What is the significance of end-of-line resistors in conventional fire alarm circuits, and how does their absence affect system operation?

End-of-line (EOL) resistors are crucial components in conventional fire alarm circuits because they allow the fire alarm control panel (FACP) to monitor the integrity of the wiring and detect any faults that could compromise the system's ability to respond to a fire. In a conventional fire alarm system, initiating devices (such as smoke detectors and pull stations) are wired in a loop or a series circuit back to the FACP. The EOL resistor is placed at the end of this circuit, furthest from the FACP. The FACP sends a small current through the circuit and monitors the resistance. The presence of the EOL resis....