Vintage Burglar and Fire Alarm System In A 1970’s Mansion

While doing an electrical remodel in an old mansion from the 1970’s, I came across a vintage burglar and fire alarm system that was still functional! It is a Dictograph brand system that was very high end back in the day. In this video I give a tour of the entirety of the system, demonstrating the functionality of it, and explain the devices and features of the system. I was also lucky enough to be allowed to completely remove and preserve this historical alarm setup. This is the longest video I’ve ever posted to my channel, but with good reason. There were many aspects I wanted to cover about this old technology! I really enjoyed making this video, and I hope you enjoy it also. Thanks for watching!
EDIT:
After many viewer comments providing insight on some aspects of the video, I’d like to make a few corrections:
1) The heat detectors shown throughout the video are resettable, not one time use.
2) The Ademco device shown at 26:09 is a vibration sensor (Model 11) that is still in production. I could not find any information on it for some reason when recording this video.
3) The devices shown at 6:30, 9:25, and in the epilogue of this video are motion detectors, not ultrasonic glass break detectors. In hindsight, this would make better sense as all of the windows were protected by vibration sensors. I had no idea motion detectors were available for residential uses when this system was installed!
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:00 Tour Of System
14:19 Control Panels
17:33 Setting Off The Alarm
19:26 Conclusion
19:42 Epilogue
29:25 Outro

[@ExitSign250]

After many viewer comments providing more insight on some aspects of the video, I’d like to make a few corrections: 1) The heat detectors shown throughout the video are resettable, not one time use. 2) The Ademco device shown at 26:09 is a vibration sensor (Model 11) that is still in production. I could not find any information on it for some reason when recording this video. 3) The devices shown at 6:30, 9:25, and in the epilogue of this video are motion detectors, not ultrasonic glass break detectors. In hindsight, this would make better sense as all of the windows were protected by vibration sensors. I had no idea motion detectors were available for residential uses when this system was installed! 4) The jacks on the panic stations are for use with a button on a cord. A common scenario would be in a bedroom. The panic station would be mounted on the wall while the button on a cord would be plugged in laying on a nightstand beside the bed. This allows the panic alarm to be activated easier by grabbing the button on the cord rather than to reach up and press the buttons on the station.

[@ransomha]

The motion detectors don't look like PIR, rather they look more like sonic distance sensors. Perhaps that's just the technology used in 1970s security systems, and definitely can still detect motion. I used some of those for a parking garage light once. Pretty interesting

[@NickyDrops]

I remember tryin not to trigger them as a kid. Definitely motion of sorts.

[@Rob_M_jr]

I can help with a couple things, I have been in the alarm industry for over 30 years. That ADEMCO vibration sensor is a model 11, and in fact, it is still in production. Its often used on safes, vaults and the like. The recessed sensor by Detection Systems is A DS903 passive infrared detector. And it was intended to be installed just like you found it, behind a duplex receptacle cover. I love collecting old burg and fire components too, you definitely found a few rare items!

[@ExitSign250]

I appreciate it! Wow, I spent hours trying to find information about that Ademco sensor without luck. That’s hilarious it’s a part still in production. And I had no idea about that Detection Systems sensor. In the epilogue of this video I stated that it was an early glass break detector, however in hindsight if they had the Ademco model 11’s there would be no need for a break glass sensor. (If they were even available at the time) Those being motion detectors makes better sense, although they didn’t seem to be motion detectors at first glance. I’d like to fire them up and see how they work or if I’m able to get them working. Thank you for your many informative comments!

[@Rob_M_jr]

@ExitSign250 You should be able to power that motion with 6-18vdc. The battery is not required to make them function, it was optional if you were powering the unit from 12vac, just like the photo beams from the same era. I would love to see it working!

[@ExitSign250]

Got it. I’ll do some testing. Thanks!

[@dieseldragon6756]

That's an *old* old design of PIR sensor, if that's what it is! When he took the receptacle cover off, I thought we were looking at an ultrasonic device! 😁 Mind you, I think disguising them as outlets can be a bit tricky. Remember the first one we saw? A *lot* of people have mistaken that for a usable power outlet over time... 🔌🚫🙃

[@Rob_M_jr]

@dieseldragon6756 definitely an old design, and it is 100% a pir. There was also a DS903E that had an adjustable range. Detection Systems designed it to blend in. In fact, the DS403 was a photo beam that also used a duplex receptacle cover to blend in.

[@mbcommandnerd]

6:08 - NO FREAKING WAY!!! I literally just saw a video talking about that clock the other day, and let me tell you, that thing is extremely rare and very impressive for its time! If it still works, then you’re looking at one of the most sophisticated clocks ever built! The minutes are indicated by the window on the bottom left, and the hours are on the strip at the top, which also denotes the different time zones. The middle part is a real-time day/night map that changes over time, depending on what areas of the globe are currently experiencing daytime or nighttime. And the whole thing is completely mechanical-besides the electric motor that powers it and the lamp, there’s no other electronic components in there!

[@ExitSign250]

No way! I’ve received a lot of comments about that clock/map. I’ve never seen one before and found it interesting. I’ll have to ask and see if it is planned to be removed. And if so I will attempt to preserve it!

[@mbcommandnerd]

@@ExitSign250 Awesome! It would be a wonderful addition to your collection-even if it isn’t a fire alarm!

[@ExitSign250]

@mbcommandnerd I agree! Definitely a unique piece of history.

[@dieseldragon6756]

Minor correction: Top *right* window is the minutes, bottom *left* window is the date. 😇 Also: I did the reverse of you; Seeing it in this vid prompted me to run a Goggle and look-up other vids; It's a *GeoChron* World Clock, and is indeed the one I mentioned being advertised in the FT at about £3,000.- in my own comment. 🤑 If the folks who own the house are planning to get rid of it then definitely try to get your hands on it if they'll let you. Just beware that if they glance at eBay first, you might have to barter... 💰😇

[@sioux22]

​@@ExitSign250there was also a vintage CRT tv that looked like it will be thrown out. I'd ask for that too. It looked nice.

[@publicmail2]

I installed and worked on Dictograph, some early keypads where a joke, remove 2 screws and use paper clip to short the key wires, no tamper. The early smoke detector used a regular incandescent bulb for scatter emission, the bulb circuit was monitored supervisory and when burnt out 55-0 would annunciate buzzer.

[@ExitSign250]

Awesome! Definitely neat equipment though.

[@publicmail2]

@@ExitSign250 The 120v orange neon bayonet bulb is neat in panel if not blackened.

[@dieseldragon6756]

Is that how the heat detectors seen in this video worked, too? Given they're a one-trip device my brain's thinking that some form of sealed bulb/liquid holding-off a contact is involved... 💡

[@publicmail2]

@@dieseldragon6756 They auto reset, bimetal switch 135/190F, not one time device. Identical used today in microwaves for over temp and many other devices like hairdryers along with one time over temp fuse as backup.

[@dieseldragon6756]

@@publicmail2 ExitSign250 mentioned they were one-trip in the video, but I saw your correction in another comment just now. Cheers! 😇

[@siphonralarms9411]

Okay, that is one awesome system! I’m a sucker for older alarm systems like this. My aunt’s old house use to have a 1970s Ademco burglar alarm system in it, though it didn’t have smoke or heat detectors since there were already 1990s FireX detectors hardwired into the house. The system had 2 arming stations (key switches) one next to the front door and one next to the garage door. Each door and window had a sensor in it and the hallway had an ultrasonic motion sensor. There was also a buzzer horn in the hallway as an indoor notification appliance, as well as an actual bell box on the outside of the house. The system still worked, but my aunt preferred to use the newer Napco system (Magnum Alert 1016) that was installed after she moved in back in the mid 90s.

[@ExitSign250]

Same here! They are so unique. Also that sounds like a neat system!

[@nics-systems-electric]

Very cool stuff. Interesting old system and house itself. I'm looking forward to seeing videos of this system.

[@kc7sbf]

My neighbor across the street from me had a similar but maybe a little newer system. I remember loud claps of thunder setting it off (heard an alarm bell outside). Also when painters were painting the outside of the house, they weren't aware of the outdoor key arm/disarm station and they needed to remove it to paint behind the plate as if it were a regular wall plate for a light switch or outlet, and later they were talking to the cops because they set off the tamper switch.

[@ExitSign250]

These systems definitely were sensitive and had issues. I spoke with the former owners of this mansion and they told me power outages often set off the alarm.

[@dieseldragon6756]

@@ExitSign250 On any system that's supposed to have a battery back-up, shouldn't triggering during outages normally prompt the owner to have the battery checked? The one in this system was _wayyy_ out of date by the time you'd removed it! 😇

[@ExitSign250]

With a fully functioning backup battery, the system will trigger after a power outage. However with a dead backup battery the system will not trigger after an outage. The instruction sheet on the inside of the control panels even says the alarm may activate after a power failure and it is a normal occurrence. To me this seems like a big flaw that should’ve been looked into.

[@Wire_Tech22]

I’ve only stumbled upon a system like this once, not functional though. Glad to see you were able to save the system.

[@caposey]

27:00 That one person with their bass setting and volume set to full while driving through the neighborhood:

[@kittyfanatic1980]

Thank you man for preserving this system. It’s DEFINITELY a diamond in the rough.

[@DaSamNudge]

Super cool seeing this vintage burglar system, glad you were able to preserve it!

[@YourLocalFireAlarmTech]

What an incredible find! Im glad you're able to preserve this beauty lol. My Grandmother has a vintage Amway Amgard security system in her house, that old vintage box with a knob you turn to what you want. Never heard it go off before but Id love to be able to have it one day lol. Cant wait to see this demo board!! Awesome video as always man

[@ExitSign250]

Thank you so much! I’m happy you enjoyed it. Hopefully you’ll be able to keep that system!

[@REWYRED]

That is some pretty cool old equipment! My former eleme tary school had something basic like that, one green and one red indicator on a panel in the boiler room with nothing more than a toggle switch and "hold" button to arm it.... I had seen it done.... green light on you pushed and held the "hold" button, flipped the "arm" toggle, held "hold" for a few seconds and released.... You exited through a pre determined path out of the building. I hope if they are going to that extent to renovate they put in a proper security system as well as an actual fire alarm system, even if just conventional zoned and not addressable as well as one of those newer residental fire sprinkler systems. A house this size and this well built deserves that kind of protection.

[@veganguy74]

Our house was built in the late 1950s and has some vestigial Dictograph parts, including the heat detectors in nearly every room, including the garage, the siren, window open/close sensors and a panic station panel similar to the one on the left of the two in the master bedroom of your house with 2 red push buttons and an empty jack, but no light above the buttons. The main control box is in the attic, but strangely there is no sign of any exterior or even interior key arming/disarming locks. A newer alarm system was installed after it and some of the older Dictograph parts may have been removed. Nice video! Keep up the good work!

[@HappyJigg]

Super excited for the video on the tape dialer! Detection Systems was the parent company of Radionics for a long time, but they also made their own incompatible systems at the same time.

[@hardrivethrutown]

Super cool old mansion, love the 50s-80s decor and wood paneling, and damn this old system is cool, hugely advanced for the time. Can't wait to see this tested

[@dieseldragon6756]

The World Clock seen at 06:08 puts a *lot* of context on the setting, and explains exactly why the house had an alarm. I can still remember seeing an ad for those in the _Financial Times_ in the early 1990s, at that time priced around £3,000.- and up (About $6,000.- at prevailing exchange rates of the time) or - Adjusted for inflation using the Bank of England calculator - About £7,170.- ($8,970.-) today. I'm going to guess this was installed in the late 70s or early 80s (Germany's in two parts and Russia is still the СССР, so it's pre 1989) so perhaps around the time these started becoming a popular executive item. 🗺💰🕴 I can't work out for certain *what* the owner of this house made their money on (Whatever it was, it was sometime in the late 60s or early 70s, if the alarm install date is anything to go by) but they definitely made a *lot* of it. 💰🤑💰 You wouldn't have an alarm in a house where there were no particularly valuable items and possessions (Furniture, clothing etc) were something incidental to replace if they were lost or stolen, so I'd hazard a guess - Backed-up by the sumptuously paneled room - The owner probably had a collection of fine art or similarly valuable possessions. 💎 Also: The window vibro-sensor at 26:14 reminds me of a device that used to be employed here in the UK a lot, particularly by retail premesis; The glass break sensor. This took the form of foil loops bonded to the outside edge of window that would be cut if the glass was broken - Sounding the alarm - And those strips would be connected via springs to a device very similar to this one. If these were all hanging off wires and _not_ stuck to the window/frame, chances are the same approach was also used here, but at some point the windows were upgraded (Almost certainly to double glazing) and those loops were never reinstated, making those contact points redundant. 🪟 Either way: If that clock was also being taken out, I hope to goodness it's being preserved in a museum or caring home. That's a piece of geopolitical and electromechanical history right there, and it'd be a shame to see it lost. 😇

[@JamieVegas]

3K for a backlit transparency sheet and a slow motor to scroll it?

[@dieseldragon6756]

@@JamieVegas There's a lot of detailed mechanical engineering in these and a perfectionist level of attention to detail, so they commanded (And still do) a high price. 💰 Search „Geochron World Clock“ here and go for the one that has „Clock.exe“ on the thumbnail (25 mins) 👍

[@ExitSign250]

Thanks for your comment! Yep, the former owner was a very wealthy businessman and owner of a large company. The house had many old decor of the time. I had no idea about that recessed map/clock. I found it to be interesting and something I’ve never seen before. I’ll ask about it and see if it is planned to be removed.

[@dummptyhummpty]

@16:23 Just a guess, but the switch that was probably there looks like it was pulled back into the cabinet and based on the label controlled whether Normal, Away or Nighy mode was active.

[@ExitSign250]

@dummptyhummpty Yep that is exactly what it was for. Would also make sense as there was a couple of motion detectors on the system.

[@Frog-ko6uu]

That is an awesome old house. That Geochron map clock you walked past is a really fascinating piece of tech and I hope to find a cheap one someday, though with how cheap TVs are now I might just put together a digital replica instead.

[@CoolSimasGuy]

Old technology like this were goated back in the day compared to new technology we have now. I love to see a demonstration video of that Dictograph 55 panel. I actually own one too, but has the red cabinet instead of a gold cabinet. Also, never seen those sprinkler head looking heat detectors before. I figured they use heat detectors that were shaped like harmonicas.

[@ExitSign250]

I agree, definitely robust stuff. If I’m not mistaken, the red cabinet variants of the 55-0 is the “commercial” version while the gold is the “residential.” The only differences between the two that I can find are the control switches; the rest looks identical. Yep those heat detectors are interesting. I’m pretty sure those harmonica detectors you mentioned are smoke detectors, not heat detectors. Perhaps they had a heat detector variant in the same housing. I know Dictograph sold those harmonica style smoke detectors early on, and at some point they switched to using/rebranding the Chloride Pyrotector smoke detectors like the one found on this system.

[@tangofizz77]

Never seen anything like this before, so cool. Thanks for sharing & preserving.

[@TFEAS-09]

This is absolutely awesome! I love finding old security/fire systems, especially with bells, smokes, and heats! However, I've never come across a rotary siren in one.

[@johnpanzer2034]

I worked on Dictograph when I worked alarms from 2006-2009! Our company had acquired what used to be the local Dictograph dealer in our town. We had a lot of old customers who had the single loop panels with key switches, panic stations, floor mats, fire devices, everything. I have schematics somewhere for some of the typical systems the dealer would install. I remember troubleshooting some of the wiring. Was easy when it was home run, was a pain when they ran point to point. Man this brings back memories. What town is this in?

[@user-wo7rl4nm7w]

There will be another dictograph heat detector in my dreams tonight

[@FlakFerret]

I cannot wait for the demo video! So, I am doing research for writing, and stumbled across this video that detailed EXACTLY what I was looking for. Plus, this is stuff that interests me in general.

[@mikemoyercell]

I worked for a gas station in PA that was built in the 1950's and had a Dictograph Security alarm that had the same cover plate that looks like a shield with the white and red light with a key switch by the front door. It had a dialer and a bell like the one you showed in the video.

[@larryu.4733]

The extra magnet on the window you noticed is so the system can be armed with the window opened slightly for air circulation. My Grandmothers house had this. The open window height isn't enough to climb through so raising or lowering the window any further triggers the alarm. The house also had pressure mats under the carpets and photoelectric sensors that looked like electric outlets. Cool stuff!

[@spatcherw.keyboardsandbaby8586]

Very cool, and lookimg forward to the demo board system, especially to hear the unique horn in proper workimg order.

[@publicmail2]

Back in the day merchants would string a trip wire via spring loaded reel for alarm activation 4' above the floor . And of course the foil tape circuit on windows. These were easy to defeat by a pro. Now its dual tech IR and RADAR.

[@noahfurry4146]

that was absolutely awesome

[@Georninja]

So about those panic buttons, I'm pretty sure that hole is to plug in a cord with a button at the end. Long ago, my old house had a vintage DTI DSS-52 security system and it actually had a panic cord in the master bedroom.

[@ExitSign250]

Nice! That would make a lot of sense! I might try to recreate one, thanks for the tip!

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Yes agree and yes it looked me initially like a quarter inch phone number jack as well which makes perfect sense for a panic button on a cable. Also I have seen all kinds of systems some homemade and others not and had seen 1/4 inch photo Jax used for all sorts of things that probably shouldn't have been this type of Jack in some cases. For example one system actually had 120 volts on a quarter inch Jack believe it or not and a box that had a neon indicator and a push button switch this is not alarm system but I believe this was used to indicate that someone needed help or just Communications and also the bulb could be flashed in response and then really figure out how everything worked but it was rather interesting than the last needless to say that system was discombobulated on purpose and Salvage of course along with all the other interesting gadgets and gizmos in that place. Just goes to show never think something's low voltage until it's proven its low voltage. Always test never assume! And also there was one audio system type of thing believe it was for an old radio more than likely well on this Buffalo tension and high tension and other things were on wall plates with what looks like relay or tube on the wall plates and yes the full high voltage was present on some of these contacts and there was no interlock for disconnecting high voltage Apparently the high voltage power supply was always on. And still fully operational. Later found the rest of the system including the radio and there was also speakers that could be plugged in to the system that could even control the radio remotely and also control other speakers and this is also served as an intercom system one of a kind I've never seen anything like this before but probably something that existed back in the day but not common.

[@lesleybarnes7850]

I can confirm that it is a jack for a corded panic button. when we moved to our home in 1997, the Dictograph system here was fully functional and there was a 25-30 foot long cord that could plug in to any of the jacks and had a sort of bulb shaped end with a button in the center. Before the time of remote controls! We had the dialer as well, and another type of pressure switch not shown in this video that is installed on the basement entrance, which is a trap door. Thanks for posting this video!

[@ExitSign250]

@lesleybarnes7850 Thanks for your comment! This now makes a lot of sense on what that jack port would be used for.

[@Georninja]

@@lesleybarnes7850 amazing that it still works after all these years! Most modern electronic systems don't last long.

[@user-ny1rv4ib9c]

That’s so cool!!!

[@alexandersalarms5380]

i went to an open house with an old ademco fire alarm system with bells and pyrotector smoke detectors, sadly, it was removed when the house was renovated and I didnt save it:( PS: IT had an ademco dialer btw!

[@arneminderman3770]

Great!❤❤❤ love old alarm sytems!! Thank you, the netherlands.

[@shockingguy]

Worked on so many of these things on the east side of Cleveland back in the day, suburbs, like Shaker Heights, Bratenahl, Pepperpike, Beechwood, Moreland Hills, all the upscale older old money, Eastside Cleveland, neighborhoods, full of mansions and big homes, interesting note here the city of Pepperpike even had direct connect phone lines to the City Hall for security systems, they didn’t fuck around with even giving you protection back in the 60s and 70s lots of big estates and old money

[@firealarm2903_]

This is awesome!

[@firepro-squad7778]

Awesome old systems! I can’t to see tests of it once you make a demo board!

[@GarretClaridgeMeerkat]

Really cool dude

[@AxelTheFanMan5733]

15:53 in 4 days that device will be 50 years old

[@joshlambeth9200]

This is super cool

[@fendyboi404]

I like the old outlet at 17:13, i have an earlier version from probably the 1910s that has separate holes for the tandem and parallel plugs, and it still works with no issues

[@Vintagesmokealarmsmedia]

This is really cool i knew about dictograph but alot of this is new to like the alarm witch i always thought were doorbells as ive found a few cool vid

[@zachsmith1731]

The spacing with the window contact is to keep the window open, yes, but youd open the window so the surface contact and mag are aligned. Most likely the button in the sill and the surface contacts are on the same zone. Lining up the surface contact wouldn't trigger the alarm. It would keep that zone closed but have the window open still. We still do this today!

[@grayrabbit2211]

Correction: Some of these did have improvised stay/away modes depending on how they were installed. In some installs, they'd put a toggle switch in the master bedroom suite (bedroom, bath, closet) that would let you toggle on/off the rest of the indoor sensors, along with a keyswitch for the alarm to arm/disarm. On some newer systems, they did something similar, with instant / delay being owner-selectable by a toggle switch. Not true home & away "modes" but it did the trick

[@ExitSign250]

Yes there was a rotary switch where the control panels were located to select “Normal, Away, Night” modes. It was removed for some reason. You can actually see it inside of the burglary panel in this video.

[@publicmail2]

The "siren" is a mutivibrator with a loud unique sound that will get your attention, that one is bad. Those heat detector are not 1 time use, it resets for 135F/190F detection. You can float a 6v glass matt lead acid battery vs the zinc.

[@ExitSign250]

Yep! I found that out after repairing it. It’s definitely loud and has a very unique sound. Also thanks for the info on the heat detectors. Glad to hear they are resettable. In my research of Dictograph, a couple of sources claimed the heat detectors were one time use. Not sure where this claim comes from; unless they had resettable and non resettable versions. I will test this out with the abundance of detectors I now have. I will also try out your battery suggestion. Thank you!

[@publicmail2]

@@HelloKittyFanMan wasn't referring to that one but the unique beige and gold inside sounder. The attic is a true chopper siren.

[@wigwagstudios2474]

You going to plan on making any videos on that alarm? Potentially the tape system? This is a very interesting alarm system!

[@ExitSign250]

@wigwagstudios2474 Yes! I talked about it in this video, but I plan on refurbishing every component of the system. I also plan on constructing a demonstration setup of this system that will have every aspect of it functional, including a tape dialer. There will be a video released on the setup when I complete it all!

[@publicmail2]

@@ExitSign250 The highest tech is the latching relay after alarm, so when contact is closed alarm will still sound. I added a 10 min siren cutoff to these or they ring forever.

[@andrew_radios_speakersandmore]

Putting a bedroom in the basement - ish area is really smart! (If there was a tornado, the family could sleep in the bedroom.) It's also really cool that old security companies disguised motion detectors as a wall outlet! Why doesn't this exist today??

[@GothGuy885]

LOL and if there were a tornado, they could have rigged the alarm up so that when one is detected, it would play a loud recording of Dorothy Gail screaming "ITS A TWISTER TOTO, ITS A TWISTER!!"" 😆

[@andrew_radios_speakersandmore]

@@GothGuy885 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@dawbre42]

omg save the switches and devices this is an amazing piece of history

[@tristan-knightoftheroundta3528]

saw a 1970s black and white tv in the attic

[@ExitSign250]

Good catch! There was also a large TV antenna in the attic as well.

[@aaronbrandenburg2441]

Fairly common to put the TV antenna in an attic some places did not allow them to be visible such as on the roof or other restrictions! Also I've even seen them under a deck or porch as well sometimes. Even saying FM dipole antennas installed inside walls even in other locations as well what's the weather temperature in tennis in odd places as well. Psalm 1 old system and saw something similar online once just still photos though. It was some sort of wireless system apparently the person probably was amateur radio Enthusiast or operator. Clearly had a transmitter that was operating on a amateur frequency of the day definitely would have been illegal to keep Operational. Apparently it also had other functions in addition to alarm some of this stuff was not not active even initially possibly but others were. This is not just a one-way device either it had a receiver apparently some sort of tone control system there's all sorts of gizmos and gadgets connected to this and much more everywhere in that place apparently it could even operate things such as electric door strikes even garage doors lighting and much more and could definitely read status of something such as a garage door open or closed my guess is if it was intended for the grocery closed but it was not the signal could be sent from the radio system to close the garage door and yes I've seen panels for monitoring garage door back in the day and even being open and close from say like a bedroom or a kitchen complete with indicators for opening closed sometimes even with a light indicator for the garage

[@dieseldragon6756]

I noticed that, too. It's not a patch on the 1980s TGV that I keep in my attic, though... 🚄🇫🇷❤‍🔥💨😉 (Yeah, yeah, it's a Hornby model. I make no apologies for my indominatable love of French high-speed trains, though... 😇)

[@psirvent8]

Very nice video, I love alarms too however I don't know what to add for now.

[@theericfreeze4498]

I love systems like this, i never seen any thing old but those devices that are behind outlet plates are motion sensors, ive encountered them before but they were alot smaller than the old analog ones that you showed.

[@ExitSign250]

Thanks for the input! Yeah a few viewers commented about those devices being motion detectors instead of glass break detectors. And after testing they are indeed motion detectors! Thanks for your comment.

[@jzzhang726]

That’s cool!

[@lexisnep525]

My man, you need a bench power supply for these devices! That would be so handy for testing and reverse engineering these devices. I love the content, please keep uploading things you discover!

[@ExitSign250]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your comment! So far after testing, a majority of the devices are still function with a few that I have repaired or need to repair. Stay tuned for a follow up video once everything is restored and functional!

[@lexisnep525]

@@ExitSign250 Looking forward to the next video! It's like an Internet-accessible museum with your current format.

[@prism_2903]

Very interesting video, enjoyed watching. This video also inspired me to buy a Dictograph bell light from eBay lol

[@ExitSign250]

Thanks! Glad you liked it. And I’ve seen those bell/lights before and they’re neat!

[@TheStreetCheckerDude]

Gotta say those dictograph heat detectors are very unique and very rare honestly thought they were sprinklers!😂

[@tekvax01]

A very interesting video indeed, could you also do one on the intercom system as well?

[@ExitSign250]

I am not as interested in the intercom system as the alarm system. However off camera I did attempt to operate it with no luck. Turns out the main controller for it was removed and other intercom stations were also removed.

[@TheTechPianoPlayerKid]

I remember, my grandma‘s house in Germany, had a security system, and you would arm it with the key on the outside and disarm it with the key when you come back. When you’re inside, there is a button that you pressed, which would arm the system, and then I believe You would go down to the main panel, which was halfway down the stairs and disarm it that way, or when the siren went off, you would do the same. Didn’t call the police, it was just a noisemaker, so it probably is a lot older than the security systems that I’m used to today. The main panel downstairs also had a key to arm and disarm if you wanted. I believe the siren was on the outside, and the alarm on the inside was just a loud beeping or something. At least that is what I have been told. I have no clue what brand it was.

[@ArgoSAABArgoFireSecurityMan5]

About the glass break detector put into an outlet cover, a lot of burglar alarm companies not only shoved glass breaks into outlets, they also made a version where a internal siren could be inside an outlet cover. pretty neat

[@ExitSign250]

Turns out they are actually very old motion detectors, not glass break detectors.

[@ArgoSAABArgoFireSecurityMan5]

@@ExitSign250 oh wow! I can see why they don’t do it anymore, it’s easily fooled with furniture

[@gatomatias1]

Oh! The simplicity!

[@djkarcher1896]

I hope you saved the siren as well. Other than that: For it being "dumb electronics" this thing is actually pretty smart. Quite ahead of its time, especially the glass-shatter detector thingy.

[@charleshines2142]

There were days that the heat in my attic would trigger a heat detector. It can get really hot in some of those places. Also it can get really cold in there too. Just the floor of the attic was insulated along with all other parts of the house. I don't live there any more but it would be interesting to see how much of a difference insulating that attic roof would make. Of course above the living room is a gigantic crawl space that I was never in (you could fall 8 to 12 feet if you fall through and it is a dark claustrophobic space)

[@rainbuu6854]

take a shot every time he says dictograph heat detector

[@chubbyadler3276]

I started thinking that the magnetic window switches were intentionally separated to allow the window to be partially opened when I saw them. I also figured they would be normally open insstead of normally closed like normal to allow it to be opened a bit. That was pretty much what you later found. ...though those glass breaks, I would be tempted to want to try an 18650 Li-Ion battery on, though I'm sure that a pack of AAs would work for testing. I also know we found one with no glass around, so my first thought when you started showing that one in the stairwell to the basement would be that it would be an ultrasonic sonar proximity detectors. Its placement in the starwell would have been so perfect for a sonar detector. ...though I wonder if those sonars would have been repaced every year or if they intended for the homeowner to remove them and carry them to a service center to have the battery changed.

[@ExitSign250]

Check my pinned comment for added corrections about what I thought were glass break detectors actually being motion detectors.

[@billcahill4218]

I'll be honest. If it were me, I would have integrated the panic and arm/disarm switches into the new system just because I like the look. I know that Ademco systems can arm based on a contact closure to a zone programmed as such, probably others could too. Probably would have integrated the old sounder and bell too, probably not UL compliant but what the heck LOL.

[@confuseatronica]

the gold hammer finish paint is nice too

[@jonzz100]

Watched your excellent vid a few times again, noticed a few more points that interested me: There doesnt look to be any back up battery for the security panel, unless it originally went in the space under the circuit board. Theres no zone indicators, so the occupiers have to find out where it was tripped, if set at night for instance. I like the push button panels, very elegant and simple design, and there must be some clever 'relay logic' going on to switch the alarm on or off, as it looks like just a momentary contact push button. Theres a lot of indiator lights that I guess would be lit on each panel throughout the house when set. l ike the way the whole house perimeter is protected, to detect entry as early as possible, instead of detection after entry. There is a set of instructions and circuit diagram on the steel cabinet door, it would be interesting to see this in detail in any further videos....only just a few musings that occurred to me!

[@ExitSign250]

Thanks for your comment! I’m very happy you enjoyed this video. It was definitely a fun one to make and I looking forward to demonstrating the entirety system once it’s fully restored. The security portion actually does have battery backup. It actually runs off of the fire alarm panel. I will explain this in further detail in the second part once I have the demonstration setup completed. And yep, many relays are at play in this system. Pretty much the brains of it all! I did look into those documents on inside of the panels. They were very insightful on how the system operated. Yes there is no way to tell what device (fire or burglary) activated as it’s essentially one zone. But according to those documents there was an accessory you could buy that will indicate what fire alarm device activated. Pretty much just a big indicator light panel with labels.

[@jonzz100]

Thanks for the very detailed video on this system, really interesting to see this in place and still working. Fascinating insight into how systems were installed at that time, lots of perimeter protection and just a couple of internal pir detectors. Also it looks like 'on or off' is just push buttons on the wall panels? Seems a bit insecure, unless theres keyswitches as well. Great vid, keep it up if you come across more similar stuff!

[@ExitSign250]

Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s definitely interesting how systems were both designed and installed back in the day. Yes, the interior arming stations are just push buttons on plates. The system can be easily defeated if an intruder finds these stations. The only key switches are on the exterior to arm/disarm the system when leaving or returning home.

[@GothGuy885]

@@ExitSign250 I would Assume that the system had a latching relay, so once the system was armed, or triggered, the relay would keep anyone from just pushing the buttons again, and disarming they system or Halting the alarm. and pressing a button in or on the panel would unlatch the relay again, and reset the system...

[@ExitSign250]

There was a latching relay but to reset the system (as shown in the video) you would simply press one of the arming stations or turn the exterior key arm station. The button inside of the panel is only to reset the panic alarm as said in the video.

[@gusterbrown]

Bro that tv at 10:27 is so cool! I want a CRT with dial bad

[@f1g2]

The Tour Of The System in a nutshell: "Dictograph Heat Detector"

[@ExitSign250]

They loved their heat detectors back then it seems!

[@tckr4883]

Everyone smoked..lol couldn’t use smoke detectors

[@Jensen871]

This is so cool! Just a quick thing... if you don't want your audio to get quiet when you zoom in, change the setting for the camera to record in mono audio instead of stereo.

[@ExitSign250]

Thank you! Also huge thanks for that tip. I typically use a shotgun mic when recording videos, however this was one of those situations where I couldn’t use one. (I did not have it with me) And the zooming in/audio gets quiet issue really annoyed me. I’ll try your suggestion though, thank you!!!

[@Jensen871]

@@ExitSign250 No problem! I really enjoyed the video. I just heard that and I remembered it kept happening to other people. Hope it helps!

[@ExitSign250]

Just tried it out, it works! Thanks again!

[@totallyridiculous1254]

I don’t think this mansion has enough Dictograph heat detectors.

[@ExitSign250]

Hahaha.

[@dieseldragon6756]

Could always apply the same rule to the Dictagraph Heat Detectors that the _Law Of Mötörhëäd_ lays down for the use of Umlauts... 😉 _„All Dictagraph heat detectors must have additional Dictagraph heat detectors above them...“_ 🤘🔥😋

[@Alwaysdoinit112]

he said some of them were previously removed as the renovations happened.

[@JamieVegas]

That ultrasonic sensor is for short range motion and not glass. Ultrasonic detectors like that use high frequency sound that should not reflect back. If it reflects back off of an object passing by, it triggers. Also, external keys shouldn't arm/disarm the system. They should arm/disarm a related entry point.

[@ExitSign250]

Yep! After a few comments from viewers they are definitely motion detectors and not glass break detectors. Also those exterior key switches were set up to disarm and arm the entirety of the system. They were wired together with the interior arming push buttons.

[@yinyangphoenix]

We had a Dictograph system in our house that was old by the time we moved in during 1980.

[@JyKrp]

Nice dude I really like this system did the bell do code 3?

[@ExitSign250]

Thanks! It’s definitely a unique system. The bell would ring continuously for a fire alarm, while the siren and indoor buzzer would sound continuously for a burglar alarm.

[@lukestevens7882]

They probably had heat detectors because back in the day everone smoked

[@ExitSign250]

Haha, good point. I didn’t even think about that!

[@dieseldragon6756]

You've just made me think: Was brass the _original_ colour for those?... 🚬🚬🚬🤔

[@publicmail2]

Add before this was a gold colored wind up powered heat detector bell, I have one. As noted heat detectors are for property protection only.

[@Omegamoney32]

you can build a fire panel and security panel to demo board and put devices and test it

[@KatTheFoxtaur]

Very interesting video! I love seeing old electronics like this. That exterior key arm/disarm looks extremely similar to one I had to use once or twice in a previous job at a college. So it's very possibly from the same type of system! If I may suggest however... please slow down the camera movements, stay zoomed out, and look up when you walk. You did a lot of quick motions, looking down at the floor instead of ahead, and moving in/out quickly, and it was rather dizzying to watch, interesting as the video was.

[@ExitSign250]

Thank you! Yep vintage homes and systems like this are always very fun to see. About the camera movement; I’ve received many comments about that. The sudden movements were intentional. There were many personal items in the house I did not want to record, plus this is not my home and I know not everyone would like the inside of their house uploaded for the world to see. To save on editing time and many sporadic jump cuts, I quickly panned around. Thanks for your comment.

[@jimjimmy3367]

I want to hear what the tape sounds like in the tape machine part!

[@GarretClaridgeMeerkat]

did you scoop the other bell and siren/box haha

[@jaredhincy5479]

What is the panel cabinet key number? You show it as a Chicago cabinet lock, but NOT the actual key number. At one point in the video I paused and it looks like it is 2320, but I'm curious if this is what it actually reads on the backside of the key? Thank you for correcting in your comment about the ultrasound devices. The one located in the stairwell is the most smart location for such a device, as someone walking up the stairs would trigger it immediately as the 'echo' of the space would change. Curious what you find when you figure out powering them, and how sensitive to changes they are. As you may know already, defeating a passive infrared motion sensor can be done by putting a neutral temperature barrier between you and the sensor (bedsheets work great for this), however doing such to an ultrasound detector would make you -easier- to detect! The dialer is in fact the most interesting part of that system, as you state, that is spot on. There were commercial fire alarm systems in that era that utilized tapes for evacuation messages. Some of the early 'mass notification' systems, before we even had that term for them, utilized tape under the hood. I'm aware of one brand, Thorn, that even had an 'indexed' tape, so one tape held all the messages, and it would automatically 'fast forward' to the right one to play. I am curious if this dialer just used multiple tracks on the same tape to achieve this effect. Play track 1 for burg, track 2 for fire, or similar... The auto-dialer part of it was probably an add much after the fact, as doing an auto-dial on pulse dialed POTS lines was well within the purview of a small bit of relay logic. Only once touch-tone took off (DTMF) was actual full on electronics needed in order to auto-dial.

[@ExitSign250]

Thank you for your comment! I’m very grateful for viewer’s input on various aspects of this system and I’m happy to make corrections for anything I got wrong or need to clarify on. I will look into the lock and let you know. It’s definitely a unique looking key. With a bit of assistance from some viewers who have previously worked on older alarm systems, I was able to get the old motion detectors functioning. Both work great however one is more sensitive than the other. I believe there is a sensitivity adjustment on the circuit board, but I have not tried it out yet. Yep, I am so fascinated with the tape dialer. It is a single tape with two tracks. There are two inputs: one for fire and one for burglary. I’m looking forward to making a follow up video once I have the system fully restored and in operation. I will thoroughly demonstration each aspect of the system including the tape dialer. I appreciate you reaching out!

[@uzlonewolf]

At 22:48 the key looks like 2420 to me, and a search for "Chicago 2420" brings up a 'bay listing with a close-up of a 2420 key which looks like it's the same.

[@rastewart100]

Did you save the bell and the mechanical siren?

[@Reaglesracing44_]

did you get the bell and siren also??

[@FM60260]

Did you manage to get the siren and the bell?

[@emrilbennett8704]

Neat

[@CWM030]

15:48 HA! I am watching this video on June 16th 2024!

[@britz4393]

I watched this cool video on June 19, 2024.

[@cometchris1090]

I love seeing these old Alarm systems but I do have a question. How do those heat detectors work? Do they deform as they heat up or are they like a bi-metallic switch?

[@ExitSign250]

I know! These systems are treasures. The heat detectors are essentially a bi-metallic switch. When the temperature reaches the predetermined rate (depends on the model of detector) the switch will close and cause an alarm.

[@joshuabest100]

Did you keep the siren and bell

[@majesticcrane9962]

You love this mansion

[@topher8634]

Did this house still have fuses or was it replaced in the 70s with breakers? If it still had fuse panels, those would be cool to preserve as well.

[@ExitSign250]

The house originally had fuses but those panels were all replaced in the 70’s with breakers. But yes it would be neat to keep the old fuse panels!

[@topher8634]

@@ExitSign250 that's what I was afraid of.

[@tr.firesecurity9929]

I have to ask, did you grab the amseco siren in the attic?

[@ExitSign250]

I did! Everything shown in this video, as well as some other devices not shown, were removed.

[@tr.firesecurity9929]

@@ExitSign250 Did you grab the amseco box, and the Dictograph wire spool?

[@tr.firesecurity9929]

Ademco***

[@ExitSign250]

@tr.firesecurity9929 I thought about getting both, but I never went back to get them.

[@SecureFireLABS]

@@ExitSign250ohhh ok, you should get them if you still can!

[@Lachlant1984]

Cool system. Did you not get to keep the mains powered siren?

[@ExitSign250]

As mentioned in the video, I removed the entirety of the alarm system. Including the 120v siren.

[@dieseldragon6756]

At 120v I'd only consider it _half_ mains powered... 🙃 (Admission: I live in a 240v country. The one that has plugs which are _Jolly painful_ if you step on one... 🇬🇧😉)

[@berylwhite2983]

I have just a question. I wonder if 911 was even around when that was installed. We didn't get it here until the 1980s or almost to 90s so I wonder if it was designed to call other numbers also. I it could be smarter one way than a lot of the other ones are now excellent video very very nice

[@ExitSign250]

Thanks! Good thought. Perhaps it just called the local emergency services then?

[@aerhardt]

What kind of fire protection equipment is now in the home?

[@ExitSign250]

As of right now, the home is still currently being remodeled but it is planned for standard hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to be installed. I’m not sure if a new security/fire alarm system will be installed.

[@dieseldragon6756]

@@ExitSign250 Like I said in my own comment: If the remodelling includes removing that world clock, ask them if you can save that too. Definitely worth a video in its own right, that one! 👍

[@Georninja]

Man they should've put in an addressable system and use the wiring for the heat detectors to put in addressable smoke detectors with Sounder Bases.

[@ExitSign250]

@Georninja That would be a bit excessive for a residential setting. (as much as I would love to see it though)

[@ExitSign250]

@@dieseldragon6756 I’ll look into it!

[@scottevenhiemer6849]

You can hold a lighter just under those heats to trip them and then hold a wet rag on it to cool it back down

[@topher8634]

I think the panic station allowed you to plug in a mic for a public address if im not mistaken.

[@ExitSign250]

That jack is for a plug in panic button. (pretty much just a button on a cord) Often this was used to have the panic button nearby on a nightstand for easy activation.

[@topher8634]

@@ExitSign250 after seeing other viewers comments, this made more sense. I was picturing a PA to warn an intruder or to scare them off.

[@lilbluefoxie]

did you save those old school panic buttons?

[@ExitSign250]

As mentioned in the video, I removed the entirety of the alarm system. Including the panic buttons.

[@NaoPb]

It would've been nice to hear the horn after you've fixed it. And the bell also.

[@ExitSign250]

I will demonstrate those in part two, along with demonstrating the rest of the system once it’s refurbished.

[@willpower3544]

Did you get the siren and the bell ?

[@ExitSign250]

As mentioned in the video, I removed the entirety of the system. Including the siren and bell.

[@tonipeters4543]

Very interesting, but I don't agree with 27:16 I suggest that it is an ultrasonic movement detector, not an ultrasonic break glass sensor. PIRs were around, but they were the size of a watermelon I also suggest that the window contacts are normally closed, not normally open, they were daft back in the day, but not stupid. If it was normally open you could cut the wire and the alarm would never know.

[@ExitSign250]

I have a pinned comment with corrections on a few topics in this video.

[@gusterbrown]

I believe that the plug on the first device you showed has something to do with the intercom system it looks like a mic plug

[@ExitSign250]

That is for a button on a cord. It is so you can easily activate the panic alarm from a bed or other place where it would be difficult to reach up to the panic station.

[@gusterbrown]

@@ExitSign250 ohhhhhh OK that’s super cool dude