T-Taps used in fire alarm systems are used in which configuration?

• A. Series
• B. Parallel
• C. Series-Parallel
• D. Dual-loop

Answer: (B)

T-taps let you branch off a fire alarm signaling circuit to add a device without disrupting the rest of the loop. In fire alarm systems, devices are wired in parallel along a signaling line circuit, meaning each device is connected across the same two conductors and the system is supervised for opens and shorts. A T-tap creates a branch off the main pair, so the new device is placed in parallel with the others. This parallel arrangement preserves supervision and ensures that a fault or removal of one device doesn’t interrupt power or signaling to the rest. Wiring devices in series would mean a single fault could take down the entire circuit, which is unacceptable for life-safety systems. So T-taps are used in parallel configurations.