CENTURION PHOTON Smart Safety Beams Installation Guide
- June 5, 2024
- CENTURION
Table of Contents
PHOTON SMART
POCKET INSTALLATION GUIDE
Introduction
The Photon SMART infrared gate safety beams/ photocells have been designed to
provide an integral element of safety to an automated system while at the same
time affording the installer considerable freedom during the installation
process. Both the transmitter and receivers are completely wireless – being
powered via two AA Alkaline batteries each – obviating the need for tunneling
and digging for the purpose of running cables. Not only does this arrangement
allow for extremely easy installation when it comes to mounting the beams, but
it dramatically reduces material and labor costs.
**** The Photon SMART infrared beams/ photocells are only compatible with
Centurion Systems (Pty) Ltd SMART Controllers! b
Safety Instructions
- All installation, repair, and service work to this product must be done by a suitably qualified person.
- Do not in any way modify the components of the system.
- Do not leave packing materials (plastic, polystyrene, etc.) within reach of children as such materials are potential sources of danger.
- Dispose of all waste products like packing materials, according to local regulations.
- We do not accept any liability caused by improper use of the product, or for use other than that for which the product was intended.
- This product was designed and built strictly for the use indicated in this documentation. Any other use, not expressly indicated here, could compromise the service ife/operation of the product and/or be a source of danger.
- Anything not expressly specified in these instructions is not permitted. ****
Icons used in this manual
This icon denotes variations and other aspects that should be considered
during installation.
**** This icon indicates warning, caution or attention! Please take special
note of critical aspects that MUST be adhered to in order to prevent injury.
Operation
When connected to an automated system such as a gate motor or garage door
operator, the Photon SMART beams/photocells aid in preventing personal
injury, and/or property damage due to crushing, when used in a closing beam
configuration.
When used in an opening beam configuration, the Photon SMART
beams/photocells dramatically reduce the hazardous actions associated with a
gate that is opening, such as dragging or shearing.
The operation of the Photon SMART beams/photocells relies upon the
infrared beam being interrupted by a person or object and notifying a device
it is connected to via a wireless link, of the interruption.
In addition, Photon SMART infrared beams/photocells are compatible with
the unique Ambush Alarm functionality found in some of our gate operators.
These operators allow the Photon SMART beams/ photocells to act as
sophisticated perimeter security devices by activating an alarm on the
operator’s controller, or a third-party alarm system, whenever the
beams/photocells remain obstructed for a predefined period of time 1 .
1. Refer to the relevant product documentation for further information about
Intruder-detection Alarm functionality.
Technical Specifications
- Only replace with alkaline batteries; do not use rechargeable batteries.
- Circular area – assuming a parallel surface.
Physical Dimensions
Installation
7.1 Site Considerations
It is important that the beams/ photocells are mounted on surfaces that are
reasonably parallel to one another. Small differences in the angle between the
opposing parallel surfaces can lead to large offsets in alignment between the
transmitter and the receiver – the greater the distance that the infrared beam
travels between the transmitter and the receiver, the larger the offset. The
transmitter and receiver are typically mounted directly opposite one another,
but some leeway is given in the form of a wide beam being cast should absolute
alignment not be possible. 
** Centurion Systems (Pty) Ltd recommends a height of 750mm, but the height
of the beam must be tailored to suit the specific requirements of the
installation.
7.2 Removing the Cover and Preparing for Mounting Lift the front cover
off by leveraging it up from the bottom of the Photon SMART** as
illustrated. 
To expose the mounting holes, the PCB must be removed from the enclosure.
Press the red plastic lever located at the top of the enclosure as shown in
Figure 4. Store the PCB safely to prevent damage.
7.3 Mounting
Mark the mounting position of the receiver for a single or double fastener.
For masonry mounting, use a 5mm masonry drill bit.
For mounting to steel tubing, use a 2.3mm steel drill bit.
Mount the base of the receiver using the supplied hardware. Ensure that the
rubber “O” ring is used to seal the Photon SMART enclosure against insect
ingress. For double mounting screws, knock out the thin plastic film. Double
mounting screws are recommended to better locate the Photon SMART infrared
beams/photocells and prevent them from twisting.
7.4 Re-inserting the PCB
Tuck the base of the PCB into the ribs situated at the base of the plastic
enclosure. Thereafter swing the PCB into place so that the top lever prevents
it from falling out. There should be an audible “click” to lock the PCB in
position. Refer to Figure 6.
7.5 Turning on the Receiver and Transmitter The transmitter and receiver
have been fitted with a ‘power up’ jumper. In order to preserve battery life,
the units have been packed with the jumper in the OFF position. To power them
up, simply position the jumper so that it is bridging the ON and COMMON pins
as illustrated.
7.6 Indicators
The Photon SMART has an LED that provides the user with visual feedback
and is an alternative to using the Mobile Application thereby making it easy
to commission the system. To enter the Alignment Mode, the button shown in
Figure 9 must be pressed for longer than 10 seconds; to indicate that the 10
seconds have expired, the LED will turn off for a short time and then turn on
again. During the alignment process, the LED will now remain on if the Beams
are aligned and the LED will turn off if the Beams are misaligned or blocked.
To exit Alignment Mode, the button needs to be pressed for 10 seconds until it
turns on and off for a short time.
8. Commissioning the System
- Scan the QR Code in Figure 8.
- Select the App Store applicable to the operating system being used, either Apple iStore or Android Google Play Store.
- Download and install the application.
Alternatively, go directly to the app store of the operating system being used, and search for the app “MyCentsys Pro”. Download and install the application onto the smartphone.
-
Once installed, open the application.
-
From the list of operators, select the operator that is applicable to this installation.
-
Connect to the relevant operator.
-
Tap the three dots at the bottom of the screen, then enter the settings menu and tap IRBeams.
-
Choose whether this setup is for Closing IRBeams or Opening IRBeams. Closing IRBeams is set to ON by default.
-
Tap Photon SMART to begin the configuration.
-
Tap ADD NEW.
-
The application will now scan for the Photon SMART infrared beams/photocells.
It will then ask to press the button located on the top left of the receiver PCB, shown in
-
Once it is connected, it will provide the option to give the Photon SMART pair a custom name.
The beam lenses MUST be fitted on the receiver during the alignment procedure as they serve to focus the infrared beam. Failure to do so may result in an inability to achieve alignment. Refer to Figure 11. Do not screw closed until the beams have been aligned. -
Tap NEXT, and the alignment process will begin. The transmitter’s position may need to be adjusted until alignment is achieved. A minimum of 10 seconds of alignment is needed before being able to proceed.
-
Once alignment is achieved, mark the location of the transmitter on the mounting surface.
-
To prevent damage, switch off the transmitter.
-
Mount the transmitter following the steps in Section 7.3, and switch on the transmitter.
-
Tap next, and finish.
-
The paired Photon SMART infrared eams/ photocells will be seen under the IRB Photon SMART screen.
Completing the Installation
9.1 Closing
Close the units by placing the front cover onto the base as shown in Figure
10. Do not force the cover, rather place it over as illustrated.
Insert and fasten the ”shorter” screw provided to close the two enclosures together, followed by inserting the plastic cover provided as shown in Figure 12.
The installation is now complete.
9.2 Final Testing
To test the operation of the Photon SMART infrared beams/photocells,
connect to the relevant SMART Controller via the MyCentsys Pro App, block
and unblock the Photon SMART infrared beams/photocells with an object
such as your hand; the relevant IRBeam symbol on the Overview Page will
indicate if the Photon SMART infrared beams/photocells are obstructed or
clear.
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