Eaton Wireless Keyfob, 4 Button, Programmable, Grade 2 I-FB01

What this keyfob is for

A keyfob lets someone set or unset a burglar alarm without using the keypad. It is handy on a back door, in a garage or for anyone who finds a code awkward.

This one is a small white radio transmitter, and each of its four buttons can be programmed. What each button does will depend on how the system is set up.

How it works

• Rolling code: the signal changes each time it is used, which makes a recorded signal much less useful to a thief. The code length is 16 bit.
• FM radio: the fob sends on 868.6625 Mega Hertz using FM, a common way of carrying a signal over radio. The panel needs a radio receiver that works with this fob.

What the figures mean in practice

• 100 m in free space: free space means open air with nothing in between. Indoors, expect less through walls and metalwork, so test it from where it will really be used.
• -10 °C to 55 °C: this is the operating range, which is worth bearing in mind if the fob lives in a vehicle.

Planning your system

Check that your alarm panel can take radio devices and has room for another user. Also check whether your panel needs a one-way or two-way fob before ordering.

Think about security too. A lost fob should be removed from the system, and panic functions should only be programmed if the system is set up to respond to them.

Standards explained

• EN 50131 Grade 2: EN 50131 is the European standard for intruder alarm systems, and Grade 2 generally means low to medium risk premises. The whole system's grade is set by its lowest graded part.