Lifestyle management
From Visonic comes a program-mable wireless system, claimed to give hassle-free installation of a lifestyle management system for smart homes and offices. The PowerMax home automation system enables users to take full control of the system’s capabilities remotely, via mobile or touch-tone phones, or locally via a sophisticated but simple intelligent control panel.
Using the company’s patented CodeSecure technology to ensure remote arming and disarming, PowerMax controls security alarms, lighting, heating, CCTV monitoring, water and gas leak alarms, plumbing and outdoor irrigation systems. It also provides social care and elderly assistance as well as managing TV and entertainment devices, telephone, fax, PC, internet and other household appliances!
It allows pets to walk freely through the home without setting off false alarms – and a latchkey mode enables parents to be notified when the children arrive home from school.
In the event of an emergency, the system will automatically respond to motion, fire and smoke alarms, notifying authorities including key-holders, neighbourhood watch co-ordinators and ARCs.
Minimum interference
The HSA3000 and HSA3500 wire-free alarms from Yale Security Prod-ucts were designed with ease of installation and simple operation in mind. Both systems use a 433 MHz frequency to minimise interference from mobile phone service providers.
The HSA3000 can protect up to 20 zones and comes with a sounder, door/window contact, PIR and remote control. The HSA3500 (pictured) can relay one of four pre-recorded messages, advising if the alarm is burglar, fire, personal attack or medical.
Hard-wired, Class VI or hybrid
A wide range of programming and reporting options are available with the PC1565 from DSC. “It can be installed as a hard-wired, hybrid or Class VI system. The addition of the attractively-styled Icon LCD 5501Z keypad results in a user-friendly installation,” wrote our Bench Testers last April.
The manufacturer explains that its hybrid capabilities allow you to include up to eight wireless zones in the system by adding DSC’s Class VI receiver module. Associated transmitters include door/window contact transmitters, wireless PIRs, wireless pet immune PIRs (not simply a lens change), wireless smoke detectors, universal transmitters and four button keyfobs.
The system was designed for full compliance with the new ACPO Policy.
Powerful Symbol
Also from DSC, the new PowerSeries compatible LCD5501Z32 Symbol Keypad combines the technology of the manufacturer’s Symbol LCD keypad and the PC5132 wireless receiver. The LCD5501Z32 keypad supports 16 wireless keys, up to 32 wireless zones, with one hardwired zone input, and can display 64 zones in total.
It has five one-touch function keys with programmable options, and three LED indicators: ready, armed and trouble.
Listening to installers
As a result of listening to what installers wanted, Cooper Security produced the Scantronic 9850 and 9750 hybrid control panels for the general commercial and domestic markets. Both offer hardwired or Class VI wire-free expansion, with remote up/download capabilities.
The 9850 is a fully programmable eight-zone system, which can be expanded to 16 zones. The system can be optionally expanded using remote hardwired or 868MHz Class VI wire-free radio technology, ensuring flexibility whatever the installation requirement. The wire-free expander eliminates the need for complex wiring between devices, causing a minimum of disruption to decor.
To complement the wire-free expansion, a number of associated radio detector/transmitters are available, along with a simple go-no radio survey meter.
When Bench Tested in the July 2000 edition of Security Installer, our experts reported: “The 9850 offers a wide range of flexible options for programming, detector connection method and system set-up. The latter includes an equal hybrid mix of hardwired and wire-free detectors, wire-free remote system control and a roving PA – a useful addition for rural areas.”
No cross-talk!
FM Electronics is one of the main players in the wire-free field and offers a Class III solution – the high specification FM4000E. This features eight programmable zones plus fire and PA zones, and the system can be added to as required. Other features include:
All detectors have a factory-set code with more than one million differs to prevent cross-talk between systems.
Two versions
There are two versions of the Classix range from DA Detection Systems: the 433MHz, suitable for smaller applications (small to medium-sized homes and small shops) and the 173MHz which – due to its lower frequency and higher output – is more suited to listed buildings and larger commercial applications.
Included in the system are a ‘blind’ metal case panel using a wired remote keypad, generic power supply and two-way audio units, optical smoke sensors, inertia sensor/door and window contact, wide angle/long range wireless PIR and medical/panic pendant.
Simple operating instructions
Another Class III system comes from Cooper Security’s Menvier Net- worker range – the TS7690R. Aimed at the domestic and commercial sectors, the eight-character Starburst English text LCD gives simple programming and operating instructions.
Up to four remote keypads can be added, and a non-volatile memory retains information if mains power fails.
Sun power
Response Professional’s RE5000/S is available with either a hard-wired or solar-powered siren and strobe – the latter requires just two hours of daylight per day to trickle-charge the supplied battery.
The kit comprises an eight-zone control panel, PIR, magnetic door contact and remote control. It can be expanded with further PIRs and contacts, together with other accessories such as telephone auto-dialler, smoke detector or medical alarm pendant.
