Alarm Panels

CONTROL UNIT AND KEYPAD
This is the brain of your alarm system. Modern alarm systems are microprocessor based and many have on board diallers attached to their circuit boards, ie. a means of communicating with a central monitoring station.
The control unit is wired into mains power which is then transformed to 16 volts AC to power the electronic board. This is in turn rectified to 12 volts DC. The control unit has a back up battery power supply usually a 6.5AH battery which is trickle charged by the controller.
This battery should last 5-7 years. The controllers size is dependent on the number of zones it has, usually 4, 6 or 8 zones are sufficient for most home or small business application. Larger capacity alarm panels can have up tp 300 zones and are available for specialist applications.
One piece of detection equipment should be installed onto one zone.This makes fault finding easy and identifies to the monitoring station which zone has activated. The controller zones have balanced end of line resistors and can be either 24 hour zones, i.e live all the time, or only live when the alarm is set.

As well as zones for detectors the controller also has adjustable exit, entry delay times and siren run times.

While older alarms were keyswitch operated modern controllers are usually operated by a keypad or remotes. For all modern alarms the keypad is an extension of the controller and each model of alarm must have its own keypad. This also applies to remote on/off units (called remotes), and nightarm stations.

Modern alarms have the capability to have more than one keypad operate them and can be partially armed, ie. Nitearmed or Stay Away, and as well, zones can be isolated by the user as required. Access through the keypad is via a PIN number, usually four digits. The keypad can also send Raid/Duress/medical alarm/fire signals and can activate the alarm instantaneously if a panic button is pressed.

While we use Texecom Controllers as our preferred model of Controller, we can supply and install whichever make you require. Experience has taught that Texecom Alarms are reliable, user friendly,and installer friendly,
We can guarantee to have any repairs carried out economically and quickly. Security Express is designed for New Zealand conditions and is the equal of any other product on the market.

We supply Texecom Controllers unless you specify a different type. Larger Capacity Panels Where a Texecom Panel is not large enough, the following panels can be used -
Arrowhead Elite - up to 16 zones, 24 user codes, split armed 3 way
Solution 16 - up to 16 zones, 24 user codes, split armed 4 way
Esprit - up to 24 zones, 48 user codes, split armed 2 way
Challenger or Concept - up to 300 zones, 999 user codes, 99 areas.

TAMPERPROOF
Tamperproof or tampered is a common term to indicate that if any wires are cut or have been Tampered with the alarm panel will activate wether it is set or not, 24 hours of the day.

TAMPERSWITCH
Tamperswitch is a term to describe a switch that opens when a cover is removed from a detector, an outside siren or the control unit which causes the alarm to activate instantly as long as the alarm is set or the equipment is on a 24 hour zone. The external sirens and control units Safe Secure install are both tamperswitched to the wall they are attached to as well as having their front covers tampered as well, so if an attempt is made to open or remove them, the alarm activates immediatly.

24 HOUR ZONE
24 hour zones are zones that activate 24 hours a day irrespective as to whether the alarm is set or not. Panic buttons, smoke/heat sensors and tamperswitches on external sirens and the control panel are usually installed on 24 hours zones, as can be the cover of infrared detectors Micron alarms can have as many zones designated as 24 hours zones as required, many alarm panels only have one or two 24 hour zones. The technician installing the alarm will automatically install equipment onto 24 hour zones as required.

• Adjustable entry delay
• Adjustable exit delay
• Adjustable siren run time before resetting
• Selectable entry zones
• Selectable chime zones
• Nitearm setting zones
• Fast Arm feature
• Panic function on keypad (either silent or audible.)
• Medical function on keypad
• Fire function on keypad
• Duress Code function on keypad (The panel sends through a duress code to the monitoring station as well as an unset code)
• Arm/Disarm - via keypad enter user code
• Code Exchange function allows easy change of user codes.
• Zone Isolation feature, any zone or can be isolated 24 user codes are available

EXTERNAL SIRENS
There are 4 types external sounders available:

POLYCARBONATE EXTERNAL SIRENS:
These sirens are tamper proofed boxes tamperer switched so if their lid is opened or they are removed from their position they will activate. When the alarm activates,the siren activates and a strobe light flashes. These are the most common type used in the security industry.
Advantage: Reliability, no electronic board in the outside siren which will activate by itself if it gets wet or corrodes.
Disadvantage: If the siren cable is cut it will not activate as it has no independent back up power source.
Unless stipulated differently, this is type supplied.

STEEL SATELITE SIRENS
These sirens have an electronic board plus a back up battery in them which, if the siren cable is cut will activate.
Advantage: Will activate even if the siren cable is cut (until the battery runs flat) or if the alarm panel loses power.
Disadvantage: Unreliable, if the siren board gets wet or corrodes it will activate by itself and will not turn off.
Uses: High risk sites or where the siren cable is easily accessible from the ground.
There are three types of satelite sirens
Standard: as above
Double Skin: High risk commercial sites
Stainless Steel: Where corrosion is a problem i.e. salt water/spray

EXTERNAL HORN SIREN/HORN SPEAKERS
These are untampered and are a two wire Horn Siren or Speaker which, if the wires are cut, will not operate. Now only usually found in older systems.

RURAL BLASTERS
This is a large horn siren that is much louder than a traditional siren. It has to be powered independently from the alarm power supply. (Ideal for use in rural environments and large warehouses). Rural blasters do not replace the need for an external siren, but should be used as an add on.

INTERNAL SIRENS
There are two main types

Top Hat Usually 120 decibels,(these protrude from the celing), used where they cannot be flush mounted.

Flush Mount Usually 105 decibels, These look very neat as they do not protrude from the ceiling but are not as loud as tophat sirens, because some of their noise is disipated into the roof. If you are upgrading an alarm, the sirens may have to be changed from speaker types to sirens. Speakers require audio to operate, whereas sirens require 12 volts: while some old panels utilise audio to operate,most modern alarms do not.

1. DETECTION EQUIPMENT
   Passive Infra Red Detectors (PIRs)
   95% of the detection equipment used by the Security Industry are passive infrared detectors, commonly refered to as PIRs.
   These are reliable, aesthetically attractive and if installed correctly are relatively reliable. PIRs measure the movement of a heat source against the background ambient temperature of the area they are installed in, and if the difference is great enough will activate. PIRs emit a series of Infra Red beams like fingers on a hand and at various height levels. The number of beams, their coverage pattern and range vary for each make and model of detector. Normally most PIRs cover 12-15 meters at a 90° angle. Beams can be masked out of detectors if required, ie.so not to cover a fire place, and as well, modern PIRs have a sensitivity adjustment on them so the PIR will trip the first, second or third time the infra red beam is broken. PIRs are powered by 12 volts DC (direct current) from the alarm controller or, if they are a Radio PIR via a battery, usualy 4.5 volts. Hardwired PIRs are more reliable, cheaper and are relatively maintenance free. Because of the PIRs coverage pattern the most effective coverage is gained by having the likely intruder walk across the coverage area rather than towards the PIR. PIRs have LEDs in them (light emitting diodes) which come on when the PIR is tripped. This LED can be turned off if required. As standard we disconnect the LED's in PIR's in commercial sites. This stops criminals walk testing the detection area, where as domestic sites we leave them on. The PIR should have a tamper switch on the cover so if the lid is opened the alarm will go off. The screws holding the PIR to the wall and the
   cable hole should be cemented up so that insects cannot walk over the Infra Red lens, As well as standard PIRs there are PIRs available that have different detection patterns, and different ranges, have dual beams, active infrared and combined pir and microwave tecnology.
   
   Curtain lensed PIRs are available. These only have beams at one height horizontally or at one position vertically. The problem with this type is getting the PIR installed in the correct position. Long range PIRs are available, however these are expensive (up to 10 times the purchase prices of normal PIRs). Sometimes it is better to add extra detectors which will be more cost effective and give much better coverage.
   
   As standard we supply Texecom detectors unless you specify differently.
   Specifications- Security Detection Equipment
   (1)Optex Passive Infra Red Detectors
   RX40QZ These are our standard PIR. They cover 90° out to 15 meter range. These are inexpensive and reliable and are used in 95% of sites.
   RX40QZ Pet, This is a pet detector, which can provide coverage in areas where there are less than 30kg anamils present.
   FX40 These detectors are more sensitive than RX40QZ (and more false alarm prone) They also have a look down zone for use in sites where crawling under the detector's coverage could be a problem.
   DX40 These combine both PIR and Microwave technology for use in harsh environments or where there are pets.
   These detectors combine both PIR and microwave into one sensor. The detector will only operate when both PIR and microwave are tripped within a set time span. They are designed for use in harsh environments, and are more expensive than standard detectors. As mentioned earlier both PIRs and alarm panels have sensitivity adjustments in them. However, both of these will only cope with minor examples of harsh environments or maybe one slow cat. For other harsh environment installations Optex DX40 Dual Technology detectors should be used.
   FX360 These are a ceiling mounted PIR covering up to 6 meters at an installation height of 12ft. Ideal for domestic and small areas in businesses.
   
   (2) Ultrasonic Detectors
   These detectors detect the disruption of sound waves and should be used in high risk sites. They do not transmit through glass or walls and are less prone to false alarms than microwave detectors.
   
   (3) Microwave Detectors
   Microwave detectors detect movement only. Their pattern of coverage is of a parababala type up to 15 meters in distance. Microwave detectors must have their beams terminated into the ground as they operate through walls and windows. They will detect for example water running down a drainpipe inside a wall. For this reason it is crucial that microwaves are set up correctly. Although false alarms are obviously a problem for the aforementioned reasons, these detectors do offer the highest degree of protection as they cannot be shielded in any way. If something moves the detector activates
   While microwave detectors are expensive they shold be used in high-risk situations and usually in combination with standard PIRs.
   
   (4) Glass Break Sensors
   Glass break sensors detect the noise of breaking glass and are usually set up inside a shop facing glass windows/doors. As a rule of thumb one glass break sensor will protect 5-6 meters of glass. Glass break detectors DO NOT operate with laminated or toughened glass. Shock Sensors must be used in this instance. They only operate to a maximum glass thickness of 4ml. Most glassbreak sensors have a sensitivity adjustment and some models have a pulse count facility. These types can be an advantage as they won't activate if people bang the windows with their keys or the like, however they may not operate if only a small amount of glass is broken. SX360Z A ceiling mounted PIR for use in ceilings up to 16ft. CX50/50AM A long range PIR with a dual purpose sphered lens that will give wide angle coverage of 15m x 15m or long range curtain
   coverage of 24m x 1.8m. CX70M A long range PIR will a dual purpose sphered lens that will give wide angle coverage of 21m x 21m or long range curtain coverage
   of 45m x 2.4m.
   Glass break sensors should be on an instant zone, so the alarm is sounding while the burglar is still outside the premises. While Glass brea k sensors are used in commercial installations and can be effective, shops should not have valuable items on display close to windows as glass can be covertly cut out which may not create enough noise to activate the glass break sensor.
   
   (5) Point to Point Beams
   Point to Point beams can be used both inside premises and outside, they operate by transmitting a beam of light between 2 fixed points, When the beam is broken the detector activates. The most reliable Point to Point beams have two beams approximately 100mm apart, both of which must be broken to activate. That way a leaf or bird will not cause false alarms. The Point to Point beam required depends
   (i) on whether they are inside,
   (ii) weather they are situated outside
   (iii) the length of beam required.
   12v DC must be supplied to each end of the Point to Point but only the transmitter requires a closed loop wired back to a zone on the alarm panel. Point to Point beams give ideal protection for car yards, driveways, farmyards etc. They are expensive but we have found Optex to be very reliable.
   
   (6) Outdoor Protection (excluding Point to Point beams)
   There are various other types of outdoor detectors, Some outdoor detectors work like inside PIRs while some have curtain type lenses and all are expensive.
   Any detector that is outdoors must be of a dual beam type so as to avoid false alarms. i) OptexVX40, this covers 15 meters from itself with the beams parallel to the ground. This unit is normally situated at approximately one meter from the ground.
   ii) Optex VX40A is the above detector, but with a voice warning.
   iii) Optex DX40 PIRs, while non waterproof, they can be a cost effective way of protecting outside areas as long as the detector itself is situated in an area where it cannot get wet, and the area is well protected.
   For example inside a shed.
   iv) LX40 dual beam outdoor detector. This unit is immune to sunlight and covers up to 15 meters standard.
   v) LX80N - a long range version of LX40. Operates up to 30 meters and transmits 2 beams 2 meters apart at 30meters vi) D+D A very reliable outdoor PIR With dual beams
   
   (7) Shock Sensors and Vibration Sensors
   A variety of shock sensors are available. Prices are available on request. These operate if a sharp jolt is felt. They are usually connected to an alarm zone by a 2-core cable, though some shock/vibration detectors also require 12v DC to operate. Uses for shock sensors and vibration sensors are on safes, or in or on walls in high-risk sites. Shock and vibration sensors should be connected to instant zones on the alarm.
   
   (8) Industrial Switches
   There are hundreds of different Industrial Switches available. Common applications:
   -Temperature Switches- application - freezers, water, chicken sheds, boilers
   - Humidity Sensors - application - Paper storage areas, file storage rooms
   - Water Level detectors - application - Bilge levels in boats, river and stream levels, water tank levels.
   Each must be priced according to its application
   
2. Specification Fire detection equipment
   
   i). Smoke Detectors
   Smoke Detectors can be thermal or photoelectric type. There are very specific Fire regulations regarding the siting of smoke detectors and a smoke detectors should never be installed witin 100mm of a corner of a room as in a fire this becomes oxygen trap.
   
   ii) Heat Sensors
   Heat sensors come in two types - 57° and 75° sensors. There are specific fire regulations regarding siting these and the type of cable required.
   Cable must be 1.00mm. Heat sensors must be sited no more than two meters from any wall and three meters apart. Heat sensors are wired up in series.
   
3. REMOTES ON/OFF buttons
   Some modern alarm systems have the capacity to be armed and disarmed via a remote button carried on your key ring or the like. Most alarm panels have this feature. In adding remotes 0ne receiver is added to the control unit and then as many remotes as required can be added to this receiver. There are 2 types of remotes - 2 or 4 button.
   The remotes have
   i) full arm/disarm function
   ii) partial arm/disarm function
   iii) panic function achieved by holding down any button for three seconds or a combination of buttons
   The 4 button remote has the above functions plus the third and fourth buttons that can be programmed to activate any output on the alarm. Normally these open and close the garage door, and can be used to turn on/off switches. The 2 or 4 button remotes can be programmed to either flash the outside siren light or squawk the outside siren on setting and unsetting to let the operator know the alarm is set. Remotes do not replace the keypad but are an extra, which makes operating the alarm easy especially where there are automatic garage door openers.
   
   On/off remotes are perceived to be a security risk because:
   - Burglars can scan your code then open remotely. In reality this is unlikely to occur and for most remotes this is impossible because the remotes operate on a rolling code system.
   - The more likely scenario is that someone will steal your remote and use it to disarm your alarm.
   Remotes should not be used in Commercial installations for this reason. Remotes are powered by batteries which have to be replaced regularly, approximately 6 monthly. These batteries can be purchased at camera shops and the like and the client can replace them themselves.
   
   The problems with remotes are:
   i) They are not waterproof and can be vulnerable to damage from water, especially salt water. ii) They can be easily pressed accidentally while in pockets/purses etc.
   iii) They are vulnerable to damage, breaking off key rings,eyelets, sockets. Remotes can not be guaranteed for the aforementioned reasons.
   Remotes are matched to Control panels; if you want remotes to be added to your alarm then we need to know the type of alarm panel and, we can then acertian if a receiver is available as only some panels can operate remotes. These are usually post 1995 alarm models.
   Remote prices quoted are for Micron remotes only. For remote prices for other panels, prices on application. Remember you require a receiver board for the first remote, thereafter as many remotes as you wish can be added.
   
4. NITEARM STATIONS
   Nitearm stations are normally situated in a bedroom and enable the user to partially arm/disarm the alarm. They also have a panic feature on them. Nitearm stations are an add on to the alarm Controller. Not all alarm panels have night arm stations and Nitearm stations are only compatible with the model of controller they are made for. The location of Nitearm stations is important as they, and panic buttons, can be virtually impossible to install beside the client's bed, and if the beds position is moved then the nitearm is in the wrong place. A good idea is to install the night arm by the door inside the bedroom, and and instal a one way lock on the door of the bedroom side. the bedroom then becomes a safe zone. If you want to add Nitearm stations then you will have to ensure that your alarm system is capable of having a Nitearm Station added.
   The prices quoted are for Micron Nitearm stations only.
   
5. PANIC BUTTONS
   Fixed Panic Buttons can be added to any alarm. These are simply a non-latching switch, usually a push button, are the same size as a light switch and are wired into a 24 hour zone on the alarm panel.
   Beware of where you site Panic Buttons - it can be virtually impossible to wire them to beside the bed. Portable Panic buttons give good protection to at risk people where they may not be able to reach a fixed button. The product is a wristwatch or necklace pendant that sends a remote signal to a reciever unit wired into the alarm on a 24 hour zone.
   Multiple pendants can be attached to one receiver. The range
   of transmission depends on the building's construction and products used, however, up to 50 meters is normal.