What our experts say …
Are you ready to embrace up and downloading? This hardware/software package allows off-site interrogation of selected Gardiner Technology intruder alarm equipment. The software is purchased separately and loaded onto a laptop or PC, and can communicate with the control hardware via a normal PSTN line. Programmed information within the on-site hardware can then be remotely read for diagnostic purposes, and/or corrective reprogramming can be affected back down the line, thus making changes to the installation without attending the premises.
When using Gardtec Active technology warning equipment, diagnostic information from the external sounder is available, giving a remote check up of both control and warning equipment from a remote location. To make use of the package, installers will need access to an IBM format PC with a standard floppy disk drive, together with a modem and a telephone line. The software, the Gardtec remote upload/download software version 2.0, which is loaded onto the PC from two standard floppy disks, is also compatible with the established 800 series panel. In this instance the equipment supplied was the Gardtec 591 control panel using a ‘Contour’ style LCD remote keypad, and a Novagard 2 Active external sounder. For the test, we used a serial patch lead connected directly from the PC to the Gardtec 591 control panel, to simulate the telephone link.
The Novagard 2 Active is a conventional self-actuating sounder with additional technology to communicate with the remote software via a serial link to the 591 panel. This set-up enables the full status of the sounder, including on-board NiCad charge rates and alarm sounder current consumptions, to be read back at a remote location. The sounder is otherwise the ubiquitous Nova 2 version SAB, a low profile, polycarbonate enclosed, piezo type sounder with integral flashing strobe light. The sound output is a very effective 113 dB, so engineers should take precautions when connecting and testing it. Only four wires are needed for the serial link from control to SAB, and it would be wise to use screened alarm cable for the feed wiring to avoid any data corruption due to mains borne or radio frequency interference.
The 591 control panel hardware is an uprated version of the 580 series, using a cut down version of the Gardtec 800 series software. The 591 has a (non-expandable) eight single pole zones plus a global anti-tamper circuit, though the zones can also be configured as a supervised end-of-line type, using a 4K7 ohm EOL resistor together with a 6K8 ohm shunt resistor across each detection device; a resistor pack is supplied. The cabinet is constructed from white ABS plastic. The size and shape of the box will be familiar to many installers – this is the same cabinet released by Gardiner Technology more than eight years ago as an inexpensive three zone domestic panel, then called the Diamond 500. The internal layout remains the same with very little room to allow for circuit wiring – even less so now, since there could be any number up to 12 of eight-core cables terminated inside when the system is used to its maximum. It is just large enough to accommodate a 7.0 Ah standby battery. The 591 has a remarkable number of features for a domestic or small commercial product, including three programmable outputs, seven user codes, self diagnostic battery charging auxiliary output warning and on-board digicom.
The Contour keypad is a small, economical LCD type with illuminated keys and a low level integral sounder. It is attractively designed with a bottom-hinged cover to conceal the keys and a good sized LCD display giving 32 characters of text for ease of programming and operating use. The system could equally use the standard 800 series LCD or LED keypads (which are larger) or the Gardtec ACE infrared receiver panel to remotely set and unset the system using a hand-held infrared transmitter device. A maximum of two keypads can be accommodated.
The installation manual is excellent, consisting of a 45-page booklet in A5 size written in good English. It warns of pertinent safety regulations and BS4737 requirements. The user manual is similarly a good piece of work. We rang the Gardiner Technology number to register the remote up/download software, a task which needs to be completed to successfully load the program onto a PC. There was a software conflict on the remote PC when we tried to operate the system, and the technical support engineer was extremely patient as we attempted to reload and test the set-up numerous times. These software conflicts were caused by a (then) unknown serial port allocation within the PC, which caused it to crash every time we attempted to link to the 591 control modem. For most people this is a terrifying occurrence, and although the technical support engineer was supportive, we came away from the conversation with the impression this was one problem we would have to resolve in-house, as indeed we did. Some computer knowledge on the part of the installer will go a long way when using this remote package for the first time.
The programming language is identical to that used by the popular Gardtec 800 series, using the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ keys to select and progress through the options and set the various parameters. The options are slightly fewer than the 800 series due to limitations of processor memory, but this is a highly specified control panel which will cover pretty much every eventuality. The integral sounder output contained within the Contour operating keypad is quite a low volume, so an internal speaker is essential. End users will not have any great cause for complaint because the keypress prompts are logical and easy to understand, and the yes/no keys make the keypad a simple, aesthetically pleasing design, which is easy to use.
When connected to the 591 control, the operator can select and make program changes to the data in two ways. The relevant items can either be selected from a drop-down menu bar and edited accordingly, or use the keypad option, whereby an illustration of the keypad and LCD is displayed on the computer screen, and the keys are pressed with the mouse cursor as if on site.
What the manufacturer says …
Multi award-winning Gardtec remote upload/download software from Gardiner Technology now includes Novagard Active Technology (patents pending). This allows complete remote management of a security system for the first time, including the ability to interrogate the individual elements of an external sounder. Reduced operating costs, an increased number of serviced customers in a shorter timescale, highly marketable unprecedented service levels and new identifiable end user benefits are a few of the potential advantages of using this software, which provides you with the opportunity to win more contracts with ongoing recurring revenue. The total system equals more than the sum of the parts, with the potential benefits of the complete system – control panel, upload/download software and external sounder. However the equipment has all been designed specifically to provide exceptional quality in isolation in any system while offering the ability for future upgrade and profit opportunities.
The Gardtec 591 control panel offers an extensive feature base, more than sufficient for any domestic and many commercial premises including remote monitoring. These include eight fully programmable zones, on-board communicator, 150 log event memory, three programmable terminals, choice of twin seven-segment LED or 32 character full English text LCD keypads, ACE infrared setting compatibility as standard and three part-set options.
Its communication facilities and compatibility with Gardtec remote upload/download software are what take it into a league of its own in opening up the huge potential of the domestic sector to the lucrative benefits of remote management in an extremely economic package. The equipment available and the subsequent hardware costs combined with the limited functionality of the software had previously made this prohibitive.
The Novagard 2 Active external sounder again provides a comprehensive range of quality features to ensure functionality is achieved in all environments and locations. These include 113dB sound output at 1m, fully sealed electronics module for complete weatherproof protection, on-board battery monitor, 3W strobe and audible setting confirmation, front and back tamper as standard, SAB/SCB selectable, three-second engineer test for initial installation and low current strobe. The sounder has a simple yet highly secure four-wire connection that allows serial communication and transfer of information from individually addressed bell box units.
