The 8-way programmable input card is a compact remote I/O device for the ZXa and ZXe intelligent multi protocol fire alarm panels. This device, along with other remote I/O devices, the repeater units and the external printer provide a complete range of peripheral devices to further enhance the functionality and expandability of the ZXa and ZXe systems.  The 8-way input card consists of 8 non-supervised monitoring circuits built on a single printed circuit board. Each input is equipped with a pair of terminals to accept an input from an external NO clean contact suitable for low voltage/low current switching.

Each input can be individually programmed to generate one of the five input events in the panel: Fire, Fault, Bomb Alert, Class Change, or Security. The "Auto-Learn" facility in the ZXa and ZXe control panel will automatically determine the number of modules connected to the peripheral bus and add each input card to the list of inputs in the panel. Once the inputs are learned, then each of these inputs can be programmed with the desired input event type. The card can be set in either standard mode with a single address, zone number and device description common to all inputs or in expanded mode where each input has its own peripheral address, zone number and device description. When used in the expanded mode one 8-way input card occupies eight peripheral addresses and therefore the addresses 1 to 8 cannot be used by any other peripheral bus device (i.e. the next bus card/device must be set to address 9 or higher).   The 8-way programmable input card requires a 24V to 28 Vdc external power supply to operate. This may be taken from the auxiliary power supply output on the ZXa and ZXe panel or any other suitable DC supply of suitable voltage and current rating.  The 8-way input card connects to the ZXa and ZXe control panel via the RS485 peripheral port (Port D). An RS485 communication card must be fitted in the ZXa or ZXe fire alarm control panel for that purpose.  The RS485 peripheral address is set via an onboard DIP switch and other peripherals can be daisy chained together on the same line. Up to a maximum of 31 input points can be used on a peripheral bus. This number is reduced when any other peripheral devices are used on the same bus.