Monitor Module vs Relay Module vs Control Module: Which Do I Need?

Buying GuideThe Fire Alarm Supplier
Notifier FMM-1 addressable monitor module

A monitor module is an input that gives dry-contact devices an address on the signaling line circuit (SLC). A relay module is an unsupervised dry-contact output. A control module is a supervised output that switches external power to notification appliances.

The part numbers below start with Notifier's. Fire-Lite, Silent Knight and Gamewell-FCI sell modules with the same functions under their own numbers, each one listed for its own brand's panels. Everything here comes from the manufacturer documents under Sources.

What does a monitor module, a relay module and a control module each do?

  • Monitor module (input). It supervises a circuit of normally-open dry-contact devices such as pull stations, waterflow and tamper switches, conventional heat detectors or four-wire smoke detectors, and reports open, normal or short to the panel. It is powered from the SLC.
  • Relay module (unsupervised output). The Notifier FRM-1 gives the panel a dry contact for auxiliary equipment: fans, dampers, door holders, air handler shutdown, or resetting four-wire smoke detector power. No end-of-line resistor is used on the contacts, and Gamewell-FCI's datasheet for its equivalent says plainly that the connections to the relay contacts are not supervised.
  • Control module (supervised output). The Notifier FCM-1 provides one circuit for horns, strobes or speakers. It supervises that circuit and, on command from the panel, disconnects supervision and connects an external power supply across the appliances. The SLC powers only the module's own electronics, so a separate supply is always needed.

FMM-1 vs FMM-101 vs FDM-1 vs FZM-1: which monitor module for which job?

Pick by circuit class, number of circuits and whether the field devices are dry contacts or two-wire smoke detectors.

Model Monitors Circuit class End-of-line resistor Form
FMM-1 One circuit of normally-open dry contacts Class A or Class B 47K ohm (Class B) Standard module, 4-inch square box
FMM-101 One device or one circuit of normally-open dry contacts Class B only 47K ohm Miniature (1.3 x 2.75 x 0.65 in.) with wire leads; fits in a single-gang box behind the device
FDM-1 Two independent circuits on two consecutive addresses Class B only 47K ohm Standard module, 4-inch square box
FZM-1 One zone of compatible two-wire, 24 V conventional smoke detectors Class A or Class B 3.9K ohm Standard module; needs an external 24 VDC power-limited supply (90 mA maximum per module)

What FZM means in practice: Notifier's SLC wiring manual calls the FZM-1 a zone interface module. It puts a whole zone of two-wire detectors on one address, and every detector on that zone must be UL compatible with the module. The FDM-1 does not support Class A wiring in any application. All four run in FlashScan or CLIP mode.

FRM-1 vs FCM-1: dry-contact relay or supervised NAC output?

Use the FRM-1 when the panel only has to open or close a contact. Use the FCM-1 when the panel has to power and supervise notification appliances.

Item FRM-1 relay module FCM-1 control module
Output Two Form-C dry contacts that switch together One notification appliance circuit, Class B or Class A
Supervision of field wiring None; no end-of-line resistor is used Reports open, normal or short on the circuit
External power None; powered by the SLC Required: regulated 24 VDC for horns and strobes, or audio up to 70.7 V RMS for speakers
Rating 3 A at 30 VDC resistive, non-coded; 2 A at 30 VDC resistive, coded 3 A wired Class B, 2 A wired Class A

Notifier lists the CB500 barrier as required by UL when power-limited and non-power-limited wiring share the FCM-1's junction box. Releasing service uses a different part, the FCM-1-REL, which the SLC wiring manual lists as FlashScan only. Where one location needs two relays and two Class B inputs, the FDRM-1 combines them in one module.

Which part numbers do the same job in each brand?

These are functional counterparts inside each brand's own line, matched from each manufacturer's datasheet. They are not interchangeable parts.

Function Notifier Fire-Lite Silent Knight Gamewell-FCI
Monitor, Class A or Class B contact circuit FMM-1 MMF-300 SK-MONITOR AMM-4F
Mini monitor, Class B FMM-101 MMF-301 SK-MINIMON AMM-2F
Dual monitor, two Class B circuits FDM-1 MDF-300 SK-MONITOR-2 AMM-2IF
Zone of two-wire smoke detectors FZM-1 MMF-302 SK-ZONE AMM-4SF
Relay, two sets of Form-C contacts FRM-1 CRF-300 SK-RELAY AOM-2RF
Supervised control (notification circuit) FCM-1 CMF-300 SK-CONTROL AOM-2SF
Two relays plus two Class B inputs FDRM-1 CDRM-300 SK-RELAYMON-2 Not verified for this guide

The end-of-line values repeat across the family. Fire-Lite lists 47K for the MMF-300, MDF-300, MMF-301 and CMF-300 and 3.9K for the MMF-302. Silent Knight lists 47K for the SK-MONITOR, SK-MINIMON, SK-MONITOR-2 and SK-CONTROL and 3.9K for the SK-ZONE. Gamewell-FCI lists 47K for the AMM-2F. Use the resistor shipped with the module.

Edwards Signature systems use different names for the same three roles: the SIGA-CT1 and SIGA-CT2 input modules, the SIGA-CR control relay module with a Form C dry contact, and the SIGA-CC1 signal module for supervised 24 VDC or audio circuits.

Can a module from one brand be used on another brand's panel?

Do not assume so, even where the housings look identical. Each datasheet we reviewed names only its own brand's panels. Notifier modules are for Notifier intelligent panels in FlashScan or CLIP mode. Fire-Lite modules are for Fire-Lite panels in LiteSpeed or CLIP mode. Silent Knight SK modules list the 6820, 6820EVS, 6808, 6700, 5700, 5808, 5820XL and 5820XL-EVS. Gamewell-FCI Velociti modules are for Gamewell-FCI analog addressable panels. None of these documents lists a module for another brand's panel, so there is no manufacturer basis for crossing them. Protocol and listing are per panel.

The same care applies inside one brand. Fire-Lite states that its older M300, M301, M302 and C304 modules are not compatible with LiteSpeed polling, so a loop that contains one must run in CLIP. Silent Knight panels must be programmed for either SK or SD protocol, and the two device families cannot be mixed on one system.

Confirm any module against the control panel's listing and device compatibility documents, and install it to NFPA 72 and the requirements of the local AHJ.

Where to find these modules

The store stocks these lines in the monitor modules, relay modules and control modules collections, with isolator modules alongside. In-stock orders placed by 3 PM ET ship the same business day. For a project quantity or a module not listed, request a quote.

Sources

Tags: Buying guide, Fire-lite, Gamewell-fci, Modules, Notifier, Silent knight