Texecom Impaq S Shock Sensor Guide: Grade 2, Impaq S G3 and Where to Fit
A Texecom Impaq S shock sensor reacts to the vibration of a forced-entry attempt on a window frame, door frame or wall, so your alarm can respond while the intruder is still outside. The standard Impaq S is certified to EN50131-2-8 Grade 2, and the Impaq S G3 (AEL-0001) is Texecom's Grade 3 version for higher-risk homes and commercial premises.
What does a Texecom Impaq S shock sensor do?
Most detectors react once someone is inside: a PIR spots body heat moving across a room, and a door contact triggers when a door opens. A shock sensor works earlier, responding to the jolts of levering, drilling or striking the frame or wall it is fixed to.
Impaq sensors pair Texecom's VIBER accelerometer technology with digital signal processing. Our Impaq SC listings explain that VIBER is tuned to shock travelling through the structure while ignoring high-frequency airborne noise, which helps cut false alarms. It also senses movement on all three axes, which piezo-based sensors cannot, so it can be mounted whichever way round suits the job.
The Impaq S range at a glance
| Model | Codes | Type | EN50131-2-8 grade | Colours listed at Zenith |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impaq S G3 | AEL-0001 | Wired shock sensor | Grade 3 | White |
| Impaq S | AEJ-0001, AEJ-0002, AEJ-0003 | Wired shock sensor | Grade 2 | White, brown, anthracite grey |
| Impaq SC | AEK-0001, AEK-0002, AEK-0003 | Wired shock sensor with magnetic contact | Grade 2 | White, brown, anthracite grey |
| Ricochet Impaq SC-W | GJA-0001, GJA-0004, GJA-0005, GJA-0014 | Wireless shock sensor with magnetic contact | Grade 2 | White, brown, anthracite grey, black |
Impaq S G3: the Grade 3 option
The Impaq S G3 is Texecom's Grade 3 wired shock sensor, aimed at high-end homes and commercial premises. EN50131-2-8 sets demanding performance tests for shock detectors on many types of surface. Texecom says the G3 goes beyond them, and Kiwa Telefication has independently certified it to Grade 3. Its headline features are:
- A familiar, modern design that Texecom describes as easy to install
- VIBER accelerometer technology backed by digital signal processing
- Five digital sensitivity settings to choose from
- An LED-assisted setup routine to help you set the sensitivity
- End-of-line (EOL) resistors built in
Texecom also lists the ability to "Switch Seamlessly Between Grade 2 & Grade 3 Devices". The announcement does not say how this works, so check the installation manual first.
We stock the Texecom AEL-0001 Impaq S G3 wired shock sensor, which Texecom supplies in white.
Impaq S and Impaq SC: the Grade 2 workhorses
The standard Impaq S is a wired shock sensor independently certified to EN50131-2-8 Grade 2. In January 2022 Texecom rolled out two upgrades. First, the Impaq S moved to normally closed wiring, so alarm and tamper can be wired as separate circuits. With its built-in EOL resistors, one certified Grade 2 sensor can then suit any installation.
Second, upgraded Impaq SC units have a blue circuit board printed with the product name, making the two models easy to tell apart, while upgraded Impaq S packaging carries a New Wiring symbol. As the change was phased in, check the board or box to confirm which version you have.
The Impaq SC adds a magnetic contact to the shock sensor, so one device reports both an attack on the frame and the door or window being opened. As well as EN50131-2-8 Grade 2, our product page lists EN50131-2-6 Grade 2 and PD6662:2017 Grade 2.
Grade 2 or Grade 3: which do you need?
The EN 50131 series grades alarm equipment by the level of risk it is designed for. Grade 2 is the usual choice for most homes and lower-risk businesses. Grade 3 is meant for higher-risk premises, such as commercial sites holding valuable stock, where an intruder may be better equipped. A system is generally only as high a grade as its lowest-graded part, so a Grade 3 detector gives Grade 3 protection only when the panel and other devices match.
In practice, the grade is usually set by the installer's risk assessment or by your insurer, so check with them before you buy.
Where to fit an Impaq S shock sensor
Fit shock sensors where an intruder is most likely to attack, such as:
- Window frames, especially ground-floor and rear windows
- Door frames on back doors, patio doors and side entrances
- Solid walls, for example a wall a shop or unit shares with a neighbouring building
Texecom built the G3 to perform on a wide range of surfaces, and our Impaq SC listing gives window frames through to concrete as examples. Use the five sensitivity settings and the LED-assisted setup to match the sensor to the surface, and follow Texecom's installation manual for wiring, mounting and testing.
Shock sensors raise the alarm during the attack, so pair them with PIRs and contacts that cover the inside if someone does get in. Compare options in our intruder alarm detectors range.
Prefer wireless?
On Texecom Ricochet wireless systems, the Ricochet Impaq SC-W wireless shock and contact adds Ricochet mesh signalling to VIBER shock detection and a magnetic contact. Our product page lists EN50131-2-8 Grade 2, a typical three-year battery life and a roller shutter input. Stock varies by colour, including a Midnight Black version.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Impaq S and the Impaq S G3?
The standard Impaq S is certified to EN50131-2-8 Grade 2. The Impaq S G3 (AEL-0001) is certified to Grade 3 under the same standard by Kiwa Telefication, and Texecom aims it at high-end homes and commercial premises.
Can a shock sensor replace a PIR detector?
No. A shock sensor protects the perimeter by detecting an attack on frames and walls, while a PIR detects movement inside a room. Most systems benefit from using both.
Do Impaq S shock sensors need separate EOL resistors?
No. Both the Impaq S and the Impaq S G3 have EOL resistors built in. Since Texecom's January 2022 upgrade, the Impaq S also uses normally closed wiring with separate alarm and tamper circuits.
How can I spot an upgraded Impaq S or Impaq SC?
Units from Texecom's January 2022 rolling upgrade have new circuit boards. Upgraded Impaq SC boards are blue with the product name printed on them, and upgraded Impaq S packaging carries a New Wiring symbol.
Buy Texecom shock sensors from Zenith
We stock the Impaq S G3 alongside the Grade 2 Impaq S and Impaq SC, plus the wider Texecom range. Not sure which model suits your job? Contact our team for help.
Source: Texecom news on the Impaq S G3 Grade 3 wired shock sensor and product enhancements to Impaq S series shock sensors.
