Model 1/2

	Model 1/2
Company	Federal Electric Company Federal Enterprises Company
Produced	1930s-1950s
Type	Omnidirectional Electromechanical
Horsepower	½ hp
Voltage	120/240 V AC/DC
Succeeded by	Model K Model LV

The Model 1/2 is a small short-lived omnidirectional siren that was introduced in the late 1930s by Federal Electric as a small electric siren designed for street clearing or industrial use and was a stepdown from the larger Type Mach. 1. Intended to be mounted on top of traffic signals as a street clearing siren or used as a short-range fire siren.

History

The Model 1/2 was introduced by Federal Electric sometime in the 1930s, intended as a siren to be fixed on top of traffic signals as a street clearing siren or used as a short-range fire siren. It was one of the first sirens to use the 5½" 8-port rotor and stator that would be used on many of Federal's vehicular and industrial sirens such as the Model D and Model L. The Model 1/2 was also resold by the General Detroit Company, based out of Detroit, Michigan, which later became General City Services. This GDC rebrand of the Model 1/2, which was named the Model 344, was produced until around 1939 when World War II began. General Detroit would drop the production of it soon after in favor of manufacturing aircraft parts. The Model 1/2 was discontinued in 1948, being entirely replaced by the Model K, and later LV which took all of the roles. Today, less than a dozen Model 1/2 examples exist today, most in private ownership.

Design

The Model 1/2 utilizes 5½" 8-port rotor and stator above a ½ hp 110/120/240 V AC universal motor, encased in a cylindrical enclosure which has a flanged base allowing for the siren to be bolted down. The stator ports include finger guards to prevent potential injury from misuse of the siren. Unlike most of Federal's small industrial sirens, the Model 1/2 is a vertical siren, designed to be mounted on a flat surface, rather than a wall or ceiling. The rotor and stator are located underneath a protective housing with two ornate louvres, which direct the sound outwards and downwards.