EDIT test aug21_000_PSI_mar15 26/07/2021 18:14 Page 1
TEST
PRODUCT TEST T
he Satel Agate unit is an externally rated (IP54) “curtain” format intrusion detector designed for perimeter protection. It utilises two sensors, passive infrared and microwave, and meets the requirements of Grade 3 when wall mounted indoors.
Getting started
What’s in the box? Dualtech detector Mounting bracket Quick install guide Mounting screws and wall fixings
The connections are all positioned at the top of the circuit board. With the first two for Tamper (N/C) contacts, then remote LED control input, +12v power in, Common, Alarm Output (N/C) pair and Anti-Masking output (N/C) pair. These nine screw terminals are around 2.7mm wide so a standard terminal driver will not fit. While the unit is very well built and of compact size, there is very limited space for cable dressing within the case. Two plastic clips hold the pcb into the case back and allow it to be removed for fixing. A closefitting seal around the case is continued around the mounting holes to help seal the fixing points. The unit is powered from a 12v DC source ±15% and has a maximum current demand of 25mA (21mA quiescent). The microwave frequency is stated as 24.125GHz. At power-up a tricolour LED flashes red, green and blue alternately for around 45 seconds as the device configures itself. The device has a recommended installation height of 2.4 metres and is given a maximum range of 14 metres. When used outdoors it is advised to provide shelter from extreme weather and that the optical anti-masking should not be used as this can be triggered by poor visibility conditions. A right-angle bracket is supplied for side mounting, however, this would not be Grade 3 compliant.
Settings
A compact dual-tech curtain device that can be discretely installed to provide perimeter intrusion detection NOTE: This PSI Product Test was carried out by an independent third party, not editorial staff. The manufacturer had no input in the review or the final result
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To enter its walk-test mode, you must power the device up with the LED link in place and then remove the link during the 45 second “warm up” time. This puts the unit into Microwave test mode. The LED then flashes Green after the warmup time and can be walk tested for range and positioning. Alternatively removing the link and then adding it during the warmup time will enter the unit into its PIR test mode. This is indicated by the LED flashing Blue every 3 seconds. The LED will then flash every 3 seconds to show which device is being tested, either green for the microwave or Blue for the PIR. The alarm output will be activated by the single sensor during this test mode. The device sensitivity is set using the two potentiometers, clockwise to
Satel – Agate increase. Normal operation is restored after a power cycle, or the test mode will time-out after around 20 minutes. Following the testing and re-fitting of the cover, a power-cycle should be performed to restore normal operation and re-configure the anti-mask detection system. The anti-mask delay time is a little more involved in that the 1-second default to approximately 60 seconds maximum is set by the relationship of the sensitivity potentiometers, these are set to opposite extremes at power-up with the LED link in place for 60 seconds and absent for the 1 second default. The manual suggests that the value can be increased from 1 second but a range of tests only resulted in either 1 or 60 being achieved.
Performance With the LED enabled, the tricolour LED indicates the status of the sensors with Red illuminated for 2 seconds to indicate an alarm; meaning both sensors have been triggered within 5 seconds. Green for four seconds shows when just the microwave sensor is triggered and Blue for four seconds for the PIR sensor. The LED will also display as Red for the duration of a “trouble” condition such as low supply voltage. The alarm outputs are fed from Opto-coupled MOS active relay devices. These have an on resistance of approximately 7-ohms and are linked by an 18-ohm resistor giving a 25-ohm quiescent resistance that goes open on alarm. There is no option for changing resistance values on the pcb. The microwave device has a relatively wide capture footprint, with the narrow curtain profile governed by the PIR’s lens arrangement. The 14metre range was achieved in testing with only a limited exclusion area beneath the sensor. The anti-masking feature quickly detected lens obscuring such as from paint spray but did not react to enclosing or covering the unit. This appeared to be due to the recessed infrared optical arrangement used for such detection that needed to be directly impacted.
Conclusion A compact dual-tech curtain device that can be discretely installed to provide perimeter intrusion detection.
8.0 out of 10 www.psimagazine.co.uk
