APPENDIX B
SECURITY SYSTEM COMPONENTS
B.1 SECURITY SYSTEM COMPONENTS
A. TRIGGERING DEVICES
This event recorder is designed to be compatible with almost any type of triggering device. A magnetic door
switch, passive infrared detector, panic switch, pressure sensitive floor mat, sound detector, alarm panel out
put, etc., or any combination of these can be used to turn the recorder on and start the recording function.
All of these devices are sold as a normally-open or normally-closed switch-type operation.
B. NORMALLY-OPEN (N/O) SWITCH
A normally open switch is similar to a light switch in your home. When the switch is off, it is considered
OPEN. When you turn on the light, it is CLOSED. When the light switch is OPEN (off), no electricity flows to
the light fixture. When you close the light switch (on), the light turns on. Consequently, a switch is normally
open until asked to perform a function; this is the only time that it is closed. When more than one normally
open switch is used in a circuit, they are connected in "parallel fashion" as shown below.
C. NORMALLY-CLOSED (N/C) SWITCH
A normally-closed switch is one that conducts electricity until an action causes it to turn off (open). This type
of switch is popular in installations where if a circuit is broken (opened), the alarm is triggered. A break
(open) at any normally-closed switch will cause a trigger. Normally-closed switches are always connected
together in a series (loop) as shown below.
D. CONNECTING SWITCHES
Once you have selected the triggering device(s) for your installation, you may connect it (them) to the
proper screw terminals on the back of the unit.
Panic recording from a video camera can be achieved by connecting a normally-open switch to screw
terminals 2 and 3. Terminals 2 and 3 allow the unit to continuously record until the end of the tape. This
function is recommended for an alarm condition or panic situation. Terminal 5 provides a momentary closure
(OPEN COLLECTOR TYPE) to the common terminal to activate an accessory END OF TAPE alarm, or
activate additional event recorders connected in series.
E. AUDIO / VIDEO SOURCES
Connect your surveillance camera or closed-circuit monitor output to the video input of the recorder. If your
camera has sound capability, or if you have a microphone amplified to audio line level, it may be connected
to the audio input. Any composite video signal and "line level" audio can be used for recording purposes.
"Line level" is an audio signal compatible with the AUDIO IN jack, i.e. the AUDIO OUT jack on your camera
or monitor.
F. VIEWING THE RECORDING
To view a recording, the recorder can be connected to any standard television set or composite video
monitor. A cable is supplied to connect the RF OUT jack on the back of the recorder to the antenna input
on your TV . Set your TV to channel 3 or 4 to correspond to the switch on the back of the recorder. An
antenna or cable system signal can be connected to the ANT.IN jack to allow the unit to be used as
a conventional VCR. The recorder is fully compatible with observation systems, quad monitors, or other
standard composite video devices.
13
