Protectowire® Linear Heat Detector

Important Installation Information - Please Read!

1. General
1.1 Protectowire Linear Heat Detector may be installed at the ceiling level to protect areas within buildings (area
protection) in the same fashion as the more familiar spot heat detectors. Please refer to the National Fire Alarm and
Signaling Code, NFPA 72, for basic information on the installation and spacing of linear heat detectors for area
protection.
1.2 For special applications where the detector is installed close to the hazard, the manufacturer’s recommendations
and/or installation instructions should be followed. Whenever there is a choice between two or more possible
installation procedures, the one that results in increased protection should be utilized.

2. Model Numbers, Temperature Ratings and Approved Spacing

Product Type Model Number Alarm Temperature Max. Ambient Approvals/Max. Listed Spacing
Temperature UL / cUL FM
EPC
Multi-Purpose/ PHSC-155-EPC 155o F (68o C) 115o F (46o C) 50 ft. / 15.2m 30 ft. / 9.1m
o o o o
Commercial & PHSC-190-EPC 190 F (88 C) 150 F (66 C) 50 ft. / 15.2m 30 ft. / 9.1m
Industrial Applications PHSC-220-EPC 220 F (105o C)
o
175 F (79o C)
o
50 ft. / 15.2m 25 ft. / 7.6m
o o o o
PHSC-280-EPC 280 F (138 C) 200 F (93 C) 50 ft. / 15.2m 25 ft. / 7.6m
o o o o
PHSC-356-EPC 356 F (180 C) 221 F (105 C) 50 ft. / 15.2m See Note 1
o o o o
XCR PHSC-155-XCR 155 F (68 C) 115 F (46 C) 50 ft. / 15.2m 30 ft. / 9.1m
High Performance PHSC-190-XCR 190o F (88o C) 150o F (66o C) 50 ft. / 15.2m 30 ft. / 9.1m
o o o o
Industrial Applications/ PHSC-220-XCR 220 F (105 C) 175 F (79 C) 50 ft. / 15.2m 25 ft. / 7.6m
Excellent Abrasion & PHSC-280-XCR 280 F (138o C)
o
200 F (93o C)
o
50 ft. / 15.2m 25 ft. / 7.6m
o o o o
Chemical Resistance PHSC-356-XCR 356 F (180 C) 250 F (121 C) 50 ft. / 15.2m See Note 1
XLT
Multi-Purpose / PHSC-135-XLT 135o F (57o C) 100o F (38o C) 50 ft. / 15.2m 30 ft. / 9.1m
Excellent Low Temp.
Properties.
PLR-R
Good Weathering PLR-155R 155o F (68o C) 115o F (46o C) 50 ft. / 15.2m 30 ft. / 9.1m
o o o o
Properties & Flexibility PLR-190R 190 F (88 C) 150 F (66 C) 50 ft. / 15.2m 30 ft. / 9.1m
Over a Wide Temp.
Range.
All Protectowire models supplied on Messenger Wire are identified by the suffix “-M” after the model numbers shown above.

Note 1: FM Approved for special application use only.

3. Electrical Arrangement
3.1 Protectowire is a listed heat-actuated automatic fire detector, and is intended for use on a supervised initiating circuit of
an approved fire protective signaling control unit.
3.2 Copper wire of an approved type, with a minimum conductor size of 18 AWG, shall be installed from the control panel
out to the hazard area where it is connected to the beginning of the Protectowire portion of the circuit. Each end of the
Protectowire portion of every initiating circuit shall terminate in an approved zone box, end-of-line zone box, or junction
box provided as part of the system. SR-502 Series Strain Relief Connectors, or equivalent, shall be installed in all
junction boxes where Protectowire enters or exits the enclosure, in order to hold the detector securely and to provide a
proper seal against dirt and moisture. All zone box enclosures shall be rated and approved for use in the environment
in which they will be installed.
3.3 All electrical connections made within each zone box between Protectowire and the circuit’s interconnecting copper
wiring or end-of-line device shall be made via terminals. The Protectowire Company, supplies zone boxes, identified by
the letters QC, which contain a compression type terminal that allows for the direct connection of Protectowire
conductors to the terminals. In all other cases, PFL Flexible Leads, as furnished by The Protectowire Company, must
be used to connect the Detector to terminals. The use of wire nuts or other similar wiring devices not specifically
approved by The Protectowire Company shall be considered an improper installation technique and a misapplication of
the product.

4. Storage and Shipping

4.1 This wire is sensitive to heat and must be stored in areas where the temperature will not exceed the maximum ambient
temperature rating of the detector. It must not be installed in contact with, or in proximity too, any heat-producing
equipment or environment that exceeds its maximum ambient installation temperature.

The Protectowire Company, Inc., 60 Washington Street, Pembroke, Massachusetts 02359 USA
781-826-3878 - Fax: 781-826-2045 – www.protectowire.com
GPF.msw Form 7736S-0815
 4.2 Each length of Protectowire is individually tested for operational integrity prior to shipment from the Factory. Because
Protectowire is a heat-activated device, it is possible that if proper precautions are not taken to avoid high ambient
temperatures during shipment or storage, the wire could be activated (shorted) before it is installed.
The Protectowire Company recommends that every coil or spool of wire be inspected by the customer to verify the type
and temperature is as ordered, and then tested for shorts before installation begins.

5. Installation Warnings
5.1 This detector is not fragile, but crushing or pinching will damage it. The results of such damage may not appear at once
and may not be obvious by the outward appearance of the wire, but damage to the outer jacket or unnecessary
mechanical stress applied to the wire during installation may cause “false alarms” later on. Therefore:
• DO NOT leave it on the floor and walk on it or set ladders on it during installation.
• DO NOT install it with commercial fasteners unless specially approved by The Protectowire Company.
• DO NOT place it where it will be subject to mechanical damage by equipment processes.
• DO NOT over tighten the fasteners as this may breach the outer jacket or crush the inner insulation causing “false
alarms.” All fasteners must allow the wire to expand and contract with temperature changes.
• DO NOT over stretch the Protectowire runs; some wire “sag” between fasteners is normal.
• DO NOT MAKE NINETY DEGREE (90°) BENDS. All bends should be made using the fingers without holding the
wire with pliers and consist of rounded turns with a minimum 2.5 inch (6.4 cm) radius.
• DO NOT USE WIRE NUTS. All connections must be made via terminals and/or approved splicing devices. The
use of PFL Flexible Leads is recommended for all Protectowire to terminal connections (except in QC type zone
boxes).
• DO NOT PAINT THIS DETECTOR per UL and FM requirements.

6. Outdoor Applications
6.1 Exposure to direct sunlight may cause the temperature of the detector or its mounting surface to exceed the maximum
ambient temperature limit or the alarm actuation temperature of the sensor. For this reason, outdoor use of 135 or 155
degree wire is not recommended. Depending upon the environment, shielding of higher temperature rated detectors
may also be required in order to reduce the surrounding ambient temperature to acceptable limits.
6.2 Applications with high humidity or dampness require, as a minimum, the use of SFTS Sealant Tape for all in-line splices
where PWSC or PWS splicing devices are used. For outdoor applications, the recommended method of splicing
requires that all connections be made within appropriate NEMA rated zone/junction boxes utilizing SR-502 Series Strain
Relief Connectors where Protectowire enters or exits the box.

7. Installation Hints
7.1 Whenever possible, corners should be rounded by pulling the detector into a natural curve rather than bending it. This
reduces installation time and improves the finished appearance. It also creates a spring tension at the corners that
helps hold the detector in place. On flat mounting surfaces, such as ceilings, WAW Corner Clips should be used at all
corners (turns) except for installations using drive rings, or messenger wire.
7.2 The spring steel conductors’ gives the detector a tendency to straighten out when taken from the spool. The same
conductors, however, will take a “set” and try to retain curves or bends if pulled too hard around a corner. The rule,
therefore, is “handle gently.” Do not pull kinks into it that could damage the inner insulation.
7.3 The use of a good portable wire reel (Protectowire Model SU-15 or equivalent) is highly recommended.

The Protectowire Company, Inc., 60 Washington Street, Pembroke, Massachusetts 02359 USA
781-826-3878 - Fax: 781-826-2045 – www.protectowire.com
GPF.msw Form 7736S-0815