Introduction to the Texecom CGC-0001 Speech & Text Dialler and its key features
Texecom CGC-0001 Speech & Text Dialleris a compact PSTN alarm communicator designed to add reliable voice and SMS alarm reporting to Texecom Premier and Premier Elite intruder alarm systems. Built for installer-led residential and small commercial systems, the CGC-0001 combines traditional telephone-line signalling with modern notification options: up to four bespoke voice messages and up to four short SMS alerts, plus a common site-details message. It also supports listen-in/talkback, remote touch-tone access and straightforward configuration via Texecom Wintex software. CTR21 telecom approval (REN 1) ensures compatibility with UK PSTN networks where PSTN remains in service.
Key selling points at a glance:
- Voice + SMS reporting:Up to 4 recorded voice messages (32 seconds each) and up to 4 SMS alerts (32 characters each) for clear, immediate notification.
- Remote control and monitoring:Listen-in/talkback and touch-tone remote access allow authorised personnel to verify and manage events remotely.
- Installer-friendly configuration:Upload/download settings with Texecom Wintex for fast commissioning and maintenance.
- CTR21 approved:Telecom-approved for UK PSTN connections (REN 1), simplifying compliance and installation checks.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The CGC-0001’s specification sheet is purpose-built for straightforward alarm reporting without unnecessary complexity. Below is a concise breakdown of the product’s key specifications and the practical benefits each delivers.
- Part code: CGC-0001 — a compact add-on communicator for Texecom Premier and Premier Elite panels.
- Product type: Speech & text dialler — combines human-readable voice reporting with concise SMS alerts.
- Telecom approval: CTR21 (UK networks) with a REN rating of 1 — approved for the UK PSTN, helping ensure predictable behaviour on legacy telephone lines.
- Dialling formats: Pulse or DTMF — supports older and newer telephone exchange behaviours.
- Configuration: Upload/download via Texecom Wintex — installer-friendly and familiar to technicians working with Texecom systems.
- Voice messages: Up to 4 messages, each up to 32 seconds — enables tailored voice notifications for different alarm conditions or zones.
- SMS messages: Up to 4 alarm SMS (32 characters each) plus a site-details message — quick, text-based alerts suitable for mobile recipients or monitoring staff.
- Supply voltage: 10–14 V DC — compatible with standard alarm panel supplies.
- Current draw: 35 mA standby, 100 mA active — modest consumption that fits typical alarm power budgets.
- Trigger inputs: 4 configurable trigger inputs (positive applied or removed) — allows mapping of multiple alarm conditions to separate messages or SMSes.
- Trigger voltage range: 5–24 V DC — flexible for different panel output levels.
- Programmable outputs: 2 open-collector outputs, switched -VE @ 100 mA — useful for local signalling, remote reset logic or integration with additional peripherals.
- Dimensions: 140 mm × 115 mm × 30 mm — compact enclosure suitable for mounting inside control panel enclosures or adjacent enclosures.
- Packed weight: ≈ 360 g — lightweight for simple site handling.
Benefits in practice:
- Redundancy for critical alerts:Voice messages give a human-readable confirmation of an event, while SMS ensures recipients without voice access still receive immediate text alerts.
- Fast, clear response:Listen-in/talkback lets keyholders or monitoring centres verify alarm conditions before escalation, reducing false dispatches and improving response quality.
- Installer control:Texecom Wintex compatibility speeds up setup and maintenance, and the unit’s straightforward wiring and modest power draw simplify integration into existing Texecom systems.
Use cases and scenarios where the CGC-0001 excels
The CGC-0001 is particularly well-suited to several practical situations where voice confirmation and SMS alerts provide clear advantages:
- Residential alarm systems:For homeowners who want immediate voice confirmation to a nominated contact or the monitoring company, the CGC-0001 delivers a human-readable message that can reassure or mobilise a fast response.
- Small commercial premises:Retail shops, small offices and storage units often need low-cost reporting with clear verification. The CGC-0001 provides both voice verification for on-call managers and SMS alerts for mobile staff.
- Sites without IP or reliable mobile coverage:In locations where IP or GSM signalling is not preferred or unavailable, a CTR21-approved PSTN communicator remains a dependable option while the unit’s SMS feature can be used where a mobile gateway is available.
- Installer-managed monitored systems:Installers and monitoring stations benefit from programmable inputs and outputs, allowing customised reporting for specific zones and automated responses tied to outputs.
Comparisons with similar products and alternative approaches
When choosing an alarm communicator, it helps to understand categories rather than just individual models. The CGC-0001 represents a PSTN-based voice and SMS communicator; alternatives fall into two primary categories: IP-based communicators and GSM/cellular communicators.
- PSTN (like the CGC-0001):Advantages include simplicity, well-understood signalling and CTR21 approval for UK networks. It is ideal where a dedicated line is present or where legacy infrastructure is used. Limitations are dependence on the telephone network—many sites are migrating away from PSTN in favour of IP or cellular services.
- IP communicators:Offer faster digital reporting, often AES-encrypted paths to monitoring centres and remote management over broadband. They are ideal for sites with reliable internet connections but can be vulnerable to outages if no fallback channel exists.
- GSM/cellular communicators:Provide independence from fixed lines and are useful where no PSTN or reliable broadband exists. They typically support SMS and data reporting, but depend on mobile coverage and may incur ongoing SIM/data costs.
The CGC-0001 compares favorably for sites prioritising voice verification and simple SMS functionality over IP or cellular complexity—especially where PSTN is still the primary, cost-effective connectivity option. For installers seeking multi-path redundancy, combining a PSTN unit like the CGC-0001 with an IP or GSM fallback solution is a common approach.
Customer feedback and installer impressions
Publicly available formal reviews for specific communicator modules are limited, but installer and end-user feedback tends to focus on a few consistent themes:
- Reliability:Installers report that CTR21 approval and robust PSTN behaviour make the CGC-0001 predictable on UK lines, with dependable message delivery when the line is present.
- Ease of configuration:Technicians appreciate Wintex compatibility for quick upload/download of configuration and recording of voice messages during commissioning.
- Useful verification tools:Listen-in/talkback and concise SMS alerts are frequently called out as practical features that reduce false alarms and provide rapid situational awareness.
Example anonymised comments drawn from installer feedback channels might read: "Straightforward to wire and program via Wintex — the voice messages are clear and the listen-in feature has helped avoid unnecessary keyholder callouts." Another typical remark is: "Ideal for small shops where a PSTN line is still in place — SMS lets me notify the manager quickly while the voice message gives the monitoring team more context."
Conclusion — why the Texecom CGC-0001 is a strong choice
The Texecom CGC-0001 Speech & Text Dialler is a well-targeted communicator that fills a clear niche: reliable PSTN-based voice and SMS alarm reporting for Texecom Premier series systems. It combines practical features — up to four voice messages, four SMS alerts, listen-in/talkback, and Wintex configuration — within a compact package that meets UK telecom approval requirements.
For installations where PSTN is available and voice verification is valued, the CGC-0001 offers a cost-effective, installer-friendly solution. It is especially relevant for residential and small commercial clients who want both human-readable voice messages and fast text alerts without moving to a fully IP or GSM approach. Installers should be mindful of broader telecom trends (PSTN to IP migration) and confirm line compatibility with the local telecom provider before commissioning, but for the right site the CGC-0001 remains a capable and efficient option.
Suggested retail guidance: the communicator is positioned as an affordable add-on to Texecom alarm panels, with an indicative RRP around £174.50 — representing a cost-effective way to add verification and notification capabilities to a monitored alarm system.
Whether you are an installer specifying a solution for a small shop, a monitoring company seeking clear voice verification, or a homeowner wanting concise SMS alerts and the reassurance of listen-in capability, the Texecom CGC-0001 is a pragmatic choice that balances functionality, compatibility and ease of installation.
