EDWARDS (QS-232) Quickstart Card, Plugs Into Cpu

The Edwards QS-232 QuickStart card is a UART option card that plugs directly onto the QSC, QS1, and QS4 panel CPU. First, it adds an RS-232 serial port for PC programming. In addition, it provides the serial connection used to drive a supervised event-history printer.

This card serves the conventional QuickStart family, not the Signature or EST3 addressable platforms. As a result, technicians use it to connect a laptop running Edwards’ configuration utility to the panel. Furthermore, sites that log events to a parallel printer rely on the same port.

What the QS-232 does

• First, it terminates an RS-232 serial cable from a programming PC.
• Then it carries the same data path to a supervised printer when configured.
• It mounts directly on the CPU board inside the QSC, QS1, or QS4 enclosure.
• In addition, Edwards bundles it (with an X485 Class A annunciator card) as the NT-A package.

Verified specs

• Function: UART option card / RS-232 serial port for the QuickStart CPU.
• Required for: PC programming and supervised printer port.
• Host panels: Edwards QSC, QS1, and QS4 conventional fire alarm panels.
• Ship weight: 1.0 lb (0.45 kg).

Important compatibility notes

First, the QS-232 is not the same card as the EST3 3-RS232. Also, it is not the SA-232 used in newer E-FSA small-analog panels. Specifically, use the QS-232 only with QuickStart-family CPUs.

QuickStart is a conventional platform. Therefore, this card does not communicate with addressable detectors or notification appliances. Instead, it carries data between the panel CPU and an external PC or printer.

Because QuickStart panels are no longer in production, the QS-232 is sold as a service-replacement part for existing installations.

Authoritative source: Edwards data sheet 85005-0112, QSC Conventional Life Safety Control Panel (Issue 6).

For more information, contact the Life Safety Consultants team at (888) 557-0558, or email us at: sales@lifesafetycom.com