Texecom Veritas 8 Compact Alarm Panel, 8 Zones, Slimline, Grade 1 CFB-0001

Overview

The Veritas 8 Compact is the slimline member of the Veritas family. It is a stand alone unit, so a small site can run from it, and remote keypads can go elsewhere in the building.

Because it shares a programming platform with the rest of the Veritas Series, installers who know one model will recognise the menus.

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. Each of the 8 can be set to any of the 8 zone types.
• Part set: this arms part of a building, such as downstairs at night. There are 2 programmable suites.
• Soak test: this watches a zone without sounding the alarm, to check a suspect detector.
• Key switch: this lets the system be set with a key rather than a code, where that suits the job.

Where to use it

Grade 1 is the lowest grade, generally for low risk sites. Many insurers ask for Grade 2 or above, so check with the insurer first; the guide to the British standard explains the grades.

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

What the figures mean in practice

• Up to six keypads: remote keypads can go by another door or in another room.
• 246mm x 185mm x 55mm: the slim depth suits places where a larger cabinet would stand out.
• <50mA quiescent: the panel's own standing draw. Add detectors and keypads to this when working out battery standby.

Installing it

Plan cable routes and keypad positions before fixing the unit. As a rule, a mains connection must be installed by a competent person and to current wiring regulations.

Latching walk test mode helps at commissioning, and the date programmable service timers can prompt a return visit. Texecom Bell Box Hold-off Mode is there for a Texecom external sounder.

Planning your system

A working system also needs detectors, a sounder and a battery, so check the manual for the battery it takes. Browse other alarm panels if the job may need more than 8 zones.

Sounders and detectors from this maker sit under Texecom products.

Standards and ratings explained

PD 6662 is the UK scheme that applies the European alarm standard EN 50131. The rating here is against the 2010 edition, so where a site needs the current edition, check with the insurer or alarm inspectorate before buying.