When installing a video intercom in your home, you need to pay attention to the function of opening doors or gates from a distance. To do this, the main unit of the video intercom must be connected to an electromechanical lock, which opens by pressing a button from the inside. A person who is given the right to enter the premises has the ability to open the lock in one of the following ways. The video intercom and electric lock can be connected using a wire or wireless connection. To perform this work correctly, you need to know the type of lock and its components.
Why is it necessary to install an intercom in a private house?
The main task that an intercom should perform is to ensure the safety of home owners and protect them from strangers. It is very important to have an audio or video intercom if there are elderly people living in the house or if there are small children who most need the maximum degree of protection. The presence of an intercom will help protect people from danger that may arise due to excessive carelessness.
Installing a video intercom in a private house helps ensure the safety of residents due to full control over the area in front of the gate
Thanks to the intercom, you don’t have to leave the house and walk across the entire yard to the gate in order to see who has arrived, since you can communicate with the visitor via audio or video communication and, if necessary, let him in by pressing a button on your device.
But before purchasing such a device, you need to decide exactly for what purpose it will be used and how much you are willing to spend on your safety. That is why every person should know what types of intercoms currently exist, what functions they perform, what types of locks exist for these devices and how much all this equipment costs. It is also very important to know whether, if necessary, you can install an intercom in a private house with your own hands.
How to choose an electromechanical lock?
Gates with an electromechanical lock, in fact, are not very different from a conventional mechanical lock. The design of such devices has an important feature, namely the presence of an electrical component that makes it possible to control the locking mechanism with a magnetic card, a key receiver, or a keyboard for typing a specific code. The door opens after the electronic device unlocks the lock.
The lock can have a different design; products can be overhead and mortise.
The first ones are very similar to regular rim locks. Thanks to the external location of the cylinder, the gate can be opened in the event of an unexpected power outage. There is a special mechanical element inside, used in case of forced opening, which will prevent the sash from being blocked in the locked position. A gate with such a lock can be opened outward or inward - you just need to select the appropriate modification. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the orientation of the product body, because it can be different for left- and right-handed sashes.
Mortise products are most often connected to a video intercom. They are installed on gates and entrance doors. Many modern models are additionally equipped with deadbolts (vertical bolts that are part of a three-point locking system). The most effective is considered to be a system that operates in several modes: “night” ensures reliable locking of the gate, and “day” provides the ability to control the gate from a distance.
Device and features of connecting a video intercom
To connect a video intercom you will need a cable with four cores. You can purchase a special wire in the store, where two copper wires are located next to a two-core coaxial wire. It's called a video combo cable. Typically, cable brand KVK-P 2x0.75 is used.
The video intercom is connected to the calling panel using a combined video cable, which has one shielded core
Two more wires are added to the lock, which will allow you to control its mechanism without leaving your home. The call panel is usually screwed at a height of 150 cm from the ground.
If we install a wireless intercom, there is no need to lay and connect a cable. You just need to supply the power correctly.
Video intercom Quantum QM-4HP
Many people prefer to install a convenient, practical and reliable Quantum QM-4HP video intercom in their private home.
Quantum QM-4HP is one of the most popular models among private home owners
Its main characteristics:
- four-inch (approximately 10 cm diagonally) CRT monitor;
- parallel operation of up to 4 monitors in one system;
- door open button;
- connection of one calling panel;
- installing a video memory unit;
- connecting an additional audio tube.
We purchase a power supply unit and a lock
Not in all cases it is possible to purchase all elements of the system as a set. Firstly, it is often quite expensive. Secondly, by purchasing a separate calling panel, monitor, and power supply, you have the opportunity to improve the characteristics of the entire system by varying its individual elements. For example, having studied the strengths and weaknesses of electromechanical locks, you can buy the best one and use it in conjunction with the best calling panel, the same applies to other elements. Putting together and making an electromechanical lock with an calling panel and a monitor work is not so difficult, but you will be sure that the system will work for a long time, because everything will be installed conscientiously.
Speaking of purchasing system components, we decided to start with the power supply, although in fact it is best to purchase it last. The fact is that, at best, only the monitor can work from a household power supply, and the remaining elements must be connected through a power supply. So, if you are assembling the system yourself from separately purchased elements, then you must first calculate what load they produce and buy a power supply unit with a reserve for this load. If you install the power supply at random, without calculating the load, it can be unsafe both for the system and for the entire house. In addition, when buying a power supply, consider the conditions under which it will be used (temperature, humidity, electromagnetic radiation).
Connecting a video intercom with your own hands is impossible without selecting a good electromechanical lock for the gate. Experts advise not to focus on the reliability of the locking device against burglary, because it is unlikely that anyone will break into the gate. In this case, it is much easier for an attacker to climb over the fence without wasting precious time fiddling with the lock. It is best to pay attention when purchasing an electromechanical lock:
- on the reliability of the mechanism in difficult street operating conditions;
- the ability to unlock it mechanically with a regular key;
- for the possibility of variably connecting it to various devices.
If the lock can withstand low temperatures, can be opened with a regular key when necessary, and can be connected to a variety of devices, then this locking device is considered suitable for your purposes and can be purchased. Of course, in individual cases you also need to think about the design of the electromechanical lock. If it is better to use a rim lock or, conversely, a mortise lock for your gate, then you also take this nuance into account. You can read about the types of electromechanical locks in other articles on our website.
We choose an electromagnetic lock ourselves
The electromagnetic locking device is the most important element of your intercom system. Its reliability and performance guarantees its owner the necessary safety. Therefore, when making your selection, take into account the following factors:
- Product dimensions are selected based on the future installation location. If the door structure is not strong, it will most likely fail, the leaf will close extremely poorly, which entails constant adjustment or structural adjustments. Also, if the locking device is heavy, its installation may reduce the strength of the door and lead to the block simply being torn out of the door leaf.
- The clamping force is a factor that is selected based on the strength of the door. For doors with a wooden base, the force value should not exceed 200-300 kg; a steel door can ensure reliable operation of the lock with a holding force of up to 1000 kg.
- The stable operation of the system during power outages indicates its high safety. There are only two variations to choose from. To prevent the lock from opening during a power outage, the connection diagram must include battery elements (autonomous power supply). If this happens, the connection is broken and there are no batteries in the system – the lock is unlocked. This option is good for public areas, especially during fires, but bad for private use.
The choice in favor of one or another decorative coating is made based on the planned operating conditions. For outdoor installation, a galvanized or nickel-plated lock (VIP class) would be an excellent solution. Locking devices located inside buildings are painted based on the style preferences of the owners.
Neither the design, nor its overall characteristics, nor its appearance directly influence the principles of controlling the locking device. They all have a standard digital data bus. Only two contacts are connected to the intercom system, which carry unlocking functions.
Main types and manufacturers
Based on their functionality, intercom systems can be divided into two main types:
- audio intercoms;
- video intercoms.
Audio intercoms allow you to identify a visitor by voice. Owners of video intercoms can make identification both by voice and visually. In addition, many intercom systems with video cameras can perform the function of a video recorder, recording video information on internal or external media. Oddly enough, the connection diagrams of the listed access control systems differ only slightly. The main difference in installing video intercoms is the need to transmit a video signal. To do this, you need to lay two additional wires between the calling device and the intercom.
It should be noted that intercom manufacturers offer devices in which communication between individual elements of the intercom system is carried out via radio or via the Internet. Such systems do not require laying long wires, but additional communication modules significantly increase the cost of the access control system.
As for intercom manufacturers, the following brands have a strong reputation in our market: COMMAX, CTV, Falcon Eye, Kocom, Tantos and others. Products of the same price category from these companies have similar functionality and comparable technical characteristics.
Video intercom installation
How to install the calling panel?
When you install a call panel for a video intercom, you should do it in such a way that there is maximum visibility in front of the gate; a good option would be to rotate the panel towards the gate.
How to install a speaking handset?
In most cases, the intercom complex always comes with convenient fasteners and additional things, because of this, serious problems should not arise.
A socket should be placed next to the handset, and the handset itself should be placed at such a height that it is comfortable for all family members.
How to install the controller?
The controller should be placed next to the calling device and the virtual key reader; it can be placed in a special sealed box or hidden somewhere in a niche. Make sure that the controller is not exposed to water or direct sunlight.
On video: Z-5R controller programming touch memory keys
How to connect and set up an intercom?
The intercom blocks should be connected based on the installation diagram; before doing this, in order to avoid confusion, all the wires should be marked in different colors on the diagram itself.
When using wires with a large number of cores, you should put special tips on them, this will improve the connection of the contacts.
Based on extensive practice, it should be said that a well-configured intercom starts working immediately and does not need to be configured several times.
On video: Connecting a video intercom, calling panel, controller, reader, electro-mechanical lock
How to program electronic keys?
When using the controller as a key reader, you can program the chip.
This can be done either by using a special master key or by going into programming mode using jumpers.
This is how programming using a master key is performed: first, this same key is brought to the reading device, and the controller must be switched to programming mode. Then a key is brought to the same device, which in the future will open the gate, after which the controller includes the key number in the base and it can safely open the door.
If there is no special key, then jumpers will help; how to use them is written in detail in the instructions.
Types of intercoms
There are several types of intercoms that are used to protect against uninvited guests in an apartment or private building. Their connection varies depending on the type:
- Digital (Eplutus EP-2297C, Gardi GRD, Hyundai HA-201);
- Coordinate matrix (AVC-305, Commax CDV-DPV-43 MTN, Laskomex).
Digital ones work on the following principle: when making a call, they transmit a signal over a two-wire line, in which the number of the connected apartment is recognized. In this case, so-called jumpers are used for pairing, which transmit signals through a twisted grid to a specific handset. Each tube, in turn, is equipped with microcircuits. It is very convenient that you can connect all apartments not only in the entrance to such a controller, but also on a specific floor.
The connection diagram for a coordinate matrix type is simpler and more reliable, therefore it is more popular. A switch is connected to the coordinate communication device, which switches the signal to a specific handset when calling. The connection is made using wires of tens and ones, i.e., each apartment is designated by two cables, the numbers of which are not repeated. To establish communication, the signal is sent through the DAT1 line to the switch. After this, the modulator transforms and processes the received information and connects to one specific “Unit” and one “Ten”. Afterwards, thanks to an electromagnetic relay, a connection is made to a specific apartment via a LIN telephone line.
Photo - digital model connection diagram
Most often, such a connection is parallel, which greatly facilitates independent installation. The only thing you need to remember is the polarity of the intercom calling panel, electric lock and apartment handset. If the electrical connection is made incorrectly, then the operation of not only a specific subscriber, but also the entire security system is disrupted.
Photo - intercom control unit
Rules for installing VIZIT intercoms
