Scantronic I-ON 160EX radio zone endstation and Keypad

Update: Release 4.03 software is now available for the i-on160 EX.

The i-on160EX (and its European variant the i-on160EX-EUR) is the control unit for a hybrid wired/wirefree alarm system that extends the i-on range to network expandable systems for more complex installations where a much more flexible solution is required. One i-on160EX control unit can operate up to 160 zones by using expanders sharing a single bus cable. Different types of expander allow either wired or wirefree detectors in the same system. The bus cable also allows the installer to connect keypads or extra power supplies wherever they are needed.

The system uses the same keypad, radio peripherals and the 760ES radio bell as the i-on16 and i-on40 and the same communicators as the i-on40.

The expandable i-on platform offers a range of clear benefits to installers, including:

• Decimal expansion system 
• Performance bus technology
• Semi-automatic addressing 
• Bus device locator

Housing

A coated steel case houses the control unit’s pcb, power supply and up to two 17A backup batteries. The case is designed for vertical mounting on a wall, and provides three fixing points. The case can be butted up to side walls or a ceiling without blocking the lid. The lid is fixed by a single screw, and can be hung from the case back when open.

Zone Connections

The control unit provides connections for up to 10 wired zones. These zones can be either all Closed Circuit (CC) or all Fully Supervised Loop (FSL). The Installer can select the zone wiring type during initial commissioning, or at any time after. The Installer can make the wiring type of the expanders either CC or FSL, independently of the wiring type of zones on the control unit.

Outputs

The control unit provides connectors for four programmable outputs which can be used to control external equipment (two transistor outputs and two voltage free changeover contacts). In addition there are dedicated external bell and strobe outputs. Expanders also provide connectors for additional external sounders and outputs.

A separate set of 16 pins on the control unit pcb provide programmable outputs designed to control a separate digital communicator.

If required the Installer can connect one 16Ohm extension loudspeaker to increase the audibility of setting and unsetting tones. Each expander also provides connectors for a 16Ohm extension loudspeakers

Keypads

The i-on160EX includes i-kp01 keypad with keypad firmware version 2 and above. The keypad has a two line by 20 character backlit LCD display and a built in proximity tag (prox tag) reader. All keypads connect directly to the system bus. (Note that a system requires at least one wired keypad.)

Users can set and unset the system or partitions from the keypad, either by keying-in access codes or presenting a prox tag.

Expanders

The EXP-W10 wired expander provides connections for either 10 FSL zones or five CCL zones, one loudspeaker and four wired programmable outputs

The radio expanders provide channels for either 10 radio detectors (EXP-R10) or 30 radio detectors (EXP-R30). In addition each radio expander provides channels for: two radio keypads, two external radio sounders and two Wireless Accessory Modules (WAMs). Each radio expander also provides wired connections for a Loudspeaker.

Communications

The i-on160EX provides a socket for an add-on communication module. The available modules are:

• i-dig02. A PSTN digital communicator 
• i-sd-02. PSTN speech dialler and digital 
• i-gsm02. GSM speech, SMS and digital 
• 8750. Chiron IP communicator 
• 8844. Chiron GPRS communicator 

Other Connectors

The USB (Universal Serial Bus) and Ethernet ports on the control unit pcb provide two different methods of connecting an external PC (personal computer) to the control unit.

The USB port allows an Installer to program the control unit through a local connection by USB cable from PC to control unit.

The Ethernet port also allows a local connection to a PC. The Ethernet connection is designed to allow an Installer to program the control unit through a series of web pages presented by a built-in web server running on the control unit.

Part Setting or Partitioned System

The i-on160EX offers two basic ways of behaving as an alarm system.

In Part Set Mode the i-on160EX can set in either Full set or three varieties of Part Set.

In Partition Mode the i-on160EX provides the equivalent of 20, smaller, independent alarm systems. Each system is a “Partition” of the i-on160EX. Each zone can belong to more than one Partition. Each Partition can have a Full Set level and one Part Set level. During programming the installer can allocate keypads, sounders or outputs to any of the partitions.

Security Grade

During initial power up (and if you reset a system to factory defaults) the system provides an opportunity for you to set various system options in one step in order to program the system for either EN50131-1:2009 Grade 2 or EN50131-1:2009 Grade 3.

You can override any of the settings by selecting individual options in other parts of the Installer Menu. Note that if you do so then the system may no longer comply with the selected Grade.

Programming the System

As an installer you can program the system in any of three separate ways:

a) From a wired keypad.

b) From a PC or laptop connected to the control unit via Ethernet cable, and using a web browser (IE 8 recommended).

c) From a PC or laptop connected to the control unit either over the PSTN or via the USB port, using i-on Downloader software (available soon).