Re: Troubleshooting Question

["Frank Olson" <feolson@xxxxxxxxxx>]

"J P Shull III" <jpshull@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ZQAse.1870$Nz2.84@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 10-20 openings on one zone.  Intermit falsing.  Need step by step
> troubleshooting guide.  Special Tools?  Mine don't seem to work.  Same for
> 10-20 openings one wire to panel.
> Thanks in advance.


First off, determine exactly how many openings you're dealing with and what
kind of contacts.  Check each contact individually and make sure the magnets
line up.  I've seen some instances where self-adhering surface magnets have
worked loose (or the backing has been exposed to moisture) and have moved
far enough away from the contact that an intermittent "open" will occur.  On
some recessed contacts, the door or window frame may have warped enough to
cause the same condition.  In the latter case a simple "fix" is to insert a
flat-head screw next to the magnet (on the side closest to the contact when
the opening is closed/locked) that's (at the most) half the length of the
recessed magnet.  This will change the magnetic field in such a way as to
bring it "closer" to the contact.

By all means check the loop resistance as Robert Bass has suggested.  This
would determine whether-or-not you have a wiring problem caused by corrosion
or a poor connection.  Have someone stand at the panel while you go around
and "thump" all the openings.  If your meter "twitches" at any one, I'd
first suggest replacing the magnet or repositioning the existing one.  If
the problem persists after you've done this it's time to pull the contact
and replace it.

After you've done all this, it's time to break the circuit.  Start in the
middle and work your way to the ends.  If you have to replace every single
contact.  It sounds to me like this system was either installed by an
individual that received about an hour's worth of instruction over the phone
or it's an old system of the type that employed a single loop for
everthing...  "Micropulse" comes to mind...

Good luck!!!