The Hochiki Loop Driver Card is a plug-in card for use in the ZXa and ZXe intelligent multi protocol fire alarm control panels. This module allows ZXa/ZXe control panels to support input/output points from Hochiki's ASX (ESP) Series addressable devices such as:
 
- Heat Sensor
- Photoelectric Smoke Sensor
- lonisation Type Smoke Sensor
- Mini Zone Monitor Module
- Dual Zone Monitor Module
- Dual Switch Monitor Module
- Dual Circuit Sounder Controller
- Dual Relay Controller
- Manual Call Point
- Loop Powered Sounder
- Short Circuit Isolator
 
The plug-in loop driver card provides power for and handles communications to the addressable devices. The loop controller continuously checks the analog values of all sensors and displays this value on the panel as a percentage of the alarm threshold value. Both the alarm and pre-alarm threshold levels can be adjusted from the panel if required.   Up to 126 devices can be connected to a single loop controller. Each Hochiki device has either a Dual-in-Line (DIL) Switch on the device or is pogrammed using a special tool to allow a unique address, in the range 001 to 126, to be selected.  The loop controller can support Class-A and Class-B wiring configurations. Short-circuit isolation and double address detection are built into the module. The AUTO-LEARN facility provided in the ZXa and ZXe control panels saves considerable time and effort when installing a new loop or when changing sensor configuration. It allows the system to learn for itself what devices have been installed on the loop. The fire alarm panel performs a calibration and contamination check once every 24 hours. If the detector zero point falls outside of specific limits or approaches the Pre-alarm point, the panel will indicate a fault. A calibration is automatically performed each time an Auto-Learn is performed. A manual "Calibrate" option is also available on the configuration menu.