Some questions about Security Alarms with Vera 3.

Other Devices & Integrations Door Locks & Sensors
1

Hey guys, on my quest to deploying more z-wave devices around the house, i am looking into Alarm systems.
However I am a little confused, and need your help. This thread might look a cliche of other threads, and my apologies for this.

I understand I will require an Alarm Control Panel like the DSC 1616, and a keypad. Now here are a couple of questions, please help me understand these.

  1. What are the other components i will require to make this a complete wireless alarm setup? I can guess i would require door/window sensors… what else?

  2. One of the most important function i am also looking from an alarm kit are the motion sensors. I would like the lights to turn on depending the time of the day when we enter the home. Also, would like the sensor to detect the natural lights in the room and turn on the lights and adjust the dimmers accordingly.

  3. I was also looking at Alexor 2-Way Wireless Panel PC9155 instead of the DSC 1616, wanted to know if this is any good? What are the major benifits? and how can i use the 2-way wireless in an alarm system?

  4. I am sure the alarm system can be used in multiple ways other than making sure the alarm is armed and disarmed when leaving or coming back to the house thus tendering full security survillance, i would like to know what other things i could do to make it more geeky :wink:

P.S. I would like to keep all this wireless, there is no scope for wiring the keypad or the panels or the sensors, The max i can wire is the power connections for the panel. :slight_smile:

Please advice.

2
1. What are the other components i will require to make this a complete wireless alarm setup? I can guess i would require door/window sensors.. what else?
I would start with the following as a good base kit that includes wireless: http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-548-kit32-219-dsc-power-1832-wireless-ready-security-kit.aspx Also need the following or an IT100 to interface it: http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-1835-evl-2ds-envisalink-2ds-internet-alert-module-for-dsc-security.aspx
2. One of the most important function i am also looking from an alarm kit are the motion sensors. I would like the lights to turn on depending the time of the day when we enter the home. Also, would like the sensor to detect the natural lights in the room and turn on the lights and adjust the dimmers accordingly.

The DSC motions can trigger lights, but for light level you’ll need something like a HSM100.

3. I was also looking at Alexor 2-Way Wireless Panel PC9155 instead of the DSC 1616, wanted to know if this is any good? What are the major benifits? and how can i use the 2-way wireless in an alarm system?
Alexor systems are not compatible... only the power systems I'm afraid!
4. I am sure the alarm system can be used in multiple ways other than making sure the alarm is armed and disarmed when leaving or coming back to the house thus tendering full security survillance, i would like to know what other things i could do to make it more geeky

[ul][li]You can disarm from lock pin codes[/li]
[li]You can can have scenes triggered that may flash the lights on and off if the alarm is triggered[/li]
[li]You can have Vera text you the user that disarmed or armed the alarm[/li]
[li]Warn of suspected power outages in your house (if your Vera and router are on a UPS) [/li]
[li]Warn your house is on Fire[/li]
[li]Lock your locks when the system is armed[/li]
[li] etc etc [/li][/ul]

3

Also remember that the keypad has to be hardwired to the panel. Also the wireless sensors have a delay of 6 seconds before warning the panel. I ended up moving to wired motion sensors because of the delay.

  • Garrett
4

[quote=“strangely, post:2, topic:170813”]

1. What are the other components i will require to make this a complete wireless alarm setup? I can guess i would require door/window sensors… what else?

I would start with the following as a good base kit that includes wireless:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-548-kit32-219-dsc-power-1832-wireless-ready-security-kit.aspx
Also need the following or an IT100 to interface it:
http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-1835-evl-2ds-envisalink-2ds-internet-alert-module-for-dsc-security.aspx

2. One of the most important function i am also looking from an alarm kit are the motion sensors. I would like the lights to turn on depending the time of the day when we enter the home. Also, would like the sensor to detect the natural lights in the room and turn on the lights and adjust the dimmers accordingly.

The DSC motions can trigger lights, but for light level you’ll need something like a HSM100.

3. I was also looking at Alexor 2-Way Wireless Panel PC9155 instead of the DSC 1616, wanted to know if this is any good? What are the major benifits? and how can i use the 2-way wireless in an alarm system?
Alexor systems are not compatible... only the power systems I'm afraid!
4. I am sure the alarm system can be used in multiple ways other than making sure the alarm is armed and disarmed when leaving or coming back to the house thus tendering full security survillance, i would like to know what other things i could do to make it more geeky

[ul][li]You can disarm from lock pin codes[/li]
[li]You can can have scenes triggered that may flash the lights on and off if the alarm is triggered[/li]
[li]You can have Vera text you the user that disarmed or armed the alarm[/li]
[li]Warn of suspected power outages in your house (if your Vera and router are on a UPS) [/li]
[li]Warn your house is on Fire[/li]
[li]Lock your locks when the system is armed[/li]
[li] etc etc [/li][/ul][/quote]

[quote=“garrettwp, post:3, topic:170813”]Also remember that the keypad has to be hardwired to the panel. Also the wireless sensors have a delay of 6 seconds before warning the panel. I ended up moving to wired motion sensors because of the delay.

  • Garrett[/quote]

Thanks for your replies. my apologies for the late reply. Was caught up our new born baby, she keeps us up almost every night, and have been pretty much sleep deprived, and every now and then trying to catch up sleep as per baby’s will :slight_smile:

@strangley, I see the DSC security system kit you mentioned, I guess that makes it clear for me for the things that is required to build a fairly decent alarm system. My only grudge is the DSC keypads. Do they have a more presentable keypad in their line that can be added with the vera? The keypad for me will be sitting on the main wall on the front room next to the entry door. I guess a GE Simon XT keypad is still more presentable and good on looks, although i am tilting more towards DSC given the fact that there are more success stories with the Vera. Thanks for all the bullet points you mentioned, i am getting to understand more as i read.

@garrettwp, is there any specific model for the wireless keypad and panel that can be integrated with the vera without having to hardwire it, i would prefer a wirless keypad and panel that can go with the vera? I think i have severe limitations with hardwiring and laying wires accross the walls in my condo. Soon when we build our new house, i will take care of all the wiring needs for home automation project. All this is helping me understand a lot.

Regarding the delay on the motion sensor, can i use two motion sensor in one room itself? Reason being there are three entry points in the room, one from the main entrance, and two from the hallway, I think one sensor will be not able to see all the entry points in our room.
I can add the wireless HSM100 sensor in one part of the room while entring the room from the hallway and can live with the 6 second delay as anyways the walk from the hallway to the room can compensate for that delay. But i would definately require a wired sensor in the main entryway, idea behind this is as soon as we open the door and get in the wired sensor triggers the lights on. What is good wired motion/light sensor that can be integrated with vera, and is pretty good in response?

Thanks for all your advice’s guys, this helps a lot.