Wireless Alarm Control Panels Safeguard Homes

Alarm control panels make up a key part of an alarm system. Wireless communication allows for easy connection between a variety of devices. China Best Buys explores some of the basic functions in control panels for increased integration. We look at the latest alarm products from leading Chinese alarm manufacturers such as Meian, Longhorn, Karassn and Security Group and Safestnet Security Technology.


The alarm control panel plays a crucial role in intelligent home-network systems for home security. Its functions are growing more and more intelligent to work with other alarm devices or even home appliances. It is usually equipped with a fixed keypad, voice indication and an LCD screen to display detailed information. For the wireless ones, they usually come with a wireless receiver/transmitter. The appearance of Chinese wireless alarm control panels is becoming more aesthetic and lighter in size for use in residential security.

Wireless Connection

In some applications and countries, it is hard to install new cables in buildings, so wireless products seem to be a perfect solution. The wireless transmission most commonly used for alarm systems is radio frequency technology, using the 868 MHz frequency bandwidth. However, there are still problems, such as interference from concrete walls and limited bandwidth. The careful selection of wireless communication methods suited for the environment helps prevent additional interference and noise.


The wired and wireless compatible alarm control panels have now become hot products. The most recently launched wired and wireless compatible products include Meian ST-III, Longhorn LHD8001, Karassn KS-858E and Security Group Luxury Voiced GSM LED Alarm. The Meian ST-III can transmit alarms wirelessly whenever the telephone line disconnects. Its patented multicode wireless programming supports the Contact ID protocol. Longhorn's LHD8001 supports the communication protocols of ADEMCO 4+1 and Contact ID, and includes 433 MHz or 868 Mhz transmitters for wireless transmission. It can also store six phone number when alarms are received; one for the central monitoring station and five personal phone numbers for the homeowners..


Karassn also supports the ADEMCO Contact ID and KS6+2 monitoring center communication protocols. Its KS-858E uses wireless transmission within the working frequency bandwidth at 433.92 MHz. Security Group adopts GSM network technology for alarm calls. It is a home alarm system with advantages such as high sensitivity, strong anti-jamming capabilities, high credibility, and easy installation and operation. When the panel is moved, the alarm will trigger the siren to go off at a loud decibel volume. In the meantime, the alarm will auto-dial the preset phone numbers. The Luxury Voiced GSM LED alarm adopts the advanced wireless numeral remote sensing high-frequency technology, comprised of a microcomputer CPU (central processing unit).

Zone Expansion

An alarm control panel is usually embedded with a 16-zone expansion capability. For a wireless one, it usually contains eight wired and eight wireless programmable zones. For Meian ST-III, 24 wired/wireless programmable zones are available. With remote system password restoration, a user's password and system password can be managed by different authorities. It can arm and disarm remotely, and record audio on the spot. Longhorn's LHD8001 has 16 wireless zones and four wired zones; the model is ideal for residential and commercial facilities. It can be scheduled for automatic arming or disarming.


Karassn's KS-858E LCD intelligent alarm system is also 16-zone expandible, with eight wireless zones and eight wired zones. Eight remote controllers and eight sets of user code can be programmed for eight zones to arm and disarm independently. The eight wireless zones can expand up to 24 zones. Automatic registration is possible between wireless PIR detectors, remote controllers and the main console. The wired zone can respond at five to 1000 meters per second and set up different modes in normal open, normal close and end-of-line resistance. The zone can be easily programmed for fire alarms, medical alarms and emergency alarms.


The Security Group Luxury voiced GSM LED alarm has 16 defense zone displays, compatible with eight wireless and eight wired zones, and can arm or disarm each defense zone separately. Phone alerts by recorded message notifies users about alarms.

Other Components

Another important function of a wireless alarm control panel is how it works with other components such as detectors, doorbells, sirens and smoke/ fire sirens. For the Karassn one, the main unit and wireless PIR detector set communication times every 26 hours to check for communication malfunctions. If there is a malfunction, the main console will alert the corresponding zones within 26 hours. The slave detector sends reports to the main unit to turn it on or off. The report will be logged for records. It works with wired/wireless sirens, wireless PIR detectors, wireless door/window sensors, smoke/gas sensors and heat detectors. The Security Group Luxury voiced GSM LED alarm provides some optional components, such as wireless smoke and fire detectors, wireless gas detectors, wireless balusters, rolling door sensors, wireless emergency buttons and signal repeaters.


Safestnet Security Technology provides the T2(015N)WM Iron Safekeeping, which is an intelligent system with an industrial design for preventing break-ins. With its waterproof design, it can wirelessly control and transmit the singals. Equipped with DSP and CMOS chips, it provides curtain-type detection with a wide three-dimensional monitoring coverage. Six remote controllers and two wireless detectors are also available. To set different alarm modes by remote controller, the transmission distance is more than 150 meters.

Final Words

Wireless technology enables users to deploy sensors almost anywhere. Automatic arming and disarming, discovery and auto-configuration ability makes the operation and installation fairly easy. However, the practical deployment of installing wireless devices is far more important. For example, optional installation tools or manuals should be provided to make the installation processes easier. Additional information on device placement, signal strength, noise level and relative signal to noise ratios would help users deploy wireless solutions more effectively.