Talk:PS561

I assume that the PS561 is equivalent to the DS7000. The manual can be found here: ds7000 Manual

A few quick notes to enhance the existing manual:

There is no discussion in the User Manual relating to how, when, or why, to set the Security Console Unit and House Code wheels.

In the manual however, both the SH624 Security Remote and the Lamp Module are discussed with respect to these codes.

The following should be noted and/or detailed in the user manual to enhance usability and reduce consumer confusion:

1. The setting of the House and Unit code wheels on the Security Console are --=ONLY=-- used to communicate with AC powered devices like the Power Horn and Lamp Module.

2. The Power Horn and similar devices are addressed by the Security Console when the actual alarm is tripped; and then only by House Code. This is why they need only share a common House Code with the Security Console.

3. In the context of security, Lamp Modules and Socket Rockets, for example, must have matching House AND Unit codes, and are only activated when the Security Light signal is sent by the Security Console. (This can occur as an alarm is tripped, via the SH624 Security Remote sending a signal to the Console, AND can also be addressed by any controller that is set for the matching House and Unit code as the Security Light.) Otherwise, the Lamp Modules act as home automation devices and are, in use, addressed by wireless remotes, the wired command center, or the ActiveHome interface on the user's PC.

4. The House and Unit code settings on the Security Remote can be changed at any point- including prior to device installation or following a complete set-up. This reiterates point #1, above. They only act as an address to one or more modules for the Security Light function.

5. Motion Sensors and Door / Window Sensors do not use the conventional "dial" style Unit and House codes. They use a combination of RF signatures to report their status. This is true for both the Security Console and the ActiveHome PC Interface system. It should be noted that- if a customer wishes to walk in a room and have a sensor turn a light on without a PC- they need purchase an Eagle Eye style sensor that actually sends House and Unit codes. In this latter case, a customer need be aware that these sensors will then "occupy" a slot in the Unit/House code scheme, and will, therefore, limit the total amount of devices that can occupy the system in terms of available addresses. (I do not know whether or not the EagleEye (or similar) sensors can act as Security Console triggers or not, at this time. This is an important consideration for a customer trying to combine automation with security features.)

A set-up recommendation: Do NOT set the House Code on the Security Console to the same House Code as the SH624 Security Remote. Do NOT set the Unit Code on the Security Console to '1' through '4'. DO attribute a unique House and Unit code to the Security Lamp Module and Security Console.

For example:

Security Console House and Unit Code: H6

Security Lamp Module House and Unit Code: H6

Security Remote (SH624 or equivalent) House Code: J

Automation Device House Codes: J

Automation Remote House Codes: J

Benefits: 1. The Security Lamp will ONLY be addressed via the Security Console trigger. This way, an "all on" or "all off" command will not change its status. To take this strategy further, attribute a lamp or device that can be witnessed from outside the premises, so the occupant will know an intrusion has taken place, and was not a simple mistake by a button-pushing guest.

2. The Security Lamp or device will not take up a needed position in the House / Unit code scheme; allowing 16 devices for automation programming.

3. All five buttons on the SH624 remote will remain unique. "Security Lamp" will light only the security lamp, and buttons 1-4 will adjust your "J" house coded modules. (More for your money and more logical operation.)

4. Keeping the base Security System separate from the Automation style system helps arrange things in a more organized manner. This makes re-setups easier, and visibility in ActiveHome more logical.