E57
| Einheitssirene 1957 (E57) | |
| |
| Company | Multiple companies produced this siren. |
|---|---|
| Produced | 1957-1992 |
| Type | Omnidirectional Electromechanical |
| Horsepower | 5.3-6.7 hp (4-5 kW) |
| Voltage | 220 V 3 ph |
The E57 (Einheitssirene 1957) is an omnidirectional vertical siren that was produced by various companies under the request of the German government from 1957 to 1992. Intended to warn the German populace of air raids from the Eastern Bloc, the E57 established itself as one of the most prominent sirens in Germany and the surrounding nations during its lifespan and can still be found across Europe and few units in USA, all got removed and replaced by another sirens like the one in Crescent, CA and Azusa, CA and both E57s were replaced by STH-10 and T-128.
History and Design
In 1957, the West German government commissioned several companies to produce a simple, omnidirectional siren which would serve the purpose of an air raid siren, among concerns of air raids and nuclear attacks from the Eastern Bloc. The companies involved in the production of the siren were Elektror, Helin, Lutz, Roland Sirenenbau and Siemens-Schuckert, with each designing their own version of the siren.
The design of E57 units vary based upon the manufacturer, but all follow the similar format of a 9-port rotor and stator driven by a 5 kW (6.7 hp) 3 phase electric motor running on 50hz power.[1] The siren is protected by a large shroud made of fiberglass reinforced plastic, located on top of the stator.[1] Most, if not all units came standard with the shroud, however it could be removed upon request. Because of the shroud, the siren intakes from the bottom, which is unique among most sirens. The base of the E57 is triangular, with a hole in each corner, allowing the siren to be mounted on a pole.
As mentioned earlier, there were numerous differences between each manufacturer's version of the E57, with some having mount, shroud, or motor variations. In 1975, the E57 would be slightly improved upon, now featuring a motor housing to protect the motor from the elements.[1] HÖRMANN and ABEG, while not manufacturing the sirens themselves, would retrofit older units, modifying the shrouds and bearings. Siemens-Schuckert would install a 4 kW (5.3 hp) electric motor on their units, resulting in a slower windup.[1] VEM, a company based in East Germany, would also manufacture a similar siren named the DS977, intended to be sold around various Eastern Bloc countries.
As the Cold War wound down, sales of E57 units would begin to slow. Many manufacturers discontinued their E57s in or around 1992.[1] HÖRMANN would replace theirs with the ECN series, as they had decided that electronic sirens were the superior option, likely taking notes from various electronic sirens on the American market at the time. As the E57's original purpose was now obsolete, many communities in and around Germany would repurpose theirs, with many now serving as fire or weather sirens across the European continent.