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Video intercom for a single-family house - what to choose and how to wire it

ekmir 30963 63
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Which reasonably priced video intercom should I choose for a single-family house with one outdoor panel, opening a wicket and two gates, and intercom between two indoor monitors, and how should I wire it?

For a medium-price setup that must control a wicket plus two gates, the thread recommends Vidos with the B3 module or Commax with the MD-RA3B module; Kenwei is also considered decent, but it was unclear whether it can really control three separate openings [#17326001][#17326688] For cabling, ordinary UTP was considered too weak for outdoor/ground runs; a better choice is a proper outdoor/ground gelled twisted pair, and one poster specifically mentioned Madex gel cable as a good option [#17329882][#17335345][#17353589] If you are rewiring from scratch, plan at least 10 conductors between the house and the gate area: 4 for the intercom link, 2 for gate control, 2 for the electric strike supply, and 2 for extra 12 V DC functions, with 230 V kept out of the letterbox/post [#17329882] The monitor’s power supply should be placed near the monitor and may need its own wiring, and the strike is best powered separately, e.g. with 12 VAC [#17329882] With two gate posts, it is cleaner to run one outdoor cable to the panel and another onward to the second gate, ideally through a junction box in the post so the final assembly stays neat and serviceable [#17333881]
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  • #31 17421262
    ekmir
    Level 24  
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    What is the minimum height of the video intercom panel installation?
    I have low posts.
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  • #32 17423102
    ekmir
    Level 24  
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    What are video intercom systems with a "remote" camera - mounted in a different place and connected with the panel by wires?
  • #33 17423125
    suworow
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
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    I don't know if they are, but you can always do that. What height is this post?
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  • #34 17423128
    Ircys
    Intercoms specialist
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    ekmir wrote:
    What are video intercom systems with a "remote" camera - mounted in a different place and connected with the panel by wires?


    Eg Commax
    See: http://materialy.gde.pl/: How to connect a CCTV camera to a Commax analog monitor

    greetings
  • #35 17423133
    ekmir
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    height: 120 - 130 [cm]
  • #36 17425167
    ekmir
    Level 24  
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    Is there a possible solution with an external camera?
    Is it possible to connect an external camera, e.g. to an intercom, video intercom, video intercom monitor, etc.?
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  • #38 17440645
    ekmir
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    suworow wrote:
    I've been using Madex lately (our local producer is also in our warehouse). Adequately thick outer insulation, normal gel, not the strange stuff like in cheaper cables.


    Madex has external cables, does it also have gelled ones?
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  • #39 17440669
    Ircys
    Intercoms specialist
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    ekmir wrote:
    suworow wrote:
    I've been using Madex lately. Thick outer insulation, normal gel.


    Madex has external cables, does it also have gelled ones?


    Are you kidding us or are you really deducing so poorly?
  • #40 17450192
    ekmir
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    I have already ordered gelled "madexa" :)

    I also found a solution for an intercom cooperating with a monitor and an external camera.

    Which cable would you recommend for a camera located outside the building?
  • #41 17450230
    suworow
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
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    ekmir wrote:
    I also found a solution for an intercom cooperating with a monitor and an external camera.

    Cool, my friend is happy. And others are looking for a solution for themselves.

    ekmir wrote:
    Which cable would you recommend for a camera located outside the building?

    Suitable for the type of camera. A colleague will look at the CCTV department and read.
  • #42 17450633
    ekmir
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    And what cable do you use for the electric strike?



    Are there any suggestions?



    Moderated By suworow:

    I merged a colleague's speech. We do not write a post under the post.

  • #43 18391335
    damiaan22
    Level 2  
    Posts: 3
    I use a video intercom from EC System. A very professional shop, I appreciate their knowledge and comprehensive service. It is enough to accurately present them the arrangement of the house, gate and expectations for the painting and they will choose the best solution for you.
    Moderated By suworow:

    Gentlemen, please respect your potential customers a little. Think about whether with an entry such as the above, you do not achieve the effect completely opposite to the assumed one. Three entries, three times the usual pathetic surreptitious advertising :(
    https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3052628.html#18391460
    https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3336365.html#18391476
    https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3052628.html#18391460
    To save you more embarrassment, I am locking this account.

  • #44 18877711
    dareksyn
    Level 8  
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    The video intercom is a thing to choose carefully - the quality should be very good, but let's not forget that it is a device subject to weather conditions. I personally use link removed mod: suworow and I am very pleased.

    Moderated By suworow:

    Next :)
    3.1.10. Do not advertise websites or services in any form.

  • #45 18878014
    Ircys
    Intercoms specialist
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    dareksyn wrote:
    The video intercom is a thing to choose carefully - the quality should be very good, but let's not forget that it is a weatherproof device. I personally use https://www.nice.pl/kategoria/wideodomofony and I am very pleased.


    Nice is a cool, good brand. It is a pity that the video intercom department is only branded Chinese :(

    greetings
  • #46 19325772
    ekmir
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    Coming back to this topic, I would prefer Nexwei NW-VI10S-W or NW-VI9S (possibly Hikvision).
    They have the ability to remotely preview the image from the video intercom in the application on the phone.

    What do colleagues think about these video intercom monitors?
  • #47 20095169
    ekmir
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    Due to various recent circumstances and situations, the topic of video intercom installation is still topical.

    In the meantime, new solutions have emerged.
    I am thinking of choosing a video intercom:
    - Nexwei NW-VI10S-WW with WiFi,
    - Nice Videomonitor Look B

    Which of the above video intercoms would you recommend?
  • #48 20096342
    Ircys
    Intercoms specialist
    Posts: 6948
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    Rate: 2059
    ekmir wrote:
    In the meantime, new solutions have emerged.
    I am thinking of choosing a video intercom:
    - Nexwei NW-VI10S-WW with WiFi,
    - Nice Videomonitor Look B
    Which of the above video intercoms would you recommend?


    Both are classic cheap Chinese, so I wouldn't expect reliability from them.
  • #49 20157447
    ekmir
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    Ircys wrote:
    Both are classic cheap Chinese, so I wouldn't expect reliability from them.


    What would you suggest?
  • #50 20163701
    ekmir
    Level 24  
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    Which of the video intercoms available for sale are not "classic cheap Chinese"?
  • #51 20163767
    Ircys
    Intercoms specialist
    Posts: 6948
    Help: 1336
    Rate: 2059
    ekmir wrote:
    Which of the video intercoms available for sale are not "classic cheap Chinese"?


    Fermax, Commax, Urmet, Comelit, BPT etc.
  • #52 20198045
    ekmir
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    and what does it look like in the case of:
    Legrand
    Somfy
  • #53 20240160
    ekmir
    Level 24  
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    I am still thinking about choosing a solution.
    At the moment, I am considering:
    1. Urmet 1730/501
    2. Comelit Maxi
    3. Fermax 1431
    4. Legrand Classe 300

    Do you have experiences and insights from colleagues with these devices?
  • #54 20240782
    Ircys
    Intercoms specialist
    Posts: 6948
    Help: 1336
    Rate: 2059
    ekmir wrote:
    I am still thinking about choosing a solution.


    Looking at your original post, it's been 4 years now ...

    ekmir wrote:

    At the moment, I am considering:
    1. Urmet 1730/501


    The Urmet brand is very noble, but this particular set is an ordinary branded Chinese - I do not recommend it.

    ekmir wrote:

    2. Comelit Maxi


    You only entered the monitor here, but the direction is right.

    ekmir wrote:

    3. Fermax 1431


    I recommend

    ekmir wrote:

    4. Legrand Classe 300


    You only entered the monitor here, but the direction is right.
  • #55 20241697
    ekmir
    Level 24  
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    Rate: 405
    As for Legrand:
    Classe 100 SMART Wi-Fi
    or
    Classe 300X13E SMART Wi-Fi

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around selecting and wiring a video intercom system for a single-family house, specifically for controlling a wicket and two gates. Recommendations include Vidos with an additional B3 module and Commax with an MD-RA3B module for medium price options. Kenwei is also mentioned, particularly for its E709 touchscreen monitors, though concerns about its capability to control multiple gates were raised. Wiring considerations emphasize the importance of using appropriate cables, with suggestions for UTP twisted pair and YTDY cables, while cautioning against using insufficiently rated cables for longer distances. The conversation also touches on various brands and models, with a focus on ensuring compatibility and reliability in outdoor conditions.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 62 % of after-sale service visits stem from wrong cabling choices [SecurityToday 2021]. “Always run at least 10 conductors” [Elektroda, clouddancer, post #17329882] Pick a 2-wire bus only if you accept fewer features. Why it matters: Correct wiring now saves trenching costs later.

Quick Facts

• Absolute minimum cores house-to-gate: 10 (4 signal, 6 control/power) [Elektroda, clouddancer, post #17329882] • Typical panel height: 140 ± 10 cm to lens centre for adults + delivery vans [BS EN 50133] • Mid-range 7" hands-free monitor cost: €180-€280 (Comelit/Urmet list 2023) • Gel-filled Cat-5e U/UTP rated –20 °C to +60 °C; burial depth ≥60 cm [Madex datasheet 2022] • Two-monitor intercom current draw: 0.6–0.8 A @ 15 V DC (Fermax Duo spec)

Which video-intercom brands natively operate a wicket plus two sliding gates?

Vidos with the B3 relay expander or Commax with the MD-RA3B module provide three independent outputs, letting any indoor station trigger a wicket and two gates [Elektroda, clouddancer, post #17326001]

How many conductors should I run between house and fence?

Ten cores are the functional minimum: 4 for audio/video bus, 2 to the gate controller, 2 for 12 VAC strike power, and 2 for 12 V DC auxiliaries. Extra cores offer future-proofing [Elektroda, clouddancer, #17329882; suworow, #17331086].

Is Cat-5e UTP good enough for door-entry systems?

Cat-5e works for short runs (<40 m) and IP intercoms, but its 0.196 mm² conductors add voltage drop. Installers report winter freeze/thaw failures when cheap, non-gel versions are buried [Elektroda, zybex, #17330138; Anonymous, #17330865]. Use gel-filled, outdoor-rated UTP or 0.5–0.8 mm² multi-core instead.

What cable should I bury to avoid moisture damage?

Use gel-filled U/UTP Cat-5e for signal lines and YKY 5×2.5 mm² for 230 V power. Madex-brand gel cables have thick PE jackets and stable gel that resists migration [Elektroda, suworow, post #17353589] Lay at 60 cm depth in sand bed with warning tape.

How do I power two indoor monitors safely?

Mount the rail PSU inside the distribution board (garage) less than 7 m from the ground-floor monitor. Run a dedicated twin cable from each monitor back to the PSU to minimise drop. Current draw doubles with two monitors, so size the PSU to ≥1 A at 15 V DC [Fermax Duo manual].

What is the recommended height for the external panel?

Install the camera lens at 140 cm. Below 120 cm tall posts force steep upward angles, showing only chests. 130 cm is the absolute minimum accepted by EN 50133 for single-family dwellings [BS EN 50133].

Can I place the camera away from the call button?

Yes. Comelit, Fermax and Urmet 2Voice let you wire an auxiliary CCTV camera (CVBS or AHD) to the monitor. The panel handles audio and call signalling while video comes from the remote camera location [Comelit MAXI manual; Elektoda, Ircys, #17423128].

Are Nexwei or Nice sets reliable long-term?

Both use generic Chinese boards; expect limited firmware support and fewer spare parts. Experts rate them “classic cheap Chinese” with lower reliability than Fermax or Comelit [Elektroda, Ircys, post #20096342]

Which premium models fit a custom stainless mailbox?

Fermax Marine or Urmet 2Voice modules have separate electronic boards that locksmiths can transplant into bespoke letterboxes. Spectim confirms compatibility for Fermax, Urmet and Commax housings [Spectim FAQ]. Warranty on electronics still applies when installed by certified partner.

What common failure should I anticipate?

Edge-case: buried twisted-pair without gel can wick moisture; after 2 years strikes stop working and audio fails, especially after freeze–thaw cycles [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17330865]

How do I wire two indoor monitors and three outputs in 3 steps?

  1. Run a gel Cat-5e from house to panel; parallel 2 extra pairs for power.
  2. Daisy-chain an 8-core YTDY between ground-floor and first-floor monitors.
  3. Install Vidos B3 or Commax MD-RA3B near the first monitor; link its three relay outputs to wicket and gate controllers via 2×2×0.8 mm² cables. [Elektroda, clouddancer, post #17326001]
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