Electronic security system design has come a long way from a dry cell battery, a tri-tap transformer strapped to a beam above a ceiling or a wall wart dangling precariously only inches away from a secretary's knee. Today's electronic security systems require reliable power supplies that will meet the demands of the application and satisfy building and electrical codes.
Locksmiths are required to provide custom solutions when nothing off the shelf will quite meet the needs of valued customers. They need the tools and the product support to work smart, safely and profitably.
Although there is a glut of import products on the market with little industry presence beyond an 800 number, there are also a growing number of U.S. manufacturers who produce reliable products and provide full technical support.
Of course this does not mean that there is no quality imported product. We all know that the overwhelming majority of security products are manufactured or at least assembled offshore. That's a financial reality that most companies have had to face in order to survive. However, the best of these products are designed, and their manufacture is strictly controlled, by a reputable domestic or international entity.
Honeywell Power Products (HPP), part of the Honeywell Fire Group, is a provider of power supplies and accessories for the fire, video, access control and security marketplace. Although it is a relatively new company, Honeywell offers a wide assortment of products aimed at all electronic security installation markets, and their affiliation with Honeywell brings a sense of familiarity and trust in the products and the company's technical support.
Q&A: Gene Pecora
The Locksmith Ledger asked Honeywell Power Products' General Manager Gene Pecora a few questions about the new company, its products and it policies. Following are Ledger's questions and Pecora's answers.
What is your company's history? Did Honeywell acquire another company, or are you relabelling products from another manufacturer?
HPP began three years ago with a thought to build a better product while offering the market an alternative to what was currently available. Competition is beneficial for the industry. The power supplies are designed and built by the same people that bring Notifier, Fire-lite and other well known established Honeywell brands to market.
Where is the factory?
Our products are manufactured in our plant in Northford, CT.
There are several power supply manufacturers already. What sets HPP apart from the others?
Simply stated, Honeywell Power Products brings high value power solutions to the marketplace, products with the features wanted by demanding installers, features that make our customers feel confident they have selected the right power supply for their company's needs.
Can you give us some examples of some of your products' features which would make a difference to the system designer/installer?
Our comprehensive line of power supply products ranges from small plug-in transformers to large system power supplies. We've spent a lot of effort on ergonomic mechanical design.
For example, we provide more room inside the enclosure for installers to make their connections and route their wires. Also we use readily available automotive-style fuses that are easier for the installer to inspect to determine if they are in need of replacement.
If troubleshooting is required, many of our products have a primary disconnect that makes it easier to power down the supply for service needs, improving safety for the technician. We think that when an installer uses his first HPP product, the superior quality of the product will speak for itself. It's designed and built by industry professionals that are life safety experts and leave no quality detail unattended.
Where can our readers purchase your products?
Honeywell Power Products are available at ADI, Systems Depot, Alarmax and Tri-Ed. We've not gotten into all the catalogs produced by distribution arms like ADI, but the HPP product can be purchased there. You will see our catalog presence improve over the next year.
How are your products priced compared to other manufacturers'?
I think you will find we are very competitive, plus as I already mentioned, our products deliver added value with product features that help speed installation, and system servicing and maintenance, all enabling he dealer to do the job better and faster.
How does your warranty compare with your competition?
We offer a warranty that covers the product for lifetime.
PRODUCTS & FEATURES
The HPP HPT724 single channel annual event timer is designed for home, building automation, security, access and lighting control and comes equipped with an programmable form "C" relay contact that provides up to 50 latching and/or momentary operations during a program schedule of the user's choice. The timer allows for 365 day/24 hour programming of events prior to/during field installation. Events may be set for single or multiple operations on a daily or weekly schedule and the model can compensate for daylight savings time. The HPT724 timer features 12 to 24 volts AC or DC operation, a battery charging current of 100mA, and an accurate, crystal controlled clock. A "first man in" option, automatic compensation for a leap year, and an alphanumeric LCD display simplify the programming of the timer. Additionally, the HPT724 contains a built-in charger for 12VDC sealed lead acid or gel type batteries, and an optional lithium battery backup maintains the clock.
The HPP HPT6062 multi-function timer is designed for applications such as access control, siren and bell cut-off, dialer delay, or guard tour timing. It comes equipped with momentary relay activation at the end of the desired timing cycle, eliminating the need for having two separate timers to achieve this function. Other optional functions include: single operation, delayed release, delayed operate, delayed pulse and pulse/flasher. The HPT6062 timer may be powered by either 12VDC or 24VDC. Its Form "C" relay contacts are rated for 8 Amps at 120VAC/28VDC. It has an accurate time adjustment range, built-in reset feature, selectable relay activation at beginning or end of cycle, and is Snap Track mountable.
HPP's new Access Control Power Supplies offer significantly expanded capabilities. The core supplies, HP300ULX, HP400ULX and HP600ULX, are available in three power output levels: 2.5A, 4A and 6A. By adding the HPMOM5 fire door controller to the supply family, the HP300ULM, HP400ULM and HP600ULM Series complete the power supply package. For the ultimate in power control, adding the HPACM8 access control card to the base supplies makes the HP600ULACM8 a unit essential for the most demanding applications.
This power supply family has a wide range of applications for access control systems that require door control with additional power. HPP Access Control Power Supplies carry both UL and ULC ratings for fire, access control and intrusion systems and have a large enclosure to ease wiring. They feature circuit-breaker battery protection, AC input and DC output LED diagnostic indicators, AC fail and battery monitoring contacts to aid in supervision, and a built-in charger for sealed lead-acid or gel-type batteries. In addition, the Power Supplies offer a filtered and electronically regulated output, and an automatic switchover to standby battery when AC fails. All of the power supplies are 12vdc or 24vdc field- selectable to meet today's equipment requirements.
The HPP HPS312CX is a switching power supply/charger that converts low-voltage AC input into 6, 12 or 24VDC at 3.0A of continuous supply current. The HPS312CX also comes kitted with an HPP HPT2450 plug-in transformer, a 5 AH battery, a steel enclosure, and connecting hardware. This general-purpose power supply has a wide range of applications for access control systems that require additional power, and will operate with a non-linear power source. HPP Access Control Power Supplies carry both UL and ULC ratings for fire, access control and intrusion systems and have a large enclosure to ease wiring. They feature circuit-breaker battery protection, AC input and DC output LED diagnostic indicators, AC fail and battery monitoring contacts to aid in supervision, a built-in charger for sealed lead-acid or gel-type batteries, a filtered and electronically regulated output, and an automatic switchover to standby battery when AC fails. All of the power supplies are 12vdc or 24vdc field- selectable.
For more information on the HPP product line, visit the web site www.honeywellpower.com.
Tim O'Leary
Tim O'Leary is a security consultant, trainer and technician who has also been writing articles on all areas of locksmithing & physical security for many years.
