Guest RichardG Posted January 2, 2004 Share Posted January 2, 2004 I have been using an A1 AJ600 alarm for quite a few years and I must admit that it has been a very reliable system and it still works fine today. However, I believe that now is the time to update the control panel with a more robust and modern unit. My objective would be to keep the PIRs and contacts so can anyone recommend a reasonably priced control panel and bell box and also list a few suppliers. Link to comment https://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/1055-a1-alarm-panel-replacement/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldtimer Posted January 2, 2004 Share Posted January 2, 2004 First of all before you ask for a which panel to purchase you should check what you have with regards to detection devices. The A1 or TEC Diamond panel comprises of 4 zones the latest panels are 6 or 8 zones You need to check the wiring to the panel and find out how many cables you have and how many detection devices. ie 6 white cable 3 pir sensors and 4 door contact. This may indicate that you have the 3 pir sensors wired to the panel seperatly with the 4 door contact on 2 cable and the 6th cable could be the outside sounder. Also what is your technical know how because if you are a novice you could be digging a hole for yourself. My advise would be check out how the existing sytem is wired with regards to the number of cores (in the white cable) is wired to the devices / bellbox. Me thinks you could be looking at a Accenta 8 for ease of use or a Texecom Veritas 8. any way do your homework first before you dive in. Link to comment https://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/1055-a1-alarm-panel-replacement/#findComment-5681 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RichardG Posted January 2, 2004 Share Posted January 2, 2004 Thanks for your comments. The system I have has 4 zones and currently has 4 PIRs connected and 7 door contacts. I put the system in about 8 years ago and although I am no expert, I would feel comfortable in putting in a new system. I assume the fact that I have only had a few minor problems means that the system is installed ok. Thanks for the system names - I will check these out. Do you have any comments about the Melcom ST-6100 sold by Maplin? Link to comment https://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/1055-a1-alarm-panel-replacement/#findComment-5685 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted January 2, 2004 Share Posted January 2, 2004 Me thinks you could be looking at a Accenta 8 for ease of use or a Texecom Veritas 8 Oldtimer is right, either of these would be a better panel than the Melcom panel. Dont forget to change the battery in the panel and in the bell box at the same time(saves any problems later). Colin. Link to comment https://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/1055-a1-alarm-panel-replacement/#findComment-5686 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldtimer Posted January 2, 2004 Share Posted January 2, 2004 You say you have 4 pir sensor and 7 door contact so I can rell you right now that your existing system is incorrectly wired. Pir, s should not share a zone unless they special latching type units.. Best thing to do is get an 8 zone panel a new external sounder and a battery. Ensure that the mains supply is via a mains fused 3 amp (not switched) spur. Do not purchase a Maplin panel. Aso make sure each pir is wired to its own zone (this complies with the current regs and helps with future fault finding) As for the 7 doors try and break them up across the remaining 4 zones. Before you tackle anything lay the new panel and sounder on the floor. Make sure all the relivent links are in and test the panel. Once you are happy get a 2Metre 6-core cable and connect the external sounder up. When you get it to work andare confident enough you can start to install it for real. If you think I am being patronising let me explain to you that the biggest problem that the novice installer trips up on is 99% to do with the outside sounder connections and operation. So make sure you are happy with the panel and when you come install it remove a link and connect the detection device in if after this you cannot get the system to work DO NOT move on to the next circuit. Link to comment https://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/1055-a1-alarm-panel-replacement/#findComment-5687 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RichardG Posted January 2, 2004 Share Posted January 2, 2004 ok - thanks for the advice. The PIRs were set up based on the installation instructions received at the time so I can only assume that things have moved on since then. I will definately take note of your comments. The mains power is fed from it's own fused circuit. I have looked at the two systems recommended and they look ideal. I will also replace the external sounder and battery backup. As far as the PIRs are concerned, do you think these will be ok to keep or should I look to replace these as well? As mentioned before, they are 8 years old but are fully operational and not faulty. Regards. Link to comment https://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/1055-a1-alarm-panel-replacement/#findComment-5693 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldtimer Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 With regards to your lasy mail things have not moved on that much. Your system is not and was not wired to the current or past regs. Me thinks you were lucky. As for changing the PIR sensors have a look at the same panels mentioned are sometimes sold in kit form and come with 3 pirs panel , sounder, battery, spur, cable & door contacts. This can work out cheaper than buying the equipment seperatly. Also you said the panel is fed directly from its own circuit. That may be the case but the law dicates that any fixed appliance must have a point of electrical termination. ie you should be able to remove the appliance(the alarm panel) and leave the electrical supply safe. I tell you this not out of wisdom but out of safety for my fellow man. I have sen people take the light bulbs and yes the alarm system out of a house when they move and if the new occupant is "lucky" they have taped up the main cable. So lets not negotiate just fit a mains spur. Link to comment https://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/1055-a1-alarm-panel-replacement/#findComment-5694 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RichardG Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Just to clarify a couple of points. I have the instruction book in front on me and it contains a section on how to connect PIRs and magnetic contacts of the same type to the same zone. I will change this though when I re-wire. As far as the power supply is concerned, the alarm is fed directly from the main consumer unit with it's own 6 amp fuse - again, as per the installation instructions. If you would still recommend something else then please let me know. Thanks. Link to comment https://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/1055-a1-alarm-panel-replacement/#findComment-5726 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve K Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 As mentioned above - put a 3A fused UNSWITCHED spur on the end of the supply. People DO leave live bare wires hanging if the system is ever removed! A few quid now will make things much safer (and easier) in the future. . Steve Kendall Plymstock Security Systems CCTV, Intruder Alarms, Security Lighting & Access Control Covering Plymouth, Plymstock, Plympton, South Devon and South East Cornwall Link to comment https://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/1055-a1-alarm-panel-replacement/#findComment-5730 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldtimer Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Richard With regards to your last mail. Please do not quote a DIY Johnie manual on this forum and expect us to accept that it came from on high. You logged on to this forum because you wanted to install a good system in the correct manner. So here is the deal I am not going to debate wether you fit a mains spur or not because you do not have a choice legally so please heed the advise from the pros and fit the £5 fused spur from B&Q. It is the attitude of cowboys to miss out the spur, SAB module, correct size battery & tamper circuits so no one on this forum is going to encourage you to cut corners. enough said Link to comment https://www.thesecurityinstaller.co.uk/community/topic/1055-a1-alarm-panel-replacement/#findComment-5733 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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