5 minute read
Inside Story – Eaton i-on40H
INSIDE STORY
Smart security out of the box
Eaton’s i-on range has been designed to satisfy the most demanding requirements of alarm systems professionals for domestic, commercial and industrial applications. Here we take a closer look at one of the products in the range, the i-on40H panel
The i-on40H is a 40-zone hybrid (wireless and/or wired) control panel, which is expandable to 80 zones. It is aimed at installers who prefer using a radio or hybrid solution and is backward and forward compatible.
Due to this, it is suitable for larger floor plans and properties with outbuildings that require detectors, sounders and cameras to be located far away from the burglar alarm panel.
With SecureConnect enabled out of the box, the i-on40H offers smart security management and straightforward configuration using a web browser at no extra cost. It is also compatible with Eaton's range of radio peripherals and plug on communicators.
We caught up with Glenn Foot of Eaton to find out more about the technology: Why did you develop this particular unit? To provide a perfect solution for hybrid installations, having the flexibility of both radio and wired zones built into the panel makes it extremely flexible. Upgrades are the best example, if there was an existing wired system, then the previous cabling can be used but at the same time it is really easy to add additional detection through radio devices. Is there an older Eaton product that this replaces? Yes, the i-on40H is the successor to the original i-on40, this new version introduced cloud connectivity and expandability to name but a few enhancements. We have also taken the decision to replace the i-on30R with the i-on40H as they share many of the same attributes, essentially the i-on40H is a feature rich version of the i-on30R, the good news, The i-on40H is now priced as the i-on30R, so all the additional benefits of the i-on40H at a reduced price, great value! It means that the i-on40H is fast becoming the go to panel for installers who know that for a radio or wired installation, it will cover most jobs. Which type of applications should installers consider the panel for? Its pricing and features such as hybrid functionality, expandability and 80 zone capacity mean it can be used in virtually any grade 2 installation, whether it be domestic or commercial. It really is a one size fits all type of panel. So the panel is particularly cost effective? Yes, the panel offers exceptional value for money, it makes commercial sense for a standard radio installation and for larger and more complex sites, there is no need to purchase additional radio expanders as it supports 30 radio zones out of the box. Similarly, where wired connectivity is desired then the panel has 10 wired zones built in. Additionally, if cloud and app connectivity is needed, a built-in ethernet port is included meaning there is no need to purchase additional equipment. What measures are in place to make the panel easy to install? As it is part of the i-on range, it shares the same easy to navigate and logical menu structure meaning that if you’ve fitted the entry level ion10 or advance i-onG3LM programming the “The panel makes commercial sense for a standard radio installation and for larger and more complex sites, there is no need to purchase additional radio expanders as it supports 30 radio zones out of the box”
INSIDE STORY
i-on40H kits are single-box solutions designed for residential and small to medium-sized commercial installations
system will be a breeze. For those that have not used an i-on panel they will find it simple to navigate and experienced installer are likely to be able to programme an entire system without even looking at the manual. What are the peripherals that can be connected to the panel? Eaton offers a wide range of radio keypads, detectors, sounders, sirens, fobs and other accessories including a fully compliant radio Hold-up device that is (as far as I am aware) the only radio product on the market to fully meet the requirements of BS8243 Multi-action HD, allowing a confirmed hold-up alarm to be generated from a single device. What cyber security measures are in place? We see cybersecurity as a growing issue for the industry as threats become more sophisticated, so this is an area of product development and support we take very seriously, all connectable Eaton products are fully tested by our own internal Cyber security division, who are themselves an approved testing facility. Additionally, we were the first manufacture to register with the BSIA CySPAG scheme which we thought was important to demonstrate our commitment to cybersecurity and protecting our customers. How does the SecureConnect App benefit the end user? The end user mobile application offers end users the ability to control their alarm system from anywhere at any time, combined with push notifications users are always informed of the condition of their alarms system whether it be notification of an alarm or just that the kids have got home and unset the system. Access to app is protected by biometric login, whether it be fingerprint or FaceID. Will all alarm systems be wireless and app managed one day? For the wireless part of the question, I would say no, this is because both radio and wired systems have their place in the market and installers will choose the most suitable method of connecting detectors and devices against the nature of the installation.
If by app management you are referring more to generally connected system rather than specifically end users, then I would say we already a long way down that journey. Often the word “app” is used with the end user in mind but when you expand it to connectivity there are many more possibilities such remote installer servicing, diagnostics & programming, connections to ARC’s and integrations to other systems. Connected systems can reduce the time and cost to installer as they no longer need to physically drive to sites to deliver customer service, this can now be down with a few clicks.