The Power of Grade 3 Security Sensors

At OPTEX we strive to offer the best in intrusion detection by providing a variety of sensors to fit every site and risk requirements. In our current product portfolio, we offer two series of fully certified Grade 3 sensors, the REDSCAN Mini and the FlipX Advanced.

They are both designed to be extremely reliable and resistant in high-risk settings where intruders are likely to be more experienced and have specialized tools or in-depth knowledge of security systems. In this article we will explore these two sensor series and their innovative features, and explain how they meet Grade certification and why they are a great option for advanced security.

REDSCAN Mini

The award-winning REDSCAN Mini is our compact laser detector using LiDAR technology for accurate and precise detection. It works by creating a ‘virtual’ laser wall or plane with a detection area of up to 20x20meters.

So how and why has REDSCAN Mini been certified as a Grade 3 sensor? The simple answer is that it does a great job at detecting elaborate attempts to get past it by experienced intruders. A key requisite of a Grade 3 certification is the sensors ability to withstand, and report attempts of tampering or damage. During the setup stage, REDSCAN Mini analyses its environment and records a ‘snapshot’ of that environment which it stores and remembers. Any attempts to rotate it, mask it by putting something over the lens or dirtying it will alter how it sees the environment in comparison to its initial snapshot, causing an alert. It will also alert of any damage received or if the system suddenly shuts down, for example due to wire cutting – leaving intruders with virtually no options of getting past undetected.

FlipX Advanced

Part of our latest indoor range, the FlipX Advanced (FLX-A-AM and FLX-A-DAM) uses passive infrared technology (PIR) to detect intruders based on temperature changes in its environment with a detection area of up to 24m. The sensors provide the ability to create two types of detection areas: wide (up to 18m) and narrow (up to 24m), with just one sensor. This is especially useful for high security sites to protect large vulnerable entry points such as windows by creating a narrow corridor detection zone for that specific area.

Nevertheless, FlipX Advanced outperforms other standard PIR sensors due to its innovative pyroelectric sensor and higher sensitivity settings. The bespoke pyro sensor features our human catch element which creates human sized detection areas, meaning that only genuine threats trigger alarms, and nuisance alarms caused by small animals or weather changes are ignored.

Grade 3 sensors offer the highest and most reliable level of security due to their ability to withstand experienced intruders and their innovative features allow for a higher level of security. The OPTEX philosophy is that it’s crucial to be able to trust in your security and know that it won’t fail you when you most need it, this is what we have tried to achieve with our Grade 3 sensors and would recommend them for sites where there is a high level of risk.