A1 Alarm Panel Replacement

[Guest RichardG]

I will leave this forum now. I found the information very valuable and the home page states that the forum is open to all but I feel that the recent comments have shown that a 'novice' is not welcome on this site.

All I have tried to do is provide answers to questions that I have been asked. If this forum is for the security industry exclusively then the home page should state this.

[morph]

Richard,

I am sorry to see that you feel you are not welcome on this forum. I would disagree with you on this one, as from expierience with this forum has shown novices are most welcome after all we all have to start somewhere.

I have read your posts and the replys and would comment as follows:

The guys on this forum will all give advise that will allow you to install a system to the current standards within our industry, allbeit we are currently moving towards a european standard and until this is fully accepted we continue to work to the existing british standards for security systems. Subsequently we will all only give out advice that meets these standards whether it is to a novice or a proffesional alike.

The Electrical regulations in this country are designed to allow maximum saftey and protection to all users of the equipment. They impose various rules and conditions pertaining to the installation of equipment within this country and along with the electricity at work and Health & Safety regulations impose serious penalties on the last person who worked on the installation. Again we will only give out advice that meets these standards.

The problems and advice you asked about were answered in accordance with these rules and regulations. We are aware that you puchased a DIY system and yes years ago the instructions provided by may sales outlets left a lot to be desired. But now all systems come generally with instructions for proffesional use and these have to be read in conjunction with the current rules and regulations.

The information provided by Old Timer does comply with the said regulations and if followed would allow you have a better system with improved functionallity. If you simply refit all the detectors back into the panel so that you have only four zones then yes the system will function but would not comply with regulations at this time. You must fit a fused spur to the system when you fit the new panel, this is a requirement of the current regulations (both Security + Electrical). For example say you have a fire in the fuse box and you the insurance company come to investigate and they say it was down to the wiring on the circuit for the alarm - you tell them that it can't be, because you have just had it renewed and they say you could't have, becuse it doesn't comply with the regulations. They will not pay up because you are not competent to do this work. Or another scenario is, your friend is looking after your house, theres a power surge, they go to reset it and because of a wiring fault the case is live. They get an electric shock and cant work for six months, they claim on your insurance and they dont pay out again because you are not competent.

As far as being the novice is concerned, we are happy to help but we will only advise when the above points are met and if from the posts we feel that anyone is out there depth, then we will always advise to get a local installer in.

Colin

[Guest RichardG]

Colin,

Thank you for your comments. The fact that I have come on to the forum proves that I was eager to find out as much information as possible, mainly to establish whether I could do this myself or if I should get a specialist company in. I felt in the end that I was wasting the forum's time with my questions.

You must understand that I installed a system 10 years ago based on the instructions I was given. The system has worked very well since then and therefore, I have had no need to keep upto date on the current way of doing things. The comments I received seemed to suggest that I should have known this information.

If I decide to install a new system myself, I would obviously follow every recommendation I have been given - I am not the sort of person that 'cuts corners'.

Regards

Richard

[Guest oldtimer]

Richard

Colin,s mail has hit the nail on the head. I am sorry to see that you feel

that my mail was elite or condesending and I meant no malice in my mail.

The tone I was try to put over was " listen to your old man"

You quite rightly came on to the forum to get some info and please feel free to continue. I have no problem if you wish to mail me direct.

There is one thing that you should realise is that the engineers on this forum are on it to share information and help the novices. They do not get paid for this some do it to expand their knowledge and help people like yourself. But when it comes to electrical safety these guys do not negotiate. their main concern is yor safety and remember there is a large knowledge base on this forum I and the rest of the engineers have been there seen it and bought the T shirt.

I replied to an engineer recently on this forum when he asked if there was any electricians on the list as he was changing his DB main board if you read my reply to him it was no nonsense matter afact.

With electricity there is no second chances and as Colin said you can sell your house and 5 years later the owner is electrocuted the law is quite specific

Last Man Frees All an no discussions your on a charge of Mansloughter.

[Guest stugrip]

Richard I have read your posts please can you tell me if you have resolved you problem and how? The PCB on my AJ600 appears to have a fault if touched it sends the lights and alarm into mayhem i think the solder tracks are very fragile. I have used 6 wire cable and it is all chased in the system has worked great until now and i just need to know waht box to replace it with. Regards

Stuart