Controller for Existing Security System

Other Devices & Integrations Door Locks & Sensors
1

I am purchasing a house that is wired for an ADT security system. I’m not sure which control board it has but it is not currently active (and not being monitored). The system appears to be mostly intact (a couple of the magnets on the windows need to be affixed but otherwise it seems to be OK - even though it is not turned on so I have no way of knowing for sure.)

I am looking at Mi Casa Verde for automation control (HVAC, shade, lighting control) and I would love to interface it with the alarm system so I can take advantage of the window sensors, door sensors and glass break detectors that are already wired back to the central controller.

Can anyone recommend a solution that would allow me to replace the controller but still used the wired sensors in a way that can easily interface with Mi Casa Verde? I am trying to get an automation system that uses these sensors to trigger events with an alarm that I can monitor myself (so I don’t have to pay ADT, alarm.com or someone else).

Any help is appreciated.

J

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Hi jeremysc2000,

If you want to re-use the existing sensors, I think you are free to choose any of the wired security systems that are available in your area. Sensors tend to be normally-open or normally-closed contact relays, and all of the alarm panels I’ve heard of will be happy to connect to those.

If you do have to do extra wiring, get some Cat5 cable run between the alarm panel’s room and your Vera’s room. That “last mile” has always been the toughest part of any installation, judging by the forum posts here.

Here’s a handy post that shows the state of affairs with respect to Vera plugins a few months ago: http://forum.mios.com/index.php?topic=5996.msg35731#msg35731

I am reasonably sure that all of the above plugins will expose the alarm panel’s sensors as motion sensor devices, allowing you to create scenes based on their state.