NightWatch White-Light Illuminator Telemetry Setup
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Affected Roles: Owner, Administrator
Last Edit: August 6, 2024
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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 volt free contact (dry contact) closure device.
**NOTE: These setup instructions are for the white-light illuminator (DW-ILWLIPM) only and are not intended for the hybrid light/IR model. The hybrid illuminator models (DW-ILHYBIP850 / DW-ILHYBIP940) do not have the needed telemetry connector for this setup.
**NOTE: For this setup, you will need a telemetry cable. The telemetry cable accessory can be purchased from Digital Watchdog RMA. Additionally, 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 long in length.
Inside, four (4) colored wires are used to connect a NightWatch Illuminator to a security panel. This permits the automatic transmission of data between the remote resource to a central location for monitoring and analysis. In this case, activating and deactivating a light.
When the circuit is closed between the blue and black wires, the illuminator will activate. Likewise, when the circuit is open for the telemetry wires in the cable, the illuminator will deactivate. This includes when a time limit is set or if an event rule is in place to time the activation period of the illuminator.
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:
- 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.
- Align the holes of the telemetry cable connector with the input jack of 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.
- Tighten the screw at the end of the telemetry cable to affix it the illuminator.
It is recommended to use a water seal to secure the connection and prevent a short from occurring due to water damage.
- Attach the other end of the telemetry cable using 18/2 wire to the volt free contact switch.
Configuring the NightWatch Illuminator
After connecting the telemetry cable to the illuminator, an event must be created within the NightWatch’s user interface to have the device turn its light ON and OFF upon activation.
- Use a web browser to connect with the illuminator’s web interface and log in as an administrator (admin).
- Select the “Events” tab and enable the “Events enabled” setting, then click the “Add Event” button.
- 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) 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.
- The new event will appear in the Events tab.
Below the new event, click the “Add Action” button.
- 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.
- The event setup is now done.
If you have used “Closed circuit” as the Condition setting, the illuminator’s light will turn ON when the relay switch’s contacts are closed, then turn OFF once the contacts are opened.
To remotely test the event rule from the illuminator’s web interface, you can click the “Test” button.
For More Information or Technical Support
DW Technical Support: 866.446.3595 (option 4)
https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/
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DW Sales: 866.446.3595 [email protected] www.digital-watchdog.com
