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DW NightWatch - White-Light Illuminator Telemetry Cable Setup

Updated

NightWatch White-Light Illuminator Telemetry Setup

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Affected Roles:  Owner, Administrator

Last Edit:  July 10, 2026

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NightWatch Telemetry Option

When using DW Spectrum IPVMS with a DW NightWatch Illuminator, turning the light on is an easy task using a soft trigger or other event rule to activate the device. However, not all VMS applications will provide such needed options in their user interface. For such a situation, a solution to make the illuminator automatically turn on is to combine the device with a contact closure device using a telemetry cable.

An example of this could be a setup where a mechanical switch has been connected to a door to detect when the door has been opened or closed. When the mechanical switch is activated, a signal is then relayed to the illuminator to turn on the light.

This article will outline how to set up a DW NightWatch White-Light Illuminator with a telemetry cable for use with a voltage-free contact (dry contact) closure device.

 

**NOTE: These instructions apply only to the DW-ILWLIPM White-Light Illuminator. Hybrid models (DW-ILHYBIP850 and DW-ILHYBIP940) do not include the telemetry connector required for this configuration

**NOTE:  For this setup, you will need a telemetry cable. The telemetry cable accessory can be purchased from Digital Watchdog RMA. Additionally, an 18/2 wire will also be needed to attach the contact switch.

 

Supported/Affected Devices:

  • DW NightWatch (White Light) Illuminator (DW-ILWLIPM)
  • DW Telemetry Cable (DWC-IllumTeleCable)

 

About the Telemetry Cable

The telemetry cable is 81 inches (2.06 m) long

 

The cable contains four conductors that provide interface connections between the illuminator and an external control device or security panel. For this application, the blue and black wires are used as the dry-contact telemetry input

 

 

Closing the circuit between the blue and black telemetry wires turns the illuminator ON. Opening the circuit turns the illuminator OFF

 

Attaching the Telemetry Cable to the Illuminator

The telemetry cable is an optional accessory and is not included with the purchase of an illuminator. You can acquire a telemetry cable from Digital Watchdog RMA as needed.

 

**NOTE:  For safety, be sure to power the illuminator OFF before proceeding with the instructions below.

 

To connect the telemetry cable:

  1. Unscrew the cap from the back of the white-light illuminator that is labeled as “Interface”.

The input jack for the telemetry cable connection will be inside.

 

  1. Align the holes of the telemetry cable connector with the input jack of the illuminator and slide the cable to the “Interface” port.

 

**NOTE:  Do not force the cable into the input jack of the illuminator, as the needles within the connector can be bent easily.

 

 

  1. Tighten the screw at the end of the telemetry cable to affix it to the illuminator.

It is recommended to use a water seal to secure the connection and prevent a short from occurring due to water damage.

 

  1. Connect the telemetry cable to the dry-contact (volt-free contact) switch using 18/2 wire.

 

Configuring the NightWatch Illuminator

After connecting the telemetry cable to the illuminator, an event must be created within NightWatch’s user interface to have the device turn its light ON and OFF upon activation.

 

  1. Use a web browser to connect with the illuminator’s web interface and log in as an administrator (admin).

 

  1. Select the “Events” tab and enable the “Events enabled” setting, then click the “Add Event” button.

 

  1. In the Add Event window, configure the following:
  • Name: enter a name for the event. For example, “Front Door” or another simple label can be used.
  • Input: select “Digital Input”.
  • Condition: select “Closed circuit” if you want to activate the event when the mechanical switch’s contact is closed. The event will remain active as long as the alarm condition is still being met.
  • Delay(s): This setting determines how long the wait time (seconds) is before activating the Condition setting upon the Input source being triggered. For no wait time, enter “0”.
  • Timeout(s): this setting determines how long the event will run (seconds) before automatically deactivating after the alarm condition is no longer met. Enter the number of seconds that you would like to have the illuminator’s light turned on.

When finished, click the “Add Event” button.

 

  1. The new event will appear in the Events tab.

Below the new event, click the “Add Action” button.

 

  1. In the Add Action window, configure the following:
  • Action Type: select “Control light”.
  • Start Action: select “Standard on”.
  • Stop Action: select “Standard off”.

When finished, click the "Add Action" button.

 

  1. The event setup is now done.

If Closed circuit was selected as the Condition, the illuminator turns ON whenever the relay contacts close and turns OFF when the contacts open. You can verify the configuration at any time by clicking Test from the Events page

 

 

 

 

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For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

DW Sales: sales@digital-watchdog.com | www.digital-watchdog.com

Rev: 06/25                              Copyright © DW. All rights reserved. Specifications and pricing subject to change without notice.                            

 

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