Starting HA project Security and Heating first

[JohnImNew]

Hi all, sorry to lower the iq level but im after some of your advice.Long story sideways, i have been meaning for a while to change my heating so that have a bit more control. I currently have an old honeywell thermostat and have been reading here and i think i want one of these?http://www.godfreys-online.co.uk/pageview.php?page=show_product&ecommerce_stockcode =CMT927 But we have a burglary next door and i have promised the wife i would sort the security out as the first phase of the HA project. Unfortunatly i have to do something now. Anyway, i want to install a system that will allow me to link it to my HA system afterwards, the same as my heating controller. It seems that you have goodish things to say about visonic powermax and castle care-tech equipment. A friend of mine has put me onto a website that supplies this but i dont want to buy the wrong thing. What im not sure of with tah castle care-tech panel is how id interface with it, but the visonic seems to offer x-10. Also my friend has told me i want a galaxy as they are the best but they seem a bit expensive.http://www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/c...roducts_id=193 seems cheaper than the 48 zone one he recommended. But again im unsure how to interface as i cant seem to find any x-10 info on this.Or am i completly barking up the wrong drainpipe and should i be looking elsewhere?Thansk for any guidance you can give. Need to get someothing ordered sharpish before the missus chews my ear off.ThanksJohn

[ZippyCat]

Personally I wouldn’t bother to home automate the security system, just go for a good standalone system preferably installed by a professional. Your friend is correct in that Galaxy intruder alarm equipment is top notch, but most certainly not one for the DIYer. If you want a Galaxy system get a professional in; if you want to go the DIY route the Texecom Premier series of panels are more DIY friendly.

[JohnImNew]

thanks for the advise. Is there no proper panel that i can add to a ha system ata a later date or use as the centre?When you say premier do you mean one of these?http://www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/c...oducts_id=387i might ask my friend to program it for me then as i try to avoid diy kit where possible. How much better is the galaxy equipment?Thanks Again

[hornydragon]

HOw would you want to integrate security? I would suggest a pro installed alarm for insurance reasons. There is alot more to security than an alarm which can be integrated, Lighting and CCTV. Then there are other measures such as a good door and window locks, good doors and windows. Tee biggest thing is choosing systems that have the ability to interface to other systems.

[ZippyCat]

I can’t think of a system which I could recommend that has a true home automation interface, but almost all professional panels have programmable outputs (dry contacts) that could be used to signal other systems. Providing the home automation system can accept these then yes you could interface with the home automation system. For example in the commercial world we often interface intruder alarm and fire alarm systems to the lighting control system whereby upon alarm activation the lighting defaults to a predefined scene. The link you have shown is the Texecom Premier 24 (the metal cased entry model into the Premier range), but if you can get the Galaxy then this has the edge. I also agree with hornydragon that there are other measures that should be considered including good window/door locks and perimeter lighting.

[hornydragon]

most alrams have trippered contacts which can be used to interface to HA systems some have more sophisticated systems. BUt a PRo instaled standard alram/monitored system is the way to go. IT depends if personal or property security are paramont.

[charris cy]

It is one of our problems as installers as well. We need to find a European Alarm Control panel with RS232 control. You can do a lot of things with a bidirectional interface between the alarm and a touchpanel based automation system. You can have a plan of the house and know which doors or windows are open, when you press goodbye (leave the house) it can alert you if a door or window is open, arm/disarm zones from any touchpanel in house, web conrol, tel/gsm control, see on any touchpanel where there is movement in the house. e.t.c

In the US, they have the Elk, HAI and GE models that have RS232 and are quite powerful. Can we use these in Europe?

[hornydragon]

Charris I am no alarm installer but Honeywell Galaxy 2 Range has internal RS485 and RS232 (not usure of the capabilties), Galaxy 3 Has onboard ethernet. http://www.honeywell-security.co.uk/ I asume as its Honeywell Kit its fairly pricey but then you expect it to be!