Fit for all occasions: Risco’s Prosys 128 control panel

The security wholesaler formally known as Gardiner Technology has always, since its conception, occupied a unique position within the security industry, by simultaneously designing, manufacturing and distributing products throughout the country.

The product portfolio was principally designed for the intruder alarm sector and carried what you might call the basics required by installers. Some years later Gardiner Technology has blossomed into the far larger Risco Group of companies which now manufactures high-end products for all the security industry sectors throughout the world.

The ProSys 128 control is a modular suite of security products for the modern installer. The components cover every eventuality of installation and remote communication, using both wireless and a two wire data bus system to intercommunicate locally, and a variety of methods are available to connect to clients via their ARC including GPS/GPRS wireless networks and IP technology. If that sounds good, read on.

Construction and design

This is a well thought out control panel with a purposeful layout of components. The expansion and communication modules are designed to be connected to the main board using the two wire data bus and can accordingly be located inside the cabinet in pre punched holes with screw threads and stand-offs (no more sticky feet !) or remotely using a hard-wired connections.

The data bus uses normal alarm cable screened cable not required plus a 13 volt pair for power. That’s four core to you.

In common with modern control panel trends, the 128 mother board is housed in a BIG steel cabinet, to accommodate a high capacity battery and the numerous expansion and communication modules. The cabinet usefully sits off the wall to allow cables to be easily back-fed and there are more than 40 built in cable tie lugs to secure and tidy the internal wiring, though the cable ties were not provided.

The whole front cover is removable, though annoyingly the earth strap that bonds the cabinet to the cover is very short and is secured at each end with a screw fixing, so installers must use a screwdriver to separate the two parts or let it hang. To be honest the strap is pretty robust and (I’m being generous here) it may have been actually designed to hang like that, but sooner or later it will break and then where will you be? Steel toe capped boots anyone? Onwards…

We were supplied with the standard surface mounted, cream coloured plastic remote setting keypad, which in fact turns out to be the only available keypad. Although the RKP is relatively inexpensive at GB pound 50 + VAT, this is still something of a disappointment since Risco’s manufacturing competitors usually are able to provide either surface mounted or flush fitted keypads in various finishes, such as chrome and brushed steel. Perhaps they are in the pipeline, together with the new generation of direct connect two wired data bus detectors from Risco, more of which later.

The illuminated keypad LCD provides the standard 32 character display in a large easily read format, and the keys are a tactile backlit type that are concealed beneath a down-folding cover. The layout is asymmetrical and not especially attractive, and you are left with the feeling that Risco just did not give much thought to the aesthetic design of this part of the system (which is pretty much the only part that customers will come into contact with) by not providing a good looking housing. Unfortunately looks do matter at some sites and it is not always possible to hide away the RKP.

Another lack of forethought is the absence of any zone inputs in the keypad – most installers will be accustomed to the convenience of running a circuit or two back into the system via the RKP, though on the plus side the keypad does connect to the panel via the common two wire data bus that can be up to 300m from the controls and does not need any special or screened cable.

The 128 panel (there is a smaller 40 zone variant, the ProSys 40) does have a vast expansion capacity – up to 16 RKPs, each with integral proximity readers, both hard wired and wireless eight zone expansion modules, inexpensively priced at GB pound 25 + VAT and GB pound 35 + VAT respectively, and high tech communication modules including local voice annunciation equipment and an IP protocol comms board to signal to an alarm receiving centre.

More well thought out, useful features include the use of electronic ‘fuseless’ fuses, a one man walk test facility, on board digital communicator for up/downloading, up to 99 user codes and a log expansion module to increase the capacity from 500 to 999 events.

All the equipment is rated up to grade 3 of EN50131, and needless to say the software is compliant with DD243, plus the wireless components comply with BS6799 class 6. In short, it will cope with anything your client, or indeed your client’s insurers, desire.

Operation

Although the hardware and specification looks good on paper, we found the programming and initial setup rather difficult to understand. It was not at all intuitive and required a long read through of the manual to get past the first hurdle. Perhaps the day when an engineer could install the panel and figure it all out as he went along is long gone.

It was not surprising then that the first thing the Risco sales technician said during our routine call to check out the technical support, was that all potential installers are strongly advised to complete the ProSys training course. This covers the ProSys concepts and system design and usually takes one day to complete.

And before that puts you off trying the 128, Risco will send an engineer to your premises at a mutually convenient time. There is a charge of GB pound 225 + VAT for this service, but to Risco’s eternal credit, the fee is refundable when you make an order to that value on account.

The panel does everything it says on the tin, including driving a sounder up to 900mA and providing a 1.5A auxiliary output. Which is impressive.

Technical support and literature

The installation manual is an A5 sized book of more than 140 pages and it is, you will not be surprised to learn, a less than riveting read. Of course this stuff is not designed to be cosy bedtime reading, but it does benefit from a good index at the rear, plus a thorough explanation of terms and system architecture to give an installer’s overview.

It didn’t bode so well at the start – the main control board diagram on page 2-5 is a small drawing with text so absurdly tiny that it makes your eyes hurt trying to focus so hard. Note to Risco: not all installers are under the age of 40! More seriously, everything is covered in the manual at enormous depth and this merely reinforces the idea that installers should book themselves on the training course before contemplating an installation.

Finally, the instructions were obviously written by a native English speaker for the English market, which is good. So often we see products designed for European distribution with stonking Euro manuals in eight languages, or in the case of so much access control equipment, ludicrous incomprehensible translations from Italian that make you laugh (or weep should you find yourself on site at the time with the parking meter running). We called the main switchboard number located in the installation literature during normal office hours, and asked to be put through to the technical support desk. The technician talked enthusiastically about the product and was knowledgeable and helpful. He also talked of the impending new product range from Risco based around a suite of addressable detection equipment that connects directly to the 128 panel via the two wire data bus. Watch this space.

The product marketing and engineering literature is also available to download from the company’s website, though installers will need to register online in order to receive any material.

What the manufacturer says …

ProSys FreeCom is a landmark in fully integrated security and dual-path IP and GPRS communication, as it provides a complete end-to-end solution from the protected premises to the ARC, all from one manufacturer. ProSys FreeCom supports the renowned G-Tag proximity set/unset solutions, unique Bus Detectors and hybrid wireless expansion. ProSys FreeCom meets PD6662, EN50131-1 Security Grade 3, Environmental Class II, and is DD243 compliant.

Installing ProSys with ACM and AGM modules provides the most advanced and secure dual-path IP and GRPS communication solution. The ACM is an advanced TCP/IP communication module, while the Advanced GSM/GPRS Module (AGM) provides primary or cellular communication for report to up to three ARCs.

Reporting is performed via the GSM voice channel, or with encryption via the GPRS or SMS channels, in conjunction with Risco Group’s IP/GSM Receiver at the ARC.

G-Tag is the ideal set/unset solution for commercial and residential installations, especially single room applications. The G-Tag solution consists of a remote keypad, external and internal readers and G-Tag proximity fobs. G-Tag offers complete flexibility and provides cost-effective proximity set/unset control of security systems from outside the premises, while meeting DD243 requirements.

Up to 32 Bus detectors can be installed on the ProSys Bus without the need for physical zone expanders. ProSys Bus detectors enable unique remote control and diagnostics of detector parameters from the ProSys Upload/Download Software or keypads, saving on-site maintenance. ProSys Bus detectors also simplify the installation and save on wiring costs, as only four wires enable full functionality and serial connection shortens wiring lengths.

Risco Group’s range of ProSys Bus detectors has expanded with the newly released WatchIn Industrial Grade 3, Industrial LuNar high ceiling Grade 3 model, and Bus versions of Risco Group’s popular iWise Quad AM Grade 3 and iWise DTam Grade 3.