Texecom Premier Elite 88 Alarm Panel, 8 to 88 Zones, 8 Areas, Grade 3 CAC-0001

Overview

The Premier Elite 88 is one of the panels in this Texecom range, and it starts with 8 zones and grows to 88. It suits a site that may start with a few devices but needs room for many more.

Learning it carries across the range, because each panel in the series shares programming and devices.

How it works

An alarm panel is the control unit of a system. Detectors and contacts report to it, and it decides what counts as an alarm. Read how intruder alarms work for the wider picture.

• Zones: a zone is one monitored point, usually a detector or a contact. The 8 on board are wired.
• Areas: areas let parts of a building be armed separately, such as offices and a warehouse.
• Digimodems: these are communication modules that plug onto the board rather than being wired in.
• Wintex: this is the software for upload, download and remote diagnostics, so settings can be worked on away from the panel.

Where to use it

Grade 3 is generally aimed at medium to high risk premises. Check what the insurer and any monitoring company ask for on the site before specifying a system.

Class II in a standard generally means indoor use in a protected space, so plan on fitting the panel inside the building.

What the figures mean in practice

• 8 zones to start: count every detector and contact. Going past 8 needs an expander.
• 100 user codes: one code can be removed when someone leaves, with no need to change the rest.
• 1000 events: each entry carries a time and date, which helps when tracing a false alarm.
• 64 wireless zones when expanded: this is the most for wireless on this model. Check the expander's own details before planning a wireless layout.

Installing it

Use Texecom's installation manual for size and wiring detail. As a rule, plan cable routes and keypad positions before fixing the housing, and check the manual for the battery it takes.

Planning your system

A working system also needs a keypad, detectors, a sounder and a battery. Check what arrives with any order.

• Keypads: the Premier Elite LCDLP, DBD-0168, is a remote keypad with a large blue LCD. See the wider Texecom keypads range.
• Extra zones: the Premier Elite 8XP, CCB-0001, is the Wired 8 Zone Expander. The Premier Elite 8XP-W, GCD-0001, is the Wireless 8 Zone Expander.
• Signalling: Premier Elite ComIP connects these panels to a computer network. ComGSM provides SMS text messaging.
• Other systems: the range has integration compatibility with leading access control, CCTV and home automation providers.

Standards explained

EN 50131 is the European standard for intruder alarm systems, and PD 6662 is the UK scheme that applies it. The grade on the panel does not set the grade of the finished system, because that depends on every device fitted to it.