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[LeeSteventon]

Hi all,

I'm trying to work out a solution for securing the border perimeter of my property. I wanted to design a solution that would allow me to detect motion around the border of my property so that when motion was detected (or a laser beam cut), a signal would be sent back to the X10 system to say that a particular beam was cut and an action would be taken as a result. My first (and probably the easiest part) was to decide on the detection hardware. I chose to use gate closing Photo Electric Modules (PEM300D) as these seem a logical choice for my requirement. They produce infrared beams that when cut (through someone walking through them for example) a signal is sent closing a circuit (usually to a control board which is part of the circuit). I now need to understand / find the hardware to which this circuit closing signal is sent so that my ActiveHome X10 system "knows" that the beam was cut and then I can decide what to do from there.

Does anyone have any ideas on what hardware I need at the signal receiving end (something that would take a closed circuit signal as an input)?

All help welcome!

[troll334]

Hmmm, speaking from a position of ignorance, I wonder if X10 IR motion sensors would 'see' your I/R beam and
react to disturbances in that beam. No help either, but I'm playing with a HeNe laser perimeter kit. I've got it to sound
a big horn but as for the interface with X10, one of the experts will have to chime in. I'm sure there's a product, or a
mod, you might consider. Further, X10's tiny remotes might be modified so that your I/R system provides the necessary
contact closure. It'll emit an RF signal that AHP can act on. Check this out as well:
http://www.smarthome.com/31273/EZIO8SA-INSTEON-Compatible-Input-Output-Controller/p.aspx
Sorry...

[Tuicemen]

Probably the cheepest would be a window/door security sensor!
You can set AHP (with OnAlert) to act on a open or closed contact.

[LeeSteventon]

Probably the cheepest would be a window/door security sensor!
You can set AHP (with OnAlert) to act on a open or closed contact.

Aha, scrap my last, I already have OnAlert! So, does this mean "opening up" the sensor(s) and connecting the wires coming from the IR beams boxes to the sensor(s)?

[LeeSteventon]

Found the answer! An SM10E X10 "Powerflash" Module! This is designed for the job! Picture this: a photoelectric beam unit (pair of detectors transmitting IR beams to each other) is powered via a 30V (36mA) transformer and has two wires conecting it to an SM10E. When the beams are cut (by someone walking through them for example) the photoelectric beam units send a "closed circuit" to the SM10E which interprets the closed circuit and sends an X10 signal! This could be to a dummy module which then runs a macro, etc. etc. Problem now is, I don't see an option in ActiveHome to add an SM10E module....

[Tuicemen]

Probably the cheepest would be a window/door security sensor!
You can set AHP (with OnAlert) to act on a open or closed contact.

Aha, scrap my last,

done  

I already have OnAlert! So, does this mean "opening up" the sensor(s) and connecting the wires coming from the IR beams boxes to the sensor(s)?

Basically
Yep, the best little device made by X10!
You don't even have to open up the sensor just use the wires already there!
You can mod them to fit most any requirement!
 

[Tuicemen]

A security sensor is cheeper but would require your PC and AHP to always be running.

[LeeSteventon]

Looks like I could use either, in the UK / europe, the Windows / Door sensors are more expensive (is the DS90 the same as the DS831 Sensor?)

[Tuicemen]

I don't know if the OnAlert Plug-in will even work with European sensors.
European ones use a different frequency.
I don't know about those modle numbers. 

[Brian H]

Here the X10 frequency is 310MHz. For RF devices like sensors and remotes.
European are 433.92MHz. So you can't mix our receivers and sensors with the European ones.

[dave w]

Problem now is, I don't see an option in ActiveHome to add an SM10E module....

The PowerFlash is a "sender" or controller so there is no configuation in AHP for it (seems like there should be but they do not have any controllers like the Mini or Maxi Controllers, etc. defined in AHP). You could define it as a Motion Sensor since it is also a sender.

[nybuck]

Just to clarify what was already said, the Door/Window Sensor is battery powered, and sends a wireless (RF) command.
The PowerFlash module is wall outlet (AC) powered, and sends a PLC or power line command.

Your "perimeter" may offer AC outlets, or it may require the portability that the door/window sensor provides.

Let us know how you make out!