Bellbox Battery Or Not?

[martlewis]

I've now fitted my cable runs for my premier 48, all concealed in walls and floors. Just got to install the detectors and contacts.

The panel is located in a landing cupboard. This used to be an immersion heater cupboard, big cupboard and a high top cupboard. Anyway the panel is installed in the top of the cupboard at ceiling height allowing cables to enter directly into roof space without being exposed. Initially cables were run to allow loft installation but these forums seem to recommend against that so I dropped them into the cupboard.

Main question is with the bellbox. It is right at the eaves of the roof for which I have to borrow ladders each time I need to open it. Now I'm unsure if I really need a battery in my bellbox, given the fact that it's so high and the wiring and panel are pretty much inaccessable. The panel is behind the wood lining in the cupboard so u need a screwdriver to remove an access panel to get to it.

Surelyif anyone gets up as high as the bellbox then they would just disable the sounder anyway, so the battery must be to protect from internal attacks on the panel. So do I need a battery?

[Guest rjbsec]

If you don't want your audible-only system to be vulnerable, yes you need a battery in the bellbox - is it mandatory? No.

[arfur mo]

Main question is with the bellbox. It is right at the eaves of the roof for which I have to borrow ladders each time I need to open it. Now I'm unsure if I really need a battery in my bellbox, given the fact that it's so high and the wiring and panel are pretty much inaccessable. The panel is behind the wood lining in the cupboard so u need a screwdriver to remove an access panel to get to it.

Surelyif anyone gets up as high as the bellbox then they would just disable the sounder anyway, so the battery must be to protect from internal attacks on the panel. So do I need a battery?

hi martlewis,

if you do not fit the battery in your external siren, then an intruder can enter your home and rip the panel of the wall, and silence your system easily (and they often do rip the panel of the wall in anger).

so when up that borrowed ladder, make very sure you fit the siren securely. and the lid and rear tamper contacts are really well adjusted, or you might need to ask to borrow that ladder again usually about 2 - 3 am on a frosty or raining morning.

regs

alan

[martlewis]

I've seen a panel ripped from a wall before and understand that's why the bellbox has a battery. My theory was rather, that because the panel is inacessable, and that's after it has been located (it can't actually be seen even if you look in the cupboard) then surely that has eliminated that risk? I'm pretty happy that it is secure enough not to be the point of an attack, more so i wondered if the panel is secure from attacks, is the battery in the bellbox then necessary?

I assume the battery in the panel would suffice to power the system in the event of mains failure and to sound alarm if necessary?

[bellman]

so whats to stop me from pulling the mains power to your house and waiting for the panel battery to go flat then breaking in?

It's VITAL that the bell box be battery backed up for this very reason.

Regards

Bellman

[martlewis]

Thankyou, never thought of that. The battery is going in!

[bellman]

Good Lad, You know it makes sense...

[arfur mo]

I've seen a panel ripped from a wall before and understand that's why the bellbox has a battery. My theory was rather, that because the panel is inacessable, and that's after it has been located (it can't actually be seen even if you look in the cupboard) then surely that has eliminated that risk? I'm pretty happy that it is secure enough not to be the point of an attack, more so i wondered if the panel is secure from attacks, is the battery in the bellbox then necessary?

I assume the battery in the panel would suffice to power the system in the event of mains failure and to sound alarm if necessary?

you have had the best advice, so why the reluctance? properly installed into a modern siren you should have no fear to instal the battery.

the choice is yours, accept the advice of an experienced installer who has spent over 35 years in his trade, and so the way it should be done, or ignore it!

regs

alan