Power Monitoring: Intrusion Detection Systems

New_Keypads Countless hours are invested in alarm system design. Capability, functionality, and device placement are poured over to ensure proper coverage. But, what is monitoring the power to the alarm system? Does your intrusion alarm panel have the capability to integrate and remotely monitor/troublesoot an auxiliary power supply?

What is an auxiliary power supply? How is it different than the primary power supply?

An auxilliary power supply is used in many systems. Different intrusion detection system (IDS) control panels supply varying amounts of auxiliary 12VDC power, typically around 1 amp @ 12VDC. When the devices that draw 12VDC current in a particular system exceeds this supply an additional auxiliary power supply is required. An auxiliary power supply requires it’s own transformer, a separate auxiliary power supply board, enclosure, and its own batteries for back-up. Typically these additional auxiliary power supplies are not integrated into the IDS system. In some cases they can supply a relay trigger that indicates and annunciates a trouble on the IDS system and or sends a trouble report to the central monitoring station.

In the case of the Bosch B520, this auxiliary power supply is connected to the SDI2 data bus and is truly integrated into the Bosch IDS panel allowing true supervision of this power supply. Once connected via Remote Programming Software (RPS) to the IDS panel the power supply’s firmware version, data bus voltage and the input and output voltages including the status of up to two back-up batteries can be remotely viewed by a technician. Up to eight (8) of these B520 aux power supplies can be connected to a Bosch IDS panel each supplying up to 4 amps of additional 12DVC power for alarm signaling devices, alarm initiating devices, system command centers or other uses.

What is the common application for this device?

The common application for this device is any IDS control panel that requires more 12VDC power than the control panel can produce. A large proportion of Intrusion Detection Systems require more 12VDC power than can be supplied by the control panel alone.

What does it do for the end user’s level of security?

The B520 provides an increased level of supervision of system power and the status of the back-up batteries both locally and remotely. This allows a technician to determine trouble remotely via the RPS connection to the panel.

For instance, an end user receives a trouble report from the central station indicating a power trouble condition. The end user contacts the installing/servicing company and requests a service call. The servicing company's technician connects to the panel via RPS and determines that AC power is not present on the B520 Aux Power Supply and the batteries have discharged below serviceable levels. This indicates that either the AC electrical outlet that the power supply is connected to is not supplying power (tripped circuit breaker, switched outlet, etc.) or that the transformer is unplugged. The end user can then check the outlet. Let's say a circuit breaker had tripped as an example. They reset the circuit breaker, the technician verifies the correction by seeing that AC power is now restored to the B520, and that the batteries are recharging. An expensive service call is averted and the end user's system is back in service. This is a tremendous advantage over sending a technician to the site only to discover a tripped circuit breaker that the end user could have corrected themselves.

Here is an overview of the B520.

How does this device monitor the auxiliary power supply?

The B520 Aux Power Supply is connected to the SDI2 data bus on the IDS control panel and is monitored by the IDS panel. It is remotely viewable via RPS connection. A snip from the datasheet further describes the operation below.

The B520 Auxiliary Power Supply Module is an auxiliary power supply expansion device that connects to compatible control panels through the SDI2 bus. This module is supervised and communicates back to the control panel all status changes. Industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities are typical installations for the B520 module. The B520 rotary switches allow for ease of use in device addressing. The SDI2 Out terminals provide auxiliary power for SDI2 expansion devices such as keypads. The AUX PWR terminals provides added auxiliary power capabilities for additional devices such as PIR’s.

Supervision Monitoring - The module monitors and communicates status information over the SDI2 bus for the following:

• Operation (Heartbeat)
• Battery 1 (BATT 1)
• Battery 2 (BATT 2)
• AC input power (AC)
• Battery OK
• Low Battery
• Missing Battery

With what intrusion alarm panels does this work?

The B520 Aux Power Supply is compatible with Bosch B and G Series IDS control panels. The data sheet and compatibility information for the B520 can be viewed here.

For information about the compatible Bosch alarm systems, click here for more information.

How much (MSRP) does this module cost?

The B520 is available as board only or in kit form with transformer, board and either a medium or large enclosure. MSRP on these products start at $320. This is typically more than a stand alone 3^rd party power supply but the ability to remotely monitor these functions and determine a simple solution in the case of trouble can make up the cost difference with just one eliminated service call. You can contact our team for exact pricing and system design by clicking on the button below.

Is it normally part of the Bill of Materials (BoM) for a Bosch IDS solution?

The B520 is included in a BOM when the amount of devices required in the system exceeds the power supplied by the IDS control panel itself. This is determined by utilizing the Bosch Battery Calculation tool available below. The battery calculation is typically performed as a service to our clients and is included with the BOM/Quote. Get the battery calculation tool here.

Are there any certifications for this solution?

The B520 Auxiliary Power Supply carries the following certifications:

US UL 365 ￚ Police Station Connected Burglar Alarm Units and Systems
UL 609 ￚ Local Burglar Alarm Units and Systems
UL 636 ￚ Holdup Alarm Units and Systems
UL 864 ￚ Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems
UL 985 ￚ Household Fire Warning System Units
UL 1023 ￚ Household Burglar Alarm System Units
UL 1076 ￚ Proprietary Burglar Alarm Units and Systems
UL 1610 ￚ Central Station Burglar Alarm Units
FCC Part 15 Class B
Canada CAN/ULC S303 ￚ Local Burglar Alarm Units and Systems
CAN/ULC S304 ￚ Signal Receiving Centre and Premise Alarm Control Units
ULC-ORD C1023 ￚ Household Burglar Alarm System Units
ULC-ORD C1076 ￚ Propriety Burglar Alarm Units and Systems
ICES-003 ￚ Digital Apparatus

The Bosch B520 Auxiliary Power Supply is SMART power and a smart security decision. Don’t waste time, labor, and vehicle expense sending technicians to reset circuit breakers or to plug in an unplugged transformer.

These issues and more can be determined remotely and costly service calls averted. Your client is back in service quickly. This is a differentiator and provides a professional and technological advantage.

Exceed stakeholder expectations by providing advanced services and products from Bosch Security Systems.