Many of our devices have Digital Inputs. These can be connected to duress buttons or wireless duress pendants to provide a means for drivers/operators to signal duress. We do not supply duress pendants, but this article discusses some options. We have 2 key options:

1. Duress buttons, for installing in the cab of a vehicle along with the DM device.
   These are low cost and simple. In general, ANY push button to switch which closes when pressed will work. Non-latching (i.e. it doesn't lock closed when pressed) is preferable. We simply connect the push button to the digital input, and the device can detect when it is pressed.
   
   
2. Wireless pendants and receivers.
   In this case the user can carry a wireless pendant.

Duress Buttons - In Vehicle Cab

Configuring digital inputs is covered in this article - Common Concepts - Digital Inputs. For a complete walk through in setting up duress alerts in Telematics Guru - see Panic/Duress Alert on Telematics Guru. 

Examples

Notes on selecting a suitable push-button

Given pretty much any push button will work, it is up to the reseller to decide which will be best suited to the use case. Some key considerations are:

• Price
• Form factor
• Ruggedness (i.e. IP67 rated? Durable?) Consider if it's going to get dust/water in it in a harsh environment, or if drivers will be rough
• Mounting options (i.e. some are threaded so you can screw a nut to the other side to mount on a panel

Remember to TEST your Duress button function to ensure the safety function is operational and wired correctly before deployment

Wireless Duress Pendants

A Duress Pendant is used in conjunction with a programmed receiver to set a Digital input which in turn creates an alert to notify of a duress instance. This can be used in solutions such as Remote worker & Lone worker.

Most powered devices that have digital inputs, and will report on a change in input immediately can be set up for duress. E.g. Dart2, G62, G100, G120.  

DM does not supply duress pendants, but the below examples are models we have seen in use by our partners. Ensure that you conduct your own testing to ascertain the suitability of pendants for the application.

Examples of Duress Remotes

Sherltronics Panic/Duress Button with 150m Receiver	RhinoCo RXPROR4

Wiring Example: G100

Using the G100 harness to connect to the receiver module, identify the pins on the receiver and connect to the following G100 wires.

1. Connect the 12V DC Power to the 12V Receiver Pin
2. Connect the Ground to Receiver Earth
3. Connect the Blue (Digital Input 2) of the G100 Harness to the 'Normally Open' Channel of the receiver
4. Connect a Ground (Black) of the G100 harness to the Common 'Channel' of the receiver
5. If you have a second channel, you can connect the green/black wire to a second Normally Open channel and then a second Ground (black) wire to the receiver's earth to connect a second pendant, or a low battery alert configuration.

OEM Server System Parameters

To add the appropriate parameter to receive a duress alert these are the settings required:

• Function: Digital Input
• Digital Input: Input 2 - Normally free to use, check if your unit has a pre-configured Digital Input 2 being used in TG or 3rd Party Platform
• Bias Resistor: Pull-up - G100 wire is connected to Normally Open channel, Pull up to trigger
• Active Level: Low 
• Log on Active: Yes - create a log reason in telemetry when Duress triggered
• Upload on Active: Yes - create connection with server on occurrence of duress button being pressed
• Emergency Uploads: Yes - high priority upload

Some DM devices have BLE - what about a Bluetooth Pendant?

While possible, 433MHz pendants (like the examples) are preferred. They are available at a range of price points and transmission ranges.

The higher frequency BT signal does not travel as far, and can be easily blocked by surrounding buildings or other obstructions. They may not perform to the standard of a regular RF pendant, and as such they are not the preferred option.