Texecom
Premier Elite Grade 2/3 Alarm Panels — UK Market Leader with Wintex IP Configuration
Texecom (Burscough, Lancashire, UK, founded 1997) manufactures the Premier Elite series of intrusion alarm control panels, which hold the largest installed base of Grade 2 and Grade 3 alarm systems in the UK residential and commercial market. Their panels are CPNI-approved, NSI and SSAIB contractor-installable, and widely specified by architects and loss adjusters for insurance-compliant alarm systems throughout the UK and Ireland.
Role in our panels
How we use Texecom
The Premier Elite 64-W is Texecom's most widely installed panel, supporting 64 zones, 1000 users, and 8 areas. All Premier Elite panels use the Texecom COM serial bus (RS-485, proprietary protocol) for connecting expansion modules, zone expanders, and the COM-IP Ethernet communicator. COM-IP provides TCP/IP connectivity for Wintex remote configuration software (Windows) and SmartCom remote access. Configuration uses the Wintex PC application over USB or IP — there is no web interface or app-based setup comparable to KNX ETS6. Integration with smart building systems: the most reliable Texecom → KNX integration method uses hardwired dry contacts. The Premier Elite series includes 4 programmable outputs on the main panel (OP1–OP4) and up to 32 outputs via TEX-COMIP-OP8 output modules. These are wired as normally open (NO) contacts to KNX binary inputs (e.g. ABB SA/S 8.16.5.1 input module or MDT BE-TA55K8). ETS6 logic on the binary input converts the contact state: panel armed → DPT 1.001 true → KNX group address → ABB SA/S 8.16.5.1 activates "Away" lighting scene (all lights off, HVAC to eco setpoint). Zone alarm → DPT 1.005 scene recall → panic lighting scene at 100%. The SmartCom module enables IP-based event reporting to the Texecom Connect cloud and — via the open-source texecom2mqtt project — MQTT publication of zone states, arm status, and alarm events to a local MQTT broker. texecom2mqtt communicates with the Premier Elite panel via the SmartCom module on TCP port 10001 using the Texecom Connect protocol. Home Assistant reads these MQTT topics as alarm_control_panel and binary_sensor entities. A Node-RED flow or HA automation then writes to KNX via the HA KNX integration: zone alarm state → KNX 1-bit group address for visual indicator outputs. The Premier Elite 168-W extends the range to 168 zones across 16 areas with 8 SmartZone wireless receivers (each handling up to 32 wireless detection heads). Texecom's Ricochet mesh wireless protocol operates at 868 MHz (European SRD band) with frequency hopping spread spectrum, achieving 200m open-air range and two-way supervised communication — quarterly tamper self-test confirmed by return acknowledgement. Battery life for door/window contacts is claimed at 5 years (CR123A lithium). Wireless zones are treated identically to wired zones in the panel for Wintex programming and external integration.
Texecom panels connect to KNX via: (1) OP1–OP4 dry contact outputs → KNX binary inputs for zone/arm state → ETS6 group address logic for lighting/HVAC scenes; (2) COM-IP module → texecom2mqtt → Home Assistant → KNX IP integration (all events as DPT 1.001 bits or scene recall DPT 18.001); (3) Output modules driving strike plates, mag-locks, and door holders with KNX occupancy logic also controlling access timing for multi-tenant office entry.
Used in these project types
Texecom products
Key components we install
Premier Elite 64-W
Texecom's most widely installed panel: 64 zones, 1000 users, 8 areas, Grade 2 and Grade 3 certified (EN 50131-1). COM serial bus (RS-485) for zone expanders and COM-IP module. 4x programmable output contacts (OP1–OP4, NO/NC, 12V DC at 50mA or volt-free for dry contact wiring to KNX binary inputs). Wintex PC configuration via USB or COM-IP over TCP/IP. DIN-rail mounted back box or surface housing. Supports wired zones only on base panel; add COM-IP for IP transmission to ARC. CPNI-approved when installed to Grade 3 specification. NSI and SSAIB contractor-installable. Used in residential Grade 2 and commercial Grade 3 installations throughout the UK and Ireland.
Premier Elite 168-W
Extended capacity panel: 168 zones, 1000 users, 16 areas, up to 8 SmartZone wireless receivers (each handling 32 Ricochet wireless devices). Ricochet mesh wireless at 868 MHz (European SRD band), frequency hopping spread spectrum, 200m open-air range, two-way supervised communication with quarterly tamper self-test. Battery life 5 years on CR123A lithium for door/window contacts. Wireless zones programmed identically to wired zones in Wintex — no separate software required. COM serial bus for zone expanders, COM-IP, and SmartCom. CPNI-approved for Grade 3 commercial installations. Used in multi-tenant office buildings, large commercial premises, and high-risk sites requiring Grade 3 certification.
COM-IP Ethernet Communicator Module
Adds Ethernet (RJ45) connectivity to Premier Elite panels via COM serial bus. Enables: Wintex remote configuration and management over TCP/IP (port 10001); dual-path IP + PSTN/GPRS event reporting to Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC); SmartCom remote access via Texecom Connect cloud. COM-IP connects to the COM serial bus inside the alarm panel housing — no additional power supply required (bus-powered). Supports port forwarding (residential/SME) or VPN access (enterprise) for Wintex remote sessions. Ethernet watchdog monitors LAN connectivity and triggers GPRS failover for Grade 3 ARC reporting. Used in all installations requiring remote configuration, IP ARC reporting, or texecom2mqtt MQTT integration.
SmartCom Wi-Fi/IP Module
Wi-Fi and Ethernet module for Texecom Connect cloud connectivity and local API access. Communicates with Premier Elite panel via COM serial bus. TCP port 10001 (Texecom Connect protocol) used by: Texecom Connect cloud app (zone status, arm/disarm, event notifications); open-source texecom2mqtt project (publishes zone states, arm status, alarm events as MQTT topics to local broker). Home Assistant integrates via MQTT: alarm_control_panel entity (arm/disarm via MQTT command topic), binary_sensor entities for each zone. Node-RED or HA automations then write to KNX group addresses via HA KNX integration. Used in residential smart home installations where per-zone status and user arm codes are required beyond simple OP1–OP4 dry contact integration.
Ricochet Wireless Zone Expanders (868 MHz, mesh)
Texecom's Ricochet wireless ecosystem for Premier Elite 168-W: SmartZone wireless receivers (up to 8 per panel, 32 devices each) connect via COM serial bus. Ricochet devices include: door/window contacts (CR123A, 5-year battery), PIR motion detectors (dual-element, anti-mask), shock sensors, smoke detectors, and keyfobs. 868 MHz frequency hopping spread spectrum, AES-128 encryption, mesh topology (devices relay signals through neighbours for coverage in thick-walled buildings). Two-way supervised: panel polls each device quarterly for tamper self-test, confirmed by return acknowledgement — missed acknowledgement triggers tamper alarm. All Ricochet zones programmed as standard zones in Wintex (zone type, area assignment, output mapping). Used in retrofit installations, Grade II listed buildings, and large commercial premises where cable runs are impractical.
Texecom FAQ
What is the difference between Texecom Grade 2 and Grade 3 certifications?
Grade 2 (Premier Elite 64-W with standard configuration) meets EN 50131-1 requirements for average-risk environments — typical residential and light commercial. Grade 3 (Premier Elite 168-W with Grade 3-specific tamper and anti-masking detectors) meets requirements for high-risk commercial and sites where insurers specify enhanced alarm grades. Grade 3 requires: CPNI-approved installation company, more frequent maintenance visits, additional tamper detection on all peripheral devices, and secure communications channels to the ARC. Texecom's Grade 3 approval is CPNI-certified and recognised by UK insurance underwriters.
Can Texecom panels integrate with KNX without using SmartCom or cloud?
Yes — the most reliable offline integration uses the Premier Elite's built-in programmable output contacts (OP1–OP4) wired directly to KNX binary input modules. This is 100% hardwired with no IP dependency: panel arm state closes OP1 contact → KNX binary input detects closed circuit → ETS6 sends group address value → ABB dimmer module activates 'Away' scene. This method works regardless of network connectivity and is recommended for safety-critical applications where the alarm state must reliably reach KNX actuators. The texecom2mqtt/SmartCom route is used when richer event data (zone-by-zone status, user arm codes) is needed.
Does Texecom work with Wintex remotely over VPN?
Yes. Wintex (the Windows-based configuration and management application) can connect to Premier Elite panels over TCP/IP via the COM-IP module on port 10001. For remote access, the panel's LAN connection must be port-forwarded (port 10001) or accessed through a VPN — port forwarding is common in residential/SME installations while enterprise sites typically use VPN to the site LAN. Texecom also supports IP transmission to ARCs directly via COM-IP, eliminating the need for PSTN/GPRS backup in modern installations where Ethernet is reliable (with Ethernet watchdog and GPRS failover recommended for Grade 3 ARC reporting).
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