Floyd Bell - Piezo Alarms, Buzzers, and Audio Devices for Durable Industrial Machines - Tone Types
Floyd Bell Inc. offers 7 major tone types. We also offer a number of variations within the major tone types, representing a total of thirty-five choices of tone types. They are described below in decreasing order of noticeability. Note that the below-referenced ranges of sound output (i.e. "From 95 db to 109 db") depends upon the amount of voltage applied-the higher the voltage, the higher the sound output. Sample our various tones by clicking on the sound buttons. Indicated in bold type in the text below are the tone types for which we have provided samples.
Siren Tone
The siren tone, our most noticeable alarm, sweeps from a low frequency to a high frequency and back again at the rate of three cycles per second. The siren tone alarm is typically used in situations where an important event must be audibly enunciated. The siren tone is well suited to high ambient noise environments where the sweeping tone, coupled with the high sound output (from 95 db to 109 db at two feet), can still be heard. Siren tones are often used as overflow detectors in petroleum tanks. The siren tone is available in 3 voltage ranges: 5-15 VDC, 6-28 VDC, and 20-30 VAC / VDC.
Similar to what you hear on many car alarms, the siren tone has a variable frequency algorithm that is very attention getting and is somewhat of a standard for serious alarm situations. This tone starts at 1600Hz and sweeps in a linear fashion up to 2000Hz and then sweeps back down. There are two characteristics that make this tone very noticeable. First, it uses a wide bandwidth of sound as it sweeps. The wide bandwidth makes the tone very hard to ignore especially in a loud and noisy environment where a single tone may get “washed out” by other noise. Second, during the sweep, the “hot spot” or resonant frequency of the alarms tone cavity is fully utilized. This affect tends give a high output and piercing audible feeling to the listener.
Ultra Loud
Staccato Tone
The staccato tone rapidly sweeps from a low tone to a high tone at the rate of eight times per second. Although similar to the whoop in all technical aspects including sweep and reset, the rate of the Stattaco is increased such that is has a unique and sharply distinctive tone. This tone also has the advantage as being in a category all by itself as a unique and non-common tone. As far as alarm tones are concerned, this is pretty much the “Dick Dale” of Floyd Bell alarm tones.
Ultra Loud
Whoop Tone
The whoop tone sweeps from a low tone to a high tone at the rate of twice per second. This tone is also a frequency sweep tone but in one direction only and then it abruptly resets to the lowest frequency. It is truly one half of a siren tone. The whoop tone has all the frequency sweep advantages of the siren, as described above, but with some added benefits. This tone is not as common as a standard siren tone and it is highly desirable when the alert could be confused with other alarms and consequently ignored.
The whoop tone is available in 3 voltage ranges: 5-15 VDC, 6-28 VDC, and 20-30 VAC / VDC.
Ultra Loud
Warble Tone
The warble tone alternates between a low frequency sound and a high frequency sound. Ultra loud models are available in 2 warble cadences, slow (1 pulse per second) and fast (3 pulses per second). Medium loud are available in 3 warble cadences, 2, 10 and 15 cycles per second. The warble tone alarm is typically used in situations where an important event must be audibly enunciated. The warble tone is well suited to high ambient noise environments where the sweeping tone, coupled with the high sound output (from 95 db to 109 db at two feet), can still be heard. Warble tones are often found in water treatment plants and aeration septic systems. This tone is similar to what people expect from an “English police siren.” To make this tone, the alarm will sound at a low frequency and then abruptly switch to a higher frequency and then return to the low frequency. The alarm will start at 1700hz then change to a 1800hz thus creating the two tone nature of the “English police siren.” Ultra loud warble tones are available in 3 voltage ranges: 5-15 VDC, 6-28 VDC, and 20-30 VAC / VDC. Medium loud warble tones with 2 or 10 cycles per second are available in 4 voltage ranges: 6-16 VDC, 5-30 VDC, 9-48 VDC, and 5-30 VAC/DC, and with 15 cycles per second, in 3 voltage ranges: 30-120 VAC, 130-220 VAC and 15-36 VAC.
Ultra Loud Slow
Ultra Loud Fast
Medium Loud Moderate
Medium Loud Fast
Medium Loud Extra Fast
Continuous Tone
The continuous tone emits a constant sound for as long as power is applied. The continuous tone is generally used as an alert, alarm or trouble signal. Representative applications include golf cart back-up alarms, oil pressure alerts, and high temperature alerts. The continuous tone alarms are available in 3 sound levels: medium continuous tone (68 db to 95 db), extra loud continuous tone (82 db to103 db), and ultra loud continuous tone (96 db to 108 db). All sound levels are measured at 2 feet (61 cm).
In addition, we have a miniature continuous tone, high output product line, the M-80 series (M-80 and PM-80 / M-10 and PM-100), that produces sound levels of between 92 db and 102 db. The M-80 series is used in various marine applications, such as fluid level and oil pressure detection.
The medium continuous tone alarms have eight voltage ranges: 1-16 VDC, 1-30 VDC, 5-16 VDC, 5-30 VDC, 9-48 VDC, 5-30 VAC / VDC, 30-120 VAC / VDC, 130-220 VAC. The extra loud continuous tone alarms have 4 voltage ranges: 2-12 VDC, 3-30 VDC, 120 VAC, 220 VAC. The ultra continuous tone has 3 voltage ranges: 5-15 VDC, 6-28 VDC, and 20-30 VAC / VDC. The miniature continuous tone line has two voltage ranges: the M-80 / PM-80 operates at 5-15 VDC, and the M-100/PM-100 operates at 3-6 VDC.
Medium Loud
Extra Loud
Ultra Loud
Beep Tone
The beep tone is a repeating series of off-and-on sound pulses with an approximate duty cycle of 50%. Most beep tone models are available in four cadences: slow beep (one pulse per second), medium beep (two pulses per second), fast beep (three pulses per second), and ultra fast beep (six pulses per second). The beep tone is sharper and more discernable than the chime tone. It is commonly used in snowmobiles to alert of reverse movement and in various farm equipment warning systems. The beep tone alarms come in 3 loudness levels: medium (85 db to 95 db), extra loud (90 db to 104 db), and ultra loud (97 db to 109 db), all of which are measured at 2 feet (61 cm). The medium beep tone unit has six voltage ranges: 5-16 VDC, 5-30 VDC, 9-48 VDC, 5-30 VAC / VDC, 30-120 VAC / VDC, 130-220 VAC. The extra loud beep tone has 5 voltage ranges: 2-12 VDC, 3-30 VDC, 5-12 VDC, 30-120 VAC, and 130-220 VAC. The ultra loud beep tone has 3 voltage ranges: 5 VDC - 15 VDC, 6-28 VDC, 20 VDC / VAC.
Medium Loud Slow
Medium Loud Fast
Medium Loud Fast
Chime Tone
The chime tone, our least noticeable alarm, decays from loud to soft. This tone is similar to what you hear on many automotive door chimes. The chime tone is considered, by most people, to be a pleasant sound. For this reason automotive companies have use it for years for door open indicators. The chime tone is a single frequency tone that is decayed, in volume level over time. One can think of it as a bell being struck with a hammer. The initial hit is loud and then the volume decays over time. We offer three versions of chime tones: fast (2 chimes per second), medium (1 chime per second), and single (chimes only once). The chime tone is used in situations where a more pleasant tone is required such as in elevators, offices, medical equipment, and vehicle compartments. The Chime tone produces sound output of between 70 db and 90 db The chime tone is available in three voltage ranges: 5-25 VDC, 120 VAC, and 220 VAC.
Medium Loud Moderate
Medium Loud Fast
Medium Loud Single Shot
Dual Function Alarms
In addition to all of the single function alarms described above, Floyd Bell offers dual function alarms that give the customer the option of an alarm that is capable of emitting two different tone types. Dual function alarms are available that emit both beep and continuous tones, and that emit both warble and continuous tones. The customer controls the choice of tones and the triggering events that activate and alternate between the dual tones. Each dual function alarm is available in both ultra loud and medium loud. Sound samples at left illustrate the following dual function combinations: medium beep and continuous tones at 2 pulses per second; ultra loud beep and continuous tones at 1 pulse per second; medium warble and continuous tones at 2 pulses per second; and ultra loud warble and continuous tones at 3 pulses per second.
Medium Loud Medium
Ultra Loud Slow
Medium Loud Moderate
Ultra Loud Fast
Announcer™ Series
Sometimes a "beep" or "whoop" doesn't convey enough information to an operator of a machine. Floyd Bell Inc., manufacturer of popular Audiolarm® piezo electric buzzers, has solved this problem with a new line of high-quality digital audio alarms.
New Announcer™ Series alarms from Floyd Bell play a pre-recorded audio messages. Available in a small panel mount size and as large bracket-mount stand-alone unit, they provide the ability to replace an ambiguous beep with voice instructions or warnings.
You have the ability to choose from standard warning messages ("Warning!"), send us your own file, or have Floyd Bell provide the production of the message at our in-house production studio for AN100 and AN125 Announcers. Announcer™ Series alarms come standard with wires or quick connect terminals, a special grill designed for maximum acoustic output, and voltage range to fit your application. The large AN454 Announcer comes equipped with a USB port so users can load up to 16 of their own messages.
Caution
Warning
Equipment Malfunction
Vehicle in Motion