The bench test 2: Good in parts

What our experts say …
These two proximity-type readers from Pyronix have been on the market for some time, and are well suited as simple, effective components in an access control system. But more interestingly, they are ideal as a universal bolt-on retro-fit for intruder alarm systems requiring DD243 entry route compliance. To interface with the reader, the intruder alarm control panel will need a 'key switch' type input, sufficient 12v DC power and a spare anti-tamper circuit.

Two variants are available: the PROX SA – a stand alone 12 volt reader head with integral changeover relay and diagnostic LEDs; and the PROX SRB – more or less the same reader with a separate switching PCB and the flexibility to add up to five additional reader heads.

Though the two versions are weatherproof to IP67, only the PROX SRB variant is secure enough to be located externally, because the changeover relay board can be remotely sited within the protected area.

The equipment is available from the major UK distributors, carries the European CE mark and has a two-year manufacturer's warranty.

Construction and design
For the purposes of this test, we refer to the PROX SA, even though the physical and most of the technical details for each reader are identical. The reader is small and robust in design, constructed from polycarbonate in either black or white finish. It is discreet but not especially attractive. The unit is surface mounted and can be fitted either directly to the wall surface or to a single gang UK light switch sized backbox. The latter use is a better option if possible to allow room for the feed wiring.

The fixing screws are hidden from sight by cover plates, though these do remain accessible for maintenance purposes (and of course for possible circumventing of the system).

A number of diagnostic LEDs are mounted inside the unit, which illuminate through the polycarbonate trim to give the user indication of system and programming status.

The electronics inside the reader are sealed within a hard plastic potting compound, designed to reduce the effect of mechanical shock and water ingress – though installers will still need to use silicone sealant to protect the connection terminals if water resistance is a concern.

A minimum of six conductors are required to connect the PROX SA to an intruder alarm control panel, comprising a pair each for 12v DC power, anti-tamper protection and control switching. The PROX SRB needs only three wires for data transfer from each reader head to the control PCB using a secure serial protocol. Pyronix says the latter can be connected via conventional alarm cable up to a maximum distance of 100 metres.

Each kit is supplied boxed with fixing screws, simple instructions and optional anti-tamper microswitch, and allows a maximum of 32 different user cards or tokens. The PROX SA reader retails at approximately £60 plus VAT, and the PROX SRB at approximately £75 + VAT including the separate control board. Neither reader includes a PSU.

Operation
The reader uses a passive type of proximity detection, utilising an embedded coil within each card or tag to energise and reflect the radio signal and create a successful 'hand shake'. There are no replaceable parts or batteries inside the card, and they are available in credit card size, or as a key fob style token. The listed trade price for a pack of either ten cards or keyfob style tokens is around £50 + VAT.

The system was found to be trouble-free for the duration of the test, with a very short working range of about 10mm from card to reader.

  In effect then, the reader operates by more or less touching and 'wiping' the card across the face of the reader, rather than accurately locating and 'swiping' it through like an infrared or mag stripe type of reader.

This is a minor point but installers will do well to make clear to their customers exactly what is required of them to operate this system, since customers will always have different levels of expectation when using a proximity-based system.

The relay output is a NO/NC changeover type to accommodate any type of electric locking device, and can be programmed either as a toggle switch to latch from open/ closed/ open with each successive reading of the card – specifically useful for arming/disarming an intruder alarm control panel – or as a timed 'normally open going closed' type for a fixed duration of around two seconds.

The reader produces a selection of LEDs and annunciation tones to give indication of status and for each of the programming functions. The LEDs can in fact be disabled altogether if required though it would make life rather difficult for all concerned if this option were chosen.

The readers consumed a modest amount of power from the host intruder alarm control panel, at approximately 50mA quiescent, rising to a maximum of 85mA during programming and change over modes.

Programming
There is no programming keypad nor indeed any button pushing to be done for this system – all the programming was affected at the reader head by use of a designated 'master' card followed by holding the new cards within range for a defined period to include or exclude from the set up as required.

The card learning sequences are not terribly easy to understand and certainly could not be achieved without a user manual. Users need to understand the codes represented by the combination of the four different coloured LEDs and the piezo sounder mounted inside the controller, which gave a selection of musical tones to confirm successful changes or enunciate programming errors.

NB It is vitally important for users to keep the programming master card safe and secure since all functions are affected through this card.

Technical backup and literature
The technical instructions are contained within a ten-page booklet with simple wiring diagrams and some explanations of the better-specified SRB unit.

Most of the literature is given over to the card programming procedure, and it has to be said that Pyronix could and indeed should have made a better job of explaining the programming method.

The reader in fact displays its system status by means of five LEDs, each of which shows four different states (on, off, flashing slowly and flashing rapidly) to give seven different permutations for the various conditions. On the more sophisticated PROX SRB system things get decidedly worse, since there are 13 different conditions to be indicated using the same set of five flashing LEDs. Confused? You will be.

It does not help that the manual is printed in black ink only. In fact the system could be made much easier to understand if the LEDs were provided in five different colours and further if the manual were to be printed in colour.

We called the tech' support telephone number provided in the manual and got straight through to the technician. He was helpful in general areas but did not seem to have knowledge of the product in great depth.

For example he was unable to identify the exact type of technology used by the reader and card, nor the radio frequency it operates on. Lastly, installers should be aware the tech support number is a premium rate line at 50 pence per minute.

What the manufacturer says ...
Pyronix LTd offers two proximity reader solutions; PROX-SA, and the PROX-SRB system.

PROX-SA
The PROX-SA is a stand-alone solution, comprising a reader with an integral controller with a relay output. This solution is primarily designed for residential systems and will function with any control panel that has a key switch input.

PROX-SRB
For higher security applications, such as commercial or industrial systems, Pyronix designed the PROX-SRB. This system consists of a controller and a number of readers (up to six). The reader is typically mounted in the entry/exit route and the controller resides within the control panel housing. The data transfer between the reader and the controller uses a secure protocol, therefore ensuring a safe path of communication. The card data is also stored within the controller, ensuring that in the event of anyone tampering with the connection between a particular reader and the controller, there will be no compromise in security.

In summary, both the PROX-SA and the PROX-SRB have been designed to meet the requirements of DD243. They are ideal for companies recognising the benefits of using a portable ACE (Ancillary Control Equipment) to comply with the DD243 arming/disarming procedures and will function with any control panel in the market which has a key switch input. The readers operate using high security cards (up to a maximum of 32 per system) that have four billion combinations providing a secure method of system operation. The readers also meet IEC529/EN60529 category IP67D and therefore can be fitted outside the premises.