Model 1/2

Federal Electric Model 1/2 General Detroit Model 344
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Company	Federal Electric Company Federal Enterprises Company
Produced	1930s-1950s
Type	Omnidirectional Electromechanical
Horsepower	½ hp
Voltage	120/240 V AC/DC
Preceded by	Federal Signal Model A Federal Signal Model D Federal Signal Model J
Succeeded by	Federal Signal Model A Federal Signal Model L

The Model 1/2 is a small omnidirectional siren that was introduced in the late 1930s to early 1950s by Federal Electric. Intended to be mounted on top of traffic signals as a street clearing siren or used as a short-range fire siren, the Model 1/2 is essentially an omnidirectional Model D or Model L, with the addition of two ornate louvres over the rotor for sound propagation and to protect it from the elements, similar to the Sterling 2V8.

History and design

The Model 1/2 was introduced in the 1930s as a small electric siren designed for street clearing or industrial use. It was a step up from the smaller Model A, with a fully omnidirectional design. It was one of the first sirens to use the 8-port rotor and stator that would be used on many of Federal's vehicular and industrial sirens, The Model 1/2 is driven by a ½ hp AC/DC universal motor running at either 120 or 240 V as standard. However, 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 Model 1/2 uses a rotor-over-motor configuration, and the motor is encased inside of a metal housing which also includes a mounting stand on the bottom. The rotor and stator are located underneath a protective housing with two ornate louvres, which direct the sound outwards and downwards. The stator ports include finger guards to prevent potential injury from misuse of the siren, as it is small enough to be handheld.

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 the 1950s, being replaced entirely by the Model D and Model L which reused its rotor and stator. The vertically mounted Model K, LV and AV ultimately replaced it as a vertical street clearing siren by 1946. Today, only 6 known examples of the Model 1/2 remain, with 4 being privately owned. There is a Model 1/2 located at a boy scout camp in Iowa, as well as one near a post office in Hamilton, Iowa.