Technical Terms

[Guest Dobbin]

Hi

I have just joined the forum and been reading through all the excellent advice that has been given by the experts.

I am having a house renovated and I would really like to fit my own alarm system.

Whenever I do anything like this for the first I like to gather as much information on the topic that I can. That's where this forum (and Dave's website) is so really useful. I cannot find any other resource with so much information for a first time installer.

That in mind I would like to start by asking about some of the technical terms that I have come across in my search, that I don't fully understand. Could some of you experts out there give me some further information so that I can understand them better.

Dave - this might also be a good idea for the website (a list of technical terms and explanations for newbies).

Well here I go

1. EOL (End of Line?) zone wiring

2. Communicator interfaces/modules (e.g. 8 Channel Communicator Interface with Line Monitor)

3. Upload/Download via PC

4. Remote Output expander

5. Relay Module Provides 8 additional relay switch options

6. Expansion module providing two iD

[Smoke Screen]

Also SMShield do a SMS module that can be retrofitted and programmed.

I think the url is www.smshield.com

[breff]

Sounds like someone has been reading some gumpf for a texecom premier panel to me!!

[dpaengineer]

Sounds like someone has been reading some gumpf for a texecom premier panel to me!!

62786[/snapback]

Quoted for agreement

[Guest Dobbin]

Thanks for the replies especially yours Peter. You have explained most of my questions very well.

A couple of questions though :

a) Q5 - What sort of outputs? (can you give me an example?)

B) Q6 - I was asking a friend who works for the Electricity Board about installing alarms and he mentioned something about biscuits (see above). I thought he was talking about digestives! So maybe he knows a lot more and is able to give me more help if I need it?

c) Q9 - Can someone give me some help on this one? (Texecom Premier)

Breff - spot on. A Texecom Premier.

The Texecom Premier seems to give me all the facilities I will need from an alarm system and seems quite a professional board.

My plan was to source all the components and price them and then get some quotes from local Security ALarm Companies to supply and fit exactly the same components (or I will source and just get the fitting).

That will give me some idea of the cost of fitting.

Another alternative is to do as much of the strightforward stuff that I can and then get an expert to do the 'fiddly bits' (if there are any).

I know that a lot of you out there will think that it cannot be done by an amateur, but I have been a computer engineer for over 20 years now (I remember the CP/M OS! - most of you won't have a clue what I'm talking about!) and I know how to understand an installation manual. I am also a software engineer and write commercial computer programs and scripts in several languages. I presume that all of the devices and the System Unit will come with their own installation manuals. I intend to stick with ALL Texecom conponents so I will only have one supplier to deal with. Will Texecom not provide some technical/installation advice if I need it?

Surely most of the job will require

1) positioning the device (PIR, contact, keypad, smoke alarm etc)

2) positioning and installing the control unit.

3) connecting a wire from the device to the control unit

4) programming the control unit.

or am I missing something here?

Dobbin

[Guest]

Sounds so simple on paper.

Best bet would be to have a word with installation companies before looking at buying things yourself. Most companies don't like customers trying to work out their profit margin and cost of fitting, it doesn't work like that. Some companies will prefer to fit their own equipment which is trade sourced only and won't support customer supplied equipment.

[Guest Dobbin]

Lurch

Great name. I remember you from the Addams family!

I understand what you're saying but it comes across that installation companies want to keep things secretive and not above board?

If I do my research and find exactly the equipment I want why would I want a security alarm company telling me that I dont (or the only devices they will use is 'y'). If they couldn't supply and install what I specified I would find that out in my initial call to them and wouldn't invite them to tender.

Surely me knowing the price of things shouldn't be a problem because I would think that they can source the equipment a lot cheaper than me anyway? There must be companies out there that are prepared to do a fit only (even if their usual profit made on equipment is added to the fit price).

Anyway. Thanks for your input.

Dobbin

[Service Engineer]

Glossary

As requested..

[Guest]

I understand what you're saying but it comes across that installation companies want to keep things secretive and not above board?

62824[/snapback]

Yes, and no. Be no point having an alarm if everyone had access to all the information about all the alarms fitted everywhere.

If I do my research and find exactly the equipment I want why would I want a security alarm company telling me that I dont (or the only devices they will use is 'y'). If they couldn't supply and install what I specified I would find that out in my initial call to them and wouldn't invite them to tender.

62824[/snapback]

That's completely the wrong way to go about it. If someone fits another make day in, day out they will be able to provide a more efficient service, better support and be more willing to make it do exactly what you want as it will be what they do all the time. If you start trying to find another company that will fit what you want you may be losing out on someone fitting a better system for you at a better price.

Surely me knowing the price of things shouldn't be a problem because I would think that they can source the equipment a lot cheaper than me anyway? There must be companies out there that are prepared to do a fit only (even if their usual profit made on equipment is added to the fit price).

62824[/snapback]

No, because most companies won't provide a warranty on customer suplied parts. If your panel went faulty withing the manufacturers warranty and you supplied it then most companies would charge you to diagnose the fault, then charge you to replace it, once you had sorted out a replacement. If they supplied the kit most would replace it as part of their overall materials and worksmanship warranty.

All your doing is trying to save money, when in the long run it could quite well cost you more. As I say, get some prices in first. You don't really need to know how the alarm does what it does, or not to the extent that you need to to be able to specify the components yourself. You're a step ahead of yourself, you need to work out what you want the alarm to do, then call some companies to see what equipment they can provide to fulfil these needs.

[Guest Dobbin]

Thanks Stuart

I accept the points you are making.

However I seem to have got off the point here a bit!

What I am looking for here is some help and support while I carry out this DIY project. I know there will be many of you that look down on DIY installers and your advice will always be "Go to the experts". Well that is easy advice to give for an expert. It doesn't take any effort to have a laugh at the efforts of a DIY installer (or a cheap laugh at his expense). I have seen it on some of the posts in this part of the forum !!..DIY ALarm Installers..!! Even the forum name is slightly derogatory. Why use the exclamation marks? none of the other forums have exclamation marks. DAVE I think that you should remove them when you get the chance.

I know it might sound strange to some of you out there but I really would like to fit the system myself. I find it quite an exciting project that I am really looking forward to. I know that some of you may find this a challenge to your livelihood but I'm sure there are plenty of customers out there who wouldn't even want to install their own system (even if they could!). I AM NOT DOING THIS TO SOLELY SAVE MONEY.

So please, show a little respect (even pity will do!) for the DIY installers. Some of them could maybe quite competent at this with a bit of understanding and help. I can understand that lots of you are quite busy and dont have the time or the inclination to help. Some want to kepp their discussion at a 'higher' level with their peers. I understand. However, if you can help in any way, please do, as it will be much appreciated.

Enough of the rant (but I would like to see those derogatory exclamation marks gone!).

Any help you can give will be very welcome.

Dobbin