Security Controller Install Opinion

[english_1969]

I am getting ready to install my elk in my recently built house. In purchasing the elk, I purchase a large structured wiring box (42" tall), however, I'm not sure I actually need to install it in this box. The room it is going in is a mechanical room in the basement that houses all of my HA stuff along with HVAC units and all my electrical panels.

I have a space on the wall that I've set aside for it. My electrician asked me why I just don't install it on the wall directly instead of in the box.

Any opinions on this? I have well over 32 inputs/outputs so I was going to use a DIN rail system to land the inputs, which of course, wouldn't work well in a structured wiring box.

Opinions?

Thanks,
W

 

[felixrosbergen]

I plan on putting mine in a box for neatness, but from what i understand there is not specific reason why mounting it open on a board cannot be done.

I would be a bit concerned about dust collecting on the exposed electrics of the expander cards...

 

[Lagerhead]

The box provides (1) protection for the system components and connections, and (2) some security against tampering with the system.

My system is the basement but in a relatively high traffic area at the bottom of the staircase. I use the Elk cabinet, along with plastic conduit for all of the cabling, so that nothing can be disturbed or damaged as people (family, HVAC maintenance, exterminator, etc.) pass this point. It is always closed and locked with the key not far away.

If you have the advantage of a dedicated mechanical room that gets no traffic, you probably don't need the cabinet. But even so, give particular consideration to how you will mount and protect the battery connections and the battery(ies).

 

[Steve]

Many oldtimers mount stuff direct on the wall, and still do. There is not much wrong with it and that's how they used to to telephone systems, etc. One of the problems you will run into is mounting components. Only the M1, XSP's, XEP's, etc that come in cases will mount easily on backboard. Input/Output expanders, etc you will have to custom mount since you will not be able to use any 'snap in' modules or brackets like in a can. Batteries are another issue. There is no reason a DIN rail cannot be used in a can, I was considering doing just that. The only real negative of the structured can is it limits you spacewise, so you may need to have a bigger one or several of them as you expand.

 

[PaulD]

I am building a new house which I will install an Omni Pro in. I have 2 of the 42" cans to hold the more sensitive items such as circuit boards so they will be protected from accidental damage when working around them. I will mount a number or other related items on the wall or the 19" rack I will also have in the closet. I am using one bedroom as my office and the closet will host all my electronics for my automation. I am having the builder line the closet with plywood instead of sheetrock so I will have a solid surface to mount stuff on.

 

[mustangcoupe]

I agree the can gives me a bit of additional security. I have the phone connection in conduit along with using a piece of cat5 using one of the extra pares as a tamper/cut protection on this wire. And the cabinet is also locked with a magnet sensor inside it so to alert me when the door is opened. I keep the key on my keyring so it should never open without me around!