Can I do this with an alarm?

[Ouch77]

Long story short:
Want to fit an complete alarm system due to a recent burglary, where my garage was relieved of it's tools.

I'm new to home security, and am starting with a blank sheet, so would like to find a DIY installation system that can be added to over time. I'd prefer mostly wireless as the house has not long been decorated. Initially I'd like to cover the house and 3 outbuildings (2sheds & garage). The house is nothing exotic: 3bed semi.

I've been reading the specs of a couple of alarm systems, mostly Viewsonic Powermax and Texecom Premier - are there other I should consider?

Would it be possible to configure these alarm systems so they give a notification rather than a full alarm for a particular type of sensor? A polite bing rather than the whole sirens & lights thing?

Reason being: I'd like to protect the perimeter of the property (outbuilding, drive & garden) with break-beam type devices - there are cats that would trip a PIR I think. One of these break beams would be on a legitimate approach (path to the front door) which I'd like a quiet warning to sound internally, just in case we get a genuine visit at 3am (probably an emergency, but no point waking the baby).

I also notice that actual break-beam devices don't seem to feature in the list of accessories - are they too specialist? Unreliable? Inferior to another type of device?

In the future I'd also like to be able to have a certain set of sensors (such as the devices mentioned earlier) trigger a CCTV system, rather than ring bells - can this also be done with the alarm systems I've been looking at?

 

[socdesign]

Long story short:
Want to fit an complete alarm system due to a recent burglary, where my garage was relieved of it's tools.

I'm new to home security, and am starting with a blank sheet, so would like to find a DIY installation system that can be added to over time. I'd prefer mostly wireless as the house has not long been decorated. Initially I'd like to cover the house and 3 outbuildings (2sheds & garage). The house is nothing exotic: 3bed semi.

I've been reading the specs of a couple of alarm systems, mostly Viewsonic Powermax and Texecom Premier - are there other I should consider?

Would it be possible to configure these alarm systems so they give a notification rather than a full alarm for a particular type of sensor? A polite bing rather than the whole sirens & lights thing?

Reason being: I'd like to protect the perimeter of the property (outbuilding, drive & garden) with break-beam type devices - there are cats that would trip a PIR I think. One of these break beams would be on a legitimate approach (path to the front door) which I'd like a quiet warning to sound internally, just in case we get a genuine visit at 3am (probably an emergency, but no point waking the baby).

I also notice that actual break-beam devices don't seem to feature in the list of accessories - are they too specialist? Unreliable? Inferior to another type of device?

In the future I'd also like to be able to have a certain set of sensors (such as the devices mentioned earlier) trigger a CCTV system, rather than ring bells - can this also be done with the alarm systems I've been looking at?

You should probably look for a Hybrid system. Something that will support both wireless and wired devices.

Also consider Honeywell Galaxy G2 series. Lots of additions and support available.

Most of the decent hybrid systems will have fully programmable zones across their complete zone range.

Eg. A Honeywell G2-44 has 12 onboard zones which can be configured in many different ways. Additional zones can be added in either 4 chunks of 8 using hard wired modules or by using one or two RF portal modules for two way radio sensors. There are many types of radio sensors available (also remote control RF fobs). The Honeywell devices are quite common too, so longer term, you are unlikely to find it difficult to source a replacement sensor.

For non intrusion zones, there is the option of just setting a benign chime to announce the triggering of a sensor. There are other ways to do this, but chimes are a standard panel feature.

As for break-beam style active external detectors, these are available. Optex are pretty decent, but quite expensive. In general, most wired detectors are compatible with wired panels, as they are normally powered by 12Vdc. and have a set of clean normally closed switch contacts for connection to the panel zone inputs.

Again, most panels will have programmable outputs. These can be programmed to switch on DVR's and other devices upon intrusion.

Other food for thought are things like remote IP based connectivity for self monitoring / remote control / SMS / Voice signalling Etc.

 

[Hoover]

Premier External TD is designed for external use, it has two sensors which would require activating to get an alarm signal.

It is unlikely that a cat would activate this detector, but would be dependent to some degree on positioning, the mounting height is 1.0 to 1.4m.

Not cheap from memory

The ricochet wireless have a series GJD external detectors that can be used, you would get details from GJD as its there detector with ricochet wireless communications.

Again not cheap.

 

[EightyTwo]

Good beams from Takex... (used to be Pulnix).

I shouldn't say this but... Why not get a professional installer to come and give your place a once-over and give you a quote? You could learn a lot from them and use the quote as the basis for your own installation...

 

[Europlex]

Gwent isn't that far from Cambridgeshire, just a few hours drive, why don't you go?

 

[Ouch77]

Good beams from Takex... (used to be Pulnix).

I shouldn't say this but... Why not get a professional installer to come and give your place a once-over and give you a quote? You could learn a lot from them and use the quote as the basis for your own installation...

Sorry, I may be in the minority amongst some potential clients, but I'd feel bad about wasting someone's time like that, I doubt I could justify the cost of a pro installation against a a well planned and executed DIY job.

Hence my asking the experts here, if anyone would care to offer more specific details, I can supply drawing of the property and more contextual information via p.m.

 

[EightyTwo]

Where's chaindaisy when you need him..?

 

[Europlex]

Where's chaindaisy when you need him..?

T P C, don't get him back again.

 

[Ouch77]

^^^I'm guessing there's an in-joke above that I'm missing

Anyhoo - here's the rub:

Due to the slightly bizarre layout of my house, the main entry point, the front door, has limited options for concealed wiring in the porch area immediately behind it. Thus I'm looking for an alarm with a wireless keypad. The Visonic Powermax seems to support this in a way, though the main alarm 'brain' also doubles as the control panel, so I'd have to get a seperate keypad. The other boxes are a much more discrete white panel I can hide in the back of a cupboard, something I'm reluctant to do with the visonic in case a carelessly stowed ironing board pushes some vital button and screws it all up.

The Honeywell G2 states (somewhere) it has a wired main keypad, the texacom doesn't, but it doesn't say the keypad is wireless either.

Any other options on this?

 

[sparkymarka]

Use a radio fob!

 

[Ouch77]

Use a radio fob!

Will the radio fob do everything I'd do with a keypad? Arm/disarm/partial and diagnostics? The descriptions of the functions on some of the literature is pretty vague.

 

[sparkymarka]

No but from day to day setting it's fine , you will still have a remote keypad if you choose a galaxy or a texecom

 

[Europlex]

^^^I'm guessing there's an in-joke above that I'm missing ............

They are his initials.