27 March 2023 - Tom Opio
Featured in: Product information and OPTEX tech tips, Tech Tip, Intrusion detection
The BX Shield outdoor sensors are designed to protect the immediate boundary of your premises against intrusion. They provide two independent left-right curtain detection areas up to 12m each (24m in total) and as they are not affected by small animals or by environmental changes, they are a perfect trigger for alarm systems or outdoor CCTV cameras. The BX Shield are available in wired, wireless, and anti-masking models.
Step 1 – Mounting the sensor
First, we need to open the detector. To do so turn the blue screw at the base of the sensor. The sensor cover will unclip and open. Then remove the sensor from the back plate by pressing the two release buttons on the top of the sensor.
The sensor can be mounted either on walls or poles, they should be mounted at a height between 0.8m to 1.2m (1m +/- 0.2). The sensor's back plate is fitted with a spirit level to aid in mounting the detection sensor level. To ensure the detector remains weather resistant it is important that you use the screws provided, as well as the rubber seals. Be sure you use the rubber plug to seal off screw holes when wall-mounted. Also, ensure the mounting surface is flat so that the back tamper can be activated.
Step 2 - Adjusting the sensor settings using the DIP switches.
- DIP Switch 1 – LED On/Off when sensor is activated
Use dipswitch 1 to LED turn on each time the detector is activated.
- DIP Switch 2 – Normally closed/ Normally closed relay mode
Dipswitch 2 is used to set the relay mode. ON position the relay goes to Normally Open mode and OFF position for Normally closed mode.
DIP Switch 3 - Single zone or two independent zones setting
Use dipswitch 3 to unify the left and right side into a single zone or operate as two separate zone.
OFF – single zone
ON – two independent zones
DIP Switch 4 and 5 – Turn on Extreme High Detection mode.
As passive infrared detection relies on the difference of temperature between the moving object and the ambient temperature, in hot countries it’s important that the small difference is also detected. For those regional locations, the sensitivity can be set to extremely high, maximizing the detection performance to avoid missed alarms.
DIP Switch 6 – Battery Saver timer
Battery operated models (BXS-R and BXS-RAM) use dipswitch 6 to enable/disable battery saving. ON position enables and OFF position disables the antimasking feature. ON position the detector will send status update to alarm panel every five seconds and in OFF position, update is every 120 seconds.
DIP Switch 7 – Antimasking feature
For model with antimasking feature (BXS-AM and BXS-RAM) use dipswitch 7 to enable/disable this feature. ON position enables and OFF position disables the antimasking feature.
Step 3 - Adjusting the detection range
You should measure out the area you need to have detection on for both left and right sides as the detection range can be adjusted independently. You can set the detection range to 2.5, 3, 6, 8.5 and 12 metres depending on the distance that needs protecting. You make your selection by simply adjusting the switch up or down.
Detection angle can be away or towards the wall.
For wall mount, the direction angle can be adjusted up to 3-degrees.
Push the tab up or down. The current detection angle can be seen on the tab.
Step 4 – Walk test to confirm correct set up
When the front cover is closed the BXS automatically goes to walk test for three minutes. During this time the LED will come on for two seconds when an object is detected.
The LED will blink for five seconds at the end of the automatic walk test and the detector goes to normal operation mode.
Following the walk test make adjustment as required.