Operation, status indication, and advanced functions of the ZUP-230V-BM fire protection power supply

The signalling system of the ZUP-230V-BM floating-operation power supply consists of optical indicators located on the cabinet door and diagnostic LEDs on the internal electronics board. This arrangement enables a quick overall assessment as well as detailed and precise diagnostics.

CIE (Red):

• Short flashes: Normal fire monitoring status. Confirms that the control line from the fire alarm control panel (CSP) is operational and monitored.

• Steady: Fire alarm condition active (triggered by the CSP or locally).

• Regular flashing (50/50 duty cycle): A parameterization error has been detected on the CIE control line (e.g. missing end-of-line resistors or incorrect resistor value), or the polarity of the line from the CSP is reversed.

• Off: No alarm or operation in UPS mode (in which the CIE input is inactive).

RI (Yellow) – Battery circuit fault: Steady when the internal resistance of the battery circuit exceeds the permissible threshold.

EPO (Red): On when the Emergency Power Off safety input is active.

DO (Yellow): On when the manual gate opening input is in the short-circuit state.

The table below shows the behavior of the optical indicators depending on the power supply status and operating mode of the fire protection power supply.

Integration of the ZUP-230V-BM power supply with higher-level safety systems (e.g. gate controllers or fire alarm systems such as SSP/SAP/SKRDiC) is carried out using potential-free relay outputs (equipped with NO and NC contacts). Their activation status is indicated by yellow LEDs on the main board.

In CSP (Fire) mode: It is used to physically trigger the gate controller (sending an opening signal to the RWA input or control button). This output is activated with a programmed delay (2 s or 12 s) after voltage appears at the OUT output. It can operate in continuous mode (holding the signal until the end of the TA alarm time) or in cyclic mode (so-called “hiccup” mode – 5 s pulses / 5 s pause), which prevents the gate from being blocked by a user during a fire.

In UPS mode: It is used to indicate low battery voltage (UBAT < ULO).

Mains power failure indication (optional): Setting slider switch No. 8 to the ON position changes the function of the CSO output in both modes to indicate a 230 V mains power failure.

Operating logic: The output operates according to fail-safe logic – the relay is energized under normal conditions. When a fault is detected, the relay de-energizes (the contacts open). It indicates, among other things, inverter failure, rectifier failure, battery fault (Ri), temperature probe failure, CIE line parameterization error, and AC mains failure (with a 5-second filtering delay).

1. The recommendation not to use the gate for normal, operational purposes while operating on battery power (during the 9-minute TS time window after a mains power failure) follows directly from fire safety requirements.

Why is this important?

• Saving energy in the event of a fire: Each gate operating cycle draws a high current (the starting current drawn by the inverter from the batteries can reach as much as 90 A). Unnecessary opening and closing of the gate for logistical purposes during a mains power failure consumes energy that is essential for emergency gate opening if a fire were to break out, for example, in the 60th or 72nd hour of battery standby operation.
• Ensuring the required standby time: Switching off the inverter after the TS time (factory-set to 9 minutes) reduces the power supply’s own current consumption from 0.59–1.44 A to just 39 mA. This makes it possible to maintain the system in standby mode for up to 72 hours using batteries of optimum size.
• Safety of rescue teams: Automatic disconnection of the 230 V AC voltage after the TA fire alarm time (factory-set to 9 minutes) eliminates the presence of hazardous voltage at the site. This allows firefighters to safely carry out firefighting operations (e.g. using water) without the risk of electric shock.

Methods of preventing unauthorized battery discharge:

• Installation of dedicated indication: Since gate controllers rarely indicate battery operation, it is recommended to use a power supply version with an optional continuous 24 V DC output. This makes it possible to power, for example, an external visual indicator for the Firefighter’s Power Off Switch (PWP) or warning signs informing personnel that the system has switched to an emergency state.
• Factory modification of the TS time: If there is a high risk of unauthorized gate use during a mains power failure at the site, the TS time can be shortened when ordering from MERAWEX. The inverter will then switch to energy-saving standby mode sooner, preserving the available energy reserve.
• Organizational procedures and physical safeguards: Technical personnel should be trained to interpret the MAINS LED indication. In addition, local opening buttons connected to the DO input should be physically secured (e.g. behind a protective cover) to restrict access by unauthorized persons.