Re: Can an alarm with PGM outputs, and/or other outputs, be wired to an X10 sensor?

["Pogo" <No_spam_marc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have not use the X10 modules or its associated platform in the past as we
have been made aware that it was ranked poorly in the security industry as
being erratic and problematic. I've seen demo's at our local Distributors,
even the demos worked poorly. I believe every product tries to address a
niche market and the individual whom posted this threat is the market. Those
in the know have made you aware of there thoughts. Sincerely wish you luck
with your project.
FYI look over the accessories for your existing panel
http://www.paradox.ca/Products/CAT_SPECTRA/Default.asp?SUBCATID=30300&PRODUCT=SPC-ZX8


"Tommy" <tommy at leesecurity.net> wrote in message
news:12ubg3oa22f10a1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Fully featured does not equal reliability. Your are talking about
> something that is supposed to protect your home and family. If you cannot
> afford to do it all at once, then buy the wireless interface board and a
> single sensor first and add more as you are able.
> Don't let an "anything beats nothing" outlook give you false security.
>
>
> "anonymous" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:12ubdvr267qcbd6@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Hi Tommy,
>>
>> I think I answered this earlier. I can't purchase a wireless sensor for
>> the hardwired alarm at all. I could spend lots of dollars to upgrade to a
>> wireless alarm, and then spend a a few more dollars at Ebay on the extra
>> sensors, or I could use an X10 system, which is a cheaper and more fully
>> featured solution but which might involve some troubleshooting headaches.
>>
>> I appreciate your time and best wishes. Thanks.
>>
>> Tommy wrote:
>>> I am assuming that this is a DIY...
>>> Why would you spend the money for an x-10 sensor when few a few more
>>> dollars you can purchase the wireless sensor designed for your system
>>> and get the reliability you should have? there are plenty of online
>>> outlets to purchase these from, and there is always E-bay.
>>>
>>> Don't give yourself a false sense of security.
>>>
>>>
>>> "anonymous" <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>> news:12u9nou6isbbke0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>
>>>>Thanks, Jim and Eric, for letting me know about the PowerFlash. The
>>>>alarm controller that's coming is the Paradox 1738. The outputs and amp
>>>>ratings that I mentioned I got off of a couple of websites.
>>>>
>>>>As for using X10 as an alarm system, my basic rationale is this: for
>>>>those who cannot afford more than a very minimal professionally
>>>>installed system, the X10 package could be a useful supplement, and
>>>>those who cannot spend more than $100 on any alarm at all would probably
>>>>find that having an X10 alarm that works 90% of the time is still a lot
>>>>better than nothing (as long as the powerline environment does not
>>>>create a lot of false alarms).
>>>>
>>>>In my case, the cheapest professional alarm that I can afford (this
>>>>Paradox system) comes with 2 door sensors, 2 motion detectors, the
>>>>controller and a keypad. That secures only half my house: the bedrooms
>>>>get nothing; six openable windows get nothing. Then I read,
>>>>http://providentsecurity.typepad.com/community_security_the_pr/2006/11/2nd_floor_burgl.html .
>>>>Every little upgrade for the professionally installed alarm costs a lot,
>>>>so it seemed to me that I had to turn to a cheaper package, like what
>>>>X10 offers, which in addition to complete sensor coverage creates a
>>>>bigger alarm effect(flashing the lights, sounding more sirens), gives me
>>>>a little computer control, phones me and my nearby family, e-mails me,
>>>>activates a security multi-webcam program (BlueIris) which in turn
>>>>starts sending time/date/watermarked photos to my website, etc. If once
>>>>in while one of the sensors can't communicate with the controller
>>>>because an electrical noise producing device was turned on, I can live
>>>>with that. I may have to do a lot of technical reading and spend an
>>>>extra $30 on a dryer-plug-in phase coupler and a noise blocker to get
>>>>full house coverage and near-100% reliability; I can live with that. I
>>>>think I'm doing the right thing here for my situation (here's hoping!).
>>>>
>>>>Thanks again for your time. I'll have to start watching for sales on the
>>>>PowerFlash.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Jim wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>On Feb 27, 3:42?pm, anonymous <nos...@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Hello, and thanks for reading. Can an alarm controller that has "2 PGM
>>>>>>outputs [2.5A] and 1 alarm relay [5A]" and "1 supervised bell output
>>>>>>and
>>>>>>1 supervised auxiliary output" be attached to a wireless X10
>>>>>>door/window
>>>>>>sensor (ftp://ftp.x10.com/pub/manuals/ds10a-is.pdf), so that when the
>>>>>>alarm system goes off for any reason, an X10 signal is sent? Any
>>>>>>advice
>>>>>>on this? Thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>What make (mfg) alarm control panel do you have?  Many mfgs have X10
>>>>>modules that will send signals upon an alarm condition. But, simply,
>>>>>you can use the set of alarm relay contacts to activate a power flash
>>>>>module that will send an X10 signal. If you want to use the PGM
>>>>>outputs, you'll have to use them to power a relay whose contacts will
>>>>>activate a power flash module.
>>>>>
>>>>>One point of advice however. DO NOT use the X10 to provide any life or
>>>>>property safety detection or notification. It's not reliable nor
>>>>>dependable enough to be used for anything above turning on/off lights
>>>>>or something that isn't safety related.
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>