5 Core Components of Police Siren Systems

The 5 core components of a police siren system used in law enforcement vehicles include the siren amplifier, speakers, control head or interface, PA systems and tone options. To further elaborate on these components, D&R Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading fleet vehicle solutions provider based out of Bolton, Ontario, explores its purpose and features in this blog.

What Are The Major Components Of Police Siren Systems?

Siren Amplifier

The siren amplifier uses 3.3 V of power from the microprocessor to convert the control unit's signals into a 100-watt output, creating piercing, powerful sound waves. The tone emitted by the amplifier can be modified for different law enforcement functions. 

Speakers

Consumer system use 2 ohms, 4 ohms, or 8 ohms speakers; however, a police siren speaker is 11 ohms. High impedance speakers are used as it helps in generating the required 100-watt output with less power consumption. Speakers are generally mounted on the grille or Push bumper of a police cruiser. Two key factors to consider during speaker selection include wattage and impedance. The former determines how well a speaker can handle power, and the latter determines the amount of power flowing through them. 

Touchpad / Control Head or Interface

The Touchpad / Control head or interface is an integral part of the modern police siren system. It comprises integrated controls for operating the siren and the emergency lighting system remotely and safely from within the vehicle. 

PA System

Police car siren systems also double as public address systems in many police vehicles. It enables law enforcement personnel to verbally address the audience and take control of the scene. 

Tone Generator

Police car sirens have different tones or options, each serving a unique purpose. They include the Yelp, Wail, Hi-Lo, Thunder, and Stinger. Each constitute a combination frequency and amplitude meant to generate a sound wave able to penetrate, refract (change direction) or diffract (bend around obstacles) drawing immediate attention to the first response vehicle, the addition of low frequency sirens generate high amplitude low frequency waves sound waves causing vibrations which is not only heard but also felt these waves can penetrate solid materials and sound insulation in vehicles getting the attention of even the inattentive drivers demanding right of way for the first response vehicle.  Click here to learn more about the tones and their specific use cases. 

Conclusion

To summarize, the core components of a police car's siren range from an amplifier and speakers to a control interface and public address systems. 

Every fleet has different requirements. For guidance on selecting the right police siren, contact D&R Electronics Co. Ltd. As a leading fleet solution provider in North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia, D & R Electronics offers a variety of solutions ranging from LED beacons and vehicle storage cabinets to emergency vehicle consoles and more. Contact us at 1-800-538-7338 for more information.

FAQs:

Can police sirens be integrated with emergency vehicle lighting systems?

Yes, sirens and emergency vehicle lighting can be integrated to operate in sync for strategic impact and visibility.

How low impedance can impact a police siren speaker?

If the impedance on a police siren speaker is too low for the amplifier, it can lead to excessive current draw, leading to severe distortion, protective shutdown, damaging components in the amplifier.