Introduction: Penton RCS4FT/ENC at a glance
Penton RCS4FT/ENC — 4" EN54-24 ceiling loudspeaker for voice-alarm and PAis a compact, purpose-built ceiling loudspeaker designed for supervised 100 V voice-alarm and public-address systems. With EN54-24 certification and an integrated monitoring capacitor (the ENC variant), it targets installations where speech intelligibility, system verification and regulatory compliance are priorities. Sized to fit a standard Ø119 mm ceiling cut-out and finished in traffic white (RAL9016), the RCS4FT/ENC is a discreet, reliable choice for indoor public spaces such as offices, schools, hospitals and retail environments.
Key features
- EN54-24 certifiedfor voice-alarm/evacuation systems (Intertek certificate).
- Monitored 100 V line— ENC variant includes a capacitor for DC line supervision required on supervised circuits.
- Multiple power taps— 4 W rated with selectable 100 V taps: 4 / 2 / 1 / 0.5 / 0.25 W (and 70.7 V equivalents).
- Twin-cone driverwith 8 Ω impedance and extended frequency response for clear speech and background music.
- Easy flush installationusing four quick-fixing springs; standard cut-out Ø119 mm and grille/trim finished in RAL9016.
- Indoor suitability— IP21 rating, operating between −10 °C and +55 °C.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The RCS4FT/ENC packs its performance into a compact footprint. Below are the technical highlights that matter for system designers, installers and end users.
- Model:RCS4FT/ENC
- Rated power:4 W — suitable for background music and paging in small to medium coverage areas.
- 100 V tappings:4 / 2 / 1 / 0.5 / 0.25 W (2.5k / 5k / 10k / 20k / 40k Ω) — flexible power selection simplifies matching to coverage area and amplifier capacity.
- 70.7 V equivalents:2 / 1 / 0.5 / 0.25 / 0.13 W
- Driver impedance:8 Ω — twin-cone driver for a balanced mid-range and intelligible voice reproduction.
- Frequency response:200 Hz – 18 kHz (BS EN60268-5) — tuned for voice clarity and acceptable background music rendition.
- Sensitivity (1 W, 1 m):83 dB (100 Hz–10 kHz)
- Full-power SPL (1 m):89 dB (100 Hz–10 kHz) — adequate levels for hallways, offices and retail aisles without being intrusive.
- Dispersion:≈180° @ 1–2 kHz — wide coverage from a single ceiling unit helps minimize the number of speakers required.
- IP rating:IP21 — intended for indoor use where no direct water exposure is expected.
- Dimensions / Cut-out:Ø132 mm × H 101 mm; cut-out Ø119 mm — fits common ceiling tiles and plasterboard ceilings.
- Material / Finish:Steel grille and trim painted RAL9016 (traffic white) for a neutral, low-profile aesthetic.
- Mounting:4 fixing springs for quick flush-fit installation.
- Monitoring capacitor:Included in the ENC variant — required for DC supervision on monitored 100 V lines used in emergency voice systems.
- Certification:EN54-24 (Intertek) — key for use in certified voice alarm and evacuation systems in many jurisdictions.
- Operating conditions:−10 °C to +55 °C, relative humidity ≤95 %.
- Weight:0.92 kg
Benefits at a glance: the combination of EN54-24 certification and a built-in monitoring capacitor makes the RCS4FT/ENC a straightforward option for life-safety-compliant systems. The variety of tap settings and wide dispersion simplify system design, letting installers achieve even coverage with fewer units and cleaner wiring. Its modest sensitivity and SPL ensure voice announcements are intelligible without excessive loudness in smaller spaces.
Use cases and scenarios where the RCS4FT/ENC excels
The RCS4FT/ENC is tailored for environments that require both reliable voice evacuation capability and unobtrusive everyday use for paging and background audio. Typical applications include:
- Commercial offices:For reception areas, corridors and smaller meeting rooms where discreet ceiling speakers deliver paging and background music without visual clutter.
- Retail stores:A balanced option for shop forecourts and aisles, combining everyday music/paging with the ability to connect to monitored emergency systems.
- Healthcare facilities:Suitable for patient areas, waiting rooms and corridors where clear, intelligible announcements are essential during an evacuation.
- Education:Classrooms, corridors and administration areas benefit from even coverage and compliance-ready hardware for campus-wide voice alarm systems.
- Hospitality and leisure:Hotel corridors, lobbies and back-of-house areas where a subtle visual profile and reliable voice alarm support are required.
Because the RCS4FT/ENC is EN54-24 certified and includes the monitoring capacitor, it is particularly suited to installations that must meet regulatory requirements for supervised voice alarm lines. Use of the ENC variant ensures the speaker will support DC line monitoring without additional external components — simplifying compliance and reducing installation time.
How the RCS4FT/ENC compares with similar products
Choosing the right ceiling loudspeaker depends on certification, power handling, coverage, aesthetic, and cost. Here’s how the RCS4FT/ENC stacks up against common alternatives.
Many consumer and commercial ceiling speakers offer similar acoustic performance but lack EN54-24 certification and monitoring components. The RCS4FT/ENC’s key advantage is regulatory compliance for life-safety systems — an essential differentiator for any project that requires certified voice alarm hardware. Non-EN54 alternatives may be cheaper but cannot be used in certified evacuation systems.
Larger ceiling speakers provide higher SPL and broader bass response, which can be beneficial in large open-plan areas. However, they are often more visually prominent and may be overkill for corridors, small offices and classrooms. The RCS4FT/ENC is a right-sized solution for spaces where speech intelligibility is the priority and where excessive output is unnecessary.
Backbox-equipped speakers improve low-end performance and can mitigate ceiling void acoustic issues, while weatherproof models extend use to semi-exposed areas. The RCS4FT/ENC is optimized for standard indoor environments; specifiers should consider backbox or IP-rated alternatives if they face difficult ceiling cavities or higher moisture exposure.
With a suggested price of £49.99 (supplier code ITM004857) and an in-stock quantity noted at 16 units, the RCS4FT/ENC presents a competitive purchase price for certified voice alarm speakers. Its included monitoring capacitor and EN54-24 certification reduce the need for extra components and testing work — often translating to lower installed cost versus assembling non-certified systems into a compliant solution.
Customer feedback and installer perspectives
Although formal public reviews for the RCS4FT/ENC may be limited, installer and system-integrator feedback typically highlights a few recurring points:
- Ease of installation:Installers note the quick-fix spring clips and standard cut-out make retrofits and new installs fast and reliable.
- Compliance-ready:Specifiers appreciate the EN54-24 certification and the built-in capacitor for monitored lines, which simplifies design and commissioning of life-safety systems.
- Discrete appearance:The low-profile grille in traffic white blends into most ceilings, reducing visual impact in finished spaces.
Representative installer comments (anonymised):
- "Good, compact unit — fitted quickly and the monitored variant saved us wiring extra components for supervision checks."
- "Perfect for office corridors and classrooms; clear voice output without being too loud."
- "Solid build and the EN54 certificate made specification straightforward for the client."
Conclusion: why choose the Penton RCS4FT/ENC
The Penton RCS4FT/ENC is a practical, compliance-focused ceiling loudspeaker that balances installation ease, acoustic performance and life-safety requirements. Its EN54-24 certification and included monitoring capacitor make it especially well suited to supervised voice alarm systems — a capability that separates it from many commodity ceiling speakers. For projects prioritising speech intelligibility, regulatory compliance and a low-profile aesthetic in indoor environments, the RCS4FT/ENC offers a strong value proposition at a competitive suggested price.
When specifying this product, ensure installation is carried out by a competent installer following Pentons instructions and applicable EN54 guidance and local regulations. For more demanding acoustic environments or external locations, consider larger drivers, backbox options or IP-rated models, but for the majority of indoor voice-alarm and PA applications, the RCS4FT/ENC is a reliable, cost-effective choice.
