Tattletale Magnetic Switches and Annunciators for Engine Alarm and Shutdown Control

Tattletale magnetic switches and annunciators are reliable engine protection devices designed to monitor critical operating conditions and activate alarm or automatic shutdown systems when faults occur. These devices work with monitoring sensors to detect conditions such as low oil pressure, high temperature, or other abnormal engine parameters. Widely used in marine, oil and gas, and industrial environments, tattletale annunciator systems help operators quickly identify fault conditions and protect engines, pumps, and rotating equipment from damage while improving overall operational safety and reliability.

12 / 24 DC / AC Support

Relay Load Switching

IP Weather Resistant

Delay Time Control

Key Features Section

Reliable Fault Detection: The system monitors signals from engine sensors and safety switches, allowing operators to detect abnormal conditions such as low oil pressure, high coolant temperature, or other critical engine faults before they cause severe damage.
Automatic Alarm and Shutdown Control: When a fault condition is detected, the magnetic switch activates alarm signals or shutdown circuits to protect engines and connected equipment from operational failure or mechanical damage.
Clear Fault Indication: Annunciator models provide visual indication of the specific fault that triggered the shutdown, enabling operators to quickly identify the source of the problem and restore the system safely.
Manual or Electrical Reset Options: Depending on the configuration, the system can be reset manually using a front-mounted push button or electrically by cycling the power supply.
Durable Weather-Resistant Construction: The device is designed with a protective enclosure suitable for industrial environments, including marine vessels, oilfield installations, and outdoor equipment systems.
Flexible Integration: Tattletale magnetic switches can be integrated with various engine monitoring sensors and safety systems, making them suitable for a wide range of engine protection applications.

Applications

Marine Engines: Used in commercial vessels and marine propulsion systems to monitor engine conditions and activate shutdown protection during critical faults.
Oil and Gas Equipment: Protects engines, compressors, and pumps operating in remote oilfield locations where reliable automatic shutdown is essential for operational safety.
Industrial Engines and Generators: Provides monitoring and shutdown protection for stationary engines and generator sets used in manufacturing facilities and power systems.
Pumping Systems: Helps prevent pump damage by detecting abnormal operating conditions and triggering alarm or shutdown actions.
Compressor and Mechanical Equipment: Used in industrial systems where engine-driven compressors or rotating equipment require continuous safety monitoring.

Technical Specifications

Reliable magnetic switches and Tattletale® annunciators designed for engine and motor protection, delivering precise alarm indication and dependable shutdown control across industrial applications.

Category	Details
Product Type	Magnetic switches and Tattletale® annunciators for alarm and shutdown control
Function	Converts gauge contact signals into alarm or shutdown actions Acts as latching relay for control circuits
Power Sources	Battery powered systems 120 VAC supply Magneto and capacitor discharge (CD) ignitions
Applications	Engines (diesel, gas, compressor engines) Electric motors and starters Fuel and air shutdown systems Alarm-only or alarm-before-shutdown configurations
Shutdown Methods	Opens distributor coil circuit (distributor ignition) Grounds ignition output (magneto/CD ignition) Trips fuel valves or shuts air/fuel supply (diesel engines)
Contact Configuration	Normally Open (NO) and Normally Closed (NC) options Contact make or break configurations Available for hot circuit and ground circuit wiring
Latch Type	Energize-to-trip models Energize-to-latch models (closed loop operation)
Reset Type	Manual reset (indicating and non-indicating) Electrical reset via power cycling
Time Delay Function	Startup lockout protection Alarm-before-shutdown delay capability Automatic disconnect after preset delay (model dependent)
Construction	Weather-resistant enclosure Screw terminals for easy field wiring
Tattletale Indication	Identifies fault source via tripped reset button Provides visual fault indication for operators
Coil Voltage Options	12V DC 24V DC 12/24V multi-voltage 120 VAC Magneto and CD ignition compatible models
Coil Resistance Range	Varies by model: approx. 0.5 Ω to 678 Ω (model-specific coil and resistor configurations)
Special Features	Fault indication via reset button (Tattletale models) Supports multiple switch configurations Compatible with transformer-relay assemblies for motors

How Tattletale Magnetic Switches and Annunciators Work

Tattletale magnetic switches and annunciators operate as part of an engine protection system designed to monitor critical operating conditions and prevent equipment damage. The device works together with monitoring sensors such as pressure switches, temperature switches, or other safety contacts installed on engines and rotating equipment.

During normal operation, the magnetic switch remains latched while the connected monitoring sensors track key engine parameters. If a monitored condition moves outside the safe operating range, the corresponding sensor activates the magnetic switch circuit.

Once triggered, the system can activate an alarm signal or initiate an automatic shutdown of the engine or equipment. This action helps prevent severe mechanical damage by stopping operation when unsafe conditions are detected.

In annunciator models, the device also provides a clear visual indication showing which monitored function caused the shutdown. This allows operators to quickly identify the fault condition, perform the necessary inspection or maintenance, and safely restore the system to normal operation.

Technical FAQ

Common Questions Answered

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A tattletale annunciator is an engine protection device used to indicate which fault condition caused an alarm or shutdown. It works with monitoring sensors such as pressure or temperature switches to detect abnormal operating conditions and help operators quickly identify the problem.

Tattletale magnetic switches monitor signals from engine safety sensors. When a sensor detects an unsafe condition such as low oil pressure or high temperature, the switch activates an alarm or automatically shuts down the engine to prevent mechanical damage.

A magnetic switch controls the alarm or shutdown circuit, while an annunciator also provides visual indication showing which monitored function caused the shutdown. This helps operators quickly diagnose the fault condition.

These devices are widely used in marine engines, oil and gas equipment, generator systems, pumps, and industrial engines where reliable monitoring and automatic shutdown protection are required.

Automatic shutdown systems protect engines and rotating equipment from severe damage by stopping operation when critical faults occur. This helps improve equipment safety, reduce downtime, and prevent costly repairs.