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Using home security to provide home automation

Making outdoor intrusion detection sensors an integral part of the security/home automation system is a reality with Texecom Connect and Ricochet technology. Texecom’s Premier Elite series security systems and can be managed by the Texecom Connect app.

“Texecom Connect consists of a number of elements that make controlling security and home automation systems much simpler. Texecom Connect puts you in control of security and building automation by making lights automatically turn on when you enter a room or ensuring your appliances are turned off when you leave the house. It also provides video verification when intruder devices are activated,” says Eamon Nel, regional manager at TPA Security Distributors.

Nel explains that during commissioning of the Texecom Connect App, security alarm devices are mapped into rooms by the security installer, making these devices accessible to the end user for home automation. Rooms are the easiest way of using the Texecom Connect App, as you can simply turn devices on and off directly from the room menu/recipe. By using rooms, each device in the system is accessed by no more than three button presses from the home screen, making the direct control of devices quick, easy and intuitive.

Security alarm devices can be used for home automation, without affecting the integrity of the security alarm system itself.

The current range of Texecom Connect solutions includes:

• Texecom Connect SmartCom Ethernet and Wi-Fi communicator – connects any Texecom Premier Elite control panel to a local area network or to a wide area network.

• Texecom Connect API protocol to interface and integrate with third-party solutions.

• Texecom App smartphone and tablet application for iOS operating systems.

The system revolves around the Texecom Connect App, as the point of access to a host of features, and allows users to tailor the Texecom Connect experience to their own particular needs. The Texecom Connect App provides fast access to home security devices via iOS mobile devices. It provides users with remote access to alarm system control; adding additional users/phones via the administrator’s phone; setting up recipes to automate their alarm system; creating push notifications and visual confirmation (via IP cameras) on alarm events.

Wireless integration into Optex

Using Ricochet mesh networking wireless technology, Texecom is able to provide wireless integration into Optex passive infrared intruder detection sensors as well as other compatible third-party devices.

Each Ricochet-enabled device acts as a repeater to provide signalling routes to and from Texecom Premier Control Panels. Should wireless connection between two devices weaken, the network will ‘self-heal’ and automatically re-route communications via alternate Ricochet-enabled devices. The more Ricochet enabled devices installed, the greater the reliability of the system.

Optex’s pre-configured Ricochet enabled wireless transmitter – the OPTX038 – provides a number of benefits to installers and end users. This includes the fact that the panel will recognise the Optex sensors by model as soon as they are connected. “Security systems will be able to transmit much more data than ever before and connectivity will be substantially increased,” says Nel.

The OPTX038 enables Optex short-range outdoor PIRs (VX, BX, HX series) and all its wireless infrared beams (AX and SL beams series) can be easily connected to and recognised by various control panels.

“The bi-directional communication means that the OPTX038 communicates with both the relevant Optex device as well as with the control panel. This is a far more accurate way of communicating.

For more information contact TPA, +27 11 767 8400, 083 200 8333, info@tpasec.co.za, www.tpasec.co.za

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