PSIAugust2019a

TEST
PRODUCT TEST
Eaton i-on Compact
Security System
Technical Alarm, Tamper, Log Only, Perimeter,
Not Used, Holdup Alarm and Fire Alarm. Attributes
include Supervision, Chime, Soak Test, Force Set
Omit, Omittable and Part Set B, C or D.
Selectable wireless jamming detection is included
for the key elements of the system.
What’s in the box?
Control unit
Battery Pack
3 x Pet Tolerant Radio PIRs
Radio Door Contact
Key fob
External sounder
Instruction sheets
Miscellaneous fixings
All necessary
components for a
basic grade 2 alarm
system are included
in the pack. The
control unit includes
the keypad and a
two-line LCD display
for user management
and installer setup
The i-on Compact Security System is a
wireless “entry-level intruder alarm” system
and can be purchased as a kit as reviewed
here and with a range of optional additional
detector and sensor devices available. The panel
handles up to 20 zones / devices with flexible
configuration and a wide range of detection
options.
Getting started
All necessary components for a basic grade 2
alarm system are included in the pack. The
control unit includes the keypad and a two-line
LCD display for user management and installer
setup. Firstly, the control unit must be fixed in
place and supplied with mains power using twocore
cable from a suitable spur. With a single
screw at the top of the panel, the front folds down
giving access to the PCB and all connections. The
back-up battery pack must be slotted into place
and plugged into the main PCB.
PIR detectors are supplied with batteries (2 x
AA size) installed with a removeable tab to
prevent drain during transit and once removed
they become active and are ready to be added to
the system. This is simply a matter of activating
the tamper switch of each device once the control
panel is in Add Detector/Device mode. The
devices are then added in turn until all are
entered.
Each device is allocated to one of the twenty
zones the panel supports and can be
appropriately named, allocated a “type” and have
its attributes set. The “type” for each device can
be Normal, Entry Route, Final Exit, 24 Hour Alarm,
Menu options
A conventional alarm menu approach is taken
using the LCD display for navigation through the
options. The control unit Quick Setup Guide
includes an Installer Menu Map that identifies all
available functions.
Access to the panel is by entering the four-digit
Installer PIN followed by the four-digit User Pin
number, a cursor navigation pad along with tick,
cross and menu buttons are then used to work
through the options.
If network connected the control panel’s
webserver can be accessed and this gives much
easier access to all the panel’s features and
settings. DHCP is enabled by default or a fixed IP
address can be entered via the panel. Modern
browsers will likely state that “This site is not
secure” or show certificate errors so these must
be navigated around, this was found to be easier
to accomplish with the Firefox browser.
The browser log-in screen requires the Name
and Installer PIN Code to be entered and then
displays the panel’s menu starting with the first
option “About Panel” that gives the panel details
and the most recent log events. The remaining
options with some of their functional details are:
Program Zones – displays the zones 0 to 19 with
their names and signal strengths.
Outputs – shows the radio relay output status if
that module is fitted.
Cameras – entry details for up to two IP cameras
and associated triggering event.
Setting Options – Full Set, Entry / Exit timing,
Siren duration and Strobe settings.
System Options – User Options, Installer Code
Change, Confirmation, Supply Monitor, T & D,
Perimeter.
Contacts – recipient details for up to 12 contacts.
ARC Reporting – Recipients, Encryption Keys,
Reporting and Channels.
Email – Message and Account details.
Line Fail Response – Audio alert and Fail detection
delay.
IP Network – Addressing, DDNS and Cloud setup.
View Log – Search, Save and Print the log file.
Signal Strengths – displays signal strengths for
12 www.psimagazine.co.uk