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Types of Alarm Signalling (Remote Monitoring)
There are three mainstream signalling types for the purpose of remote monitoring of Alarms.
Redcare (BT)
3 different levels of security - Classic, GSM and Secure.
Redcare GSM is the most widely used because of dual path signalling, meaning it uses both phone line and a GSM path to communicate to the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). Both signalling paths are constantly polled to verify the communication link is working. The ARC will therefore know straight away if there is any line fault or failure. Until recently it was the industry standard and specified universally by insurance companies nationwide. However, the product is limited to use with a BT line only and with growth in third party line providers a gap in the market has opened for an alternative - DualCom.
Dualcom
Dualcom is also a dual path signalling device that works on any standard telephone line, including BT.
It comes as a grade 2, 3, or 4 unit - the difference being the polling frequency.
It is becoming a more popular mode of communication. It is more flexible and cheaper to monitor. It currently relies on a good vodaphone signal to work, however, in the near future it will operate across all networks.
DualCom GPRS, from CSL DualCom Limited, is an intruder alarm signalling device that uses both the Vodafone network and your telephone and/or IP path to transmit intruder, fire and personal attack signals at high speed.
CSL DualCom have pioneered a single hardware platform which fits every grade of security risk, right the way from Grade 2, 3 and 4 Security installations to the highest specification of Fire signalling grades. The price of the product has been matched to the grade so that if you are installing for a Grade 2 specification you are not paying Grade 4 prices. DualCom’s unique GradeShift® technology means that the hardware platform remains unchanged so that there is one common product across all grades. Simply order the G2, G3, G4 or the Fire version dependent on the grade you require.
Digicom
DigiCom has been around for many years and is the old workhorse within the industry. Very reliable and cheap to monitor, the unit has the capacity to send 8 different channels of information to the ARC.
However, it is single path only via a telephone line. A line fault means there is no communication capability and signalling is prevented. Furthermore, there is no method of anyone being made aware there is a line problem.
In an effort to overcome this issue a test signal is generally sent at least once every 24 hours. If the ARC do not receive this they will advise keyholders. For insurance companies this is of course unsatisfactory.
Other products that use a combination of different signalling methods are beginning to gain popularity with the industry. IP signalling for instance is seen as the way forward and this is incorporated into products such as the Chiron and Emizon.
Installers are guided by the insurance company’s directives as to which signalling method is preferable, however insurance companies are beginning to listen to the security industry and this is opening up opportunities for some more innovative ways of communicating alarm signals in a safe and secure way.
