B465 Universal Dual Path Communicator

Bosch's enhancements help users keep pace with changing alarm communication technology

The B465 Universal Dual Path Communicator from Bosch upgrades intrusion or fire alarm control panels to communicate via Ethernet and/or cellular connections and eliminate the expenses associated with dedicated telephone lines. It now features connectivity and programming enhancements that make it easier for dealers and integrators to help end users keep pace with changing alarm communication technology.communicator

With the B465, end users can eliminate expenses associated with up to two dedicated phone line connections per control panel, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership for fire or intrusion alarm systems.

The B465 Universal Dual Path Communicator converts the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) digital dialer, or dry contact outputs from an intrusion/fire control panel to an IP signal for transmission over the Ethernet or cellular network. The module can be powered from a 16.5 VAC transformer or 24 VDC power supply and use its built-in Ethernet connection, and/or an optional Conettix plug-in cellular module (B440/B441/B442/B443) to send reports to the central station receiver.

Dealers and integrators can now remotely program the device via Bosch’s Remote Programming Software (RPS) and have the option to use the Bosch Remote Connect Cloud Service to connect to it. Cloud connectivity to the B465 communicator eliminates the need to change customer router settings, firewall rules, or to use Domain Name Service (DNS) to access the device remotely.

Upgrading panels to communicate over IP or cellular technology reduces communication failures caused by the aging PSTN infrastructure. By replacing dedicated phone lines with cellular communication, the dealer or integrator can also create a new recurring revenue stream for data service plans, while still reducing monthly costs for the end user.

The B465 is compatible with fire or intrusion control panels from Bosch and other manufacturers as it supports multiple communication formats—including CONTACT ID, SIA, Pulse 3/1, Pulse 4/2, Modem II, Modem IIe, and Modem IIIa—as well as three options for powering the device. These allow for easy and cost-effectively upgrades for a wide range of systems. A future-proof solution, the B465 communicator supports the IPv6 communications protocol and has an interface for plug-in cellular modules, which ensures the user’s investment is protected even as communication technology changes.

For end-to-end security and enhanced safety over solutions from other manufacturers, the B465 communicator acknowledges a signal only after it is received by the Bosch receiver at the monitoring center. This provides added peace of mind for users as they are assured that any possible life safety or security risks have been communicated and received.

The B465 Universal Dual Path Communicator meets NFPA 72 standards (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code 2013 Edition) and is approved for Commercial Fire and Burglary applications as the sole, primary, or secondary communication path.