DualCom Pro 4

The DualCom Pro 4 range offers installers easier, faster installation of a professional signalling system with even greater resilience, plus access to CSL Live, our ordering and management portal.

Using the onboard serial connections, pins triggering or dial capture, DualCom Pro 4 is compatible with a wide range of control equipment, including systems installed to EN50136 & PD6662. The range consists of:

• DigiAir Pro 4 Radio and DigiAir Pro 4 LAN – our single-path solutions that utilise either a Radio path or LAN to signal an alarm.
• GradeShift Pro 4 LAN/Radio and GradeShift Pro 4 Radio/Radio – our dual-path solutions that provide greater resiliency.

Figure 1 – Exploded View of DualCom Pro 4

Step 1 – Site Preparation

DualCom Pro Radio Modules

Use a Signal Analyser (available from the CSL Installer Shop) to determine if enough base stations (2 or more) are available at the site and that they can supply sufficient signal strength (30% and above). This will determine the optimum location for the Dual Pro’s aerial to be mounted.

If you do not have a Signal Analyser, we recommend powering up the DualCom Pro, connecting the aerial/s, going through the commissioning process, then checking the reported signal strength before permanently fitting the aerials.

If you go through the commissioning process, then once commissioned, you can check your Signal Strength and Quality via our My Base App or use Button A on the DualCom Pro 4.

Press the A button to show the signal strength:

• LED 1 should be green to show an acceptable level of Radio signal/quality.
• LED 2 should be green to show an acceptable level of the second Radio signal/quality (where fitted).

See the View Signal Strength section for more information.

DualCom Pro Ethernet Modules

Fit the Ethernet Adapter to the DualCom Pro 4 and connect an Ethernet cable from the adapter to the LAN socket provided by the customer.

You will hear a click when the Ethernet Adapter has been correctly connected to the DualCom Pro 4.

DualCom Pro uses DHCP as the default IP settings. Fixed IP settings can be configured or amended using the My Base App.

Ensure the customer’s LAN socket is live and their network allows access to the CSL servers. For additional information on these requirements, please see our Customer IT Survey Form.

Once the DualCom Pro has been powered up, the LEDs in the Ethernet adapter will flash between red, amber and green to indicate the connection is operational and data is being seen on the local network link.

See Network Troubleshooting if this is not working as expected.

Step 2 – Installation

The DualCom Pro must be installed within an enclosure suitable for the installation certification. The unit should be fixed securely using the adhesive pads supplied or the optional dock that can be purchased in the Shop.

Before proceeding, ensure the alarm panel or PSU is powered down.

Once the DualCom Pro 4 is in position, ensure:

• The aerial is connected and/or the Ethernet cable is installed, as appropriate.
• The aerials are positioned correctly.

Wire the DualCom Pro in this order.

• Negative (-) power
• Positive (+) power
• Serial cable or inputs

If required:

• Connect the serial cable – RS485, RS232 or TTL (panel dependent) – see Panel Connections section for more information.
• Connect any hardwired alarms from the panel to the device – see the Pin Triggering section for more information.
• Connect the fault output to the panel

Restore power to the alarm panel or PSU.

Step 3 – Commissioning

On power-up, the DualCom Pro will automatically contact the Gemini Global Platform to perform its commissioning process, which can typically take between 5 and 8 minutes.

Once commissioned, all 3 LEDs will light green for 5 seconds. The device will then reboot.

LED 1	LED 2	LED 3
Power	Comms Path	Commissioned

Figure 2 – Commissioning complete

On next boot, just LED 3 will go green to indicate that the device is fully commissioned.

LED 1	LED 2	LED 3
N/A	N/A	Device Status

Figure 3 – Quiescent/Normal State

Please refer to Troubleshooting if any other condition is indicated on the LEDs.

Configuring the DualCom Pro

All device configurations can be performed using the My Base App or website. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play and enter your credentials. Alternatively, in a browser, go to My Base.

If need be, you can use the one-time access page to install a device using your mobile phone or web browser without login details. Follow this link and enter the device serial number and connection ID.

Panel Integrations

Your device will come pre-configured to connect to the panel using Pin Triggering. In My Base, it will show Panel info, Pins Only.

If Pin Triggering is not being used, then use the Edit Pins option to set Pin Profile to ‘No Pins’.

See Pin Triggering below for more details on using the input pin.

A panel can also signal alarms to the DualCom Pro using:

• Dial Capture (PSTN Modem)
• TTL
• RS232 (including ATS 7090)
• RS485
• Ethernet

To enable any of these connections to the panel, install the appropriate cabling, then go to the My Base App and select the correct panel type. See Panel Integrations for more information.

Panel guides can be found by:

• Clicking the panel type (after selection) via the My Base App
• Visit the Panel Guides section on our website.

Pin Triggering

For normal operation, the device is triggered by removing or applying zero volts (ground) to each of the input terminals. No external pull-up resistors are required. Use My Base’s “Toggle Pin Bias” option if it should be triggered by positive volts.

For EN54 Fire Mode operation, pull-up resistors are required. See DualCom Pro Fire on configuring the device in Fire Mode.

On receiving an event on the pin terminals, the DualCom Pro will generate the relevant messages and forward them via the Gemini Global Platform to the ARC.

In the default configuration, pin inputs 1, 2, 3, 5 – 12 generate SIA untyped alarms UA/UR8001 to 8008, for example:

• [#123456|NUA8001|AChannel 1 Alarm]
• [#123456|NUR8001|AChannel 1 Restore]

And pin input 4 generates SIA alarm OP/CL8004, e.g.

• [#123456|NOP8004|ASystem Set]
• [#123456|NCL8004|ASystem Unset]

Configuring Pin Inputs

To have the DualCom Pro self-learn the current panel input status, whilst in quiescent/normal state, press button C for 5 seconds. LED 3 will flash red twice once completed. The status of each pin will be sent to the Gemini Global Platform and ARC. Use My Base to confirm the messages are in the format expected.

To change the input from negative removed or applied to positive removed or applied, change the pin bias via My Base under the Hardware menu button.

Configuring Output Relays

Each relay is a pair of switches that can be used to notify the panel of an event on the DualCom Pro.

By default:

• Relay 1 is configured to indicate that the DualCom Pro has detected a fault condition in the panel.

(After initialisation, the switch between NO and C will be closed and the switch between NC and C will be open. If a line fault is detected, then NO and C will open, and NC and C will close. If the device is configured for Fire, then this will be inverted.)

• Relay 2 is used to indicate the ARC has acknowledged receipt of the alarm. It will pulse for 5 seconds.

Wire the outputs based on the panel zone to receive the correct notification.

Dial Capture

DualCom Pro simulates and replaces the phone line connection to the control panel’s Digi-Modem. The control panel’s Digi-Modem must use one of the following alarm formats: Fast Format*, Contact ID or SIA. In the event the control panel needs to send a signal to the ARC, the DualCom Pro will capture the message and forward it, via the Gemini Global Platform, to the ARC. The Digi-Modem must have an ARC telephone number (ie 01) and account number (ie 1234) programmed for Dial Capture to work. If you want to monitor the Dial Capture connection, you will need to connect an output configured as PSTN line fault on your control panel to one of the DualCom Pro’s inputs. That input then needs to be designated as Dial Capture Fail at your ARC.

*Please confirm the compatibility of Fast Format with DualCom Pro via your ARC.

See the Generic Dial Capture Panel Guide for detailed setup instructions.

DC09 Ethernet Connections

If the DualCom Pro is using the onboard Ethernet connection for signalling, then an add-on Ethernet module should be installed for managing the panel connection. This can be ordered via the Installer Shop

See the DC-09 TCP/IP Guide for detailed setup instructions.

Serial Panel Connections (RS232, RS485 and TTL)

See the Panel Guides section for individual panel set-up instructions.

As standard, the DualCom Pro is supplied with a serial cable compatible with Honeywell (RS485), Orisec (TTL), Pyronix (RS232), Texecom (TTL) and HKC (TTL) panels. Other panel types may require an additional cable/plug-in that can be purchased on our Installer Shop. It is possible to use pins and a serial cable together, if required.

Figure 4 – Panel Connection Information

Figure 5 – Serial Cable (RS232/485/TTL)

Using The Buttons

Once commissioned, the DualCom Pro enters the quiescent or normal state. In this state, LED 3 will show the device status, and there will be no other activity on LED 1 or 2. See Figure 3 above.

The LED colour indicates the current status:

• Green = path and system are OK
• Amber = one path in a dual-path installation is not working
• Red = error

From this state, you can:

• Press Button A to validate Path Connectivity to Gemini Global Platforms and validate Panel and ARC Handling of Path Failures.
• Press Button B to check the LAN Connectivity on the customer’s premises.
• Press Button C to generate Test Alarms.
• Press and hold Button C to execute Pin Self-Learn.

The DualCom Pro 4 will return to the Quiescent/Normal state automatically after 15 minutes if no buttons are pressed.

Path Connectivity

Press Button A once to view the connectivity. LED 1 will show the status of the primary path. If a second path is configured, then LED 2 will show the signal/connectivity status of that path.

Radio Connectivity

The LED  will show the signal/connectivity status of your primary path.

• Solid green = good signal.
• Flashing green = acceptable signal.
• Flashing amber = emergency, only/low signal available (move aerial).
• Flashing red = SIM not ready/no signal available (move aerial).
• Red = error.

LAN Connectivity

The LED  will show the connectivity status of your path.

• Solid green = good connection.
• Amber = connection to local network is good, but no access to internet/CSL.
• Red = error – check the Ethernet cable and ETH LED.

Press Button A again to return to Quiescent/Normal State.

LED 1	LED 2	LED 3
Primary Path	N/A	N/A

Figure 6 – Connectivity

Panel and ARC handling of Path Failures

This option enables the installer to demonstrate the behaviour of path failure messages being received at the ARC and the Panel.

Press Button A once to view connectivity, then:

• Press and hold Button A for 5 seconds to simulate both interfaces being down.
• Press and hold Button B for 5 seconds to simulate the primary interface being down.
• Press and hold Button C for 5 seconds to simulate the secondary interface being down.

LED 1 will show the primary interface, and LED 2 will show the secondary interface. They will be set to flash red to indicate the start of the process.

The DualCom Pro will send a SIA Communication Fail alarm to the ARC:

• YC9021 for both interfaces is down.
• YC9015 for the primary radio interface is down.
• YC9010 for the primary LAN interface is down.
• YC9032 for the secondary (radio) interface is down.

The appropriate line fault will also be triggered on the configured relay to notify the panel of the failure. Please check My Base for the relay configuration – the default is to signal the panel if both interfaces are down.

Press the appropriate button to stop the simulation. The DualCom Pro will send a SIA Communication Restored alarm to the ARC:

• YK9021, if both interfaces are down.
• YK9015, if the primary radio interface is down.
• YK9010, if the primary LAN interface is down.
• YK9032, if the secondary (radio) interface is down.

Press Button A to return to Quiescent/Normal State.

LAN Connectivity

This enables the installer to identify if there are any issues with the customer’s IT firewall configuration, which may prevent the DualCom Pro from connecting to the CSL Servers.

Press Button B once to begin the test.

If there are no issues identified, then all three LEDs will be set to green.

LED 1	LED 2	LED 3

If there is no Ethernet cable/connection, then all three LEDs will be set to flash red.

LED 1	LED 2	LED 3

If no response was received from the DHCP server or there are errors with the IP address, DNS Server, Gateway and Network Mask, then LED 1 will be set to solid red.

LED 1	LED 2	LED 3

If the DualCom Pro 4 cannot resolve the IP address of the Gemini Global Platform, then LED 2 will be set to flashing red.

LED 1	LED 2	LED 3

If the DualCom Pro 4 cannot successfully ping the Gemini Global Platform, then LED 2 will be set to solid red.

LED 1	LED 2	LED 3

If the DualCom Pro 4 cannot communicate using UDP to the Gemini Global Platform, then LED 3 will be set to flashing red.

LED 1	LED 2	LED 3

If the DualCom Pro 4 cannot communicate over all its source ports (50561-50569), then LED 3 will be set to solid red.

LED 1	LED 2	LED 3

Press Button B once to return to Quiescent/Normal State.

Test Alarms

This option enables the installer to confirm that alarms are being received at the ARC.

Press Button C once from Quiescent/Normal State to send the Test Alarms.

LED 3 will flash once. Two test alarms (SIA NR) will be sent to the ARC.

• [#123456|NRP0001|ATest alarm over main socket]
• [#123456|NRP0002|ATest alarm over aux socket]

The DualCom Pro 4 will return automatically to the Quiescent/Normal State.

Pin Self-Learn

Press and hold Button C for 5 seconds from the quiescent/normal state. This will cause the DualCom Pro to perform a self-learn, where each pin is assumed to be in the restore state. This is captured and will be used to generate future alarms and restores.

The LED C will flash amber three times to indicate the start of the process. Each pin state will then be sent to the ARC, and the LED will flash once for each.

See Pin Triggering for more information.

Interpreting the LEDs

The LEDs provide summary information as to the state of the device.

	LED Off
	Red Flashing
	Red Solid
	Amber Flashing
	Amber Solid
	Green Flashing
	Green Solid

Figure 7 – LED Key

First Time LED Sequence

As the DualCom Pro powers up for the very first time, it will run through its commissioning process. You will need to wait for LEDs 1, 2 & 3 to go green and then for the unit to reboot before configuring.

LED 1		LED 2		LED 3
	No Power		No Comms		No Comms
	Power Start Up				Comms Path Found
	Power On
					Fully Commissioned

Figure 8 – Commissioning LEDs

Once commissioned, the unit will return to its quiescent/normal state. LED 3 should be visible, and LEDs 1 & 2 will be off. LED 3 will show you whether the unit has any errors or is transmitting data.

LED 3
	An error was found on the device.
	No errors found, and the device is currently transmitting or receiving data.
	The device is in normal/quiescent state and is operating normally.

Figure 9 – Quiescent/Normal State LEDs

There is 1 additional LED labelled as PANEL.

LED	DESCRIPTION		LED DESCRIPTION
PANEL	Serial connection to the panel.		Indicates if any of the serial connections to a panel are in use. If the LED is flashing green, data is being transferred. This LED will not be lit if there is no serial integration to the panel.

Figure 10 – Additional LEDs

Radio Troubleshooting

My signal strength is 30% (3/10) or less, or my LED is orange/red. What can I do to improve it?

• Check the signal quality.
• Avoid coiling the aerial cable.
• Move the aerial away from electrical equipment/wiring.
• Move the aerial to a higher point in the property or closer to a window/door.
• Purchase and fit a high-gain aerial.

LAN Troubleshooting

Why is my LAN path not working if my Ethernet Adapter LED is flashing green?

This means the device can see it is connected to the customer’s router, but there is a network configuration error. This type of fault can be due to the below:

• The network administrator has not amended the firewall rules as required. The required information can be found in the Customer IT Survey Form.

Please refer to “Checking The Installation”, verifying the LAN connectivity for extra diagnostics.

Does my device require static IP addresses?

No, it will also work with DHCP.

Does the DualCom Pro 4 support any type of negotiation speed?

No, the DualCom Pro 4 will only support negotiation speeds of up to 100 Mbps.