The bench test (2): Frontier pioneer

ADE is the first, and so far only company, to specifically address this new problem of retro-fitting existing intruder alarms in order to comply with the latest confirmation requirements. The perfect solution? Read on …

Construction and design of PIR: The two-part case is manufactured from a rigid ABS plastic in a white finish, with a cross-headed screw on the underside to secure the cover. The whole package is rigid and gives good protection from casual vandalism, with the obvious exception of the fresnel lens. The back has the usual screw knock outs to allow both face fixing to the wall and corner mounting, though a useful mounting bracket is included with the kit, enabling the detector to swivel 180 degrees horizontally and 45 degrees vertically downwards.

The bracket can be ceiling or wall mounted, and even allows CCTV type cable management through the bracket. It does have to be said though, there is very little room 'through the bracket' for anything more than an eight-core cable. Visually, the shape is rather old-fashioned and relatively large when compared to latter day PIRs. Obviously though, the case has to accommodate more electronic equipment, not least the 11-way connector block, and internal sounder for diagnostic tones and seven information LEDs.

The entire case is sealed against insect and dust intrusion, including the optical chamber. The PCB is secured by a single screw holding it tightly into the back case, while simultaneously giving a means of vertical adjustment during the range set-up procedure. The operational mounting height of the unit is very flexible, specified by ADE between 1.8m and 3.0m. The wiring connections are via an 11-way terminal block along the top edge of the PCB. Connections are printed on the PCB using conventional terminology and installers will have little or no reason to consult the installation instructions since the connections are self-explanatory.

An eight-core cable is the minimum requirement to provide for 12v DC supply, one normally closed anti tamper pair and one normally closed alarm pair using the combined PIR and Viper sensor output. A seventh terminal is provided labelled RES, to reset the Viper diagnostic LEDs every time the system is armed (apply hard +ve to reset), usually from the control panel via a pulsed 12v 'set' output.

Two pairs of jumper pins are provided on the face of the PCB, the first to select the pulse count feature, the second to inhibit the on-board walk test LED. Other switches are integrated on the PC board, to enable signal jamming detection and for learn & reset of programming information.

The Viper Space PIR, or LRU (local receiver unit) is a single pyro sensor PIR with no memory latch or anti-masking detection.

Construction and design of the Viper Sensor: All installers will be familiar with the construction and concept of the Viper Sensor. The new Viper Space design is much the same size as a Viper GLX with face mounted LEDs, but with a more attractive curved cover. A new translucent lens is snap-fitted to the face of the cover to protect the LEDs and conceal the fixing screw. This finishes off the unit perfectly after the set up procedure is complete.

The shock sensor element is more or less the same as a conventional Viper sensor, with two sets of selector pins to achieve 'double knock' stability, and dual stage sensitivity using the on-board potentiometer. The PC board is battery-operated, using two (supplied) 3v lithium cells, type CR 2032.

ADE recommends the batteries be replaced every year – they are relatively easy to obtain for around £1 each when purchased wholesale. The front case has a spring-activated microswitch to give anti-tamper protection, though no rear tamper switch is provided. The whole system conforms to the requirements of the European EMC and Low Voltage directives, and carries the CE mark. A generous three-year warranty for both system parts is included.

Performance: The PIR performed well enough throughout the test with good stability, though the 15m range was best achieved along the central axis – the areas to either side being slightly less sensitive with a little less detection range. Though the pyro sensor is a single head type, primitive when compared to better specified quad detectors – the fresnel lens does have 30 vertical segments or curtains of detection, split into three horizontal layers, giving decent coverage throughout the range. The lens also has an effective look down or creep zone, and the device performance overall is commensurate with the unit cost.

We found the current consumption to be more or less as per the quoted specification, at 28mA, and though the detector is designed to operate at a nominal 12v DC, the voltage range is said by ADE to be usable from 10 – 15v DC. The normally closed relay outputs have in-built resistance, giving a reading of around 6 Ohms. The horizontal spread of the detection pattern was close to 110 degrees.

The Viper sensors worked consistently well as shock sensors, though the quoted 50m transmission range is only achievable in free space – not a very likely scenario. We tested the set-up in a three bedroom Victorian semi-detached house, and found the Viper sensor sited on a front ground floor window would transmit successfully to the LRU sited on the back wall of the rear upstairs room. So far so good, though it remains to be seen if that kind of transmission range will be maintained when the battery power in the Viper sensor diminishes over a period of time.

Radio transmission features: Each PIR has four programmable channels within the receiver PC board giving activation information to the subscriber via the on-board LEDs. These LEDs latch 'on' until the control panel is re-armed and the set latch output triggers a reset pulse to the PIR. In many ways, this could be described as a step backwards, since installers will need to rely on the discipline of the end user to investigate any activations and make note of illuminated LEDs.

The manufacturer has also made provision for the detection of radio jamming and low battery warning, and though these are worthy inclusions, the warning output is only annunciated locally at the PIR via the on-board LEDs and internal piezo sounder: another backward step. The transmission frequency used is 433.92 MHz, and the technical literature describes the system as class IV compliant. N.B. It should be noted that class VI compliance is the minimum requirement for wireless systems installed by NACOSS approved companies expecting to achieve a police response using remote monitoring. Class VI compliant systems operate at a narrower bandwidth than class IV equipment, and have enhanced supervisory characteristics to ensure the equipment cannot be easily removed from site.

All the accompanying installation instructions are provided in a 16-page A5 sized booklet with schematic diagrams, programming information and do's & don'ts. There is quite a bit to wade through before being suitably clued up on the product, though the instructions are well written in native English language with installation guidelines in diagrammatic form, and an indications guide to explain the LED diagnostics.

A specification is included with all the information required by an installer i.e. current consumption, operating voltage, operating range and temperature requirements. The manufacturer's product support telephone number is provided on the instruction sheet but be aware this is a premium number charged at 50p per minute. We tried to telephone the support line on several occasions without ever getting through, eventually we called the main switchboard number and asked to be put through.

What the manufacturer says ...
Viper space offers perimeter protection within the installation time of a PIR system, by using radio-based shock sensors on the frames of windows and doors. When activated by a potential intruder, they transmit radio signals to a Local Receiver Unit (LRU) from where you can pinpoint the location of the attempted entry. It provides for a cost-effective installation without wiring to all windows and doors. The only wiring necessary is that needed for a basic PIR-based system.

The LRU contains an integral PIR, so enabling the user to select for shock sensor output/PIR output (or any combination of these). The outputs can be wired to most industry standard control panels that support N/C contact detectors.

Attempted entry can be detected prior to the fabric of the building being breached, giving an early warning and minimising potential loss/damage. Each LRU will detect signals from four individual shock sensors and will regularly monitor for battery condition, communication problems and frequency jamming.

It has a seven-LED indication strip and low level sounder, which highlight any problematic or alarm condition to the user. On system upgrades, Viper Space allows for the use of the existing control panel, and in certain cases retrofitting to installed PIR wiring. Features include: Wire free shock sensors, wired PIR and radio receiver, immediate detection before entry gained, minimal damage, 24-hour protection, and freedom of movement not hampered.

We have received concerns regarding the incorporated NOT OK condition, which activates when the LRU fails to receive a set number of repeated transmissions from each programmed shock sensor, and indicates locally via a flashing LED and low level sounder. The only way of stopping this indication was via a system RESET.

Viper Space should not be installed on police response systems as it meets the requirements of BS6799 Class VI, and is aimed primarily at domestic/smaller commercial properties not requiring police response. From September 1 we removed the NOT OK feature. The battery state will continue to be monitored and indicated as current.