Installing The Alarm Lock PG21 Series Self-Contained Door Alarm

Feb. 15, 2005
Installation and operation of the Alarm Lock PG21 series self-contatined door alarm.

The PG21MSS Pilfergard is a surface-mounted, battery operated door alarm equipped with microprocessor-controlled electronics and having four operating modes, four alarm sounds, remote or in place operation, and adjustable time delays. The siren and flashing strobe are activated when the unit goes into alarm.

WARRANTY:
24 month limited warranty

TIME TO INSTALL:
As per article, .5 to .75 hr

SPECIAL TOOLS:
none

Security and safety have become extremely important, not only due to the threat of terrorism, but also as a means to keep people safe and out of non-public areas while satisfying Life Safety codes. To help to control and be aware of the movement of people, the applications for self-contained door alarms have increased.

The self-contained door alarm in one form or another has been around probably since the introduction of the door. Early door alarms were a bell attached to a metal arm. The operating principle was: as the door opens, the bell is contacted and makes a sound, announcing the door had been opened.

The Alarm Lock PG21 Series Door Alarms make use of a magnetic actuator that is positioned within range of the reed switch. When the magnetic actuator is within range of the reed switch, the switch opens. Opening the door causes the reed switch to close and depending upon the mode of operation, the siren will sound when unit goes into alarm for two minutes. After two minutes, the alarm times out and the LED flashes until the alarm memory is cleared. The alarm memory can be cleared by turning the unit off, then on, or will clear after approximately four hours.

The PG21MSS Pilfergard is the latest in the PG21 Series of door alarms manufactured by Alarm Lock. This surface-mounted, battery operated door alarm is equipped with microprocessor-controlled electronics having four operating modes, four alarm sounds, remote or in place operation, and adjustable time delays. The 110db siren and flashing amber strobe are activated when the unit goes into alarm. This enables the PG21MSS to accommodate a variety of end-user requirements, including controlling multiple doors, having multiple operating modes, hardwire or battery operation, and producing multiple alarm sounds. The PG21MSS Pilfergard is 2-1/2” wide, compatible with standard size and narrow stile doors.

The Alarm Lock PG21MSS has nine jumpers that are configured to set the mode of operation and alarm sounds. A separate jumper determines reed switch location. Each jumper assembly has three pins sticking out with a black jumper connecting two of the three. The default configuration is the nine jumpers are up and the right reed switch is active. To re-configure, lift off the black jumper and reposition it onto the unused end and the center end. Note: Do not press hard as the ends can be damaged easily.

The Alarm Lock PG21MSS operates in one of the following five alarm modes:

DEFAULT MODE. In the default mode, when the door is opened without disarming the PG21MSS, the alarm sounds for two minutes. The key is required for authorized operation and to turn off and reset the alarm. If the alarm is not turned off, and the alarm times out, the LED flashes. In this mode, the door can be left open indefinitely by turning the key while opening the door. Once the door closes, the door alarm re-arms. The default mode provides the highest level of security. For the default mode, all jumpers are up. The unit is shipped from the factory in the default mode.

ENTRY/EXIT DOOR MODE. The Entry/Exit Door mode requires the key to open the door without the alarm activating. In this mode, there are selectable time delays (15 seconds, 1 or 2 minutes), after which the alarm activates if the door remains open. As in the default mode, once the alarm activates, it will sound for two minutes if not disarmed. After the two minutes, the LED flashes if the door has been closed. If the door has not been closed, the alarm siren will restart.

DELIVERY MODE. The Delivery mode requires a key to open the door without the alarm activating. No time delay on open door. Alarm automatically arms when door is closed. Without a key, the alarm activates, siren sounds when the door is opened. Alarm continues until the door is closed when siren turns off and the alarm resets. For the Delivery mode, J4 is down.

2-MINUTE DELIVERY MODE. This fourth mode permits the door to be opened and remain open for up to two minutes without the alarm activating. If the door remains open for more than two minutes, the alarm activates and the siren sounds. Alarm resets when door is closed.

DOOR AJAR MODE. The Door Ajar mode does not require a key to enter or exit. There is a settable length time delay from 15 seconds to a maximum of two minutes. If door remains open past time delay, the alarm will sound until the door is closed. When the door is closed, the unit rearms. For the Door Ajar mode , J4 is down to accommodate the non-latching alarm.

In addition to the operating modes, the Alarm Lock PG21MSS can be configured to an “On/Off” and a Back Door Annunciator mode. When PG21MSS in the “On/Off” mode and disarmed with a key, the unit will beep for two seconds each time the door is opened.

Door alarms are designed to be installed onto the interior (secure) side of the door opening for both access and egress control. To resist unauthorized egress, the PG21MSS tamper protection sounds the alarm if there is an attempt to remove the cover or the entire unit. To control the operation of the door alarm and for tamper protection, a mortise cylinder is installed into the cast housing cover. For applications where exterior access is required, the PG21MSS can accommodate a rim cylinder.

The Alarm Lock PG21MSS can be installed onto single or double, inswing or outswing doors. The PG21MSS Door Alarm can be mounted onto the door or jamb and the magnetic actuator installed onto the opposite side of the gap. If additional features will be included, for example a door bell, consider mounting the unit onto the jamb.

For the purpose of this article, we will install an Alarm Lock PG21MSS Pilfergard Door Alarm to control a double door using the provided magnetic actuator. The double door is the shipping entrance for the warehouse. During working hours, the door will be opened in order for merchandise to be brought in and out. The door alarm will be installed onto the secured side of the door, using a 1” mortise cylinder to control operation.

Step 1. Disconnect torsion spring to set the Alarm Lock PG21MSS in the “On/Off” mode.

Step 2. Determine the location for the door alarm.

Step 3. Position the provided template onto the door and door jamb. The template is two-sided. One side is for outswinging single doors and the other side is for all other configurations. The outswinging single door applications require the magnetic actuator be placed farther away to accommodate the arc of the door alarm, while still being close enough to operate.

Step 4. Use an awl or similar tool to locate the four baseplate mounting holes. Draw a vertical line for the magnetic actuator.

Step 5. Drill the four 1/8” diameter holes – one inch deep.

Step 6. Remove the baseplate from the door alarm.

Step 7. Install the baseplate using the four provided screws.

Step 8. Install the 9 volt battery.

Step 9. Determine the location for the magnetic actuator by setting the Reed Selection Jumper. The Reed Selection Jumper is located directly beneath the terminal strip on the circuit board. The default setting is to enable the right reed switch when looking at the circuit board. This is the left side when the housing cover is mounted onto the baseplate.

Step 10. Depress the clear button, located at the bottom left corner adjacent to the jumpers. The clear button resets the system to the Magnetic Alignment mode. The Magnetic Alignment mode is used to align the magnetic actuator.

Step 11. Place the unit onto the baseplate by first hooking the housing cover onto into the clip at the bottom. Then tilt the housing cover onto the baseplate. Use one of the short mounting screws to keep the cover in place.

Step 12. Place the magnetic actuator against the lower edge of the housing cover that has the activated reed switch.

Step 13. Slowly slide the magnetic actuator along the side on the drawn line until the LED on the front of the housing cover lights.

Step 14. Hold the magnetic actuator in place and mark the location of the top and bottom openings.

Step 15. Mount the magnetic actuator using the supplied screws. If necessary, use shim material to position the magnetic actuator. Open and close the door to be certain the LED extinguishes when out of range and lights when in range.

Step 16. Remove the cover housing from the baseplate.

Step 17. Determine the mode of operation and set the jumpers along the bottom of the circuit board. For this installation, jumpers 1-5, and 8 and 9 are up. Jumpers 6 and 7 are down to have an alarm/entry delay of two minutes.

Step 18. Place the locking arm into the housing, making sure to run the strobe wiring through the opening and under the tab. It is easier to unplug the strobe wiring and reconnect when the locking arm is in place.

Step 19. Slide the mortise cylinder into the housing cover. Attach the provided lock nut. Secure using the provided wrench.

Step 20. Position the large switch on the circuit board to align with the opening in the baseplate cam assembly. The cam assembly controls the operation of the switch.

Step 21. Mount the housing cover onto the baseplate by first hooking the housing cover onto into the clip at the bottom. Then tilt the housing cover onto the baseplate. The housing cover will snap into place.

Step 22. Install the tamper screw, the longer #8-32 screw into the lower left side hole. Installing the tamper screw closes the tamper switch and changes the PG21MSS from the Magnetic Alignment mode to the normal “Standby mode.”

Step 23. Install the remaining three short #8-32 screws to secure the housing cover.

Step 24. Close the door.

Step 25. Use the key to power the unit. The red indicator will enter the window on the cover, and the LED will flash if the magnetic actuator is in range. A tone will sound indicating the unit is armed.

Step 26. Open the door. Keep the door open for more than two minutes to test the time delay. The siren alarm will sound after the two-minute time delay expires.

Step 27. Use the key to turn off the alarm by turning the key counter-clockwise until the red indicator on the front of the cover disappears.

Step 28. Close the door and power the unit using the key.
Remember: The magnetic actuator must be in range in order to arm the unit.

The Alarm Lock PG21MSS has a Form C relay rated at 24VAC/DC at 1Amp that can be connected to a fire/burglary panel.

The 9-volt battery is designed to provide approximately two years of normal operation. When the battery is in normal operating condition, the LED will blink once every four hours. During low battery condition, the unit will chirp and the LED will flash about once a minute.

For hardwired applications, the PG21MSS can be powered using an Alarm Lock model PP-100 or similar power supply providing 9-12VDC at 300mA. In this configuration, the 9-volt battery will provide backup during power failure.

For more information, contact your local locksmith wholesaler or Alarm Lock Systems, Inc., 345 Bayview Ave., Amityville, NY 11701. Telephone: 800-252-5625. Fax: 631-789-3383. Website: www.alarmlock.com .