Odyssey street sirens from Texecom.
Outdoor devices that combine a siren and a strobe flash (better known in our market as «outdoor alarms») have long been used as alarm signaling devices, allowing the security guard to assess the situation visually and «by ear». In addition, in many cases, the Customer prefers to install the alarm as a deterrent for a potential intruder, letting him know that the facility is under guard.
Today, many domestic and foreign manufacturers offer a huge number of such devices: from the familiar Soviet-era alarms in ribbed metal cases to elegant in design and powerful in functionality sirens of famous world brands. Among the latter, the Odyssey line of the English manufacturer Texecom takes its rightful place. This series includes a number of innovative products that have no analogues in the world in many respects.
Prerequisites for the creation of the Odyssey series alarms
Since most alarms are installed outdoors, they must withstand often harsh weather conditions, and because they are relatively easy to access, they must withstand the risk of outside interference. Almost all manufacturers solve the problem of protecting the printed circuit board and other electronics of the device by means of silicone sealants, combined with internal covers to limit the amount of moisture that gets in.
The disadvantage of using silicone (and the entire architecture in general) is the impossibility of protecting metal contacts, since they must be accessible after the alarm is installed. And the use of an internal cover is more of an advertising gimmick, since it does not seal the terminals in any way. For the same reason, the maximum available dust, moisture and protection rating (IP) of devices on our market is IP44, although many alarms have no more than IP22. A large number of manufacturers generally «modestly» keep this information silent, limiting themselves to only mentioning that «the device is outdoor». For comparison, when installing video surveillance systems, the rating of hermetic housings for installing video cameras should be at least IP65. And this is despite the fact that the video camera also has its own housing with minimal protection, while in the alarm all the electronics are exposed to the influence of the environment. Therefore, remaining vulnerable, the contacts are subject to corrosion over time and lose conductivity, this is especially evident in coastal regions where the air contains a large amount of salts. As already mentioned, the alarm is a device quite vulnerable to outside interference, so it always has a certain level of tamper protection and the so-called «self-activation system». This means that when the tamper contacts are triggered, the alarm generates an alarm regardless of the object console (control panel). Usually, the alarm also has a built-in battery and will operate in the event of a power failure from the panel, for example, in the event of deliberate damage to the power cable.
Due to the lack of tamper deactivation methods, all alarms have a common difficulty in servicing, since the device is triggered when the front cover is displaced. The only way out for a service engineer is the following sequence of actions: open the alarm, disconnect the power from the panel and from the built-in battery. The loud sound of the siren triggered before the power is disconnected can cause hearing damage or dizziness, which is especially dangerous when using a ladder.
Another important point when servicing already installed alarms is the residual voltage on the terminals, which can also lead to industrial injuries. The ability to eliminate static is not provided in the devices of all manufacturers.
The idea and its implementation.
The main objective of Texecom was to create a line of innovative high-quality outdoor sirens, combined with strobe flashes, which would solve the problems of operation in a wide variety of climatic conditions, and would also be safe and easy to install and maintain, have a high sound pressure level, a bright strobe and maximum tamper protection.
The task was implemented in the model range of standard devices Odyssey 1/2/3, alarms with an improved design Odyssey 4/5/5 Compact. In addition, Texecom presented a family of economical devices with the E marking, differing from the basic ones in the sound pressure level, the number of built-in tampers and the dust and moisture protection rating. In addition, the Odyssey3 model is available in a metal casing for installation in places with a high risk of vandalism (Odyssey 3M). Due to such a range and an exceptionally attractive design, as well as a wide price range, Texecom alarms are recommended for installation in various facilities: private homes and commercial real estate, office centers, sports and cultural facilities, industry, banks. A little commercial trick: a large area of the white plastic sheet of the alarm can be used to print logos and advertisements of installation organizations or warning messages, for example: “Object under guard” or “Emergency exit”, etc.
Innovative Texecom technologies.
• Completely sealed electronics
Each Odyssey Series alarm features a full PCB sealing system to create a truly outdoor device that meets the IP65 rating. The unique design of the sealed housing that encloses the electronics greatly facilitates access to the terminals and ensures complete protection against dust and moisture.
Thanks to this environmentally resistant architecture, combined with the use of a high-quality 3mm polycarbonate housing, Texecom alarms are the only ones in the world to receive the maximum warranty period of 5 years.
• Unique patented Hold-Off mode
All Texecom devices are equipped with a special microprocessor, which controls all the functionality of the alarm. The engineering hold-off mode allows the installer to install and service the device without disconnecting the power supply of the entire system, while preventing self-activation of the siren by the tamper contact. Since most control panels have algorithms for testing sirens and strobe flashes, the engineer can use special outputs of such panels to communicate with the alarm and activate the specified mode.
If the panel does not have such a function, then signals to disable tampers can be generated manually. However, in any case, this function will only be available to trained service personnel, since it requires entering a special engineering code for activation. Odyssey series alarms are the first and currently the only devices of this kind that have this function.
• Other features of Odyssey alarms
In addition to the already mentioned technologies used in the proposed devices, Texecom alarms have a number of additional advantages. First of all, it is necessary to note the multifaceted lenses used in them, which, in combination with a bright strobe, makes the device a very powerful visual signaling device. Since the strobes operate at high voltage, the alarms are equipped with a double electrical protection circuit. When the device is deactivated, it automatically produces a final flash for complete discharge and removal and prevention of static accumulation. The backup circuit guarantees complete discharge within three minutes.
To detect outside interference, the alarms use a triple (unlike most competing manufacturers, which use only two tampers in their devices) tamper protection system: wall break, front cover and mounting screw. The wall break tamper has a unique «recessed bar» solution.
The tamper switch is mounted on a tear-off plastic strip that is screwed to the wall. If the alarm is torn off the surface, the strip remains on the wall — the tamper detects an alarm. This device facilitates the installation of the alarm on any surface, regardless of the material it is made of. To obtain a clear and loud sound at the output, Odyssey alarms use two piezo sirens. This architecture has increased the reliability of the devices: if one of the sirens fails, the second remains in working order.
Each alarm also supports autonomous operation. In this case, the siren uses a built-in nickel-cadmium battery for operation, which allows you to connect several devices to one control panel.
Brief summary
Odyssey is the first outdoor alarm that has complete protection from environmental influences and a revolutionary design.
Unique patented hold-off mode provides previously unavailable simplicity and safety in installation and maintenance
Using a double piezo siren increases the reliability of the device by two times
Three tampers guarantee the prevention of third-party interference
Residual voltage protection system on contacts
Built-in battery allows operation in autonomous mode
High-quality 3 mm polycarbonate plastic case
5 years warranty
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