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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Alarms, Phones, Aerials, CCTV & Datacomms >> Intruder alarm https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1228649135 Message started by wozzy on Dec 7^th, 2008, 11:25am

Title: Intruder alarm
Post by wozzy on Dec 7^th, 2008, 11:25am

i have been asked by a customer to install a intruder alarm, is not something i do everyday but would like to give it a go and broaden my horizons. I have explained to the customer that i do not belong to any governing organisation or any certified installer scheme when it comes to alarms and he didnt care, just wants a basic system for a small bungalow.

My question is does any one have any reccommendations for a simple alarm system for a electrician to install and commision? Makes? models? anything else i should consider?

I think it will only need about 3 PIRs due to the size of the bungalow.

Many thanks

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by londonman on Dec 7^th, 2008, 6:18pm

Not used any myself but seem to remember a whole host of kit in the DIY sheds which might be of use.

Personally I use and rate the stuff from Voltek. http://www.voltek.co.uk/Security-Lighting.asp

Depends on what they want. Alarm bells outside? Inside? Rapid response unit ? Dobermanns?

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by Lectrician on Dec 7^th, 2008, 6:28pm

I would always recommend the Texecom Veritas range. Go for the R8. This has a remote 'endstation' to be placed out of site in a utuility room, cupboard, next to the CU etc, and then has a small compact keypad to be placed by the main entry door.

PIR's should be placed to cover downstairs well, with a single PIR on a landing (not in your case). The main entry/exit door should ideally have some door contacts as these allow you to use final exit settings to kill the exit timer, and start the entry timer.

The R8 is adecent panel used by many reputable installers, but is also very user friendly, and installer friendly - The install manual goes through most things, and has diagrams etc.

The main things to consider are the battery - make sure you quote for one (7Ah ideally).

I would also always take a telephone cable to the panels location while wiring and lifting floors etc, as this allows for the addition of a dialler or even digicom in the future.

Use 6 core cable str wiring from the panel to every detector etc.

Place an external speaker centrally, and wire this with the 6 core too.

If you use a texecom bell box (and they are great too) then the wiring will be easier and more well explained in the manual.

When programming, look at 'inhibited entry' for your hall PIR, and final exit on your front door.

Not a lot more I can think of....

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by wozzy on Dec 7^th, 2008, 7:22pm

cheers, :)
after posting that i went through old topics and found that the texecom had been recommended. i liked the look of it.
i went on a few websites and chose what i thought i needed came out around the £120 mark for the texecom R8 blank endstation, remote keypad, 3 basic PIRs, 2.8Ah (i think) battery and external sounder.

Havnt enquired at the wholesalers yet, is that a good price?

How much do companies usually charge for installing this equipement?

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by WOLF on Dec 7^th, 2008, 7:57pm

i agree with Lec , got the Veritas gear in both home and workshop/storeroom!

excellent bits of kit!!

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by wozzy on Dec 7^th, 2008, 9:25pm

some thing along the lines of:

http://www.alertelectrical.com/Burglar-Intruder-Alarm-Systems/Complete-Burglar-Alarm-Systems-And-Kits/Texecom-VR8-Burglar-Alarm-System--Kit-KIT4.asp

any possible upgrades besides the battery?

that sounds like a ok price to me

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by Lectrician on Dec 8^th, 2008, 6:30am

That is a very good price.

You are likely to need more cable, and a larger battery would be nice.

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by WOLF on Dec 8^th, 2008, 2:45pm

thats where i got my kit from ace price too!!! ::)

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by wozzy on Dec 8^th, 2008, 7:39pm

cheers for the answers

got wilts trying to do better that them on the price, going for a much bigger battery as well.

is it worth going for the dual technology PIRs? are they really that good and worth their money?

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by Lectrician on Dec 9^th, 2008, 6:35am

Dual techs pretty much make false alarms a thing of the past. (when it comes to detection anyway).

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by wozzy on Dec 9^th, 2008, 5:38pm

Im looking at 23 pound per dual tech, really worth its money? or just boils down to the individual customer?

going for a 2.3Ah battery as thats the biggest that will fit.

wilts cudnt touch that price!

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by CWatters on Dec 10^th, 2008, 6:51pm

I opted for a wireless system from Visonic/BT for my house. More expensive than a wired system but very pleased with it. Only took about an hour to install. Went for their "quad PIR" sensors as I'd heard they were very immume to false alarms. Seems true as we've not had a false alarm in the two years it's been in. Still on the original PIR batteries. It has small wireless key fobs that are easy to carry so you can treat the house like you do your car. No need for a keypad in the hall and I never need to go near the alarm panel.

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by wozzy on Dec 12^th, 2008, 6:20pm

The customer only wants PIRs to cover the doorways, is this ok or is it frowned upon, as you should be using door contacts?

Title: Re: Intruder alarm
Post by Lectrician on Dec 12^th, 2008, 6:27pm

Door contact on the main entry exit is preffered, It makes the setting and unsetting less 'messy'. It is not really used as means of detection, but only for triggering the entry delay. The hall PIR would still provide the protection, but the hall PIR is programmed to be ignored during entry/exit.