Configure I/O sensors

This guide explains how to connect external sensors (such as PIR motion detectors or door contacts) to your recorder and configure them to trigger recording and alarms and how to connect lamps or sirenes to the recorders alarm output.

Part 1: Hardware setup

Understanding the I/O Input

• The I/O input works as a dry contact with self sustaining realais
• It does not supply power

• It is triggered when the input is connect to Ground (G)

   

Wiring a Sensor

Connect your sensor as follows: 

• One wire -> I/O input (e.g. Alarm IN 1)
• One wire -> Ground (G)

💡Tip : Most sensors act like a switch. When triggered, they close the curcuit between the input and ground. 

Part 2: Software Configuration

Alarm Settings

1. Open the settings / recorder settings
2. Navigate to Alarm -> External Alarm (I/O)

Configure Alarm Input

For each input (e.g. Alarm in 1 / Alarm In Port<-1) you can configure: 

How to choose: 
Normally-Open for sensors that close on trigger (Most PIR sensors) // Use Normally-Closed for sensors that open on trigger

Link cameras and actions to alarm input

• Choose actions to be executed when alarm triggers (FTP / Cloud Upload, Internal Buzzer, Push-Notification, Fullscreen)
• Select which camera channel to be recorded at the bottom when alarm triggers on this alarm input
• If you want to use an external sirene or lamp enable it via Trigger Alarm Out and select the Alarm Output and follow the steps in Part 3 down below

Configure Recording Schedule

Make sure recording is enabled for I/O triggers:

1. Go to Recording Settings (Settings -> Record -> Record -> Schedule)
2. Select the relevant cameras / channel and click on the red I/O 🔴
3. Mark dates / times red where I/O Alarm Input should trigger recordings

Part 3: Configure Alarm Output (Siren / Lamp)

To trigger a siren, lamp or similar using your recorders alarm output, you'll need to connect both the siren and its power supply to the recorders ALARM outputs. 

What you need

• External siren (Or alarm device), Example: ABUS Siren /w Light SG1681
• External power supply (Matching the siren's voltage), Example: VOLTCRAFT VC-11320935
• Two wires from the siren
• Two wires from the power supply

Connect the Siren and power supply to the recorder

1. Locate the ALARM output terminals (On the backside next to the numbered alarm inputs, as shown in the image)
2. Connect the siren and power supply (ground loop)
   1. Take one wire from the siren and one wire from the power supply (Usually the black [-] wire)
   2. Insert them into the ALARM output terminals on the recorder (Called COM/OUT on 16 channel recorder)
   3. Order does not matter 
3. Complete the power curcuit externally
   1. Connect the remaining wires so that the siren is powered by the external power supply
   2. The recorder just acts as a switch (relay) that opens/closes the curcuit to activate the siren

Enable I/O Alarm Input recording

Technical Specifications Relays: 

Maximum load: 3 Ampere at 250VAC // 3 Ampere at 30VDC