Alarm systems with automation interfaces

[dalethecaptain]

Are there any alarm experts out there who know of an approved alarm system that can be armed/disarmed and have its status interrogated by a third party control system (PC, AMX, Crestron)?

DSC are quite popular in the US, but I believe these were installed by British Gas in the UK and are none too popular. Anyone have experience of these?

Thanks in advance.

[hornydragon]

Honeywell?

[neilball]

Honeywell Galaxy although I would not expect it to be disarmed by a simple RS232 command, more likely to emulate the keypad therefore allowing codes to be entered.

[Jason Bourne]

Originally Posted by dalethecaptain

Are there any alarm experts out there who know of an approved alarm system that can be armed/disarmed and have its status interrogated by a third party control system (PC, AMX, Crestron)?

Thanks in advance.

I believe the Texecom Premier range supports Crestron.

[JohnS]

There are a number of options depending on what you wish to acheive and budget of course?

Where in the UK?

I hate DSC but there are others...

[dalethecaptain]

Thanks Guys.

I have looked at the Galaxy Dimension system when it was first launched, however since Honeywell introduced their own colour touch panel, they are none too co-operative on giving information to companies that are not approved partners regarding integration of the unit (unless you are integrating with Siemens or ABB building and environment controls they don't seem to be interested). ADT offer this unit with connectivity for third party control, but you have to buy some ridiculously expensive software from them and take out all kinds of service packages.

Keypad emulation is ideally my goal, I don't want the standard alarm keypad stuck on the wall inside the entrance(s). I would also like to be able to set/unset a perimeter alarm from the bedroom, and viewing alarm status on the touch panel would be a bonus. The facility to call a panic function from the touch panels would also be desirable. The system is relatively small, three door contacts and 6 wired PIR units. I have to have a monitored system as we travel quite a bit.

DSC supposedly have full IP control for Crestron or PC based control, although this range is not available in Europe and importing one defeats the object of getting an UK approved system.

I spoke to Texecom, they were not really helpful in least.

I am in South Yorkshire. As for budget, I want to know what the system can do and just how good the service is, then I will decide if its worth the outlay!

[JohnS]

I'm told that the Risco Prosys which can have an IP interface can do what you want but it will need code writing. The rep said it had been done before but the implication was definitly along the lines of a oneoff.

Scantronic have a range that has PC control through windows software that allows setting and unsetting and shows an onscreen keyboard but its run via there software, integration into an existing sytem will be another thing.

As you ned Police response you need to be taling to a SSAIB or NACOSS installer but I don't know anybody to recommend in that area sorry.

[KW1816]

Cytechs Comfort has full RS232/IP abilites and will do all you're asking, plus a bit more Much beloved of the UK Home Automation folks.

:: Welcome to Cytech Technology Pte Ltd ::

[JohnS]

Although the Comfort mentions monitoring stations I can't see where it mentions DD243 or PD6662 compatibility for conforming to Police repsonse standards?

[KW1816]

Made me think that so I did a bit of digging - from the Comfort Home Automation/ Security System Forums ..

Comfort is now able to comply to EN50131 and PD6662 (UK Implementation). CP9000-ULT/EN03 is the Comfort Control Panel part number using the new EN03 enclosure which has been designed for this purpose. Comfort firmware ULT 5.106 and above implement the requirements, and will be supplied for all orders foor CP9000-ULT/EN03
Keypads require special firmware, designed as KP03E and KP04E, the E suffix meaning EN50131 compliant
The document "Comfort Compliance to EN50131 and PD6662" has been updated and can be downloaded from http://www.cytech-technology.com/tem...131_PD6662.pdf
Installers are advised to read and be familiar with the Comfort implemenetation of the standard. A Comfigurator default template pd6662.cct available from http://www.cytech-technology.com/tem...are/PD6662.cct gives the basic configuration for a compliant installation. This template will be part of the next release of Comfigurator (after 2.2.1)

[JohnS]

Ahh that's ok then, I'll contact them tomorrow and get myself a trade account and a unit to try.

[dalethecaptain]

Originally Posted by JohnS

Ahh that's ok then, I'll contact them tomorrow and get myself a trade account and a unit to try.

Did you get one of these units to try/play with, and if so what are your thoughts on this system?

I have still yet to find a suitable product that can integrate with my automation system touch panels, and does not require the programming equivalent of a Microsoft operating system.

[JohnS]

I did contact Comfort via their Asian sales office and they run regular traing sessions over here but I jut missed the last one by a few days and to be honest I've forgotten about it.

Re-reading your existing posts you could use any alarm panel with programmable outputs to set a switch for alarm status on and off, and an interface to send a set/unset signal. Not exactly interrogating the alarm panel but just using the alarm to notify your control system and receive a command from it.