of the diagnostic indicators.
| LED Indicator | LED Color | LED Description |
|---|---|---|
| A HI (NCM-W only) | Green | Illuminates to indicate the NCM-W Port A is set for |
high threshold.
B HI (NCM-W only)| Green| Illuminates to indicate the NCM-W Port B is set for
high threshold.
RCD A| Green| Illuminates when the NCM is receiving data from NOTI•FIRE•NET™
on Port A.
RCD B| Green| Illuminates when the NCM is receiving data from NOTI•FIRE•NET™
on Port B.
STATA| Yellow| Illuminates when the NCM has not received valid data from
NOTI•FIRE•NET™ on Port A for at least 16 seconds.
STATB| Yellow| Illuminates when the NCM has not received valid data from
NOTI•FIRE•NET™ on Port B for at least 16 seconds.
RECON| Yellow| Illuminates when a reconfiguration on NOTI•FIRE•NET™ is in
progress.
PULSE1| Green| Illuminates when the NCM is transmitting data to
NOTI•FIRE•NET™.
RESET| Yellow| Illuminates when the microcontroller fails.
POWER| Green| Illuminates when +5 VDC is available
Table 3 Diagnostic Indicator Functions and Colors
Door-Mounting
Both NCM-W and NCM-F can be installed in any panel circuit module position;
see your control panel installation manual. Additionally, the NCM-W can be
door-mounted on the ADP-4B Dress Panel on a single-space blank plate (BMP-1)
for mounting in a CAB-4 Series cabinet.
Note: The module cannot be mounted in the ADP-4B Dress Panel when a front
slot of the CHS-4 or CHS-4N is occupied, or when either of the two front right
positions of the CHS-M2 is occupied. Always be certain there is enough
clearance to close the cabinet door when this installation is used.
Supplemental Documentation
The table below provides a list of document sources (manuals) containing additional information regarding the NCM and products that it can connect to. The NOTIFIER document (DOC-NOT) chart provides the current document revision.
| F or information on… | Refer to… | Part No. |
|---|---|---|
| Networking | NOTI•FIRE•NET™ Manual (for Network Version 4.0 and Higher) Onyx |
NCS Network Control Station (for Network Version 4.0 and Higher) NCS Network
Control Station (for Network Version 4.0)
NFS-640 Installation
Operations
Programming
NCA Network Control Annunciator Media Interface Board (MIB) Manual NAM-232
Network Adaptor Module
RPT – W/WF/F Repeaters for NOTI•FIRE•NET™| 51584
51658
51585
51332
51333
51334
51482
50255
50038
50256
Off-line Programming Utility| VeriFire™ Tools CD on-line help file| VeriFire-
TCD
Compatible Devices| Device Compatibility Document| 15378
Cabinets & Chassis| CAB-3/CAB-4 Series Installation Document BMP-1 Product
Installation Document Also see your panel’s Installation Manual| 15330
51119
Table 4 Supplemental Documentation
Note: For module mounting instructions, refer to the documentation for
your control panel
NCM Installation PN 51533:A1 03/27/03
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References
- Fire Alarm Resources | Download fire alarm documents
- Home (USA) | NOTIFIER by Honeywell | Engineered Fire Alarm System.