Home Security and Intercom System
We are looking for recommendations on a wired security system (our walls are open for renovation right now) and an installer for a phone-based intercom system. Also, has anyone installed this type of alarm system in their multi-unit house? We will be renting out our garden and top floors, with the plan to take over…
We are looking for recommendations on a wired security system (our walls are open for renovation right now) and an installer for a phone-based intercom system.
Also, has anyone installed this type of alarm system in their multi-unit house? We will be renting out our garden and top floors, with the plan to take over the top floor in a few years. How would an intercom system work with this set-up?
Any info/leads would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
and in case i wasn’t clear, we have both a video/phone intercom and a wired security system. jim recently told me that they now do most security systems with remote sensors, though, so all the intense hard-wiring is a thing of the past… i think you just get the main panels wired, and all the sensors are battery and magnet operated…
don’t know anything about the technical side of it, but there is one in the place i just moved in to and it’s great. it was installed by Metropolitan ProTek Security, and the owner’s name is Jim (Koury, or something like that). They also do our home security system. Jim is great to work with–super professional, helpful, friendly, etc, and his prices seem very fair to me. Highly recommend you give him a call. (I am out of town and don’t have his number on me, but you should be able to get 411 it.)
Alarms R Us – Bob Ingrasiano
8/12 wire would be 8 gauge 12 conductor. The ground to your electrical panel is only 10 gauge. The terminals on your intercom are more suited to 22 gauge wire. Now the manufacturer will specify that you run RG-59 (coax) cable to all your intercom stations for the video component. The reality is that the cameras on these video intercoms are all crap. The minor interference you’ll get from using the existing wiring is negligible assuming there are enough conductors there to support the system.
The second commenter mentioned the 3 big players in NYC with pretty accurate descriptions. I will add that Lee Dan looks like shit. And the Seidle is insanely expensive, difficult to install and service, prone to failure, and a magnet for vandalism. Something about them crys out to the kids of today and says “set me on fire”.
I believe the original poster was referring to telephone based intercoms. Phone systems are fairly proprietary and the vast majority of systems have their own version of intercom and door release. The intercom stations themselves just require a phone line (22/4, cat 3, cat 5). For more info on the intercom you must first choose your phone system then find an authorized dealer.
can anyone comment about pricing of video intercoms?
also i’m assuming you cant run a video intercom system on 8/12 wire correct and to retrofit an exiting intercome involves runing a new cable from ground floor to top floor.
Cheers,
Dean
At stage all you need to do is prewire with a 8/12 intercom cable. We ran a wire from the front door to the basement (control panel/power) up to the parlor floor, and up to the second floor. The units can be daisy chained. We ended up connecting the system 3 years later as the money became available.
Intercom options:
LeeDan- The least expensive and most widely used system
Aiphone-nicer design, midrange
Seidle- nice design, great system $$$.
As far as brands go for security systems I like Honeywell (formerly Ademco). They are the most user friendly and the aren’t proprietary so it is really easy to find a contractor to work on or get replacement parts. Being in the trade I get yelled at when I make recommendations for vendors but the search button is your friend. Several other Brownstoner readers have shared their experiences.
As long as you’re walls are open you should think long and hard about expansion. You may not want a surround sound system today, but it doesn’t take much to pull the cables and bury them in the ceiling / walls for later. Same goes for central vac, networking, home audio, that extra outlet, etc.
I have never been a fan of inter room intercoms. From my experience people install them at great expense but don’t actually use them. I will however suggest you look into card access for the front door. You can get a reader that will tie in to your alarm that will allow you to open the door and disarm your system with just a wave of the hand.