L-8

CONTROL PANEL

USER MANUAL
 M A N U FA C T U R E D B Y:

Sydney
(HEAD OFFICE)
4/167 Prospect Highway
Seven Hills 2147
N.S.W Australia

Sydney
02 9624 3655

Brisbane
07 3343 7744

Melbourne
03 9878 1022

Perth
08 9328 2511

Copyright© by Ness Security Products

JULY 1997 V2.2

To the best of our knowledge, the information contained in this manual

is correct at the time of going to print. Ness Security Products reserve
the right to make changes to the features and specifications at any time and
without notice in the course of product development.
PA G E CONTENTS

4 INTRODUCTION
5 Terminology

6 CONTROLS AND INDICATIONS

6 Keypad
6 Buttons
6 Audible Indications
7 Visual Indications

8 O P E R AT I O N
8 Operating Rules
8 Area Operation
9 Arming the Control Panel
10 Disarming the Control Panel
11 Monitor Mode
12 Emergency Functions-Panic
13 Alarms
13 Resetting an Alarm
14 Excluding Zones
15 Including Zones
16 Alarm Memory

17 PROGRAMMING
17 To Enter Program Mode
17 To Exit Program Mode
18 How To Program Access Codes
19 How To Program Entry and Exit Times
20 To Program Entry 1 Timer (option 26)
20 To Program Entry 2 Timer (option 27)
20 To Program Exit Timer (option 28)
21 Programming Summary
22 Troubleshooting
23 Installation Record
24 Operation Summary

3
 DETECTORS & SWITCHES

Zone 1
Front door

Zone 2
Windows NESS L8 KEYPAD

Internal siren
Zone 3
Side door

L8
ALARM SYSTEM
Zone 4
Hallway

External siren

Zones 5 - 7
Hallway

Zone 8
Garage
Strobe light

17V AC plug pack Optional keyswitch Optional Panic switch Siren cover with
tamper

( EXAMPLE OF A TYPICAL SYSTEM )

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing a Ness L8 control panel proudly designed and built in Australia.
The L-8 control panel is very powerful but easy to use, utilising the latest in microprocessor
technology. Please take time to read this manual so that you understand the benefits of the
control panel.

4
 TERMINOLOGY

The micro computer based 8 zone control Monitor mode allows selected zones to be
panel forms the heart of your security system armed while leaving others disarmed if you
and connects to all other equipment. Each wish to protect a number of zones while you
zone of the panel will be connected to one or are at home.
more detection devices to protect an area such
as the front door, hallway, windows, etc. If you wish to split your alarm system into
two areas with access limited to each area by
The panel is said to be armed when it is code numbers then area operation is used.
set to detect an intruder. At other times it is
disarmed. The control panel housing and the metal
covers over external sirens are protected by
Normally a zone is considered secured. tamper switches to detect someone attempt-
Activation of a detection device will cause ing to disable the security system. Activation
the zone to be unsecured and may cause an of these switches will cause an instant tam-
alarm. per alarm.

Detectors such as fire detectors and panic If a detector becomes faulty, you can exclude
buttons must be able to generate an alarm at the associated zone so that it is totally ignored
all times regardless of the panel setting. A and cannot generate an alarm. Including the
zone with this assignment is called a 24 hour zone will enable it to generate an alarm
zone. again.

Some detection devices may only be required The control panel is fitted with a rechargeable
to generate an alarm or warning only when stand-by battery to ensure your security sys-
the panel is disarmed. A zone with this assign- tem continues to operate if the mains power
ment is called a day zone. is interrupted. This battery is checked every
hour and when ever you arm/disarm the
Before leaving the premises you must arm panel.
the panel to enable it to detect intruders and
generate an alarm. After arming, the panel When ever an alarm occurs, it may be silenced
will ignore detectors for the exit delay time by entering an access code, otherwise it will
to enable you to depart without triggering an reset at the end of alarm reset time. All alarms
alarm. are stored in memory and may be viewed at
any time by entering memory mode.
When you enter the premises the panel will
ignore selected zones for the entry delay time
and will not alarm unless you fail to disarm
the panel during this allowed time.

5
 C O N T R O L S A N D I N D I C AT I O N S

A U D I B L E I N D I C AT I O N S
Every time a button is pressed on the keypad,
it responds with a brief beep in acknowl-
edgment.

The beeper is also used to indicate whether

the entry was valid or invalid. For example,
whenever enter is pressed, all the buttons
pressed before it are checked to see whether
they are valid. If they are valid, the response
will be 3 short beeps.

K E Y PA D
The L-8 keypad consists of 18 buttons, 17 If they are invalid (or incorrect) the response
indicators and 1 internal beeper. will be 1 long beep and they will be ignored.

BUTTONS
The 10 numeric buttons are used for enter-
ing access codes and in program mode to
At other times, the beeper will sound warnings
enter option selections and values.
such as 10 beeps for a low battery or mains fail.

The Enter button is used at the end of every

button sequence to enter the button data.
10

The beeper may have been programmed to

sound continuously if an alarm has occurred.
..ENTER..

6
 V I S U A L I N D I C AT I O N S

Each of the 17 indicator lights have three possible states. These are:-

LIGHT OFF ON FLASH

ZONEs 1 - 8 Zone Sealed Zone Unsealed Zone Alarm

ARM 1 Day / Disarm Panel is Armed Monitor Mode

ARM 2 Day / Disarm Panel is Armed Monitor Mode

MAINS Normal Mains Fail

BATTERY Normal Battery Low

MEMORY Normal Memory Mode Selected Alarm in Memory

EXCLUDE Normal Exclude Mode Selected Zones Excluded

TAMPER Normal Tamper Alarm

Install Program
PROGRAM Normal Client Mode Selected Mode selected

PanicAlarm has been activated.

LINE Normal Only displayed in Memory.

7
 O P E R AT I O N

This section describes the operation of a typ- The L8 control panel allows for the 8 zones
ical control panel installation. Keep in mind to be split into two groups known as area 1
that your installation may vary depending and area 2.The two areas can be assigned
on the selected options and equipment. The access codes so that a user may have access
operating instructions which follow will endea- either of the areas or both areas. This allows
vour to cover the most common options. If for people to have access to one part of
you had any doubts speak to your installer. your premises while the other part remains
armed.
All control panel operations are controlled
by the L8 keypad except if an optional key This is known as area operation. Arming and
switch or radio control is installed. disarming is carried out as normal, you may
have keypads installed in each area and set
up by your installer so that the armed light
O P E R AT I N G R U L E S indicates the armed state for that area only.

Generally, the panel will be in the disarmed. N O T E : All zones which are active in the
Armed or monitor modes which provide armed mode always exist in one or both
different levels of security for your prem- areas, eg. even if you do not require your
ises. Three other temporary modes, program, 8 zones to be split, all 8 zones will be
memory and exclude, allow you to perform programmed to operate in area 1.
various operations. The panel will automati-
cally exit from these temporary modes if
you do not press any buttons on the keypad
within a 4 minute period.

If you make a mistake while entering any

codes, press the enter button and start again.

When you are required to enter your access

code, you are given three opportunities to
enter it correctly. After the third invalid
attempt the alarm is activated (requiring the
correct code to silence the alarm). This prevents
anyone trying to guess your code by enter-
ing random numbers.
A R E A O P E R AT I O N

8
 A R M I N G T H E C O N T R O L PA N E L

The control panel must be armed prior to 1. Normally the panel is armed by pressing
vacating the premises in order to detect Arm then Enter.
intruders. Ensure that the panel is not in
Program, Memory or Exclude modes. 2. Your installer may have programmed the
panel to require the entry of a code to arm
N O T E : If the panel is already in alarm, the panel.
you must first silence the alarm before you
can arm.

These are two methods of arming the panel:

1. C H EC K that all windows and doors are securely locked.

2. P R E S S ..Enter..
Arm
or Arm ..Enter..
code

3. The arm light should be ON.

4. L E AV E the premises within your exit delay time.
5. At the end of the exit delay time, three beeps will sound

If something is wrong when Arming the Siren Warning: At the end of the exit time,
control panel, the normal 3 beeps will be all zones should be secured. If any are unse-
replaced by other warnings. cured, the siren will sound for 2 seconds as
a warning to indicate that those zones have
• Mains power is turned off been automatically excluded. For maximum
• Control Panel battery is low security, you should return, disarm, check
• A long beep indicates an invalid entry the premises and then arm again. Continual
warnings could mean that a detector is faulty
or an alarm is outstanding and needs and may have to be manually excluded.
to be reset by entering your access
code first. If the auto-exclude option is disabled, the
siren will sound for the duration of reset
time if a zone is unsecured at the end of exit
time.

9
 D I S A R M I N G T H E C O N T R O L PA N E L

Upon entering the protected premises If one of your codes is, say, 7676 then to
through a delay zone, the keypad responds disarm press…
with regular beeps as a reminder to disarm.
You then have your programmed entry delay 7676 enter
time to disarm the panel by, Entering one
of your access codes. If the panel is not dis- If you make a mistake in entering your
armed by the end of the entry delay time, an code, then you must press enter and start
alarm will occur. You may enter your code again. Three incorrect entries will cause an
to silence the alarm. alarm.

1. EN TER the protected premises via a delay zone.

2. LI S TEN for the beeps coming from the keypad.

3. P R E S S . . . code ..Enter..

4. The armed light should now be extinguished..

The entry beeps can be disabled as a function of the installation options.

If the external strobe light (if fitted) is flashing before you disarm then this means that an
alarm occurred since you last armed the panel. Flashing indicators on the keypad also indi-
cate the location of the alarm before you disarm. Once you have disarmed, you may view the
alarm memory to check the location of the alarm. (See alarm memory page 16)

10
 MONITOR MODE

Monitor mode allows you to arm selected Monitor mode cannot be selected while in
zones while others are ignored. Typically, Program, Memory or Exclude modes.
perimeter zones (doors and windows) can be
monitored while you are at home. To exit from Monitor mode: press,
<code> < Enter> to disarm.
To select Monitor mode,
Note:
A) press <Monitor> <Enter> If an alarm occurs, while in Monitor mode,
or entering <code> <Enter> will silence the
<Monitor> <code> <Enter> alarm. This will also change the mode of
operations of your panel, so remember to
The control panel will respond with 3 beeps enter monitor mode again if necessary.
and the armed indicators will flash to indicate
that you are in Monitor mode.

1. To E N T E R monitor mode, press… Monitor ..Enter..

2. If an A L A R M occurs, the respective zone light will flash

3. To S I L E N C E the alarm
and to exit monitor, press… code
..Enter..

11
 E M E R G E N C Y F U N C T I O N S - PA N I C

For personal protection, the keypad contains 1 / Audible - activates siren or buzzers
an instant panic feature. Panic can be used or
to… 2 / Silent - activate a warning in another
part of your building.
• Scare away intruders inside
or outside your premises. To activate the panic alarm, press
<Panic> <Enter>
• Summon help from friends To silence the siren, press
or neighbours. <code> <Enter>

• Test the operation of the siren. Panic cannot be used while the panel is in
Program, Memory or Exclude mode.
The panic function may have been
programmed to be either. N O T E : Your installer may have installed
a separate panic button. To activate the panic
alarm simply press the button.

1. PANIC!

2. Press… Panic ..Enter..

3. The siren will SOUND

4. Press… code ..Enter..

The siren will S T O P

12
 ALARMS

Alarms may be caused by one of the follow- All of these may cause your sirens and
ing: strobe to operate. Various visual indications
relevant to the alarm will be retained in the
• A zone has been activated while armed memory. If this occurs, disarm your Control
• A tamper has been activated Panel which will reset the alarm. The cause
• A Panic button has been activated of the alarm can be identified by entering
the Alarm Memory Mode as described on
page 16.

Memory plus indicates CAUSE

RESETTING AN ALARM

Your panel can be reset and the alarm If you arrive at your premises and find the
silenced by entering your CODE followed strobe light flashing (if installed), reset the
by the ENTER button. panel as above. To check the cause of the
alarm, you can view the alarms in memory
by entering memory mode.

To Reset an alarm, press … code ..Enter..

13
 EXCLUDING ZONES

If a detector becomes faulty and cannot be All the lights will be turned off and then
secured when arming the panel, then its the Zone Excluded light will show a steady
zone may be excluded, ie.ignored by the light. You may now exclude zones.
system so that it does not generate false
alarms. To exclude, say, zones 4 and 8, press the
buttons…
To enter Exclude mode press, <Exclude> <Enter>
4 <Enter> 8 <Enter>
<Exclude> <Enter> Zone lights 4 and 8 will turn on.
or <Enter> to Exit Exclude Mode
<Exclude> <code> <Enter> N O T E : Excluding zones can only be done
when the panel is disarmed.

1. To exclude zones…
2. Press… Exclude ..Enter..
or
Exclude code ..Enter..
the Exclude light should be On

3. ENTER the zone/s to be EXCLUDED Zone No. ..Enter..

4. To EXIT press ENTER ..Enter..

If you make a mistake, enter the zone number again to remove it from your selection.

Zones which you exclude will be indicated by the relevant zone light showing a steady light
in the exclude mode.

N O T E : Your Control Panel may be programmed to automatically exclude faulty zones

whenever you Arm. The Exclude light will flash as a warning or memory of the auto-exclusion.
If Auto - Exclude is selected the outside Siren will sound for 2 seconds indicating a zone has
Auto Excluded.

14
 INCLUDING ZONES

Zones which have been excluded, may be To view Exclude Zones for Inclusion press,
included while you are in the Disarm modes.
<Exclude> <Enter>
All Excluded Zones are automatically
or
<Exclude> <code> <Enter>
included when the panel is Disarmed.
Thus if a detector is still faulty it must be
Excluded again.
To include, say, zones 4 and 8, press
The exclude light will flash to warn you of <Exclude> <Enter>
excluded zones. <4> <Enter> <8> <Enter>
Zone lights 4 and 8 will turn off.
<Enter> to Exit Exclude Mode

1. To include zones, press …

Exclude ..Enter..
or
Exclude code ..Enter..
the Exclude light should be On

2. ENTER the zone/s to be EXCLUDED Zone No. ..Enter..

3. To EXIT press ENTER ..Enter..

15
 A L A R M M E M O RY

The L8 Control Panel contains an compre- The memory light will illuminate and then
hensive Alarm Memory. The L8 will remem- the last 8 alarm events will be flashed out
ber Arms, low battery, mains fail and alarms. at 1 second intervals. A short beep indicates
The memory is constantly upgraded and the the next event is displayed.
last 8 events are always available for viewing.
N O T E : The most recent of the last 8
To view the memory display, enter… events will be displayed first.
<Memory> <Enter>
This Memory display can only be selected
or while the panel is in the Disarmed state.
<Memory> <code> <Enter>
N O T E : Entry to Program Mode will clear
the events from Alarm Memory.

1. To view memory , press… Memory ..Enter..

2. OBSERVE lights .
The last 8 events will be flashed out at 1 second intervals separated by a beep

The lights are used as follows:

LIGHT ALARM
Zone light Zone alarm
Arm light Panel armed
Tamper light Tamper alarm (siren cover, panel etc.)
Line light Panic alarm
Battery light Low battery
Mains light Mains failure

You can access the Alarm Memory as often as required

while the Panel remains Disarmed .

16
 PROGRAMMING

The L8 Control Panel allows you to reprogram all 15 available access codes, the 2 entry times
and your exit time.
You may need to reprogram an access code because you no longer wish a user to have access to
your system or because you want to give somebody temporary access to your system, or you may
have simply forgotten your code.
You may also need to reprogram the entry or exit times of your entry/exit zones if you find them
too long or too short.
For all other programming changes, talk to your installer.

TO ENTER PROGRAM MODE

Access code number 1 is called your master The program light will turn on and all other
code. Program mode can only be accessed lights will turn off to indicate successful
using your master code. To enter program access to program mode.
mode, press… N O T E : Access to Program mode can only
<Program> <master code> <Enter> be done from the disarmed state.

Important: The control panel will automatically exit the Program mode if no keys are pressed within a
four minute period.

To enter Program mode, press…

Program Master Code ..Enter..

TO EXIT PROGRAM MODE

Press, <Program> <Enter> NOT E : The control panel will automati-

cally exit the program mode if no buttons
The program light will turn off and normal
are pressed within a 4 minute period.
operating lights (mains and battery will turn on).

Important: The control panel will automatically exit the Program mode if no keys are pressed within a
four minute period.

To exit Program mode, press…

Program ..Enter..

17
 HOW TO PROGRAM ACCESS CODES

To program any of the 15 access codes, you When you enter your new code number the
must know a few rules first. L-8 requires that you input the code twice to
confirm a correct code.
REMEMBER :-
• All codes can be 3, 4, 5 or 6 digits long Each user access code has a 2 digit program
option number to ensure the panel can
• Codes cannot begin with a 0 (see below) identify which code number you want to
program.
• A code can be cancelled by reprogram-
ming it again with a code of 000. The options for each code are:-
Code Option Code Option
• Codes must be unique and cannot be a 1 11 9 19
subset of each other. 2 12 10 20
Eg. If a Code-2 is 1234,code-3 234 3 13 11 21
(not allowed) code-6 1334 (allowed). 4 14 12 22
5 15 13 23
• Code-1 is the master code and MUST be 6 16 14 24
programmed. All other codes are optional 7 17 15 25
8 18

To Program Codes, press…

Program 2 digit option no. ..Enter..

Code no ..Enter.. code no. ..Enter..

A long beep indicates an error has been made-start again.

Example to program code 1 to be 2468.

Prog 11 enter 2468 Enter 2468 Enter

18
 H O W T O P R O G R A M E N T RY A N D E X I T T I M E S

Your L-8 Control Panel will have zone(s) Entry 2 time can be programmed from 10 to
which are called Entry/Exit zones. These are 990 seconds in 10 second increments,
the zone(s) which you normally enter and Each one of the timers has a 2 digit program
leave your premises by. To allow you to do option number.
so without causing a false alarm, there is
an Exit Time which the Control Panel gives The current timer value is displayed by the
you to depart your premises after you Arm L-8 when you select a timer option. The
the Panel. There are 2 separate entry times value is displayed by flashing out the value
which the Control Panel gives you to Disarm on the numeric zone lights 1 to 8, 9= battery
the Panel when you have entered the prem- and 0= mains at 1 second intervals.
ises before an alarm occurs.
When you change the timer value the new
Your installer may have programmed differ- value is displayed as above. The option
ent zones with a long entry time and a short numbers are as follows;
entry time zone. (A long and short entry
time is useful if you enter by a garage or a Entry 1 timer = Option 26
front door). Entry 2 timer = Option 27
Exit time = Option 28
TO PROGRAM YOU MUST KNOW A FEW RULES:
Exit time can be programmed from 1 to 99
seconds in 1 second increments.

Entry 1 time can be programmed from 1 to

99 seconds in 1 second increments.
Programming always follows this sequence;

To view a timer, press… Value

displayed
Program 2 digit option ..Enter..

To change a timer , press…

New Value ..Enter.. New Value

Displayed

19
 T O P R O G R A M E N T RY 1 T I M E R ( O P T I O N 2 6 )

Timer 1 can be set from 1 to 99 seconds. Default time equals 20 seconds.

To view entry 1 timer value, press value displayed

Program OPTION 26 ..Enter..

To change entry 1 timer, press… New Value displayed.

New value
..Enter..

T O P R O G R A M E N T RY 2 T I M E R ( O P T I O N 2 7 )

Timer 2 can be set from10 to 990 seconds in 10 second increments.

To view entry 2 timer value, press value displayed

Program OPTION 27 ..Enter..

To change entry 2 timer, press… New Value displayed.

New value ..Enter..

TO PROGRAM EXIT TIMER (OPTION 28)

Default time equals 60 seconds.

Timer can be set from 1 to 99 seconds. Default equals 60 seconds.
Exit timer is common to all armed zones.

To view exit timer value, press value displayed

Program OPTION 28 ..Enter..

To change exit timer, press… New Value displayed.

New value ..Enter..

NOTE: Your installer may have programmed your exit timer to be programmable from 10 to 990 seconds in 10 second intervals
if you require a particularly long exit time. (Eg.,time to arm, move your car from the garage and close the door.) Simply program
your exit time as normal. It is recommended that for maximum security you should keep your exit and entry times as short as possible.
 P R O G R A M M I N G S U M M A RY

OPTION CODE D E F A U LT PROGRAMMED

Access code 1 (MASTER) P11E code E code E

Access code 2 P12E code E code E

Access code 3 P13E code E code E

Access code 4 P14E code E code E

Access code 5 P15E code E code E

Access code 6 P16E code E code E

Access code 7 P17E code E code E

Access code 8 P18E code E code E

Access code 9 P19E code E code E

Access code 10 P20E code E code E

Access code 11 P21E code E code E

Access code 12 P22E code E code E

Access code 13 P23E code E code E

Access code 14 P24E code E code E

Access code 15 P25E code E code E

Entry 1 time P26E time E 20 seconds (1-99)

Entry 2 time P27E time E 60 seconds (10-990)

Exit time P28E time E 60 seconds (1-99)

21
 TROUBLESHOOTING

SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY

Zone light on or long Zone detection device (eg. Close door or window.
beeps on arming reed switch, movement Find cause of movement
detector) unsecured.

10 beeps upon Arming. Mains power off. Battery low. Check plugpack is
Mains light flashing- plugged in and
Battery light flashing. power point on or
Call installation company.

10 beeps at any time (as above) (as above)

(mains/battery light
flashing)

1 long beep during Invalid keypad entry Press enter button &
keypad entry. re-enter

2 second siren at end Zone unsecured on Re-enter premises, disarm

of exit time. expiry of exit time system, check zone isolate
memory to determine zone
at fault.

External strobe light Alarm occurrence since Check alarm memory to

flashing. last arming of panel. determine zone alarmed.

Siren sounding when Tamper, panic or 24 hour Reset alarm by entering system
disarmed. zone, or day zone activated. code. Check panic buttons
(if Installed)-or call
installation company.

Armed/ monitor light Monitor mode entered Exit monitor mode.

flashing by mistake.

Zone excluded light A zone has been excluded. Check zone excluded
flashing memory. Arm panel with all
zones secured.

Tamper light flashing Tamper unsecured Call installation company

Alarm memory light Alarm in memory. Check alarm memory to see

flashing. cause of alarm.

Cannot access program -Panel armed -Disarm panel first before

mode. -Not using master code. entering code.
-To enter program
mode press
Prog-Master code-Enter
(see page 17)

22
 I N S TA L L AT I O N R E C O R D

Supplied by:

Phone number: Phone number:

Installed by: Date:

Optional equipment installed:

Serviced by Date Reason

23
 O P E R AT I O N S U M M A RY

To arm Arm <optional code> .. Enter ..

To disarm or Reset Alarm <code> .. Enter ..

To monitor zones Monitor <optional code> .. Enter ..

To exit monitor mode <code> .. Enter ..

To exclude zones .. Exclude .. <optional code> .. Enter ..

then <zone> .. Enter .. <zone> .. Enter .. etc.

To exit exclude mode .. Enter ..

To include zones .. Exclude .. <optional code> .. Enter ..

then <zone> .. Enter .. <zone> .. Enter .. etc.

To exit include mode .. Enter ..

Panic alarm Panic .. Enter ..

To Reset Alarm <code> .. Enter ..

To view memory Memory <optional code> .. Enter ..

The last 8 events will be displayed at 1 second intervals.

PA RT N O . 8 9 0 - 1 3 1
24