Bradenton, FL, March 14, 2011 – Edwards is pleased to announce the introduction of Vigilant brand VM Series – a new life safety system that represents the latest generation of control panels for mid- to large-sized applications. Edwards is part of UTC Fire & Security, which is a unit of United Technologies Corp.
With large multi-message displays and innovative controls, intuitive interfaces, and bold colored cabinets, VM Series captures the imagination — and catches the eye. But it's behind the LCD display where VM really shines, according to Steve Hein, General Manager of Product Management at Edwards. "New microprocessors and chipsets take full advantage of the latest advances in computing technology, leading VM Series to smarter, faster, higher-capacity processing, and more efficient designs," he says.
Hein points out that high performance processing also delivers powerful networking options and versatile digital audio functionality. In fact, VM can handle jobs that range from a single stand-alone control panel, to a sophisticated network comprising as many as eight nodes processing data from up to 4,000 devices. Optional voice evacuation bridges the gap left by other midrange systems, and makes these panels a cost-effective solution for most applications.
Among the many innovations engineered into the VM is its exclusive Voltage Boost technology, which delivers a consistent 22.5 Vdc – even at low battery power. This means lighter gauge cable can be used for equivalent distances compared with conventional power supplies, or longer wire runs on the same gauge cable. Either way, this breakthrough technology saves time and equipment costs, making VM not only a high-performance solution — but a cost-effective one as well.
According to Steve Hein, versatility is where VM hits the mark. "This generation of control panels is equally at home as the center of a simple single-building standalone system as it is as part of a sophisticated life safety network serving thousands of points across multiple buildings," he says. "It's an economy of scale made possible by a major leap in technology." Hein adds that the real beneficiaries of this development are life safety system designers and building owners, who now have the means to bridge what's best with what's possible.
