Whelen WS-2000
| Whelen WS-2000 series | |
 A Whelen WS-2016 in Fort Wayne, IN. | |
| Company | Whelen Engineering |
|---|---|
| Produced | 1979-1990 |
| Type | Directional Electronic |
| Sound output | 109-115 dB @ 100 feet |
| Wattage | 640-1600 W |
| Voltage | 24 V DC |
| Preceded by | Whelen WS-1000 |
| Succeeded by | Whelen WPS-2700 |
| Documentation | Product sheet |
The WS-2000 (later known as the WPS-2000) is a series of directional electronic speaker arrays that was produced by Whelen Engineering over a span of roughly 10 years. Significantly improving upon the earlier WS-1000, the WS-2000 series established Whelen's dominance in the electronic outdoor warning siren market and opened the doors for a budding electronic siren boom during the 1980s. Several notable systems had WS-2000 series sirens, including the Perry Nuclear Generating Station in North Perry, Ohio, as well as the city of St. Louis, MO.
The WPS-2000 series would be retired in 1990, being replaced by the 2700 and 2800 series of sirens which offered superior performance and were truly omnidirectional. The WS-2000 is relatively uncommon today, as the drivers on these sirens are now over 30 years old and many have begun to suffer from problems such as driver failure. Some municipalities have opted to upgrade these sirens to newer controllers, such as the ESC-2030 and Federal Signal's UltraVoice, in order to lengthen the siren's operating life.
Main models
The WS-2000 series was introduced in 1979 as an improved and updated version of the WS-1000. The WS-2000 series used the early "Pre-ESC" analog controllers that the WS-3000 later used upon its inception, but later used the typical analog ESC-864 controller commonly associated with this model later in its run. The siren makes use of the same Atlas CJ46 fiberglass paging horns, but instead of using arrays of single horns, the WS-2000 instead uses arrays of 2, 3, or 4 speakers per speaker array. The siren operates with 80W speaker compression drivers, and these are contained inside triangular aluminum vertical housings which protect the drivers from the elements. The speaker arrays are attached to swivels, which allow the arrays to be pointed downwards if desired. Up to 5 speaker arrays are supported on one controller. Early units were designated as follows:
| Model | Speakers per array | Drivers | dB @ 100ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| WS-2000-109 (WS-2008/WS-2000-8) | 2 | 8 | 109 dB |
| WS-2000-112 (WS-2012/WS-2000-12) | 3 | 12 | 112 dB |
| WS-2000-115 (WS-2016/WS-2000-16) | 4 | 16 | 115 dB |
| WS-2000-20 (WS-2020/WS-2000-20) | 4 | 20 | 115 dB |
WS-2000-109 (WS-2008/WS-2000-8)
The smallest option available, using 2 speakers per array. Reaches 109 dB at 100ft.
WS-2000-112 (WS-2012/WS-2000-12)
The midrange option, equal in performance to the WS-1000. Uses 3 speakers per array. Reaches 112 dB at 100ft.
WS-2000-115 (WS-2016/WS-2000-16)
The most common configuration, with 4 speakers per array. reaches 115 dB at 100ft.
WS-2000-20 (WS-2020/WS-2000-20)
Very rare, maximum number of arrays supported on one controller, with 5 arrays containing 4 speakers each. It is rated for 115 dB at 100ft, matching the performance of the WS-2016. This siren was an adaptation of the WS-2500 (see below) concept after the WS-2500 was dropped, instead being a 20-speaker variant of the WS-2000. While not truly a 360 degree siren, it covers the areas around it much more evenly than the WS-2016. However, it does not have more range.
In the early 1980s, the siren's naming scheme would be changed from the decibel rating to the total number of speakers per unit. This caused the sirens to instead be named the WS-2000-8, WS-2000-12, WS-2000-16, and WS-2000-20, respectively. In 1987, all of Whelen's sirens would ditch the "WS" prefix, instead using the "WPS" prefix upon the introduction of the microprocessor-based ESC-864 controller. "WPS" does not actually mean anything and is merely a prefix. Around the same time, the IPS-2000 was introduced, which was an indoor version of the WS-2000. These were quieter and used a "ramp up" feature on the controllers to prevent people from being startled by the sudden loud noise. Each individual IPS-2000 unit could be individually controlled by a central IPS-400 controller. Explosion-proof versions were also available. The WPS-2700 series was introduced the same year in 1987, which offered true 360 degree coverage compared to the directional coverage of the WPS-2000. Mobile vehicular versions were also available, both in the form of a trailer with a self contained siren unit, generator and controller, and versions designed to be mounted directly onto a vehicle for public addressing purposes. The trailer mounted version was compatible with all 4 models, and came standard with a high intensity strobe light.
Other models
WS-2000R
The Whelen WS-2000R was a rotational variant of the WS-2000, and was introduced around 1981, alongside the WS-3000. It was likely meant to compete with Federal's EOWS rotational sirens. The WS-2000R consists of a single speaker array, using 4 80W speaker drivers. The housing is much different in shape compared to the other WS-2000 arrays, and comes with a direct-drive rotator. Unlike Whelen's other rotational sirens, and like the EOWS, the WS-2000R makes use of brushes/collector rings instead of a hard wired connection. This allows the siren to rotate a full 360 degrees without needing to oscillate, but this also lead to crackling and popping when the brushes wore out over time, and made the siren's performance worse than it otherwise could be. The siren was available with optional mesh screens in the CJ47 horns, and was capable of using battery backup and voice capabilities. The WS-2000R was not popular as the superior WS-3000 was introduced around the same time, which had better performance and reliability, leading to the WS-2000R being discontinued sometime in the early to mid 1980s. Only two units remain in service, both on their original pre-864 analog controllers. Units using ESC-864 and later digital controllers controllers are referred to as WPS-2000Rs.
WS-2500
The WS-2500 was a twenty-speaker model that was drawn up by Bruce Howze, a prominent designer for Whelen's products, in 1981. The siren would be unique compared to the other directional WS-2000 sirens by combining the speaker arrays into one single unit, and would've been Whelen's first "true" 360 degree omnidirectional siren, paving the way for Whelen's future designs. It was rated for 115 dB at 100ft, likely using the same speaker drivers. Unfortunately, the WS-2500 would never enter production, and only exists in Whelen's advertisements. The WS-2500 would later be adapted into a 20-speaker model for the WS-2000 series, being the WS-2000-20.