Here’s a rather unique device for protecting safes & vaults from attack by thefts.
It’s an Aritech VV602 seismic detector, based on piezoelectric sensors. Not surprisingly, this unit is covered in tamper sensors as well. There are several different sensor types in use:
- Piezoelectric vibration sensing
- Thermal sensing
- Magnetic sensing
- Manual Tamper Switches
Above is the main unit, with the thermal sensor. This is just a thermal fuse, very commonly used in everything from room heaters to hairdryers. This one triggers at 84°C. The adjustment pot is also visible here.
Above is the magnetic mounting plate used to attach the device to the safe. These units are apparently mounted over the keyhole of the safe to protect the lock, so they need to be easily removable to access the safe. This is a very strong magnet & it isn’t possible to pull it from a metal object without triggering the sensor.
Above is the piezo vibration sensor, bonded to the backplate. When the unit receives vibration or shock, this transducer generates a voltage, which is fed to the control logic below.
Here’s the reverse of the main PCB with the control logic ICs. These are basic logic gates, with a couple of comparators. One of the tamper switches is in the bottom left corner.
Main PCB with the connection terminals. Another tamper switch is in the top left corner, the solid-state relay is under the shield, next to the magnetic tamper switch. (Reed switch).
Some adjustment is provided for sensitivity. I’ve not found much of a difference in sensitivity though when it’s set to different levels.
Magnetic reed switch tamper on the right. Main output solid-state relay on the left under the shield.
This unit was given to me after it apparently went faulty. But on applying power it seems to work fine. Must be those experts again 😉
