ADT Centaur User manual

Guide 2 Edition 7 Sydney
Centaur Alarm Signalling Equipment
Centaur
InstallationGuide
Guide

Guide 2 Edition 7 Sydney
ADT FIRE MONITORING
ADT FIRE MONITORINGADT FIRE MONITORING
ADT FIRE MONITORING
Centaur Installation Guide
105 Highbury Rd Burwood. 3125
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]
Alarm Enquiries 1300 360 575
ASE Conversion [phone]

CENTAUR – ANSWERING YOUR CALL -
Guide 2 Edition 7 Sydney
Table of Contents
ABOUT THE INSTALLATION GUIDES 3
ABOUT THE CENTAUR 3
GENERAL RF THEORY 4
1. Digital Radio Network 4
2. Mobitex 4
3. Frequency of Operation 5
4. Signal Strength 5
5. Hardwire RF Losses 7
6. About Antennae 8
INSTALLATION 11
1. Pre-Installation Checklist 11
2. Site Monitoring Requirements. Examples 15
3. Installing The ASE 16
4. Antenna Placement 17
5. Flowcharts 18
6. ASE wiring 20
A. Introduction 20
B. Connection Of A Fire Indicator Panel To The Centaur ASE 20
ASE Threshold Voltages as Measured at the ASE’s I/P Terminals 22
C. Connection Of An Alarm System with Alarm Outputs Only 23
D. Power Supply Connection 24
E. About the Power Supply 25
F. Open Collector Outputs 26
G. PSTN Connection 27
H. RF TNC Connector 28
7. Power Up and ASE Status Indicators 29

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Guide 2 Edition 7 Sydney
8. Operating the ASE 30
A. Normal Operation 30
B. Key Insertion 31
C. Isolate Mode 31
D. Test Mode 32
E. RSSI Mode 33
F. Key Removal & Timeout 33
G. Daily Test 33
H. ASE Number 33
9. INSTALLATION CHECKLIST 34
COMPLIANCE TO STANDARDS 37
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 38
DISCLAIMER 38
APPENDIX A 39
Centaur Specification 39
Electrical 39
Physical 39
Environmental 39
Approvals 39

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About the Installation Guides
The ADT Installation Guide is available twoways…..
he Centaur Installation Guide is available two ways. Guide 1 steps through the entire
installation and commissioning procedure in an abbreviated form. It is aimed at the
installation technician who has installed a number of Centaur Alarm Signalling
Equipment (ASE) units, is familiar with radio frequency (RF) theory and the
additional information presented in Guide 2.
About the Centaur
The Centaur is self-contained Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) which monitors up to
six alarm systems (either fire detection or fire suppression), and sends alarm, fault and
isolation information to ADT Fire Monitoring’s Control and Monitoring System (CMS).
It communicates through a radio link and/or conventional dial-up telephone line. When
installed with a radio, the radio is the primary communications link and the telephone
line is configured as a backup link or secondary communications link
Guide
ICON KEY
Further Reading
from Part 1
*Please Note
NWarning
T
Customer Care Centre
ASE No
Tel: [phone]
ASE INPUT ALARM TYPE ALARM SYSTEM STATUS
ASE INPUT STATUS
ASE STATUS
Normal Operation
Alarm System Test Procedure
ASE Isolate Procedure
Action ASE TEST MODE ALARM
Action ASE ISOLATE
POWER
FAULT
COMMS
ASE ISOLATE
ASE TEST MODE
WIRING FAULT
ISOLATE
FAULT
ALARM
1
2
3
4
6
5
1 Insert Test Key
2 Activate Alarm
3 Reset Alarm
4 Remove Test Key
Slow Flash On
On
On
Slow Flash Off
Off
Slow Flash On
Slow Rapid Flash
Rapid Flash Off
COMMS and POWER On Steady
Insert Isolate Key Slow Flash On

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General RF Theory
1. Digital Radio Network
Centaur communicates with the ADT CMS via a Mobitex© Digital Radio Packet network as
its primary link.
The Digital Radio Packet network carries digital data over an analogue medium, radio.
Although there are radio systems capable of carrying both voice and data, the system chosen
by ADT Fire Monitoring is optimised for carrying data only.
2. Mobitex
Mobitex is a radio network technology designed exclusively for two-way, wireless data
communications (see Figure 1). The technology, developed by Swedish Telecom, has
been in use for over 13 years. Mobitex networks are operating in 14 countries, including
Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States of
America, Sweden and France.
ADT Fire
Monitoring
Figure 1: Typical Mobitex Network Structure
The Mobitex network has a hierarchical (or pyramidal) network structure.
An intelligent base station serves each radio cell.
Each device (ASE) and host (CMS) attached to a Mobitex network is assigned a unique
Mobitex Access Number (MAN). The Mobitex protocol guides digital data, formed into
packets, from the ASE to the CMS and vice-versa. All packet transmissions are checked
for integrity prior to passing to the next stage. Automatic error correction and re-
transmission of data may occur as the result of borderline radio signal conditions.

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3. Frequency of Operation
The frequency band used by the radio system is in the range 400 to 420 Megahertz (MHz).
This has several implications:
•The wavelength of the RF carrier is approx. 730mm. The majority of antennae used with
the ASE units will be ½ wave antennae or least 365mm long.
•The radio communications path between the ASE antenna and the radio base antenna
should, if possible, be ‘line of sight’. There should be few, and ideally no obstacles
between the ASE antenna and the base site antenna.
If optical line of sight in the open is not quite possible (just out of sight), it can still be
possible to obtain reliable communications with the base because of a natural
phenomenon known as diffraction. Diffraction (or bending) of radio waves allows
communications between two antennae which are in an almost ‘line of sight’ condition
(see Figure 2). Diffraction allows an increase of approx. 20% extra distance over the
optical ‘line of sight’.
Figure 2: The RF waves bend downward over the top of the mountain towards the
ground
•As the frequency of radio waves increases, so does the inability of an RF signal to
penetrate a building. At 410 MHz the RF signal is attenuated to a greater extent inside
buildings than, for example, the frequency of Broadcast FM radio at about 100 MHz.
However, the signal strength is attenuated to a lesser extent inside a building than for
example a mobile telephone operating at 900 MHz.
4. Signal Strength
Signal strength is the measure in dBuV/m (decibel microvolts per metre) of the strength of a
radio frequency signal. Generally, the stronger the RF signal, the more reliable and intelligible
the communications will be between the transmitter and receiver.
The signal strength of an RF source is affected by many things such as:
Free Air Loss. The further you are from the RF source, the weaker the signal
strength will be due to dispersion of the RF signal. This is much like the resultant ripple
after a stone is dropped into the middle of a pond.
Reflections. Radio signals may have more than one path from the transmitter to
the receiver. Usually a direct free air path exists. As well as this path, one or more

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unwanted secondary paths may also exist, this is known as multi-pathing. This secondary
path can either add or subtract to the main signal and cause unwanted effects in the
receiver. Multi-pathing in radio receivers can cause many problems.. In a broadcast TV
system, reflections can be seen as a ghost alongside the main picture (see Figure 3).
Figure 3: Multipathing of an RF signal
Short Term Fade. Short term fade can be caused by reflections off moving
objects such as vehicles, roller doors, people or other RF reflective surfaces in the near
vicinity of an antenna.
Losses Inside Buildings. The signal strength, even a short distance inside a
building, can be 1/1000th (-30dB) of the signal that exists on a nearby outside wall of
that building.
Long Term Cyclic Fade. The received signal strength from a source can vary
in its intensity due to natural environmental and weather conditions such as rain, sun and
sun spot activity.
Physical Obstructions to RF Signal
Man Made Obstructions (Fixed)
•Buildings
•Walls
•Roofs
•Pipes
•Tinted glass. Some types of tinted glass contain minute metal particles which
will tend to shield and reflect the RF signal.
•Etc.
Man Made Objects (Movable)
•Roller Doors
•Cars and trucks
•ForkLifts
•Etc.

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Natural Obstructions
•Trees
•Hills
•Horizon
•Rain
•People
•Etc.
5. Hardwire RF Losses
It is very important to keep all losses in the RF path as low as possible.
Power and losses in the RF transmission path are calculated in dBm (decibel milliwatts).
Many parts of this transmission path can contribute losses that affect the overall
efficiency of the RF system (see Figure 4).
The level of RF signal in both the transmit (TX) and the receive (RX) paths will be
equally affected.
If the losses in a system add up to, 3dB, then half of the power transmitted out of the modem fails to
reach the antenna and therefore the outside world. The level of received signal into the modem is also
attenuated by half.
Figure 4: Losses in the RF system add up and come from all items in the
Transmission/Receive path of the ASE modem.
*
Please
Note

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Types of losses include:
•Connector Loss. Every connection made, although having electrical continuity, will
add a small amount of loss, typically 0.5 dB to 1.0 dB. A poor termination or poor
quality connector can create even higher losses.
•Cable Loss. Every metre of cable used, although again having electrical continuity,
will add some amount of loss at radio frequencies, typically 0.5 dB/metre, for RG58U
coax (pictured left). A 6 metre run of RG58U coax will introduce 3 dB of loss. Long
runs may require the use of a more efficient coaxial cable such as RG213 which has
typically half the loss of RG58U. The max. possible length of a coax run and therefore
the loss induced, depends primarily upon the level of signal you have to start with.
•Antenna Loss. Inefficiencies in antenna construction also add loss.
•Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR). VSWR (or SWR as it is commonly called)
is a measure of an installation’s ability to radiate all of the power from the transmitter
into the air via the antenna.
When the impedance (similar to resistance) is not uniform along the path that the
signal travels out to the antenna, impedance mismatches occur. These mismatches
cause some of the power to be reflected back down the coaxial cable and into the
transmitter where it is dissipated as heat in the radio’s electronics. This is wasted
power. These mismatches can be caused by, amongst other things, poor installation
procedures and untuned antennae. Therefore the antennae will come pre-tuned to the
mid-band frequency of all bases used in the RF system. No cutting or tuning of the
antennae will be necessary.
A VSWR of 1:1 is ideal and shows NO mismatches. If the installation guidelines are
followed, then the VSWR of the antenna and installation should be close to 1:1.
6. About Antennae
ØRadiation Pattern And Gain
Each type of antenna has a characteristic radiation pattern that can be plotted using an
RF signal strength meter.
The level of RF energy around an antenna in all planes, can be plotted and depends for a
fixed power level upon the physical construction of the antenna.
Gain is the ability of the antenna to concentrate the power applied to the antenna into a
particular direction. Some antennae, such as a Yagi (see Figure 6 and 7), exhibit gain
over and above a standard issue ½ wave dipole antenna (see Figure 5 and left). This
antenna makes better use of the available energy, somewhat akin to the lens in a
magnifying glass.
If an antenna has a transmit gain in a particular direction then it will also have a
corresponding amount of receive gain in the same direction .

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A 3dB gain due to antenna construction means you can get an effective DOUBLING of the available
power, giving an Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of two times the actual power applied.
Figure 5: Side view. Radiation Pattern of an omni-directional antenna such
as the ½ wave whip. The antenna radiates equally around the azimuth.
The shape or pattern from above can be likened to a doughnut and from
the side, like a ½ section of a flattened doughnut.
Figure 6: Side View Radiation Pattern of a Vertical Yagi Antenna. The
available energy is concentrated in one direction, at the front of the
antenna at the expense of other directions (rear and side), much like a
lens.
*Please
Note

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ØPolarisation
Generally polarisation refers to the physical orientation of the antenna. If the transmitting
antenna is oriented vertically, then it is critical that the receiving antenna should also be
vertical. This is the situation with the ADT ASE. It uses a vertically polarised antenna system.
ØThere are 5 types of antennae that are available from ADT.
(See ADT parts and price list)
½ Wave Internal with TNC connector
½ Wave Int/Ext light duty with 5 metre cable
½ Wave External heavy duty with N connector
Phased Array offering gain
Yagi External with N connector. Various number
of elements. 6 element unit shown below.
Table 1: ADT supplied antennae
Figure 7: Yagi Antenna

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INSTALLATION
1. Pre-Installation Checklist
The following are some itemsthat you will needto ensure are
ready prior to the Installation visit
1. Radio Signal Coverage/ Antenna mounting
1.1. Is there a sufficient and stable signal. Obtain at least 4 ½ LED’s (20-21 dB) in
the left hand bar graph. Check that the signal is STABLE for at least 5 minutes.
1.2. Is the antenna mounting position optimum and unobtrusive?
2. Antenna type
2.1. Selected antenna in stock?
2.2. Mounting brackets, cable, and connectors in stock?
3. ASE Mounting
3.1. Will the ASE fit into the mounting space?
3.2. Do you want to be able to shut the FIP door with the keys inserted?
3.3. Is the mounting rack of adequate size?
3.4. Will the ASE be mounted remote to the contacts it is monitoring?
3.5. Considerations to the temperature reached inside the FAS will be necessary.
4. Site Survey
4.1. How many of the Sprinklers, VMA’s and sub-panels will come back to ASE?
4.2. Is it economical to bring these back as circuits on the ASE, or should separate
ASE’s be installed at these other installations?
Note: It must be remembered that only 1 geographical co-ordinate and address
can be assigned to each ASE. Coordinates cannot be individually assigned to
each of the 6 Inputs. The assignment of FAS’s to inputs may need to done in
some cases in consultation with the relevant fire service if they are physically too
distant from the designated entry point into the site or building.
T
he ASE is tested to 45 degrees C in an environmental chamber.
A
n ASE inside a FIP which is in direct sunlight in summer, can cause
temperatures inside the ASE diecast box to reach >65 degrees C.
Installation in this environment will cause failure of the
communications paths back to ADT and may cause catastrophic failure
of the ASE itself.
NWarning

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5. Power Supply FIP
5.1. Can the existing FIP power supply, supply the extra quiescent and peak current
required by the ASE?
5.2. Do the existing FIP batteries have sufficient capacity, or are in they in need of
upgrade?
5.3. Will the existing battery box be sufficiently large?
6. 240 V Installation
6.1. Is there an compliant 240V run to the ASE if necessary?
7. New Power Supply installation
7.1. Is the Power Supply to be installed Australian Standard’s compliant?
7.2. Do you have any in stock?
7.3. Have you purchased the correct capacity battery for the Power Supply chosen?
7.4. Is there sufficient room for the power supply and case?
8. Waterproofing
8.1. Does the ASE, power supply & installation require a waterproof enclosure?
9. Phone Line
9.1. Is there a dedicated dial up PSTN connection installed all the way up to each
ASE location?
9.2. What type of plug will Telstra leave? RJ11? Do you have the necessary
interconnect cable. RJ11 to RJ11?etc
9.3. If the existing dedicated fire cable is AUSTEL approved, can it be reused and
connected into the PSTN network?
9.4. Is the supplied phone line capable of dialing out to a 1300 number?
9.5. If the phone line is off a PABX extension (not recommended for mandatory
alarms), is the supplied extension capable of being called directly from outside
using an indial number?

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Is the installation a typical installation? (See Figures 8, 9 and 10).
Figure 8: Typical Fire Indicator Panel Installation
Figure 9: Typical Sprinkler Installation

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Figure 10: Typical Pressure Switch Installation
ASE units, antennae and connectors can be supplied by ADT Fire Monitoring. Antennae,
such as external Yagis required for difficult installations will be an additional cost. An AS
1603.4 compliant power supply is also available from ADT Fire Monitoring if required.
*Please Note

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2. Site Monitoring Requirements. Examples
Installation of the ASE at an existing site requires some consideration for the specific
configuration of the monitored Alarm Systems at the site. Consider the following
examples:
1. A FIP has smoke detectors, a sprinkler system and some valve monitor devices
connected to it. A single ASE unit can be used as the solution. One Input would be
for the general alarms and one Input for the valve monitor devices.
2. A FIP has smoke detectors and valve monitor devices connected to it. A sprinkler
system is located away from the FIP in a pump room. Two ASE units could suit this
scenario. One ASE would be located in the FIP for the general alarms and valve
monitor devices (using two of the ASE Inputs). The second ASE (and a power
supply) would be located in the pump room for the sprinkler.
The reason for installing the second ASE in the pump room (rather than connecting
the sprinkler as a third Input on the FIP ASE), was because the installer assessed that
the cost of running the cable from the pump room to the FIP was too high.
3. A FIP has smoke detectors and valve monitor devices connected to it. A sprinkler
system is located away from the FIP on the back wall of a warehouse. One ASE unit
located in the FIP (using three of the ASE Inputs) could suit this scenario. One
Input would be used for general alarms, a second Input for the valve monitor devices
and a third input for the sprinkler system.
The reason that the sprinkler system was connected as a third Input on the FIP ASE
was because the installer assessed that the cost of running the cable from sprinkler to
the FIP was cheaper than running a power cable and installing a power supply at the
sprinkler.

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3. Installing The ASE
Install the ASE with consideration given to the dimensions shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11: Dimensions of the Centaur ASE.
Allow extra space over and above the 115mm measurement for the male TNC connector and
coaxial cable. Other cabling to the power supply, alarm connections etc., enter through holes
in the bottom of the unit. Additional space should be allowed for cable entry.
Special consideration needs to be given to avoid the following:
•Wet conditions.
•Heat. ASE’s mounted inside FIP’s which are outdoors and exposed to direct
sunlight can cause excessive temperatures to build up inside the ASE diecast box.
Initially this heat may cause multiple Radio link fails, then ASE shutdown and
possibly total ASE failure. (See point 3.5 pg11)
•The placement of coaxial cable and other cables near a heat source.
•Corrosive atmospheres.
•Damage from dirty environments.
•Direct exposure to the weather.
•Metal filings and drill swarf
•Ingress of water to connectors. Connectors require self amalgamating tape such as
3M’s electrical tape #23
Keep the ASE and ANTENNA where possible away from:
•Other electrical noise sources that may interfere with ASE functionality eg: Motors,
arc welding gear etc.
•Other radio transmitters. CB radios, Professional trunked systems etc.
•Sensitive electronics that may be susceptible to the ASE modem transmitter.
Open or shorted antenna connections and cables can severely degrade RF
performance and in some cases permanently damage the transmitter. Be careful
when terminating coaxial cable.
*Please Note
NWarning

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4. Antenna Placement
Signal Strength and Stability is the key criteria
♦When installed in a fire indicator panel (FIP), the antenna may be mounted on top of
the FIP using a hole drilled through the top of the cabinet (See Figure 8). Any holes
through metal work require a grommet to protect the cable from damage. The antenna
on a sprinkler system may screw straight onto the top of the ASE (see Figure 10), except
where surrounding pipe work requires the use of the right-angled bracket with U bolt
assembly (see Figure 9).
♦The radiating part of the antenna should have a reasonable clearance from physical
obstructions eg: metal, pipework etc. A minimum of one ¼ wavelength or 180 mm is
desirable near non-metallic objects and essential when placed near metal objects. This
distance will help to minimise RF radiation pattern distortion due to local objects.
♦Moving an antenna as little as 200 mm can mean the difference between a stable and
unstable signal. Experiment with location and observe results.
♦The antenna should be placed at a height of at least 1800 from the floor, so the RF
path will not be affected by people in the near vicinity, or cause injuries to eyes etc.
♦The antenna must be mounted vertically.
♦Consideration of the direction to the radio base site is important for all types of
antennae. If a dipole is used, although considered not directional (or omnidirectional),
the base location must still be known so that where possible, obstacles between the ASE
and the base can be avoided. The Yagi antenna is even more critical and direction
dependant.
•Radio base sites are currently located at the following locations: Sydney Airport,
Hurstville, Parramatta, Blacktown, Dural, Gosford, Ingleside, Grosvenor Place (city),
Northpoint (city), Blaxland, Bondi, Liverpool, Port Kembla and Newcastle.
♦Although most ASE’s are successfully installed with internal antenna’s, external
mounting of the antenna is usually preferable due the more stable signal obtained.
♦Site/Signal Redundancy
In many installations when the RSSI reading is taken, two base stations will be within
the useable range and RSSI level. Should the signal level of the primary base fade,
then the ASE will change to the secondary base.
If a directional antenna such as a Yagi is used, two base sites may not be obtainable due
to the directional characteristics of the Yagi antenna. Signal will be rejected if it is not
coming into the front of the Yagi antenna.
Having said that, it is still preferable to obtain a higher level signal from one base site
rather than having to compromise and obtain two weaker signals from two base sites.
The radio network has various levels of redundancy built in at a system level and so is
expected to provide the required reliability and availability with single base site
connections.

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Safety Issues:
DO NOT place the antenna or transmitter near any explosive gases. RF energy
can ignite flammable gases.
DO NOT place the antenna at the highest point on a structure if it is not necessary,
due to the increased likelihood of lightning strikes on the antenna and ASE.
5. Flowcharts
The flowcharts in Figure 12a and 12b shows the decision process necessary before fixing the
ASE antenna into position. Obtaining a MINIMUM and STABLE signal level is critical.
Figure 12a: Antenna mounting flowchart using the RSSI Meter
NWarning
Have all Standard
A
ntenna mounting positions
been exausted?
Hook up the RSSI meter to
power.
Fix a magnetic mount test antenna to the FIP or Spr
system & connect to the RSSI meter
When the RSSI meter has locked onto the base site
with the strongest RSSI, then its strength will be
displayed in the LHS LED bargraph. The second
strongest in the RHS bargraph
Is the Signal
Strength maximised &
stable? Are at least 4.5
LEDsit on the LHS?
Is the LHS bar LED
indication within the acceptable
region?
5 Min SIGNAL FADE TEST .
Watch the LED levels. They should
be STABLE for greater than 5
minutes. Up or down transitions
indicate instability and are
unaceptable
Survey the outside external walls of the building. This
will give an indication of the highest signal level
obtainable
Move
A
ntenna
Try an antenna with
gain otherwise try
External mounting
RSSI is OK mount the Antenna
Yes
No Yes
No
No
Yes