I have recently moved in a house in which I’ve inherited an alarm system based around a very old (early 90s) Veritas R8 panel. Sensor-wise there’s mainly contact (door) and shock sensors (windows) and a couple of PIRs.

However, I need to make some changes/additions, and without the master/engineer codes I realise I’m going to be unable to alter or re-program the system.

Should I be looking at changing the panel (possibly to hybrid), and try to utilise the existing wired sensors, or just start again, probably with a wireless system as the house has been altered since the alarm was fitted, making new cable runs difficult?

I have recently moved in a house in which I’ve inherited an alarm system based around a very old (early 90s) Veritas R8 panel. Sensor-wise there’s mainly contact (door) and shock sensors (windows) and a couple of PIRs.

However, I need to make some changes/additions, and without the master/engineer codes I realise I’m going to be unable to alter or re-program the system.

Should I be looking at changing the panel (possibly to hybrid), and try to utilise the existing wired sensors, or just start again, probably with a wireless system as the house has been altered since the alarm was fitted, making new cable runs difficult?

If the existing system uses wires then imho re-utilise them,one cannot beat a hardwired system as far as you can for certain issues!,by all means go for a hybrid,they are getting a lot better/reliable as they go.

If the existing system uses wires then imho re-utilise them,one cannot beat a hardwired system as far as you can for certain issues!,by all means go for a hybrid,they are getting a lot better/reliable as they go.

Thanks for that Richard. In my head I was favoring using the wired sensors as they are in-place and cover most of the entry points. I was just a tad concerned about compatibility with a modern system, but I guess if I go hybrid, I can also start again if needed and go wireless.

*goes off to look at hybrid panels*

Edited July 18, 201114 yr by richjtg