Bosch has launched the latest addition to its Praesensa public address and voice alarm: the PRA-SCS Small System Controller, pictured.
It’s suited, the makers say, for mid-sized applications, offering integrators, installers and consultants more options for designing tailored, Praesensa public address and voice alarms across a range of installation sectors, such as hospitality, education, retail stores and commercial buildings. The product can deliver announcements and background music via an intuitive control interface.
The controller oversees all system-related functions within an IP-based Praesensa system, including the routing of audio connections between network-connected Praesensa audio sources and destinations. It handles calls, emergency alerts, collects device status information, and generates fault reports; it also plays back messages and tones stored on its flash memory and manages background music streams, business calls, and emergency calls based on priority level and zone occupancy. Equipped with an internal real-time clock, the controller can schedule events and features event time stamping, with support for Network Time Protocol (NTP) and automatic adjustment for Daylight Saving Time (DST).
Like its larger counterpart, the PRA-SCL, the PRA-SCS delivers multi-channel audio and provides a browser-based control interface. DC‑powered from a multi-function power supply with an integrated battery backup, the controller fits centralised and decentralised system topologies. System communication is based on OMNEO IP architecture over an encrypted IP network. Connections to other system devices are established via the five‑port switch, which supports the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) for redundant network configurations and has an open interface for third-party applications. PRA-SCS can function as single system controller, as part of a redundant system controller concept for uninterrupted system availability, or as subsystem controller in a multi-subnet system.
The PRA-SCS comes with most of the features as its larger counterpart but at a lower price, hence the manufacturer adds making it particularly suitable for small to medium-sized installations due to two restrictions. It can assign a maximum of six amplifiers for up to 48 zones when used with the PRA-AD608 amplifiers. Although it supports the same eight external Dante/AES67 input/output channels, including encryption and decryption, it does not offer the additional 112 static Dante input channels that are available for the larger controller.
