A good concept at a decent price
This new wireless transmission interface panel from FM Electronics is produced to compete with the (very) few Class 6 radio systems currently available to installers. The 4040 can be retro-fitted with any professional quality control panel to create a package of hard-wired and wireless zones in a system that is compliant with BS4737, BS6799 and DD243.
The unit comprises a total of 11 output zones with a mixture of clean change-over relays and transistorised single leg outputs, including eight detection zones plus dedicated panic, fire and tamper zones. The manufacturer supplies wireless detectors to complete the system: an internal 12m PIR detector; a magnetic reed contact; a smoke detector; and even an inertia sensor with analyser.
A remote setting device is available, which has on-board personal attack output. These transmitters operate at a common frequency of 18KHz, using a variety of different batteries. The 4040 range of transmitters and receivers are manufactured in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, are compliant with BS 6799, have the CE kite mark and carry a two-year manufacturer's warranty.
The wireless interface PCB consists of two parts, each housed within a small cream-coloured polycarbonate cabinet with an integral programming keypad. The unit has an anti tamper microswitch and an internal speaker, though the latter is for programming annunciation only – it is not a warning device.
The cabinet contains neither a mains voltage transformer nor a standby rechargeable battery, so a dedicated 12v DC power supply is required. The current consumption however, is low enough to realistically take its power from the 'host' control panel which would of course include its own back-up supply in the event of a mains power failure.
Though the cabinet is small, the absence of a transformer and standby battery means there is enough room inside for hard wiring to the 11 available zones, plus the output feeds for radio jamming & supervision, and low battery warnings.
The interface receiver aerial is fitted inside the housing, and as such is designed to satisfy the needs of most situations in terms of range and performance. If the need arises, the aerial can be relocated remotely for greater reception.
For instance, when the host control panel is already installed in the basement of a large premises, it might be wise to locate the aerial remotely in the loft. FM Electronics can also supply external antenna for long-range reception – giving up to 500m in free space.
The reception strength of each transmitter signal can in fact be measured on site, simply by reading across a pair of terminals on the receiver PCB with a digital volt meter.
This simple but effective method gives a demonstrable measurement that can be compared to a baseline over a period of time for diagnostic purposes, in the same way as hard wired circuits are currently logged for resistance and insulation as part of a handover checklist.
The red zone LED indicators are displayed on the front face, together with various warning indicators for power, supervision, transmission jamming, low battery levels and so forth. The diagnostic features are simple but sufficient to do the job, and when connected to an event logging host control panel, all the required information is in house to install to a high professional standard.
FM has provided for a great deal of flexibility in setting and unsetting this system. The set-up can be installed in such a way that customers can leave the host control panel permanently switched on, and use either the on-board keypad or make a single press of the hand-held remote device to arm the 4040 control.
Additionally, the PCB accepts a +12v trigger input from the host control panel to arm the system, plus a different +12v input to part set the system.
Alternatively, probably the simplest and best way is to leave the 4040 monitoring the devices at all times, with the host control panel taking its setting instructions directly.
Performance
We were unable to test the system to its maximum operational range, but the supplied detectors did the job as expected. The PIR, type 4600, is a single element standard wide-angle 12m range detector with pulse count selection and red LED walk test function.
In common with other wireless detectors, it contains an inhibit function to shut down transmission for two minutes after each signal in order to maximise the life of the two AA type batteries. It is not the most attractive of detectors, being somewhat bulky and on the large side, and the catch/stability performance was average.
An inertia sensor is available, hardwired to a combined analyser/transmitter. This is simple but effective with an on-board sensitivity poten-tiometer. The analyser obviously consumes more power than the PIR, accordingly a pp type 9v battery is housed in the analyser cabinet.
We were not provided with a radio magnetic reed contact, but it appears to be much the same as the analyser case and requires AA type batteries.
Lastly, a portable remote setting/ unsetting device is available, type 4173, designed to allow either part or full setting of the system, plus of course unsetting and – by pressing two buttons simultaneously – to trigger a personal attack condition. Needless to say, this unit takes yet another type of battery altogether, a pair of 3v miniature Li-Mn cells.
With the exception of the portable set/unset device, all of the transmitter types are fully supervised, the 4040 panel giving a warning output if it does not receive the correct handshake every 20 minutes. Note: Class 6 regulations allow the set/unset device to be non-supervised because it is usually removed from site.
Programming of the system parameters is relatively straightforward, though in the absence of an LCD type display, installers will definitely need to refer to a manual to decipher each of the flashing lights.
The detection devices are more or less self-learning, being easily programmed into any available zone. The corresponding output relays 'follow' the detector change over a period of around three seconds when activated.
Each zone output – and indeed all the warning outputs – can be manually switched from the engineering program for testing purposes.
The control panel current consumption was lower than the manufacturer's specification, at around 110mA, rising a little at each relay change-over.
We called the technical support department a number of times with a selection of off-the-wall questions, at various times including lunch time and 5pm on a Friday.
To his credit, the support engineer was patient and knowledgeable, and was a good ambassador for FM Electronics.
Each transmitter device has its own instructions printed onto one side of a sheet of A4 paper. The control panel instructions were all contained in a 20-page booklet, no colour and few diagrams, but enough information to get it right first time.
Contact details for telephone, fax and e-mail are printed on the back page of the installation booklet, and all of the instructions are written in good English – meaning they are easy to understand.
What the manufacturer says ...
Simple wirefree links have been added to many conventional wired control panels, and Class 3 links have been used very successfully for audible-only systems. However choices used have been limited, with hybrid systems requiring a police response via an alarm receiving centre as only a very few wired control panels were capable of having their own dedicated Class 6 wirefree link added.
The FM4040 interface enables the com-plete range of Class 6 wirefree detection devices and panic buttons to be added to any wired panel with spare zones available.
The interface has been designed to meet BS6799 and, depending on programming, will meet either Class 6 or Class 3 specifica-tions. It provides eight alarm zones, a fire zone and a panic zone with each output available via a clean contact relay, which by default will follow the alarm input.
Outputs have been provided allowing the use of our remote control or radio keypad for Arming, Disarming and Panic, enabling your customer to have a panic button or setting device anywhere convenient, as conditions allow.
For ease of installation the radio path can be checked using an audible receive test mode, and signal strength can be checked using a DC voltmeter.
All devices can be tested directly into the interface with just the power supply connected and each individual output can also be operated in engineering, so checking connections to and from the interface is very easy.
Other features include Selectable Full & Part set zones. If Full & Part armed output voltages are available from the wired panel, you can program which zones are active from the interface in both Full & Part Set.
Reader Service No 101
Overall assessment
This is a highly flexible piece of kit, and by taking its 12v DC supply from an external host panel, allows the cost to be kept low and the installation to be quick and simple.The interface is well priced at around £85 + VAT and is available through the major distributors nationwide, or directly from FM Electronics.
It does have a number of weaknesses (not enough dedicated personal attack zones, three different types of battery required), and niggling imperfections (cheap plastic feel to detection devices, no choice of movement detectors).
But on the whole these should not detract from a good concept at a very decent price.
The fact that it is a generic interface is a real bonus – to our knowledge this is the only class 6 radio receiver product on the market that is designed to only work universally with any other control panel.
One day, radio alarm equipment will use a standardised frequency and technology so that transmitters and receivers from every manufacturer will be as interchangeable as latter day PIRs, SABs and control panels.
Now there is something to look forward to.
Source
Security Installer
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