A review of the technologies we recently used for a government agency field office shows the flexibility of wireless and how it has achieved acceptance in not only the residential and commercial markets but also in higher security domain of the federal government and Department of Homeland Security.
The government has learned to avail itself of wireless technologies that have been refined for years on the street. This is somewhat of a departure from the typical way technology migrates, which is from the top down. Usually cases are cited where an item that was developed to protect soldiers in battle, or NASA space invaders has migrated down to the non-military, earthbound environment to benefit the masses.
In the case of wireless security, although the precise genesis to the circuitry may have its roots somewhere in a government laboratory, many readers of the Locksmith Ledger will share my own memories of early wireless alarm products, their initial shortcomings, the advances, and the eventual maturation of the technology into an amazing security solution which revolutionized the alarm industry.
The not so fond recollections of pioneering wireless equipment which failed to fulfill its promises are etched in my memories too. Perhaps you were personally involved in failures which jeopardized your company’s financial survival or actually forced you out of business. I was.
For those of us who were unwittingly elected to be guinea pigs and Beta testers for companies whose products’ performance failed to match up to the designers’ vision, the term Cutting Edge Technology was supplanted by the term Bleeding Edge Technology.
Locksmiths in particular have felt the sting, and as a collective group have garnished the perhaps unfair reputation as being ultra-conservative and resistant to change.
Actually, they were the lucky ones, those of us who were able to survive losses and frustrations and persevere. We learned, and adapted.
On the supply side, does anyone care to list all the manufacturers, the entrepreneurs, who birthed a dud and consequently turned to dust and blew away?
How many vendors we use today have legacies of junk the produced at one point and later abandoned? How many vendors we use today, in order to financially survive a brutally competitive marketplace and fluctuating manufacturing environment have even orphaned technology that actually worked pretty well, but because it failed to meet board room sales expectations, or align with revised product portfolios?
About once a week I have to tell a customer that the product I supplied perhaps two years ago is no longer supported by the manufacturer, and I am unable to repair it because I cannot obtain parts.
Another phenomemon were the esoteric technologies that only the government used which was available only to select dealers. Most dealers were therefore locked out of bidding, installing or servicing these products in these markets.
Although this phenomenon still prevails in many cases, it doesn’t always, as is the situation with Honeywell.
Honeywell Vista Series
With Honeywell one of the non-economic benefits of the economy of scale is revealed. We know with consumer electronics such as cell phones, computers and network appliances, the huge volume of devices used enables mass production techniques which bring down the cost to the end-user.
Similarly, the combined effects of the highly competitive electronic security market, combined with the volume of production has also brought down the cost to the end-user as well as refined the performance of the hardware to high levels of reliability.
Honeywell has weathered the storm and has not left behind a trail of broken hearts or a legacy of broken promises. Their Vista Series was introduced in the 1990s, and surely has evolved while maintaining forward and backward compatibility as each new version has been introduced.
For this month’s case in point, Vista was specified in the bid spec, and for once, it was a government bid spec that actually made a lot of sense from a cost vs. benefit perspective.
For this site, multiple sub-systems comprised the total security management; premises fire, premises access control and premises physical and personal security.
Vista covered physical and personal security, providing supervised wireless panic buttons throughout the premises, wireless door contacts, wireless motion detection, wireless glass break sensors, and multiple English language keypads for the typical arming and disarming of the system, but also allowing security management personnel to quickly pinpoint the source of a panic/duress so they could take fast and appropriate actions.
Was a client becoming argumentative? Was a client suffering a health problem? Was a government employee requiring assistance? Additionally all alarm events were instantly transmitted to a National Hub.
The system design included extended battery backup and numerous audible annunciators.
Vista software allows for issuing PINs with precise authority priorities appropriate for the area and level of each employee and manager.
Since we used Vista for all our alarm projects anyway, we had the supply line in place and the technicians were familiar with installation and programming. These issues leveled the playing field for us to competitively bid the job.
Vista 128FBP (12VDC, New Version)
Available in 12V and 24V models, the new VISTA-128FBP is a UL Listed commercial fire and burglary control panel that supports up to eight partitions and up to 128 zones/points using hardwired, wireless and V-Plex® addressable technologies. A diverse line of Honeywell initiating devices, notification circuits, communication devices, keypads, RF receivers and relays are supported. The VISTA-128FBP has been designed to mount quickly and easily in an attack resistant cabinet and integrate seamlessly with CCTV, access control and Honeywell’s full range of fire and burglary components.
Features include:
- Eight hardwired zones standard,
- Expandable to 120 V-Plex addressable points/zones or 128 wireless points/zones
- Can control eight separate areas independently (8 partitions)
- Supports commercial wireless fire and burglary devices
- Stores up to 512 events
- Accommodates 150 user codes and up to 250 access card holders using VistaKey
- Supports V-Plex addressable VistaKey access control (1 to 8 doors)
- Two on-board notification (bell) circuits delivering 2.3A @ 12V or 3.4A @ 24V
- Automatic smoke detector sensitivity maintenance testing
- Four-wire smoke reset using onboard J2 output trigger
- Supports Dynamic Signaling for AlarmNet Communicators
- Supports Remote Control via the Internet*
- Supports Internet Alarm Reporting*
- Supports Graphical User Interface Consoles
- Listed to UL864 9th Edition
- Upload/download via Ethernet*
- Carbon monoxide (CO) zone support
6160 Keypad
The 6160 Deluxe Keypad features a large and bright 32-character display with easy-to-read plain-English status messages. Easy to install and simple to use, the white console blends with any décor and features a contoured, removable door that conceals illuminated soft-touch keys. Oversized function keys are easily accessed even when the keypad door is closed. The 6160 can be programmed for fire, burglary, personal emergencies and other operations.
Features include:
- Large, easy-to-use keypad
- Keys continuously backlit for greater visibility
- Speaker with audible beeps to indicate System status, Entry/exit delay and other alarm situations
- Zones and system events displayed in plain English rather than confusing blinking lights
- Four programmable function keys
- System functions clearly labeled
- Functions performed by just entering security code plus command
- White with removable door blends with any décor
DT7450 Dual-Tec Motion Sensor Quad Motion Detector
The DT7450 Motion Sensor is designed for tough, commercial environments and achieves reliable protection with improved false alarm immunity and performance through DualCore™ signal processing and by using K-Band microwave technology and Uniform Sensitivity Optics.
The DT7450-MIC is a fully featured DualTec with integrated microphone, for listen in capabilities.
Enhanced False Alarm Prevention: The DT7450 offers more than the standard features that protect against false alarms due to RF signals, electrostatic discharge, and electrical overstress.
Self-Testing for Consistently Reliable Operation: Concurrent diagnostics assure optimum performance and reliability.
Sturdy, Attractive Housing: The sleek, sturdy housing fits into a variety of building styles and blends with any room decor.
DualCore Signal Processing: PIR and microwave signals are analyzed in the microcontroller in multiple domains, including amplitude, time, frequency and duration to provide superior false alarm immunity without compromising detection.
Uniform Sensitivity Optics: The custom-designed Fresnel lens provides the same sensitivity for human targets at the edge of the pattern as exists directly in front of the sensor, giving the DT7450 consistent coverage throughout the protected area.
Digital Adaptive Microwave Thresholds: The DT7450 digitally adjusts its thresholds to account for room disturbances such as ceiling fans and other repetitive moving objects which are not an intrusion event.
Digital Fluorescent Light Interference Filter: Potential false alarms due to fluorescent lights are eliminated with a digital filter with infinite rejection.
Patented Mirror Look Down: Provides better coverage up close with multiple zones in the look down area.
Global Compliance: Honeywell designs meet many of the world’s motion detector standards, including the new EN50131-1. K-band microwave can be used in virtually every market all around the globe.
White Light Immunity: A patented black bug guard reduces false alarms by providing 6,500 lux of white light immunity. This helps reduce false alarm problems caused by lights, flashlights or reflective objects.
Flexible Mountings: The DT7450 family mounts on walls, in corners or on ceilings with the SMB10 family of swivel brackets.
Concurrent Diagnostics: Optimum performance and reliability are assured through comprehensive diagnostics that do not compromise detection during testing.
DT7450-MIC Only: Integrated microphone for use with most 2 way voice systems that accept a remote microphone input compatible with Vista UVS, DSC, Apex Destiny 2 way voice systems.
5802MN Duress Button
Honeywell’s 5802MN is a single-button portable panic pendant that can be used to summon help in the event of an emergency.
Features include:
- Single button operation
- Fully supervised
- Belt clip or pendant option
- User replaceable, long life lithium batteries
- Dimensions: 2.4" H x 1.5" W x 0.5" D
V-Plex Glassbreak Detector
V-Plex Glassbreak Detector Model FG1625SN uses the latest technology to provide faster response and increased false alarm immunity and utilizes V-Plex polling loop technology to enable fast, easy installation by. Four adjustable sensitivity settings can compensate for the acoustics of any room.
Optimum operation can be quickly verified using the FG-701 Glassbreak Simulator.
Special features include the FlexCoreTM Signal Processor and V-Plex Polling Loop Technology.
FlexCoreTM Signal Processor: The FlexCore Signal Processor is an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which processes sound data in parallel rather than sequentially for faster, more accurate detection decisions.
V-Plex Polling Loop Technology: V-Plex devices are installed using two wires for power and data. In addition, V-Plex technology features Point Identification, allowing users to quickly pinpoint the source of an alarm or trouble condition.
ADEMCO’s patented technology allows remote activation of Test Mode (with simulator). A hand-clap feature verifies that the detector is functioning.
Easy Mounting: It mounts on any wall, in the window frame, or on the ceiling, with no minimum range and a maximum range of 25’ (7.6 m) to the glass. The FG1625SN works on all glass types, including plate, tempered, laminated, wired, film-coated, and sealed insulating glass. It can be mounted on the ceiling, opposite wall, adjoining wall, or the same wall as the glass.
Two dip switches on the FG1625SN make it easy to set the sensitivity to match the acoustics of the room. Four different sensitivity levels are available.
Multiple Domain Signal Analysis: The FG1625SN performs Multiple Domain Signal Analysis in which time, frequency and amplitude characteristics are evaluated for signal qualification.
Enclosed PC Board: The PCB is protected from potential damage during installation.
Patented Remote Test Mode: The Patented Remote Test Mode can enable or disable the indicator LEDs using the FG-701 Glassbreak Simulator.
Universal Eight-Zone Remote Point Module
The 4208U Remote Point Module (RPM) is an eight-zone expander that allows the use of available expansion zones on ADEMCO controls that support V-Plex polling loop devices.
- Can be optionally powered from an external DC power supply to reduce the amount of current draw from the polling loop
- Uniquely identifies eight EOLR supervised zones (all zones use 10K resistors, supplied)
- DIP Switches can be used to set zone numbers or serial numbers
- When used in the serial number mode, each serial number in the selected group can be assigned to any zone number
- Loops A & B can be programmed for fast (10msec) response
- Provides cover tamper protection, which may be enabled or disabled via on-board DIP Switches
5881ENHC Commercial Wireless Receiver
The 5881ENHC RF Receiver is designed for use with control panels that are approved for use in commercial fire and/or burglary installations. The receiver recognizes alarm, status and keypad control messages from wireless transmitters operating at 345 MHz. The receiver also features a Spatial Diversity System that virtually eliminates “nulls” and “dead spots” within the coverage area.
Features include:
- Front and back tamper for commercial fire/burg installations
- One or two receivers can be used to provide redundant coverage or extend coverage in large areas
- Spatial Diversity System virtually eliminates “nulls” and “dead spots” within the coverage area
- Can be mounted remotely, anywhere on the keypad bus, for extended coverage
- Compatible with all 5800 series wireless devices
- Connects to control panel via the keypad bus
- UL listed for Commercial Fire/Burg applications
4297 V-Plex Loop Isolation/Extender Module
The 4297 V-Plex Loop Isolation/Extender Module offers dual benefits for commercial applications. As an isolation module, the 4297 allows installers to group selected zones on one loop. For example, fire and burglary zones may be grouped separately; essentially isolating one from another. This isolation feature prevents failure in one loop from compromising the integrity of any other loop. The 4297 Module also gives installers the flexibility to extend system-wide wiring capability, from approximately 4000 to 8000 feet, without the added expense of additional hardware or control panels.
Honeywell’s Piezo Dynamic (PD) WAVE2PD and 747PD Sirens produce traditional “speaker” sound while drawing 1/4 the current of typical sirens. This allows multiple devices to be installed on the same alarm panel without the need for additional hardware, costs and labor. The WAVE2PD and 747PD Sirens are globally compliant and UL approved and ideal for residential application.
Features include:
- Low current draw lets you add additional sirens in areas like basements, garages, hallways and more
- Two tones to choose from: Steady and Warble
- Lightweight ABS plastic case is less than half the weight of standard sirens
- Enclosed PCB to protect components
- Easy-to-wire terminal block eliminates the need to splice and crimp wire
- Hinged case cover with elliptical mount holes provide installation convenience
- Tampered versions available to provide an added level of protection and meet global requirements
- Compatible with LYNX control panels
- Large wiring channel provides plenty of room for wire
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Honeywell Security Products, www.honeywell.com/security.
