DIY Upgrade from 8 to 16 zones

July 8, 200421 yr

Hello folks,

I've been following this forum for some months and found it very useful. A couple of very good tips I've picked up on that I will implement soon - ACT1313 filter on the power supply and a Tamper Splitter to rationalise the rats-nest of wires all going to a strip of connector block. (Why don't panel manufacturers provide proper terminations for the tampers?)

But my current query is what to do about upgrading from 8 (to 16?) zones on a system I installed myself. This will be needed if my planned house extension goes ahead and/or I add some fire detectors. Currently I have an ADE Accenta G3 and all 8 zones (and PA) are used with only 1 device per zone.

From advice I've read here I've concluded that:

a) I could put multiple devices on some zones, but that's not best practice.

b) I would prefer to have 1 device per zone for easy of maintenance, etc.

c) The panel I've got isn't upgradeable, so it's fit a new one.

d) There seems to be a gap (crevasse?) at the 8 to 16 zone point with everything at 16 or above being professional grade apparently unsuitable for the DIY installer.

Can anyone advise on a suitable replacement panel, or alternative solution and ball-park costs (retail of course, not trade)? I might add that I'm a competent (but amateur) electrician and work in computers so the logic and programming are unlikely to be a problem. I certainly found the Accenta quite easy to fit, once I understood the terminology and acronyms - but every trade has that barrier.

Many thanks in advance,

Andrew