(In a nutshell, How can I make proper burglar alarm panel zone input circuit?)
Hi everyone. Last couple of months I have been designing burglar alarm system for personal use.
I came acrosss a small problem and I hope you guys could help me.
My problem is that I dont know how to design zone circuitry properly. I know that they are basically just voltage divider circuit.
Let assume that we have zone 1 (Z1) and com (COM) screw terminals as usual. Z1 is +12V and COM is 0V/GND.
(I draw simple schematic to make it easier to figure out what I'm trying to ask)
For example lets use LM339 comparator. (Is there any specific IC designed to do this kinda thing?)
LM339 is used as window comparator, high threshold +7V, low threshold +5V. Between those two voltages everything is ok. Voltage divider gives out +6V.
If burglar shorts sensor wires, comparator input is at 0v and thats fine since "Input common mode voltage range includes ground"
but when sensor trips (contact opens) there will be +12V in comparators input. Is that a problem since LM339 V+ is also at +12V?
Does that even matter since we are not detecting near the V+ rail?
Do comerical panels even use separate IC or do they just use 5V zone voltage and drive it directly into analog input of MCU?
If my approach is completely wrong or if anoyone knows exactly how comerical alarm panels do this thing, let me know.
This was probably most confusing question, evar! Thanks.