Home Automation - DSC security components that work with Vera/Veralite

If you are just decided on setting up a DIY home automation system, like me, you might have decided on using a Vera system. On why I decided to use Vera instead of others like HomeSeer, Crestron, etc, thats an another discussion that I might post later.

If you are also planning to set up security, you might have decided on using DSC security system as Vera has a plugin that you could use to interface with. If yes, you too might be having a tough time deciding on what DSC components you need to purchase.

So here is a list of basic components you would need to setup DSC security system and interface it with Vera

• Vera2, Vera3, Veralite - Any of the Vera controllers.
• DSC plugin - This is a free plugin (http://code.mios.com/trac/mios_dscalarmpanel) you would install using the Vera's web site. I will not go into details on how you can set it up as there are lots of details about it in the plugin homepage and Micasaverde forums.
• DSC Power Series 1864 Control Board & Enclosure (PC1864NK) - This is the main DSC panel with 64 zones. Depending on how many components (or zones) you are planning to connect to this panel, you could also get any of the other poweseries panels like the 1832 (32 zones) or 1616 (16 zones). I do not think the any other DSC panels work with Vera. Note that each door sensor, motion sensor, keypad, etc is considered as a zone.
• 16.5 40VA Transformer (XR-1640LED) - This is the power adapter for the above panel.
• DSC Fixed LCD Keypad (PK5501 or PK5500) - I would recommend the PK5500 as its easier to program with
• Envisalink Internet Alert Module for DSC & Honeywell Security (EVL-3) - This is needed so that your DSC panel can talk to your Vera controller. You connect this component to your router (network) to which your Vera is connected to. You do not need to connect this component to Vera directly
• 4 conductor wires - This a 18-22 guage 4 colored wire you could get from home depot or Lowes. You need this to connect the keypad, sirens (if you have one), EVL-3, etc to your main panel. You could buy a big spool and cut it as per your needs for each of the component. The 5 conductor sprinkler wires could also be used (you will just not use one of the wire out of the 5). If your sensors are all wireless, you will not need wires to connect the sensors to the panel. But if you plan to use wired sensors, then plan to get a large amount of this wire.
• 2 conductor wire- This is a 18 guage wire that you would need to connect your power adapter to your security panel.
• Ethernet wire - To connect EVL-3 to your router.

I preferred a wireless setup as I did not want to run wires all over my house. If you have the same preference, you would also need these additional items

• DSC PowerSeries 2-Way Wireless Transceiver (TR5164-433) - This is the wireless receiver that transforms your DSC PowerSeries control panel into a wireless alarm system so that your wireless sensors can talk with your security panel.
• Vanishing Wireless Door Window Sensor (EV-DW4975) - This is the door/windows sensor. I assume you will need at least one for your main door.
• DSC Wireless Pet Immune PIR Motion Sensor (WS4904P) - This is a motion sensor (if you need one)
• DSC 2-Way Wireless Touch-Screen Arming Station (WTK5504) - This is in addition to the wired keypad mentioned above. You can get this if you are also interested in having a wireless keypad that you probably want to setup near to main entrance or in your bedroom. Note, you cannot just use this Keypad to program/setup your sensors and other components. You will need at least one wired keypad (mentioned above) for setup.
• Other components you might want to get are a siren, strobe light, key fob, etc. But they are not mandatory and depends on whether you really need them or not. When your alarm is triggered, you could use a sonos system (if you have one) that can be used as a siren, turn on your home lights (if they are Zwave and connected to Vera) instead of strobe lights, use VeraAlerts to send messages/make calls. You could also use your Vera phone app instead of keyfob.

 I will soon be publishing another post on how to setup all these components.