US Patent 9014400 Apparatus and method of silent monitoring alarm sounders

An alarm sounder, which incorporates a piezo-electric output transducer, can be silently monitored using a variable frequency square wave. An initial frequency, close to the upper limit of human hearing, is coupled to the sounder. The transducer draws very little current at this initial frequency. The frequency of the square wave is systematically reduced, and the current draw is continually monitored. A high current indicates a low impedance type of fault. A low current throughout the frequency range indicates a potential high frequency type of fault.