I’m not sure if anyone out there already knows this, but for those who are curious, I found out what “FOS” stands for. I was informed by a trusted source that it means “Faraday Out-Sourced” and it was a label Faraday used for products that were…well, out-sourced. Apparently they didn’t make all of their own products, similar to how Simplex used Faraday products, etc. Those were branded “FOS”
Interesting, didn’t know that. I’ve noticed that FOS devices were typically used on non-Faraday systems, while complete Faraday systems retained their brand name. I wonder if their “outsourced” product line refers to the fact that other brands were outsourcing products from Faraday, rather than the other way around.
I’m not sure Faraday (what’s left of it) makes any of their own devices anymore. Their initiating devices are primarily by Siemens (who owns them now), notification by Wheelock, and who knows where their panels come from these days. I recognize at least one of them as being re-branded from a 3rd party.
Well, soon Siemens will make their own NAs again. According to Andrew, who was informed by his employer.
Fragament (consider revising)
That video was made a couple of years ago; I don’t think Siemens is doing as well now as they were back then. That’s not to say we won’t be seeing new signals in 2016, but it won’t be easy for Siemens. It’s much cheaper to buy them from Wheelock than it is to make their own.
As part of the deal they made they’ll legally be able to make their own signals again in 2016 I think, but I would be surprised if it happened.
Wheelocks qaulity has gone waaaaay down hill ever since they were bought out by Eaton though.
I was on my iPhone. If you replace the period with a comma it would make sense, Mr. Grammar Nazi.
Sorry, I was just channeling my inner Big Green. :mrgreen:
So does that mean the 9838-series horns weren’t even manufactured by Faraday, since they’ve been known to have the FOS label?
National Time & Signal also used Faraday/FOS products back in the early 1990’s, although they would have their logo printed on the NA’s. I’ll snag a picture next time I come across one. They are very popular up here in the Detroit area. (National Time is based in Wixom, MI and Faraday at one point was based in Tecumseh, MI)
Thanks for the info! I was always curious what FOS symbolized.
I do have a FOS strobe with the National Time logo printed on it. Unfortunately, it’s currently in a different state than I am right now, and I have yet to photograph it for my collection website.