The 9850 alarm control panel offers A wide range of flexible options for programming, detector connection method and system set-up. The latter includes an equal hybrid mix of hard-wired and wire-free detectors, wire-free remote system control and a roving PA – a useful addition for rural areas. Programming can be carried out remotely using Windows-based PC software and the modem. Engineers familiar with Scantronic panels will miss the familiar instruction to "remove the end station lid" and the trip to the big white box in order to enter the installer (engineer) mode!
The 9850 is basically a 16-zone panel, but the actual number available depends on which of the three zone connection methods is chosen.
Using the four-wire closed circuit (CC) method, separate alarm and tamper loop connections are available for up to a maximum of eight zones on the panel, with a further eight zones available using a hard wire expander (HWX).
The two-wire end-of-line (EOL) method requires a single 2k2 resistor in each alarm loop, providing for eight zones on the panel and a further eight using the HWX. Connections for one tamper loop are available on the panel and one on the expander.
With the two-wire fully supervised loop (FSL) option, a 2k2 and a 4k7 resistor are connected in each loop to cover both alarm and any tamper interference. A maximum of 16 zones are available on the panel. The HWX can be used to substitute for eight zones on the panel, the advantage of this is the reduction in the wiring workload if the system is spread over a long distance.
A radio expander (RFX) is available, capable of providing eight wire-free zones to replace eight on the panel. It is connected to the keypad four-wire bus (as is the hard wired expander) and provides access to the control panel using a remote setting device (telecommand), a keyfob-sized wire-free transmitter, for full-set, part-set and PA control, a sea change for the user operating the system.
Wire-free PIR, Universal (contact) and smoke detector transmitters are available – all wire-free elements of the system have been designed to conform to all the relevant Class VI requirements.
In addition to the eight detector zones, the RFX can learn a total of six telecommands or PA transmitters. In both cases, hard wired and radio, the term "expander" is a bit of a misnomer since neither increases the control panel's inherent 16-zone capacity – even when using FSL, only eight hard wired zones are available on the panel.
The 9850 will support up to four LCD keypads or arming stations (reduced facility keypads) plus one keyswitch interface. The LCD keypads have a single line, 16-character display which gives alarm information, level status and programming commands. Three LEDs indicate power supply status, telephone line faults and any PA, fire, 24 hour or tamper circuit activity when the system is unset.
The arming station is used for setting or unsetting the system. It has no level setting keys or programming capability.
The 9850 has three fully programmable outputs: 1 and 2 via volt-free relay contacts and output 3 from an open collector transistor. Scantronic recommends that the output from each should be restricted to 500mA.
Provision has been made for a Scantronic plug-on communicator for transmitting alarm signals and for connecting to a remote PC for up/downloader facilities for programming, diagnostics and remote control. These facilities can be accessed locally via an RS-232 port on the control panel PCB. Programmable outputs are available for wiring in other types of communicator.
Up to eight four or six-digit access codes can be programmed into the system which can be set in three different levels. All three levels can be set at an LCD keypad, but there are restrictions when using a telecommand or an arming station.
The 9850 control panel PCB measures 100 x 230mm, about the usual size for Scantronic, but looks rather lost in its really big white steel housing. The additional space has been provided for a 17Ah standby battery – a monster compared with previous requirements!
The manufacturer specifies either 7Ah or 17Ah; if the latter is used, then a "battery kit" should be fitted. This no doubt limits the charging current, which the higher capacity battery may demand after mains failure.
We had a case with an alarm system, about two years ago, when the mains fuse had been removed. The premises were unoccupied at the time, so that when the standby battery was fully discharged, the outside sounder (fitted with its own cut-off timer) went unnoticed for 20 minutes. When the mains fuse was replaced a few days later, with no thought given to the welfare of the alarm system, it went to a full alarm condition and could not be silenced.
At this point we were called in and found that the panel was damaged beyond economic repair; at least three ICs were damaged. The 12 volt regulator section of the panel was still working correctly and the 3A battery fuse was still intact!
The flat battery may not have caused the problem, but it is wiser to follow the manufacturer's powering-up instructions. These usually recommend applying mains supply before the standby battery – except in the case of the 9850 when Scantronic recommends: connect battery (fully charged); short the kick-start pins in the panel; then apply the mains supply.
The 9850 PCB housing is rigidly constructed, with unpainted spots on the base and cover for sound earth connection; unfortunately in our sample, the cover tag was missing and no connector lead was supplied.
The 9930 LCD keypad is housed in an attractively styled plastic case, with a small-hinged flap on the cover for hiding vital user information. All the internal components are mounted on a single PCB solidly attached to the cover by screws and plastic latches.
The actual keys are on a flexible membrane with conducting pads – two for each of the number keys which, when pressed, bridge coated contacts on the PCB. Usually, there is only one conducting pad which bridges bare copper PCB contacts. Over a period of time the pad coating tends to migrate to the bare copper, increasing contact resistance with subsequent unreliable to impossible key functioning. Time will no doubt judge the effectiveness of the 9930 keypad.
The quality of construction and finish of the keypad and control panel PCBs is very good, the latter being adequately supported to prevent flexing during installation.
The 9850 base has been punched and bent so that it stands 10mm clear of the mounting surface and has plenty of rear cable entries so that surface-run or concealed cables should cause no problems. Four-cored cable is required to connect the remote keypads, keyswitch and expander to the control panel. Maximum permissible lengths are not specified.
Hard wired installation should cause no problems. If the radio expander (RFX) is used, then we strongly recommend carrying out a radio survey, prior to installing the expander and wire free detectors. A Go/No Go test meter and test transmitter are available for an initial survey.
A much more reassuring, accurate reading of signal strength can be taken at the RFX when it is in the "learn" mode. The readings are needed for Class VI documentation. Installers should note that the transmission frequency has been set at 868MHz compared with 418/422MHz for the 5 series – still in the UHF band.
The 9850 is very installer-friendly in that on leaving the installer mode, it carries out a system check, reporting any deficiencies on the LCD keypad display. The control panel was initially connected on the bench with 16 FSL detector loops, sounder and keypad. Following the excellent instructions, initial start-up and programming was a totally hassle-free exercise and it all worked as expected, giving outputs as programmed.
Programming the wire-free detectors, Telecommands and PA transmitters into the system is equally straightforward. They are individually coded by the manufacturer and programmed in by activating each LED within 10cm of the learn sensor on the RFX in "learn" mode. The RFX gives a short double beep when the code is accepted – it will even choose a zone number if one has not been specified by the installer. Signal strength readings given under these conditions should be high – seven or eight in our tests, reducing when the detector transmitters are in their installed positions.
Scantronic instructions have, in our experience, been generally quite good, occasionally requiring a bit of trial and error before getting with it. The instructions provided for the 9850 hybrid system are positively outstanding in style, presentation, technical descriptions, programming explanations and diagramatic content. The Installation and Programming Guide for the 9850 hard wired control panel introduction includes a system layout diagram which puts all the system components into perspective. A very helpful index is included – a rare feature in instruction manuals!
A separate Installation and Programming Guide is given with the radio expander. This includes descriptions and instructions for the wire-free detectors and hand-held transmitters.
What the manufacturer says ...
Scantronic launched the 9850 alarm control panel together with the 9750 for security users in the general commercial and domestic markets. Both products are hybrid panels offering hardwired or Class VI wirefree expansion, with remote upload and download capabilities. The panels were developed to enable security users to benefit from intruder alarm technology that has previously only been effectively available to large commercial installations. These sorts of features have been based on considerable research conducted over the last couple of years. We organised focus groups involving installers, distributors, national account staff and alarm inspectorates, roadshows, end user research and beta trials of the equipment to ensure that the products reflected the needs and wants of the marketplace. The Scantronic 9850 control panel is a fully programmable eight-zone alarm system, which can be expanded to 16 zones. The system can be optionally expanded using remote hardwired or 868MHz Class VI wirefree radio technology, ensuring flexibility whatever the installation requirement. The wirefree expander eliminates the need for complex wiring between devices, causing a minimum of disruption to décor. To complement the wirefree expansion a number of associated radio detector/transmitters are available along with a new simple go-no radio survey meter. The hardwired zones are fully configurable and if the two-wire FSL option is chosen then all 16 zones can be hardwired back to the main control panel. Upload and download is also available using the Windows-based program on a PC allowing the engineer to diagnose and program and set/unset the system remotely, which greatly reduces maintenance time. If required, a local programming link can be used from a laptop direct to the panel’s standard nine-way D-type serial port. Additionally, the 9850 has a 250 event date and time stamped log to comply with Association of British Insurers requirements, which is downloadable. Communications are available via a plug-on multi-format Micro-com digi/modem and four secondary programmable communications outputs for other devices such as BT RedCARE signalling. The communicators have the ability to transmit alarm reports in either fast format, SIA I, II or Contact ID. The product complies with the new EN 50131-1 requirements, as well as BS.Overall assessment
The Scantronic 9850 is a fully featured, well-designed and engineered panel with provision for a dedicated communicator for transmissions to an ARC (alarm receiving centre) and up/downloading facilities to a remote PC; 16 detector zones are available using two-wire FSL connections. For ease of wiring, eight of the 16 zones can be connected via a hard wire expander. The radio expander uses eight zones for wire-free detector operation, also providing wire-free system control and PA facilities. The system is installer-friendly with automatic self-checking and excellent installation instructions. It is very reasonably priced and suitable for larger domestic and industrial premises.Source
Security Installer
