Attaching ISY to Alarm.com Simon XTi

[mfranzel]

Hello all,

I have an alarm system from Alarm.com. It is a GE/Interlogix Simon XTi. On Smarthome's website, they give this guide on how to connect INSTEON to an alarm with an I/O Linc, however, it is very broad and I am having some issues.

 

Here is their guide: http://www.smarthome.com/projects-6a.html

 

They state:

There may be an option to pick either a normally open or a normally closed set of contacts. These are usually shown as N/O or N/C on the security panel circuit board. The most practical would be to pick the N/C set of contacts and run wires from there to the N/C set of contacts on the I/O Linc. The alarm system will need to be programmed to tell the contacts to open when the system is armed and close when the system is disarmed. This may happen without any programming needed but you will need to verify operation first.

 

The Simon XTi has 5 contacts on the inside:

-HW1 I/O

-HW1&2 DC out

-HW2 in

-9 VAC in

-9 VAC in (the two 9 VAC in connections are for the power supply)

 

Reading the Simon XTi manual, I am given this:

Hardwired contacts

You can connect hardwired reed switches (normally closed loop

only) to HW1 I/O (if not being used for a hardwired siren) and/or

HW2 in (terminal 3).

Connect only normally closed (NC) reed switches to HW1 I/O

and/or HW2 in. Other types of hardwired detectors should not be

used.

The total resistance of the wired loop must not exceed 3 ohms.

This allows you to use up to 200 ft. (61 m) of two-conductor, 22-

gauge stranded wire.

Connect hardwired reed switches to the panel using a 47-kohm

resistor (not a 4.7-kohm resistor) as shown in Figure 4 below. The

resistor must be connected at the last switch in the circuit.

 

I am having difficulty matching everything up. These contacts seem to be made for hardwired open/close sensors, but should also be able to be used for the I/O linc.

 

I want specified lights to turn on when I come home (disarm the alarm) and turn off when I leave (arm the alarm).

 

Determines how the HW1 I/O output will function:

• Off = no output

• Interior Siren = interior siren output

• Armed = output activated when armed

• Disarmed = output activated when disarmed

• FTC = fail to communicate output, activates when fail to communicate

condition occurs (the fail to communicate option must be on)

• Alarm = alarm output activated when panel is in alarm

• Extior Siren = Extior Siren output

 

I called the alarm company and they said to talk to INSTEON. I called INSTEON and they said to talk to the alarm company. I am on my own with this. Does anyone know how to help me here??

 

Is there a better way to make my current alarm system work with INSTEON and ISY?

Thank you!

[LeeG]

The Smarthome instructions discuss connecting the I/O Linc Sensor to relay contacts provided by the alarm panel. None of the alarm panel information in the previous post is discussing relay contacts provided by the alarm panel. HW1 and HW2 provide a means for connecting external reed switches to the alarm panel. HW1 can be configured to drive an interior siren or provide a signal for various conditions. This is not a relay contact that can control the I/O Linc Sensor.

 

It may be possible to connect HW1 to a small relay which is driven when the alarm panel is configured to turn HW1 On for the various conditions indicated. Would have to measure the voltage provided which may be 12v DC since it can drive an interior siren. That voltage would damage the I/O Linc if connected directly to the I/O Linc Sensor.

[Brian H]

If the siren output voltage is either +12 or +24 volts.

Some have used the ELK single relay board with their security systems and an I/OLinc Sensor Input.

http://www.smarthome.com/1299/ELK-912B- ... olt/p.aspx

 

There is also a 12 volt only model also.

http://www.smarthome.com/7278/ELK-912-S ... ard/p.aspx

[mfranzel]

If the siren output voltage is either +12 or +24 volts.

Some have used the ELK single relay board with their security systems and an I/OLinc Sensor Input.

http://www.smarthome.com/1299/ELK-912B- ... olt/p.aspx

 

There is also a 12 volt only model also.

http://www.smarthome.com/7278/ELK-912-S ... ard/p.aspx

 

I actually spoke to a Smarthome manager (OMG!) and they also told me to use http://www.smarthome.com/7278/ELK-912-S ... ard/p.aspx.

 

The problem I have is getting the XTi to send the right signals: lights on when alarm disarmed... lights off when alarm armed away.

 

Does anyone else have any better idea of doing this? I love my alarm system and the fact it uses GSM to communicate with central monitoring. I know ELK can could do central monitoring, I think, but the fact that the whole system is wired is an extreme turn off.

[mfranzel]

I got this all sorted out... not the "prettiest" way, but it works.

 

I simply needed to have my alarm turn off ALL lights in my home when I "Arm Away" and turn on the foyer light and living room lights when I disarm the alarm... aka coming back home.

 

I did this by using an I/O linc and a Z-Wave module from GE (http://www.amazon.com/GE-45603-Technolo ... rds=z-wave) and an old 5V power adapter I had laying around.

 

I plugged the positive wire of the power adapter into the SENSE port of the I/O linc and the ground wire into the GROUND port of the I/O linc. I then plugged the power adapter into the Z-Wave module.

 

I set my alarm up so that when I arm the alarm AWAY, the module turns on, therefore activating the I/O linc. And when I disarm the alarm, the module turns off, therefore deactivation ght I/O linc. I then have the proper rules set up in my ISY to turn the lights on and off.

 

Now, this simply turns my lights on and off when I leave and get home. It doesn't do anything for alarms etc. I supposed you could use another setup the same way and program it so when the alarm goes off, it activates the 2nd Z-wave module, then the I/O linc and then a rule in the I/O linc to flash certain lights.

 

Like I said, this setup isn't easy, but it works for exactly what I need it to do.

[Brian H]

The I/OLinc has a built in voltage on its Sense Input and is designed for a dry contact not detecting a voltage.

Not a good idea. Though the I/OLinc's voltage is 5 volts so it maybe alright.

[mfranzel]

The I/OLinc has a built in voltage on its Sense Input and is designed for a dry contact not detecting a voltage.

Not a good idea. Though the I/OLinc's voltage is 5 volts so it maybe alright.

 

I spoke to INSTEON support for a long time about this and this is what we finally came up with. Because it is 5v we decided it would be fine.

 

So far, so good. Working like a charm.