N
National Electrical Code (NEC)
A set of rules published by the National Fire Protection Association covering the installation of electrical conductors and equipment in private and public buildings and on the premises. It has the force of law only when adopted and enforced by municipalities or states.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
An organization that writes the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the fire protection standards used by various agencies to assemble the nation’s fire codes.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
A federal technology agency that works with industries to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards.
National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, Inc. (NBFAA)
(now ESA)
A non-profit association dedicated to advancing professionalism and high standards within the electronic life safety, security, and integrated systems industry.
National Electrical Material Association (NEMA)
Develops technical standards for the manufacturing of electrical and medical imaging equipment. This includes standards for electrical enclosures, motors, magnet wire, and AC plugs and receptacles.
NET
An Ethernet or Wi-Fi communication.
Network
A series of nodes, points, or stations connected by communications channels.
Network Check-In
A programmable time period in host systems that specifies the delay (in minutes) that the panel waits to send its next Check-In report. Since host communication is not a polled method, the Check-In time allows the SCS-1/SCS-1R Receiver to get a Check-In report (S70) periodically to verify the communication link with the panel.
Network Interface Controller
A networking card, such as Ethernet, Token Ring or FDDI, for a computer.
Network Video Recorder (NVR)
An NVR records IP cameras that are transmitted via a network cable. See Digital Video Recorder (DVR).
NIC (network interface card)
Enables data to be sent and received through a network connection.
Night Zone (NT)
A zone type that provides an instant alarm when tripped while armed and no alarm when tripped while disarmed.
Node
An addressable entity on a network, such as a computer or printer.
Node Identifier
An 8-bit number that uniquely identifies each node on a single network number.
Nominal
Approximate. Assumed not actual.
Nominal Current
The rated value of required current or of current output.
Nominal Resistance
The rated value of the resistance of a resistor or similar device.
Nominal Voltage
The rated value of required voltage or of voltage output.
Non-Instantly Recycling Retard
A feature of a waterflow detector. The false-alarm retard accumulates waterflow time if waterflow starts and stops in a series of fluctuations. When the waterflow stops, the retard takes as long to return to the zero setting as the period of time it accumulated. This ensures that there is no delay in detection when the alarm check-valve fails due to pressure variations or surges during water flow.
Non-Polled Address
A keypad message indicating that the device is set to an unavailable address or that the device has not been turned on in device setup.
Normally Closed Circuit (N/C)
A circuit where there is a current through each of the system sensors when not in an alarm condition. Current interruption occurs by opening a switch to initiate an alarm signal. This type of circuit has the advantage of monitoring its own lines. If a line is cut or broken, the effect is the same as opening a switch: an alarm signal activates.
Normally Closed Circuit System
A system that uses a closed circuit connecting each zone sensors in series so that the same current exists in each sensor. When an activated sensor breaks the circuit or the connecting wire, an alarm is transmitted.
Normally Open Circuit (N/O)
A condition where no electrical continuity exists in a circuit of conductor. In a normally open circuit protective zone, the detector contacts are open when the detector is in a quiescent state and closed in alarm.
Normally Open Circuit System
Open zone alarm detection circuit where no current flows through detectors that stay open until the alarm operates. No supervision is possible through detectors.
Notification Appliance
An electromechanical appliance that converts energy into an audible or visible signal for perception as an alarm signal.
Notification Appliance Circuit
A circuit or path directly connected to a notification appliance(s).
Notification Zone
An area covered by notification appliances that activate simultaneously.
Nuisance Alarm
Any alarm caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, or lack of proper maintenance, or any alarm activated by a cause that cannot be determined.