HOW TO USE IP CAMERA ALARM I/O

How to use ip camera alarm i/o

As we know, professional IP cameras have alarm input and output interface for security integration solution. Users can use this interface to connect other security devices such as PIR motion sensor, door sensor, perimeter beam sensor...etc. This article is intended to give a guideline for connecting alarm input/output interface of Vivotek, Axis, Sony, HikVision, Dahua, Messoa,...and more IP cameras. 

KNOWING ALARM I/O (INPUT / OUTPUT)

Alarm Input / Alarm Output is a pair of pins in camera's terminal block or connector through which it's possible to connect electronic device with the camera. Alarm Input receives signal from external device, will be triggered from external device if something changes, and Alarm output notifies the external device by the camera upon a event (motion detection, vandalism, video loss).

The terms "Alarm In / Alarm Out" are mainly used as the application for alarm system, but they are also called digital input (DI) / Digital Output (DO) as the common terms.

External device connected to Alarm In can be a switch (or say relay), button or any device which can issue a trigger signal. External device connected to Alarm Out can be a light, alarm horn/siren or any kind of device which receives data.

SHOULD I USE CAMERA'S ALARM I/O?

The main benefit of using camera's Alarm Input / Alarm Output is to respond to the event instantly and automatically by a pre-defined event scheme, and give alert message immediately so that the monitoring control center can handle any situation in a short time to reduce hazard.

CAMERA'S ALARM INPUT/OUTPUT

(1) Terminal Block Type: use 2-pin connector to connect wire

Dahua IP Camera - Terminal Block

Hikvision IP Camera - Terminal Block

Messoa IP Camera - Terminal Block

(2) Connector Type: connect wire directly

*Alarm Out (Orange): Connect to a device that responds to alarm signals, such as buzzers or lights.
*GND: Ground (electricity) in electrical circuits
*Alarm In 1 (Red) & 2 (Brown): Connect to devices that issue alarm signals. Up to two (2) input devices can be selected.

Messoa Camera Alarm Input / Output

CONNECTION EXAMPLE 

1.      Connect Alarm In via a switch to GND: Simply  connecting  Alarm In_1  via a switch to  GND with a single wire,  as shown above, the  Alarm In_1 will be instantly triggered by a press on switch. You do not have to have an external battery to make the “switch” work.
The example circuit of Alarm In: Alarm In 1 –> Switch (OPEN by default) –> Ground

2.      Connect Alarm Out: The Alarm out is an open-drain structure, so you have to  supply external power source  to make the function work.
The example circuit of Alarm Out: DO 1 –> LED (load) –> +[battery]- –> Ground

3.      Enable External Alarm: Access the IP camera via Internet Explorer, go to camera's configuration page to enable External Alarms. Enable the Alarm In/Out that is connected with external alarm devices and set the voltage level as low or high to define the active state.

4.      Validate the setting by pressing the switch and check if it triggers the LED instantly.

The alarm output ports on the back of IP camera can be connected with a siren or strobe light. Below it's a connection example. The goal is to turn the siren/strobe light on when an alarm is triggered. The working theory is pretty simple, you can imagine the alarm output is a turn on/off switch. In below connection diagram, you need to use extra power supply (for example a AC/DC adapter) to provide the power for strobe siren.

For DVR Click at DVR Alarm

The IP camera's alarm inputs are grounding alarm inputs (Normal open or Normal close type). Hardwired sensor or device can parallel connect ground (-) end and COM end of the alarm detector, while parallel connect the NO (+) end and NC end of the alarm detector. (Please note that you need to provide external power to the detectors)

In the above connection diagram, the DG85 (motion sensor)'s NC connects the positive (+) alarm input of IP camera, and the DG85 (motion sensor)'s COM (or GND) connects the negative (-) alarm input of IP camera. (This is NC connection, you need to choose the IP camera's alarm input property to NC.)

You can make connection between IP camera and hard-wired/wireless alarm panel. Connect the alarm output of IP cameras to hardwired zones of alarm panel. Please note that you need to use the EOL resistor in this connection. The EOL resistor can protect the circuit of wiring to prevent short-circuit or cut. The EOL resistor should be installed in the end of IP camera.

With correct connection, the IP camera can send signal to alarm system for associated alarm action.

Two different connection are available:

1.      When alarm output (IP camera) is NC:You need to do the normal close connection. The EOL resistor should connect into circuit in series connection.

2.      When alarm output (IP camera) is NO: You need to do the normal open connection. The EOL resistor should connect into circuit in parallel connection.

Normal Open (NC) and Normal Close (NO) explanation

Normal Open: When the device is in the non-triggered state, it's normally closed means that the circuit can allow current to flow from NC to COM, or it turns ON. When the alarm is triggered, the relay is enabled and it will switch from the normally closed (NC) to normally opened (NO) or from Turn ON to Turn OFF.

Normal Close: When the device is in the non-triggered state, it's normally opened means that the circuit is open, it doesn't allow current to flow from NO to COM, or it turns OFF. When the alarm is triggered, the relay is enabled and it will switch from normally opened (NO) to normally closed (NC) or from Turn OFF to Turn ON.