Air Raid Sirens FAQ
You can run single-phase 120V series-motor sirens and 208-240V series or repulsion-induction sirens from the power that comes into your home. Anything up to about 7.5 HP will run well provided you run the appropriate heavy-gauge wire to them directly from your main panel. Sirens larger than a 208-240V Model 2 will require a motor starter relay of the appropriate size.
You cannot run 3-phase sirens from home power without some expensive and heavy conversion hardware. With appropriate conversion, 10HP is about the upper limit for 200A home service. Large capacitor-start sirens are also a difficult load to run from home power, due to the large inrush current requirements.
Short answer: no.
Long answer: It depends a lot on where you live as to what you can get away with. In most states you will at least be violating a noise ordinance, unless you have a large enough plot that your siren is down to 70dB by the time it reaches the edge of your property line. In areas with active sirens for tornados, nuclear plants, etc. it is a serious crime to create a false alarm using a siren. In some states, it is explicitly illegal for anyone to operate a dual-tone siren, and in other states it is illegal to set off a civil defense alarm except during a designated and limited testing period.
In areas with active sirens, the laws are strictly enforced. In areas without sirens, the occasional blast will likely go unnoticed.
7. What is required for hearing protection when operating these sirens?I use Peltor H10A earmuffs. These are adequate protection (NRR 30dB) for all but a full-powered Thunderbolt, T-135, or Chrysler siren at close range. For the biggest of the big, you need foam earplugs plus the earmuffs.
Adam Smith ©2001