Enter a new dimension: Honeywell's Galaxy Dimension security system

Back in November 2006 we reviewed Honeywell's flagship grade 3 intruder alarm control panel, the Galaxy 48C. This 48 zone panel with integral communicator was central to a harmonised series of control and peripheral equipment designed to cater for every eventuality the intruder alarm installer might face.

This month we have looked at the updated version of the Honeywell dynasty, the Galaxy Dimension. The supplied kit was the GD 264, designed to replace the previous ( no longer available ) G3 144 zone panel at much the same price.

Two hundred and sixty four zones is a vast capacity of course and installers are probably more likely to be using the lesser GD-48 or GD-96 variants. All have the same features and programmability however, and differ only in terms of capacity ie the larger versions will allow greater numbers of users, operating keypads and data bus lines.

Installers are advised to consult the original in-depth bench test in conjunction with this article, available here on info4security.com , since the Dimension range is very much an improved version of the G3, comprising both good and not so good features.

The new series of control boards has been designed to retro fit the old steel cabinet, and make use of the same mark 7 remote setting keypad, so existing users and engineers will be familiar with the system layout and operation.

The circuit wiring configuration remains the same, using the supplied 1.0 Kohm value for each of the end-of-line and alarm contact shunt resistors, and a separate 3.0Kohm fault resistor. The control still has a very good value 16 on board circuits, each with their quaint coded nomenclature.

NB. Circuit 1 is not actually called circuit 1, it is called circuit 1011, so-named to identify the network line, RIO address and zone number. We know what you're thinking – very much like the Scantronic 9500, a control panel that was discontinued around 15 years ago. Try explaining that to the customer.

Read more...