Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you are just sizing up a system, have bought already and have a query, or whether you are installing and you find yourself flummoxed, you will likely find that someone else has already been there! Check here for answers to your commonly asked questions.
Q. What support do you provide to people installing systems?
A. We provide support by email. We plan to implement a 090 phone support line in 2011.
Q. What type of cable do I need for my system?
A. We sell three types of system: 4 Wire, 2 Wire and CAT5E. The cable you will need is:
4 Wire - Shielded 4 core alarm cable, (you can also use 6 core or 8 core alarm cable if that is what you have available) used most often for cabling alarm systems. Available through most commercial wiring vendors. These systems will also require two core power flex rated to at least 3A. For runs of over 30m between the Doorbell/camera and master monitor, the 4 core cable will need to be supplemented with thin Co-axial (RG-59) cable.
2 Wire - Two Core power flex, minimum 0.7mm core diameter. These systems requires no separate Video/Audio cabling. These are the easiest systems to install.
CAT5E and CAT-6 - most often used for cabling computer networks, CAT-5E is very widely available. Comes in a wide variety of colours, but on a cabling spindle will probably be grey. Supports very long runs, up to 200m. If you have installed CAT-5E/CAT-6, you can use it with the 4 Wire Door Entry systems without problem.
Do not use phone cable instead of 4 core alarm cable. While suitable for the old audio only systems, this has insufficient carrying capacity for Video door entry systems.
Q. What kind of lock can I open using your door entry system?
A. Our door entry system is capable of interfacing with most types of electric and electro-magnetic locks which use the standard 12V current. That includes most motorized gate systems as well. It will not work with pure magnetic locks.
Q. I've got my own transformer. I want to save money by not using your power supply. Can I do that?
A. No. Your warranty depends on using only power supplies provided by us. The monitors and video doorbell are both highly sensitive to excessive power input, and will quickly fail if over-powered.
Q. Can I have some components from Intelligent Home, and other components from another manufacturer?
A. No. All of the systems are designed to work only with the components from their own manufacturer. They are called proprietary systems.
Q. I can't see your trade prices- where are they?
A. We don't have trade prices. We do have a loyalty scheme for regular purchasers. After you buy the fifth system from us, you will automatically get a 10% discount on all future purchases.
Q. What does 2 Wire mean?
A. 2-Wire sytems do NOT need 4-core alarm cable to connect the components together. All the signal transfer for the system is sent via the two power wires in the power cable.
Q. What does 4 Wire mean?
A. 4-Wire systems need 4-core alarm cable to connect the components together. 4-core alarm cable is used to wire up most commercial alarm systems. See also 2 Wire.
Q. What does CAT-5E mean?
A. CAT-5E is a common type of cable, often terminated by RJ-45 connectors. Newer systems can often be connected together using CAT-5E cabling. There is a very similar cable called CAT-6, which you can use with both the CAT-5E systems and the Four Wire systems. It is always wise to check what type of cabling you will need before you buy a system. This is most important if you are installing somewhere where wiring has already been installed.
Q. What is CCTV?
A. Closed-circuit Television System. Allows you to video your property for surveillance purposes.
Q. What is a DCU?
A. The DCU unit is a multi function device designed to connect 2 CCTV cameras and control a light or lock. One light and one lock can be supported by the system; please note, they must be connected to two separate DCUs. Note that this unit can only be used with the DT flat/apartment intercom system. Documentation is here.
Q. What does Flush Mount mean?
A. A doorbell camera designed for flush mounting will be mounted into a hole in your wall. Once it is fixed in, it will be 'flush' with the rest of the wall (or very nearly so). See also Surface Mount.
Q. What is a Master Monitor?
A. The difference between the Master Monitor and a slave monitor is picture-taking. With the Master monitor, you can take pictures of the person at the door, and store them for future reference. You would normally only have one Master monitor per system. The IH-692 and IH-6913 have an SD card slot so you can download the pictures.
Q. What is a Power Supply Unit?
A. The correct technical name for these devices is actually Transformer. You can't connect our devices to mains electricity because the voltage is too high (220-240v). Our devices use between 12v and 24v. The Transformer takes the mains voltage and steps it down to either 12v, 18v or 24v. Our power supply transformers are designed specifically for use with our equipment. Using any power supply with our equipment other than the ones supplied by us will invalidate your warranty. You can buy power supply transformers separately here.
Q. What is a Slave Monitor
The slave monitor does not have picture-taking and storing capability. You can answer the door just the same as with the Master monitor, and you can also use it for intercom talking. You can have up to five of these monitors with the house entry system, and up to twenty with the flat/apartment entry system.
Q. What does Surface Mount mean?
A. A doorbell camera designed for surface mounting will be attached straight on to the wall surface by a mounting bracket. That means no hole will need to be cut in the wall. The Doorbell camera will be more vulnerable to vandalism and the weather. See also Flush Mount.
Q. What does Touch Screen mean?
A. Touch Screen monitors allow you to change the options of your system, and answer the doorbell, without using buttons. Icons appear on the monitor screen, and when you touch them, they respond. Some people prefer this to button operation, but it's really up to you!
Q. What are Wireless systems?
A. Wireless door entry systems send their signal information using wireless broadcasting. We do NOT sell wireless door entry systems. All our systems are wired systems. Wireless systems still need power, and therefore power cables! Because of the nature of wireless home devices, there is a chance that a wireless door entry system will interact/interfere with other devices in your home that use wireless broadcasting.
