Requesting Advice

[the-oneil]

Hi everyone I am new here and this would be my first post. I have been reading these forums for the last 3 days and found them very informative indeed.

My current 12 years old intruder alarm (a Gardtec 300 series) consists of

A Control unit with built in keypad & internal sounder (located under the stairs cupboard)

3 PIR (in Kitchen, living room & landing) + 2 door contacts (front & rear doors) +External sounder

Last week, the alarm woke me up at 2:00am, so I went downstairs and discovered that power has been cut to the alarm. It is on the same circuit as the downstairs power sockets. Every time I tried to flip the switch back up, it would remain there for few seconds and drop down again triggering the alarm.

I do not know if the alarm is faulty and is tripping the switch or if I have a problem with my electricity? If I do have an electric problem which is causing the fuse box to trip and therefore cutting power to the alarm system, would this trigger the alarm?

I have 3 questions:

1- Do I seek assistance from and electrician or from an Alarm company?

2- If I am to upgrade/replace my alarm system to a grade 2 that is PD6662 compliant; am I right in assuming that I can replace all my sensors as well as the control unit, but can keep my cables?

3- Can someone recommend a system for me within a budget of around

[Chorlton]

hello & welcome

thanks for the + feedback.

I'm no help but other members who are will no doubt be along soon enough to help you out.

C.

[james.wilson]

1.

i would suggest it probably isnt the alarm at fault but if you want to be sure.

You should have a fused spur adjacent to your control panel (to allow isolation), remove the fuse from this and try and restore your breaker. If it restores then the fault would appear to be with the alarm. If not then it aint the alarm.

But its highly likly to be a plugged in appliance, washing machine, fridge, cooker hob, etc etc. Isolate (unplug) all the devices you can.

If no joy then id call an electrician. Alarm company will only be able to help if its the alarm.

2.

Probably assuming they are ok. SHould be but unknown to us here without seeing it.

3.

Not really as no-one can advise without seeing your property etc. We may be able to make genalised statements but that would be it. I assume your previous company didnt service it? IF they did and your happy with them then id suggest you give them a call. If not then id suggest you find a couple of local (Id say NAcoss Gold firms cos we are) approved companies, ideally that have worked on you neighbours or friends houses. ANd ask them to quote. They will come and have a chat, see your place and advise accordingly. Anything we do here without anymore info is guesswork

James

[ian.cant]

I would doubt its the alarm but it could be, just as much as it could be something like the kettle.

Process of elimination, unplug everything plugged into the downstairs sockets, and reset the tripped switch.

If it doesnt trip its not likely to be the alarm, if it does then you need a new panel at least. But i suspect it wont.

Then go around plugging stuff back in till it trips again then youve found the culprit (something is overloading the system one way or another, any outside lights?)

If its not something like the kettle call a sparky or if your not sure call a sparky.

[the-oneil]

Thank you James

What if I tell you that I have the power sockets downstairs on two circuits, One of them has the alarm on it, and some other sockets but none of them are used - and none of them works now.

The other circuit has all my appliances connected and all are working fine?

Does that mean it is definitely the alarm that's tripping the switch board? I checked the board just now and all the switches are up - except the large middle one that says RCD protected circuit, what does that mean.

I am very sorry as I am not technical at all and am therefore useless with electricity

[james.wilson]

it sounds like you have a split board and that the rcd is tripping and stopping supply to the rcd protected side of your board. Unless you have water in your alarm i really wouldnt be looking at that first. For some reason everyone seems to think any fault to do with anything in their home is caused by their alarm lol

Not saying it isnt but its rare. and there are more commen things its likly to be.

You say nothing is plugged in? are you sure?

ALso you may have some hardwired equipment, pond pump/filter maybe on a fused spur, external lighting, boiler, supply to outbuilding etc

[the-oneil]

Ok

Here is what I have just done

I have removed the fuse from the Spur connected to the alarm

I flipped back up

Then here is what happened

The RCD switched remained in the Up position and the power has now returned to the sockets.

Another switch flipped down (it is marked LIGHTS), but ALL the lights inside the house are working and so are all the plugs!!

The only thing I cannot test are the lights outside the house, as it has not been working for a long time now (they have no bulbs) and it is possible they accumulated water.

But, why would the alarm go off, if these lights trip the switch?! Also, is it possible that these lights (simply two small lights) are connected to their own circuit?

[james.wilson]

if you look your rcd will be protecting half your board, ie if you switch that off then all the breakers to the left OR right will be dead as the are all protected by that rcd. So a fault on any rcd protected circuit will trip the rcd and power down ALL protected circuits even if they are not at fault.

Sounds like you do indeed have an issue with that circuit that is now off..... and not your alarm (see i told you everyone blames their alarm first god knows why)

[goncall]

Ok

Here is what I have just done

I have removed the fuse from the Spur connected to the alarm

I flipped back up

Then here is what happened

The RCD switched remained in the Up position and the power has now returned to the sockets.

Another switch flipped down (it is marked LIGHTS), but ALL the lights inside the house are working and so are all the plugs!!

The only thing I cannot test are the lights outside the house, as it has not been working for a long time now (they have no bulbs) and it is possible they accumulated water.

But, why would the alarm go off, if these lights trip the switch?! Also, is it possible that these lights (simply two small lights) are connected to their own circuit?

that breaker could be for the alarm only,or it could be for something else and the alarm, only by looking in the db could you tell(dont take the cover off the db,leave it to a sparky) also depends on your db does the rcd protect all the circuits,do you have another rcd adj the db..whats the amp rating on the breaker that is off

[Rulland]

OK you have proved that it's NOT the alarm-the fuse is out and a breaker marked up 'lights' is tripping-on past experience a breaker marked 'lights' could be anything-I've seen some things in my time from so called 'electricians'-And no I'm not knocking the majority just a minority!!.

Called out the other day to a fault with the 'alarm'-got there, plugged lappy in to check log-power lost to alarm at XXXX, comms lost to keypad at XXXX, bell on at XXXX-yep the panel had lost power-breaker 'tripped'-not down to the alarm but a electrical contractor putting in a fused spur for a cashpoint!!!!!!!!!!.

18 hours after he flucked my power the alarm died-not after beeping and moaning at the customer that somat wasn't right-the customer still chose to ignore it!!!!!.

Anyway after showing the customer the log and proving a point he STILL moaned at having to pay my bill for the callout etc.

I digress though!!LOL

Richard.